“It’s okay,” he said, softening, “I was just terrified you were hurt, and I would have preferred to know you weren’t sooner!”“I’m real...ly sorry!” She repeated, properly rebuked for her tasteless game.“It’s alright, sweetie,” he said, “You’re alright, that’s all that counts.”“What happened?” she asked.“I don’t know exactly,” he said, “I know we hit something, and that it wasn’t something that huge. But the engineer fucked up somehow. The brakes should have engaged long before we hit whatever we. That makes sense for me, too. Not that I'm in a hurry to leave you..." I looked at her, eyebrows raised, and she smiled. "Don't worry," she went on, "I've seen the way you look at Kelly ... not to mention the way she looks at you. I know I don't have a prayer of getting between you." You're a very attractive woman," I demurred.She laughed. "Not enough. Not enough by far. You know, pride is supposed to be a vice, isn't it? Yet it's pride that stops me from competing with Kelly." Pride ... or. Lord Gilcrism has abducted two of the women from the Ambassador's group. They are in immediate danger and I'm going to DarKer Island to rescue them."The Sergeant came to attention and saluted the king. "Yes sire, you're activating the protectors for a just intervention. I'll let my sister Protectors know. What is your desire sire?" There is a spot on the north-west coast of DarKer Island where a boat can put to shore without being broken up on the rocks. Take the ferry to that coast and I will. She was precocious and one of the sweetest children I had ever known. Her being here was the main reason that I brought Cindy here from the trailer park. Cynthia had spent almost as much time in my house as she had at her own. Naomi had taught her to swim in this very pool and my youngest daughter had baby-sat her too many times to count. We were closer than many families but sadly, we had grown apart since Naomi's death. Most sadly, that was my fault.The girls became quiet and then just as I.