The bride was present for some ten minutes, in full purdah, after which she was to be offered to the Emir for the night, before being transported to h...r new husband's harem. In a thoroughly modernising, almost scandalous gesture, the Emir had decreed that a gallery, screened off but with peepholes, would be set up so that a few women could watch the wedding. Common people sometimes had weddings where such things happened, but it had previously been unheard of in the higher ranks of Kobekistani. " Small comfort for any of us," Tynis slapped Ethric on the shoulder with a grin and grabbed the wine bottle from the table beside them. "Now, give me your glass. Let's have a drink and you can tell me why you think your apprentice has been spending these months since his return from Nacre Springs in Trilin rather than at the tower?" Not just in Trilin," Ethric gave a rueful laugh. "He seems to have developed a fondness for the lakeside fishing district.Samaroc was a mender of nets, and he had. She used to be quite the party girl, always the center of attention and the object of the menfolk's eye.But that life was over for her now and while her new reality was not what she would have chosen for herself, she made the best she could out of it. Sometimes a person has to work with what is given them. “You got to play the hand your dealt sweetheart,” her daddy used to tell her all the time. Well, she sure wished she could play a different game sometimes!It wasn’t that Kate couldn’t find a. ’ Actor wants me to go drinking with him. Apparently, better than a drug habit. Searched his trailer, his home, his person, his car, and his garage for any stash. Hmmm…. maybe if I suggest a cavity search…. Actor gave me his stash. Took him drinking. We were attacked by muggers. Introduced them to tactical baton. Muggers paid by IRA idiots to test security. Must introduce IRA idiots one and two to baton. IRA guys (hereby known as Larry and Moe) are shooting at us again. BRB Molotov cocktails.