I had to get my grades up if I ever wanted to get to college. I needed to qualify for scholarships and financial aid if I wanted to go.One week end, I... helped Mom bring down the laundry into the basement. That's where the washing machine and dryer were. I had never really looked in the basement when I was growing up as Jack. There was nothing down there that would interest me. Now, I was just curious. In one corner of the basement was walled off area, next to the furnace. On the door, barely. In a battle, moments of blindness could be costly.“Yren?” It was Bremer’s voice, near him. He turned his head – but he could only make out a shadowed shape. Images of a clear, blue sky flashed before his eyes and the summer’s bright sun blinded him.He closed his eyes tightly, willing them to adjust. He could smell the musky scent of the forest and the sweet smell of honeysuckle. There was a slight breeze, and it carried the smell of grass and hay. The smells evoked memories, but he tabled them. ”“No,” Genrico said firmly. “It is like this. The men and women of Hulett, Drummond, Golrick Halversham, Palmer and Heilman love the idea of having a powerful man to ensure their pockets jingle with gold and they can sleep in peace at night. But that are unwilling to pay the price that safety and prosperity costs. Too often, that price is blood.“You, Alexander, you were willing to pay that cost. So were you, Jonathan. So was I. So were Aryn ... and Kendall ... and d’Arnott. They came with us or. And I damn well know where you two were going when I caught you trying to slip off from the rest of us!"Neither Bret or Karen answered."Did you think I was stupid?" Frank continued to rage. "Did you think I was blind?" Frank, calm down," Jason interrupted. "Take hold of yourself and tell me what's going on here."Frank twisted around, his eyes wide and wild. "It's your son, Jason! He's just like you and your wife! I caught these two trying to sneak out into the woods so that they could satisfy.