. think that might happen to Regula?"Malcolm closed his eyes and nodded. "If men suspect she's a maiden, interest can be quite fierce. Certainly, they...would be interested in Merula."Corvus frowned and shook his head. "Who?" Regula's sister," said Malcolm. "I understand she just turned fourteen."Corvus paced. "Can we prevent that?"Malcolm nodded. "I think so. We can buy an option on the household first thing in the morning if one of the general's friends will issue it. That will keep anyone else. " What else have you put in? You ask me to moderate my terms and I have to know what you wish to accomplish."Again, there was a pause then the priest said, "For my religion to be safe, we need a strong people. You already have strong arms. Beyond that, I want our hero to bring our people together. That requires a strong and benevolent ruler. You have many years ahead of you. When you die you leave no male issue except your comatose son..." I understand. I am in agreement with this, so long as. Therewas probably nothing she could say that would erase the image from hismind of his distressed wife through the last 15 hours of mourning theloss of her their first born child. Nor could she do anything todisconnect his self-perceived complicity in fact that he had never doneenough to reunite her family for her. Shelly knocked back the three fingers of booze her father had poured forher. She took a burning breath and said, "No one blames you foranything, not me or any of the kids, Erin. "I'm happy to help, but you owe me one. You're not leaving here until you bury that fat thing inside my pussy." She paused and looked at the row of sick people still moaning and writhing on their cots. "After we help them, of course."Charlotte's freckled face broke into a grin. "As it just so happens," she told Annie. "I have kind of a thing for nurses. I'd be happy to sneak into a supply closet with you later."Annie giggled and re-buttoned her uniform. She motioned to Jason. "Now, about him,".