“And get turned into a toad?” Leeks snorted. “Cyrus is a crazy old gnome, I’m not about to risk that.” He frowned. “Say...” He looked su...picious again, his eyes boring into Virginia, who seemed to become aware of his thoughts and was glaring back at him in a way that seemed designed to clearly announce her feelings about me. And so, once more, I headed off at the pass.“Then might we?” I asked, smiling.“If you would, I could see about giving you one of the swords,” Leeks said, his voice brusque. I was in no shape to drive the next morning. Morgan volunteered to drive one of the Oak Leaf vans. Even with Morgan and I taking a van, there would be room in the remaining vehicles for Matthew to get back to Oak Leaf.Our leave taking was brief. Lord Matthew was there; not realizing the significance of our journey, he simply clasped hands and said he looked forward to seeing us at Oak Leaf. Lord Oliver and Elk also wished us luck. I was sad that Lady Michele had not yet returned.A few minutes. “What? He’s a medic right?”“In Special Operations, that just means he knows how to sew you together after he fucks you up.” He sighed. “I’ll get the word to the would-be hard cases to stay backed off if you promise not to start any shit yourself.”“I’ll keep to myself. I just want to be left alone.”I’d arrived just in time for lunch. I sat alone, eating a very forgettable beef stew, just warm enough to not fully congeal and a slice of bread. The orange “safety spork” probably tasted better.A. Our relationship was fairly young so at this point she was unaware that I had already began to explore my own sexual anal desires so I didn't know how to breach the topic. I had no idea how she might respond. She could think I was a freak or even think I was gay which would clearly be a problem for our relationship.We stood in silence for a minute, both staring at it, contemplating the idea of this little glass wonder until I mustered up the courage to make my suggestion. I took a deep breath.