“The General is busy. Come back later, maybe tomorrow, or next week,” we were told in no uncertain terms.“That’s not acceptable,” I told him....“Well, that’s just too bad,” he answered with a smirk, which only lasted a few seconds. Large pink frogs don’t have the ability to smirk. I turned and looked at Seamus.“Somebody had to do something,” he said in excuse, as the frog looked around in confusion. A couple of the soldiers guarding the tent had brought their muskets up on seeing this. We were all. What did his mother suspect? Or know? Had Mandy sent a text, telling her all about it? He dismissed that thought instantly. Mandy may be a sexual predator but she wasn’t totally crackers.His mother pressed a finger on his neck. ‘You’ve got a love bite, Simon.’Simon touched his neck where his mother had just pressed and felt the heat rise in his cheeks. ‘Yeah, it was a good night,’ he managed and swiftly walked to his bedroom.Simon grabbed his bathrobe and the bag of toiletries his mother had. You're with me now and he can't touch you."Her glassy eyes focused on me again. "How ... How do you know?"I used my thumb to wipe away a tear that had escaped her. "Because I'm going to break the bond he's got on you." How?"I slid my hand gently behind her neck and pulled her to me easily. She didn't fight, but I could still feel her conflicting emotions as well as the ones that Randal had amplified to create her need to be physically punished. Slowly, she lowered her face to me and I leaned up. Could we put these in your room so they'll be safe and out of the way until we need them?" Sure." Anne handed me a bag, asking me to make sure that I held it from the bottom so that the half gallon glass bottle would not break and so its contents wouldn't spill. Anne and Debbie each picked up a couple of lighter bags which we carried up the stairs and into my bedroom. They placed their bags onto my bed and asked me to put mine into my closet so it would be out of sight of anyone else who might.