’ ‘Like I said, why the hell not?’ ‘Most men want to marry a virgin. I’ll be a divorced woman.’ ‘But we haven’t done anything!’ ‘I... doesn’t matter what we’ve done during our time here, only what people think. In everyone’s mind I am no longer pure and therefore unfit for marriage.’ Alec shook his head. ‘Oh that’s just great!’ ‘Why? You are free to divorce me as soon as we get out of here.’ ‘Yeah, but—well, I don’t want to screw you out of finding somebody either! That’s completely unfair.. Most of your friends are here.”“Dad?” I asked.“Samantha sent her plane. He’ll be here any minute.”“Thanks,” I said.He left the room and I cried softly. Kara and Michelle came into the room. Through my own tears, I could see Kara had been crying.“Hi, Honey,” I said.“Hi, Snuggle Bear,” she said softly. “Doctor Barton told you?”“Yes,” I sighed. “We need to call his mom. The number is in my book.”“Elyse gave it to the police. They’re taking care of it. Jess told us it was him.”“How is. The girl said, ‘He is in bad shape. We cannot move him. We were lucky he didn’t die in the crash. Besides, I found him so I get to keep him.’ That seemed to settle the matter with whomever she was arguing. I felt rather than saw her sit next to me. I tried to speak but only my lips moved. Nothing came out. ‘Don’ talk!’ she ordered. ‘There are bad people everywhere.’ While I lay there I started trying to remember some basic stuff like my name. I thought and thought but had no luck. How did I get. One, two, three –”A man appeared in expensive but distressed robes “Forgive us sir, we are a poor family with little so we sought to hide from the invaders, we meant no harm”Ling snorted, the man’s robes were old, but were silks and furs, he was clearly well off. “I mean you no harm, relax. I am the new Governor and I have been pointed to you as the pre-eminent merchant in the town. I shall lodge with you. The town is safe now, I have a garrison who will be charged with ensuring no more.