‘I’ll make no bones about it, this is painful. Very painful. If you can get through even two strokes without breaking your position I will be extr...mely surprised, and rather impressed. However, any deviation from your current stance will earn you additional strokes…so please bear that in mind. My initial thinking was to give you six strokes, but in return for Tom’s life I am increasing it to twelve, plus any earned for disobedience during your caning. I expect you to count each stroke, Kitty,. It was almost too easy with this one.They ate as always out on the patio and watched the sun set beyond he hills on the horizon. Sipping some chilled white wine they talked until the stars came out and then the girls excused themselves, claiming fatigue from the bike ride. Silas just waved them off- You girls get you beauty sleep then. Right now it looks like you need it. I'll be going over to the barn and get some work done so you know where I am.Penny momentarily froze at the words and then. We have a machine which acts as a universal translator. It's sole purpose is to let us communicate. You should know that the machine refuses to translate anything but the truth, so please do not lie to us. And I will not lie to you. Now, please identify any food items so that we may feed you."The creature pointed to one item and said, "That is the only food on the tray. I can eat that, but it is only candy I had along as a snack. There are no regular foodstuffs on my ship. It will keep me alive. "Last time I spoke with Granny, everything was quiet. I don't think that anyone has even thought about going that far west yet."They chatted for a few more minutes while Arabella finished her drink. Wolfe, asked more questions than he answered, skillfully interrogated Arabella about Monterey without divulging any information about himself. He tried to get Arabella to accompany him, insisting that he could provide protection from whatever bandits were in the forest but Arabella, thinking of her.