The other was a young woman. She took Restiv’s place facing Corec and his friends, bringing two of the crossbowmen with her. The men kept their bows...cocked and loaded, but at least they were no longer aiming directly at them. When the girl rested the butt of her staff-spear against the ground, a flicker of white and blue light ran over it, looking like tiny strands of lightning.Corec’s head felt funny, and he became aware of a faintly familiar sensation. The girl was a mage. He caught himself. The door to a side chamber slid open. A slight figure entered. Man orwoman, Uther could not say. The figure wore the uniform of his army, butit was the uniform of a much larger man. Sleeves ran down to cover thefingers of hands that struggled to hold up a pair of oversized britchesthat pooled on the ground and made walking slow. A hood, the sort normallyworn under a battle helm covered the face, indeed the entire head."Show me your face," Uther commanded.The figure hesitated. "Do it," Merlin. ..helpful. Unless it involves self-sacrifice.Demons aren't required to perform noble acts." I tried to warn her," Alley Pin said, "but by that time I was alreadyyours." He shrugged."A new experience for me," Keys said. "I never had to consider whatJenius needed or wanted." She smiled. "Besides a good draining."Aquarelle checked her bag. One bandage of wound binding. No potions. "Ithink we should stay here overnight." The tentacle monster will respawn," Alley Pin said. "Not advised.Eighteen arms. Crystal and I are wearing strapless crimson bras and crimson mini skirts, with matching pumps.Breakfast is, as usual, delicious. The boys really know how to cook. Crystal and I eat heartily, so do the boys. Candy nibbles at the food. Vicky doesn't even pretend to eat. After breakfast is cleared, we get our marching orders. Lunch will be light, served at noon. Wine will be served with lunch, however Vicky will drink nothing but water or fruit juice. She will have nothing that will numb her.