“That was fast.” Arif chuckled dryly. “A little background first. You know that Peytor Valsihkova had come out here to set up a deep space array... using one of the spares from the Wells as the base unit.”“I didn’t know they had finished it,” Keith said quietly.“They haven’t, or at least they haven’t connected all the instrumentation yet. However, they have been testing the equipment they have installed. Everything was routine until they brought the entire array online.”“I thought this unit was. Once that side was done, it would beback to the other side, twisting what felt like so much less hair justabove his earlobe, yet not pulling it too far back. Bands and hinge pinswould again wind and slide to his scalp, as each side would again bematched until out came this big fat barreled iron, as finally it seemedhe?d be getting those curls.She untwisted the entire top, splitting half of it forwards, tossing itonto his face and then pulled the back section, brushing it past thecrown of his. May I assume you'll wish to leave as soon as possible tomorrow?"The Princess had spent the better part of the afternoon staring at the water from the buttresses atop the castle."He's fine," Rayna said. As always, the Princess' friend and faithful companion was at her side. "Pernice says that a Legion of angry Velottans would have a tough time with Jorgarn if he was peeved. He has a wee bit of a temper – or so I hear." I didn't realize how connected I was with him until he was no longer near,". Outside were two finished sailing boats in the drying process. Inside, Coven was full of dust, his hands working with two helpers to bend a piece of wood into place on the bow of a boat. Coven staggered slightly when the gluing was done, surprised to see me at the door. A moment later and we clasped forearms, our faces bright with joy at finally seeing a loved one.We laughed together, "We didn't know you would be on this barge trip!" His normally calm, brown eyes full of excitement."My.