Tears welled up in her eyes, and a sob wracked her body. Sitting down, she put her head in her hands and cried.The sound of the phone ringing startled...her. Wiping her eyes, she looked over and saw that it wasn't on the charger. It rang again, and she tracked the sound to the opposite side of the room. Getting up quickly, and heading in that direction, she found the phone on a table when it rang a third time.Picking it up, she took a deep breath to steady her voice and answered it. Silence. Taking it her hand, she brought it to her mouth and slowly engulfed its head."I know you were watching me," she whispered so softly he wasn't sure if she had spoken or if he was dreaming. But when she began to stroke him, so slowly he had to squirm under her hand, he knew it was real, and whispered back."Kathy's home. Watching television." I know, I'm her mother, for God's sake. I have second sight where she's concerned. Now be quiet. Be very quiet, or we'll have unwanted company."The touch of. Derwen waved her hand dismissively, "Of course you will keep your Dragon, Von. We need you to move quickly between Juniper Hills and our home here." Her smile and a laugh disarmed the awkwardness. "We will schedule the other two small cogs to arrive at different times in the fishing village. Perhaps I can run one from Conquest Point and the other from Old Capital City. The Lady of Truth will continue to supply Juniper Hills and ship Juniper Water back. The fishing village is not far from the. Sorry." When Martin's secretary wrote to arrange our tryst, one of his specific requests was that I always speak my answers aloud. "Yes, please." Thank you."A glass bottle clanks against a metal vessel. Moments later, Martin's hand cups the back of my neck and the rim of a goblet is pressed to my lip. I inhale deeply, savoring the pungent aroma, and take careful sips.There are no sounds to hint at the next item. "Careful this time," Martin cautions. "Don't bite down."When I open to his touch,.