Her objection to the smell had been pro forma.Taking the joint seemed almost natural, even though Linnea hadn't done so in almost a decade--not since ...ight before her own college graduation. Taking a deep draught of smoke into her lungs, Linnea realized that she had made the decision to stay at the party and try to blend in. If Stephen hadn't recognized her, the darkness and firelight should be enough to hide any obvious signs that she was somewhat older than the average celebrant for her to. Mom and my sister gave her a hug. My mother said, ‘Big Sky is close to Ennis, we’re practically neighbors, aren’t we.’ The whole ‘tribe’ including Caitlyn and me went to a late lunch to celebrate. My family left around 4:00, they had a two hour drive to get home. The last ten miles was over a mountain pass and down into the Madison River Valley and you don’t want to drive those mountain roads after dark. They could have stayed a little later, but my mom knew I wanted to spend my last night with. I dressed as I pondered the Goddess's words. “There are stories about people who search for the answers to important questions, right?”“Yeah,” Rebbecca nodded.“Where do they go?”“Libraries,” she shrugged.“In the stories?” I asked. “Don't they go to dangerous places. Remote places where spirits or oracles wait.”“Like the oracle the king visits?” Rebbecca asked. “Only our king is allowed to see the Oracle of Sekar.”“There are other oracles,” I pointed out. “We learned about them in all those. If not you will have to.”“If Deirdre agrees, now, to give me that authority then I will.”“Good. Please go and ask her.”Brigit and I went into Deirdre’s room. Deirdre looked pale and tired. That was very different from how she had been a few hours ago. I explained what the midwife said and asked if Deirdre would let me make the decision.“Only if you and Brigit agree,” she replied. I looked at Brigit. She nodded. The midwife came in. We explained Deirdre’s condition. The midwife looked carefully.