He turned and, treading on his cloth booties over his shoes, he carried the Halo towards its box. With reverence, holding his breath, he sat it into t...e packing peanuts. He made sure it was secure, protected for its journey to the new god or goddess. He sat the owner's manual in next, the cover printed in a dozen different languages, then he sealed the box with brown packing tape.He lifted the cardboard container and marched to the door. The airlock hissed as it cycled. He stepped into the. ’ His eyes darted across the room at the people reactions. Even the reporter’s quills were silent. As he surveyed the scene, he fought a smile, and stood up. The royal guard ordered everyone to bow, and Sakhmet exited the room. As the judge left the courtroom, Horus looked worried and did nothing to hide the fact. His mother and older brother moved closer, as the family’s attorney gathered up his notes and left. ‘What’s wrong brother?’ Phantos asked. ‘Sakhmet is on the take. You can see it. Sitting on a mound of cruelly sharp crystals was a familiar young woman in an orange dress. Her bare feet were undamaged by the sharp edges surrounding her."Hello, Briar," I said, removing my blade from the dead ogre "What do you mean 'dream'?" You didn't know?" She laughed and the crystals resonated in response. An Immortal's laughter has some unusual qualities."You are dreaming all this. Right now you are asleep in your hut next to your wife. She, however, is awake and reading, probably. I just haven’t been able to show that for fear that you didn’t want me once you knew about my past.’ I went to her, put my arms around her and kissed her lightly. Her arms went up around my neck pulling me into her, her mouth opening slightly and her tongue poking at my lips. That light kiss became a sensation like sinking into a pool of warmth as she returned my kiss with interest. We stood there in the center of the floor and held each other tightly, leaving me very conscious of Maria’s.