"She broke off in tears again.Recovering slightly she continued, "We met the Emir and he courted both of us and married both of us. Even though I bore...him a child, I still love my poor dead Andrew, and he knows that. That is one reason why he lets me come to you for company. Now I am afraid that I shall lose another husband in another stupid war, and it has shown me how much he has come to mean to me." Believe me, ma'am," the butler reassured her, "There are ten thousand men whose first aim is. I’m just here to accompany my brother Roban. I can imagine how weird that must sound and look to you. You should ask him, although I fear it will only increase your confusion,” Athea told them smiling.“Well, I’m Roban and came to take a look at the Manthakin advance party,” Roban said and focused his attention smiling to the women of the group in front of them. “Didn’t I tell you we will meet again Gillyn, nice to meet you again so soon Sahein.”The second men of the group looked from Roban to. He glanced at her and said simply, ‘I’m sorry.’ Then he turned and walked to his car, driving off into the sunset. Toni collapsed on the curb, hugging the puppy tightly to her shaking frame. The tears came unbidden now, soaking the puppy’s face. As she sobbed, the puppy whimpered at the distress of her mistress and started to howl, the sounds mixing with Toni’s cries and fading into the wind……. ********* 4 years later “Ouch! You damn dog,” Antonia Layne giggled. Her dog, Pounce, had just lived. "Reggie spun around, glancing at the woman who'd just passed judgment on his health, wondering what she was talking about."She's right," Alex told him. "If you haven't noticed it before, you'll have proof soon enough. While you don't have to believe us, chances are if you don't, you'll be incapacitated with incredible pain for several days. You'll either have to delay everyone, or they'll find someone to replace you. I'd suggest you get those things treated. I'm told the kidney stones can be.