She smirked at herself in the mirror and then changed back into her uniform and once more became Able Seaman Nyland.The next day Michael Nyland met wi...h ABs Dave ‘Doc’ Holiday and Brian ‘Polly’ Perkins in the starboard after ladder bay at stand easy. They sipped kai, sailors slang for hot chocolate, and smoked cigarettes. It was a dismal day with rough seas and pouring rain so they had the space to themselves.“So the queen of the barracks calls a meeting of her discarded proteges,” Doc said. .. human! One more knock at my size and I'm turning youinto a frog!" Emily wasn't afraid to threaten people who call her short."Cool it, Emily. You want to lose your job?" Sorry, Mark." Emily took a few deep breaths, then calmed down. Sheflew back onto my shoulder, as the chief resumed the details."Now, Emily, Mark, you two are to report to the magic chambers at 11PMtonight, sharp. When you're in your female guise, just stand outside theRiteabaer building, and wait for our unknown fellow. Ethanda too was getting married young for somewhat the same reasons. Mathen, her husband-to-be, was a first son set to inherit a profitable farm, and thus one of the most eligible men along the frontier. He was also one of Fexrem's oldest friends, and he came from an extended family with many proven warriors. It would have been stupid not to make the alliance.Finding themselves set apart from the other brides, Ethanda and Henna struck up a quick friendship. And when she saw Wilhan walking past,. I beat the crap out of him and they took me out of that home as quick as I could pack my few belongings in my little suitcase. They put me right back in the halfway house for a couple of weeks and gave me some more halfhearted counseling.I guess they’re losing patience with me now, though. I was all but dragged out of my dormitory and shoved into the back of this car. The big, black, very scary social worker ragged on me for a half hour as he drove me to what he promised me was the last chance.