It’s definitely taken a beating, at least. Especially here in Haven ... perhaps that has prejudiced my grasp of the situation. Hasn’t western Oreg...n largely been converted to Havenism at least?” Melissa posed the obvious rhetorical question.“Indeed, along with western Washington in many parts ... and some of the central parts of both provinces along with the Cascade Mountains. And Schumacher, California ... and Fort Tokutomi, California, along with Vancouver Island in British Columbia. There. And I sort of worked on it until it was finished. But to start us out again I wanted to write something that was more about feelings than most of my stories. I wanted to write something like Barney-R or Hermit or Jake Rivers would write. And while not quite up to their standards, this is a fairly decent stab. As always, if you don't like this one the next one will be different. Thanks to every one who reads it. And thanks of course to Barney-R for eiditing it with his usual wizardry. SS06A day. I would be the Pauline to your Bernhard. But that would be wrong too, for you do not live by milestones. — x — It is a little before sunrise when I wake up in a sweat to the sound of muezzins wailing to their God, each one inheriting the dying strains of his predecessor, dispatching the laments heavenward with renewed vigour. To the non-believer that I am, their sonorous but doleful chant seems to fill the predawn air with the intimation of an execution. Beware, they appear to warn, to my. I think it's important that people become aware of how underhanded this government has become." Yes, sir." But more important is your well-being. How's the arm?" Okay, sir. My wife's a sister and has been taking good care of me."There was a hearty laugh. "Ah, yes. The fair Rowena. But she's not really a Saxon lass, is she?" No, sir. More a Celtic warrior queen." I got another laugh."I heard a number of good things about you. From the Wine Growers, the University, the military, and — of course —.