Noresistance was offered. "Who speaks for this village?" Flavius Galarius bellowed at thecowering throng. None of them seemed to understand Latin so ... repeated thisin the native tongue. The crowed muttered and parted exposing an older manwith a graying beard, his wife, son, and daughter stood by his side. "Iam the village elder." He said with a twinge of fear in his quaveringvoice. I moved to stand in front of the man, two soldiers accompanied me. Thepriest was still held at the edge of the. It coiled to strike.X. X. Spiral. Come on. I had four of each type. Where was the—Chevron.I smiled as I grasped the acacia bomb and ripped it out. I threw it as the serpent lunged. The bomb struck its belly right below the collar of feathers. A white-brown gunk expanded when the clay shattered, reacting with the air.I rolled to the sideThe serpent landed next to me, the foam expanding, tangling it up with fallen branches, bushes, and the side of a tree. Its muscular tail thrashed as its head. Back at the trailer, I rearranged stuff in the storage closets so that Cindy had more room. Girls take up room. Lots of room. But you know what? They're worth it.As I was shuffling the closets and she was hauling in the loot, she said, "Wanna microwave somethin' for lunch?" Either that or we run up to the catfish joint." You know," I said, "fried catfish sounds good right now. Microwave something for dinner?" I can do that."Hour and half, we're back. "Pool?" she said, looking at me."Yeah, but. " The Playboy said firmly. "I have animportant job for you."Sugar smiled and hung on every word the Playboy said."We are going to have many guests over the next fewweeks. I want you to keep them entertained. I wantyou to make them feel welcome. That means doinganything they ask of you. Is that understood." Yes sir," Sugar squealed. "I'll do absolutelyanything." Very good. Other than that, just look pretty. Youmay go."Sugar pouted at being dismissed; her disappointmentturned to anger when Spice.