” He smirked. “It also means they are eager to support any little ­– games – I might want to play. “A last question?”She looked down, as ...f concerned she might be overstepping her bounds, then, “Have you played, uh, a lot of games here?” she asked in a low voice.Her tone broke my heart. I put my hand under her chin and lifted her to face me. “Marta, my word to you, this is the first time I’ve ever done anything like this, here or anywhere, with anybody.“All I meant was, I called Emile and told. . Merones, you had better be very careful if you are headingto Zernos." I have to go there."As the ship drew nearer to the land the smoke seemed to disappear and Ipersuaded myself there was nothing to worry about.Peraga was a mean crude looking fishing village, small compared even toGenoria, and I looked askance at its wharf, only a little better than apile of logs lashed together. But I gathered my few possessions anddisembarked anyway. I could not go back.Mardus took my hand and pointed.. ." Betsy just laughed at my confusion, "Not that it will do you any good, but I found a magic coin that granted me a wish." She smirked as she added, "And of course I used it on you." I just stood there, frozen in confusion and shock. "But why..." I squeaked out. She glared at me, her hands on her hips. "Since you like secretaries so much," Betsy snarled, "I decided that you can be one." "But... but..." I started to protest, my mind swirling with emotions. "Now get out of MY house," Betsy. Jacquelyn?”Jacquelyn had long, curly brown hair, was probably about thirty pounds overweight, and looked like she wanted to be anywhere but in the dojo.“My doctor said I need to exercise. My mom made me sign up for lessons. I don’t WANT to be here.”That didn’t bode well. The first thing I’d have to do was work on that attitude.“What grade are you in?” I asked.“I start my Junior year in the fall.”“Melody?” I said with a smile.“I’ve always wanted to take some kind of self-defense or martial arts.