“I saw you,” Violet said. She went over to the windowsill and looked at the small collection of Christmas cards. “Last night. I came to surprise...you, Toby. You know that? I thought you’d be lonely. And then in the intermission - it all just fell apart. Isn’t that hilarious?”“You – you saw? God, I’m sorry,” he said but he didn’t even look at her. “I am. Truly. So sorry.”He didn’t seem very sorry.“I was all excited about surprising you,” Violet continued. “I really thought you'd be pleased to see. I’ll be fine, I think.”We got through breakfast, and Don Sr. was about to leave for the dig when he asked me about Carol. He even noticed she was off her game. I patted his arm and whispered. “I think she is having her period. It would be best if she stayed in camp today and rested.”“Of course, Liz. Whatever you think is best.”The boys did not look any worse for wear and followed their father to the dig. Carol started helping me clean up when I told her to go back to bed. She just nodded her. “Hmmm,” he said. “Sounds like you’re at least thinking about it,” he teased.She reached with one hand to push him and he rocked to one side. She felt a warmth flood her chest. She’d never bantered with a man before ... never had a man who was a friend.“You don’t act like you want to seduce me,” she said. “You act more like someone who cares what happens to me.”“I do care what happens to you,” he said. “Can’t I have a nefarious plan on top of that? I have a reputation to live up to, you. . We beat the bastards, left them scrambling for the hills. But look what's left ... If you had only..."He continued to stare at her for a few more moments, his look stern. Then, slowly, his expression softened."Ah, hell, I'm glad to see you're alright." Thanks, I guess. So the Maurials are gone?" Gone, dead, fleeing. Our losses were heavy, but theirs were off the charts. Once you took down their Captain and their strongest mage, they sort of fell apart. It was strange. They had been so.