3 A Crack in the Facade

By Jay Michael Jones

Book 3: With the promise of an outpost that will help sustain the nomads in the coming years, the Thuringi prepare the island for the fleet. As they do, personal problems arise to add to the already complex relationships. Gareth builds a transportal for the island to make traveling there easier, but the Bishop sparks concern that Earth has a corrupting influence. The Bishop also fears he will lose the seat of religious power he seized for himself and makes trouble for popular young Vicar Beace, returning from Earth on a fact-finding mission. King Lycasis finds a way to deal with the selfish bishop and help the vicar at the same time.
Stuart and Aura's marriage continues to dissolve as he renews a forbidden friendship with the love of his life. Aura is still jealous for Stuart's twin Darien, who merrily carries on a secret love affair with Echo Garin, the daughter of his friend and guard Glendon.
Brent Ardenne fills the returning scouts with news since they left, and eagerly awaits the transportal for home. Living life without excuse or fear of disapproval, Brent is one of the few Thuringi who has nothing to hide behind a carefully constructed veneer of propriety.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Jay Michael Jones
• Release date: Oct 23, 2011
• ISBN: 9781465816498

Jay Michael Jones

Jay Michael Jones is the author of the Science Fantasy Romance series "Flight of the Armada", a series which has been evolving for the better part of 40 years. Jay has also published a Young Adult novel "Mr. Nice Guy", Southern Humor Fiction "A Chatterstrip at the End of Civilization" and the based-on-a-true-fable tale "The Biggest Little Fan of the Red Ball Express". This proud parent of three holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Theater, and also is collects anything and everything to do with goats. Yes, goats.

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Flight of the Armada

Book Three

A Crack in the Façade

Jay Michael Jones

Smashwords Edition

copyright 2011 by Jay Michael Jones

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Table of Contents

Chapter 20: Wounded Heart

Chapter 21: A Crack in the Façade

Chapter 22: Dissention

Chapter 23: Aquatic Notions

Chapter 24: Holy Orders

Chapter 25: Genesis

Chapter 26 Forbidden Allure

Chapter 27: A Prince in Disguise, 1969

Chapter 28: Light My Fire

Chapter 29: The Revelation

Glossary

About the Author

A CRACK IN THE FAÇADE

Chapter 20: Wounded Heart

Years ago when Thuringa was a healthy world at peace, Keleigh Shanaugh awoke on the morning of a personal milestone, her fiftieth birthday. The wooden bridge over the creek behind Nathe and Letta Shanaugh’s house was slippery wet from the rainstorm of the previous night, and Keleigh approached it with caution. The bridge was wide and sturdy, made of thick Dorea wood planks. Boards connected the railing tops and ran the length of the bridge on both sides. The river beneath the bridge rushed past, swollen with rainwater runoff from upstream.

The morning sunlight streamed through the overhanging sarden tree branches, dappling the water with dancing bits of light. Her eyes struggled to adjust from the brightness to the deep shade and she almost ran into the bridge’s end post. A cheerful voice from the other side of the woods caught her attention and she stopped just short of the post at his words: Take care, now! I wouldn’t want to see such a lovely sight tumble into the cold water!

Keleigh hastily gathered the excess fabric of her garments around her. She had checked the front of the house for wanderers before she stepped outside the back door and did not expect anyone to approach the house from the woods. She wore only a robe wrap over her nightgown and a comfortable pair of old slippers on her bare feet. It was early and the rest of the Shanaugh family was not awake. Keleigh wanted to pick a handful of berries to sprinkle on the breakfast grain, and she liked them best when the dew yet lingered.

She peered in the direction of the voice at the other side of the bridge. A tall figure in dark breeches and a white linen shirt stepped onto the bridge toward her. His boots made a firm surefooted sound against the wood with every step, and the heavy shade from the trees caused his eyes to glow in the shadows. She was dismayed; her hair was not brushed from the night’s sleep and her nightgown was a simple affair with thin straps at the shoulders and a skimpy amount of fabric from there down to her knees. The old robe’s age and wear made it hang from her shoulders haphazardly. It was not the way she wanted to be seen by Crown Prince Stuart, on this her fiftieth birthday.

He did not see unbrushed hair, only the evidence of a pillow-caressed head. He admired the way her shining locks tumbled and curled around her shoulders like golden embraces. He saw the stimulating sight of a revealing gown that barely covered her curvaceous body, and noted how she clutched her soft robe to her, as if to rein in something that secretly wanted to be offered. As he got closer, he saw the rosy blush on her cheeks.

Happy birthday, Great Keleigh, he greeted. He paused at the middle of the bridge, and she saw in his hand a neatly wrapped package. I have to go to Dane later this morning and will miss the festivities, so I thought I would bring this early. I hope I haven’t interrupted your morning constitutional.

No; I was going to pick berries. I’m sorry you won’t be able to come to the party, Stuart. She carefully approached from her side of the bridge. The soles of her slippers were slick from wear, and it was hard to find a good foothold on the wet wood without slipping.

I’m afraid it cannot be helped. Father injured his leg in Kellis yesterday and someone has to go to Dane for the beginning of their Festival. Naturally, it fell to me. Darien said he already had firm plans; only he neglected to add that his plans were to attend your party until after the Dane matter was settled.

I imagine the notion that he might coerce Ren to play a prank on me was too great a temptation for him, Keleigh acknowledged. She stepped on a slick spot of wet wood, and her foot shot out from under her. She suddenly found herself in Stuart’s arms in the middle of the bridge, drawn by the whisking movement of his Arda mastery over air currents.

Mustn’t have the honoree tumble into the river on her five-oh, he said softly in her ear. He carried her to his side of the river, and together they picked berries from the bushes that grew next to the bridge. He carried her back across the slippery bridge and up the stone path to the back of the house. She relaxed and enjoyed the delightful feeling of his strong arms supporting her under the back of her shoulders and thighs. As she leaned against his chest she felt his heartbeat, rapid but steady. After he put her back on her feet, Stuart handed her the gift. I’m sorry I have to rush away, but I promised Father and it is my duty.

I understand. Thank you for thinking of me.

Don’t be silly. I like to think of you. I hope you like your gift. Open it and see if you do. As she peeled back the wrapping, he added, I tried to come up with something original, but I’m afraid originality is at a premium in Arne.

It was a glass figurine of a rheamor with silver embellishments intricately laced throughout the glasswork. Oh, Keleigh sighed with pleasure. It’s beautiful.

I couldn’t let such an auspicious day pass without some sort of herald. He kicked at a pebble with his foot, not in any hurry to go despite his earlier claim. Maranta said you recently gained your lieutenant’s insignia kick. That is wonderful.

Father said it was a wonder I don’t wear them on my nightgown during slumber. Oh, she fretted as she attempted to comb her hair with her fingers, I do wish you had warned me you would visit. I am all snarly-haired and my clothing is hardly fit for viewing.

On the contrary; I like the view. He quickly continued so as not to sound unseemly. Your hair is only free of constraint, and the robe looks very comfortable. He tested a corner of the cloth between his thumb and finger. The pile was thick and plush, just the sort of material one could wear to curl up in a window seat and take a nap.

But this nightgown is awful.

No it isn’t. It looks… He lifted his gaze to meet hers. Inviting. Delicious. Exciting. Well loved.

I’ve worn it for so long, I’ve nearly loved it to death, Keleigh told him, and his chuckle tickled her ears. In the distance, a rheamor sang the opening notes of his morning aria. The sound reminded Stuart of his duties.

Well, happy birthday, Keleigh. It was good to see you again.

You see me every ginta at the Cathedral, she reminded him with a demure smile.

Not like this: just the two of us, in peace and quiet on a pleasant early morning. In your nightgown – Stuart! Behave yourself! Such thoughts are unseemly and you know it! he scolded himself. He wondered if he should dare to kiss her. It had been a long time since they last kissed, but the memory of the burning passion in his heart never left him. It was a moment too long: a light inside the house came on, and he was only seconds from discovery. Lovely, he whispered, and hurried away beside the stone path so his boots would not crunch on the pebbles.

Keleigh watched him cross the bridge and disappear into the woods. On the other side of the woody ridge, the city of Arne could be viewed in a magnificent panorama from the top of the tallest Dorea tree on the other side of the footbridge. The spires of the Cathedral and the grand spectacle of Grace Castle could be seen even if the Thuringa Ocean could not from that vantage point. As swiftly as she knew Stuart could move, he would be home in plenty of time to go to Dane and no one would be the wiser. Keleigh took the glass rheamor inside and placed it on the dresser in her room upstairs.

Keleigh met Stuart Phillipi de Saulin when she was still a schoolgirl and he was in Academy. Her numbered Elder cousin, Warrior General Quentin Shanaugh, invited her to spar with the princess of Thuringa since they were equally matched in size and strength. Quentin did not want Carrol to train with her much larger brothers since they would easily outpower a novice cadet and she might not develop to her full potential. Keleigh was brash enough to challenge Maranta to spar with her ever since she was a child, even though her cousin was decades older. Maranta held back and progressively trained her the way he helped the Phillipi brothers in their youth. Because of this, Keleigh was further along in consue than others of her class, and she in turn aided Carrol in training.

Keleigh did not gloat in victory and did not make excuses in defeat. She liked to laugh and as a result had many friends from school. When she participated in after-school activities with them, she always invited the lonely Thuringi princess along. Although Carrol was privately tutored in academics, she did not have to endure the social seclusion Grace Castle usually visited upon royals. Sometimes Stuart paused to watch his sister and Maranta’s cousin practice their sword technique or giggle and whisper over their studies, and he liked what he saw. He accompanied the pair on their frequent forays outside the castle and saw that their friendship was genuine. Keleigh did not use Carrol’s title as a shield against their hijinks just as Carrol did not use it for personal gain. In fact, Keleigh had to be reminded that although she might get away with creating mischief, as the royal princess of Thuringa Carrol could expect heavy criticism and strict punishment if her actions were deemed unseemly.

Keleigh unflinchingly bore the brunt of the blame if they were caught in foolish but harmless behavior. She blatantly perjured herself when she swore in Royal Court that it was she alone who stole away with the boots of Ren Renaugh and some other friends while they swam in the Ceraxis River. She tossed the boots high into the tree branches and added a pair of breeches or two as well, in order to get even with the boys for making stripes in her and Carrol’s hair with writing ink. Keleigh staunchly swore to her king that the princess would not have stooped to such inanity; such a deed was the action of a bad-tempered warrior-in-training and certainly beneath the dignity of the wholesome princess. Lycasis eyed the two girls before him. Princess Carrol had ‘guilt’ written all over her face; her eyes were wide with worry and she bit her lower lip constantly in near panic. Keleigh Shanaugh stood with both feet planted firmly in place, straight and proud as she delivered her ‘confession’.

Are you certain the princess had no part in this business? Lycasis asked.

She was simply at the wrong place at the wrong time, Your Majesty, Keleigh said, as cool as a veteran warrior regarding an outpost brawl. I took action on a personal impulse and did not realize how that impulse would reflect upon a bystanding friend. It was not entirely the truth but it was not a lie, exactly the sort of answer a delegate might give at the Stellar Council in order to circumvent war. None but the royals and Maranta could see Carrol’s expression so all the audience had to go on was Keleigh’s testimony. The king inwardly laughed at Keleigh’s clever calculated response.

Indeed, impulsive conduct is not the fault of others, but stalwart protection is an admirable trait in good friends. Well, the boots and breeches were recovered with no true damage done, and perhaps certain young men will use ink solely for writing henceforth. Cadet Shanaugh, I want you to report to the main armory after court.

After court was dismissed Stuart asked his father why he thought Carrol was innocent. Innocent? Of course she was not innocent, it was as plain as the sun that Carrol was involved every inch of the way. But Keleigh Shanaugh protected her princess through a veil of verbal evasion. Now I want you to tell your sister to report to the armory too. The girls can inventory ammunition for their prank. There is no reason for them to have anything sterner. Girls will be girls; ink washes out and trees can be climbed. No harm done. He paused and then added, Watch that young Shanaugh girl, Stuart. She is a remarkably spirited lass.

Stuart spent more time with his sister and Keleigh, and he often got Maranta to join them. The foursome eventually became a familiar sight around Arne, and the girls kept out of trouble with two proper but pleasant men as their companions. When Keleigh joined the Officer’s Corps in the Air Command and Carrol went into the Medical Academy, their tasks took them on separate paths but their friendship remained strong.

Her friendship with Stuart deepened. Keleigh understood the responsibilities of the crown, just as Stuart knew the duty requirements of junior Air Command officers. They were often separated for weeks and months at a time but when they were able to be together again they resumed their close relationship, so charged with passion and longing interest. She did not ask what he did in the interim and he was not rude enough to inquire the same of her. One night he told her he cared deeply for her, which from a crown prince was a major declaration. Speculation about the pair sprang up in many a parlor in Arne.

Asa Mennar did not care a whet about Thuringa’s reputation as an elegant society the way the other Elders did, but he enjoyed the possibility for discord that it presented. Asa considered using Oriel’s physical weakness to manipulate Lycasis if not outright force his abdication – but first he had to get past the layers of protection that surrounded the queen. He finally decided it was not worth the risk; threatening the invalid queen would only turn people against him and the wrath of her faithful Naradi guard would be terrible. By chance he overheard his sister Orchis in conversation with a friend as they speculated on who might make a good marital choice for the princes.

One cannot depend on royalty making a wise selection in this matter, Tinte. Lycasis had ample time to find someone suitable but he chose a woman with close ties to those Hunda witches, and she barely survived childbirth. I shudder to think what sort of creature Prince Darien will drag home and only pray that Prince Stuart will show better sense than his brother and better luck than his father.

Such conjecture was so popular. One of the perks the crown’s subjects enjoyed was the ability to weigh in on the selection of the royal devoted. It was designed to prevent the advancement of someone either unsuitable for the role or to circumvent tragedy. In the former instance, a spoiled or obstinate consort would be a diplomatic disaster when dealing with the temperamental people of the Stellar Council worlds, and Thuringi desired to uphold their reputation as seemly people. In the latter instance, the prince of the Seventeenth Rule married a well-liked warrior woman, a lieutenant colonel in the Air Command. When natives on a Gharadee outpost broke their treaty and threatened the lives of the settlers, her ship was sent to retrieve the Gharadee settlers. As the Gharadee were loading into the ship, sniper fire from the surrounding jungle struck and killed her as well as some of the evacuees. The prince was understandably devastated at the loss, but even after an appropriate length of mourning, it felt awkward to seek out anyone. The Thuringi Elders took it upon themselves to draw up a helpful list of women he might wish to consider, and he gratefully consulted it. Since that time the Elders continued the tradition. Over time they tended to forget that a crown prince still had the right to refuse their recommendations. Most Phillipi had good taste and common sense in such matters and choices tended to be on the approved list anyway. The Seventeenth Rule example was why Warrior Generals were discouraged from royal courtship since he was usually in the thick of a problem. Civilian women were preferred by the overly-cautious noble Elders who believed civilians to be more up to the task of being a cultured, well-spoken royal wife. This of course was not the opinion of noble warrior Elders, and thus was the course for conflict set.

The Shanaugh family considered the military their task profession, perhaps the only family line whose men and women made it their exclusive calling. So many Shanaugh clans were noble it was habitual to say Lord or Lady before the name Shanaugh. They were wholeheartedly loyal to the king and popularly regarded as the second front of the Narade Famede. Maranta’s numbered cousin Nathe was a rowdy opinionated sergeant major who regularly wound up in Royal Court after getting into rows in defense of the crown. Asa was a firsthand witness to the sort of physical damage Nathe could do when he put a smart-mouthed D’tai merchant in the hospital. The man and his shipmates made a joke about Queen Oriel’s infirmity that was in pitifully rude taste, and stupidly made the comment in the Standard of Arne before leaving for their home world. Nathe and his crew would not stand for it and a free-for-all broke out and wound up in court.

As speculation about Stuart’s interest in Nathe’s daughter Keleigh grew, Asa became concerned for his dream to overthrow the throne. It would be challenge enough to handle Maranta and the Naradi Famede without a Shanaugh actually in the royal family. Asa’s best hope in turning subjects against the royals, or the royals against each other, was trouble or disappointment for the truehearted young prince and his tradition-bound father.

Asa’s sister Orchis Pate de Mennar was the perfect mask for his plans. Orchis was a civilian noblewoman whose natural talent ran to electronics design. Orchis enjoyed the refinement of arts and letters and believed that warriors knew nothing but bloodlust and bad manners. He knew his sister hoped the future wife of Crown Prince Stuart would be a refined intellectual civilian rather than a warrior who might have seen and done difficult missions to roughen her demeanor. Asa skillfully fed her prejudice with speculations that cast Keleigh in a bad light. Surely a titled noble like Keleigh would not choose the unladylike life of the Air Command unless there was something untoward in her personality from the start!

Without the grace and dignity of its civilian populace, Thuringi would be no better than the crude Gharadee or the rough-and-tumble Thelan! Keleigh Shanaugh is naught but a tunic seeker who squandered her noble title with unseemly warrior manners and now banks upon her friendship with the princess and her family name to win the prince’s notice. She is better at tossing back a drink than conducting a state dinner. Asa continued this whisper campaign not only to Orchis, but to other influential Elder civilians likely to think poorly of warriors. It was the sort of class prejudice the crown did not like but could not control.

Opinion over the choice of future queen had been a favorite subject of parlor speculation for centuries, but this case touched a deep nerve that crossed class lines and even divided members within those classes. Everyone loved sunny Prince Stuart and keen that he should marry well, but traditional noble-warrior families like the Shanaughs and Medinas and Garins heatedly declared they would not tolerate any name being removed from the Elder’s List simply for being a warrior. The civilians became quite defensive, complaining that their concern for the rule of Thuringa went beyond mere warrior pride. Even though Stuart was decades away from being of marrying age, the border clashes with Sharga underscored the uncertainty of the times. Losing the Phillipis in war would be disastrous for a culture dependant on their unique ability to handle the Arda liquid power source. The increase in hostility bewteen civilians and warriors resulted in a spike in cases brought before Royal Court.

Then a new Elder’s List was issued for Stuart and Darien with Keleigh’s name boldly marked through. Since the warrior nobles insisted her name not be removed it made matters even worse, as if after deliberation she had been judged unsuitable. The Shanaughs were furious and hotly demanded to know who had the sand to determine such a vile insult. Naturally no one admitted it because no one knew; the list appeared overnight on every com screen.

If I ever find out, I shall drag their remains to Royal Court myself, Maranta thundered the next time that very function was held, and no one doubted him for a second.

I caution you to mind your temper, general, Lycasis warned calmly although he was taken aback by this unusual emotional display. You are on public record.

It is simpler to ask forgiveness than permission, Maranta said darkly. At least I would discover the guilty with proof rather than destroy an innocent with lies, settle the score and let the crown judge my deeds once I am satisfied. Those in attendance murmured in alarm, and Asa Mennar bit his lower lip to keep it from trembling. God of All, never let that man know it was I!

The Elder’s List stunned Stuart as hard as it had Keleigh, and he held a private discussion with his royal parents. To his dismay it became an argument. Lycasis wanted Stuart to be happy but the early deaths of King Auguste and Queen Eissand made the throne especially vulnerable, as proper courtship took time and children did not usually spring forth after First Night. Stuart pointed out that his own mother’s name had not been on Lycasis’s list, yet Lycasis married her anyway with the approval of King Auguste. The throne was less vulnerable now when not one but three siblings could rule. Lycasis disagreed.

Darien has often said he does not intend to marry and certainly does not want children, so there is little hope on his part for continuance of lineage in case of disaster. Carrol is too young to even have potential suitors, but that is beside the point. Nathe and Letta Shanaugh have already agreed to abide by the Elder’s edict, Stuart, Lycasis told him firmly but gently. They were not happy, but they had no desire to allow such ugly dissension to create a dangerous rift between warrior and civilian. I had the Saulin’s permission to court your mother and would gladly approve of you courting Keleigh, but Nathe and Letta said they would not give you permission out of the desire for peace. She is not even half old enough and neither are you.

Is it possible if she chose another task, she would be eligible again? Oriel asked.

Yes of course, but she has always dreamed of a career in the Air Command as all Shanaugh do; Maranta has often spoken of her plans. And that would still not satisfy those who claim she is a tunic seeker, which I refuse to believe.

Stuart broke in, Wouldn’t the throne be the stronger with a warrior queen?

I think it would, but I do not direct public opinion among the Elders. I suppose the point is that a warrior queen would place herself in danger on duty whereas a civilian would not be on the front lines. Even if she stepped down from duty she will need a worthy task. Having a tardic queen is even worse in the eyes of our subjects than one who defies an Elder’s List.

But Lycasis, my dear, Oriel whispered, That is exactly what I am.

You are not a tardic, Lycasis said firmly. "You have a task, multiple tasks! You are a diplomatic envoy, a trained counselor and advisor. Your aid to me in Royal Court matters has been invaluable; ask anyone in the kingdom. You are a diplomat of the highest quality. And you did not defy the Elder’s List; you simply were not among the recommended. Why they chose to purposefully mark through Lieutenant Shanaugh’s name I do not know, but it would be an insult to half our Elders if their crown prince defied their advice. It is that very division within our society that worries me, Stuart. You would have a very large and influential group of subjects to resent you one way or the other, and likely they would be even harder on her. Oh, but this is ridiculous! You are not of age to even consider marriage for the now! Perhaps in time this will heal; the Elders could reconsider their List and her name restored, and the whole matter will be done."

Stuart met Keleigh that evening in the royal stables. Father said I must adhere to the Elder’s List for the sake of stability, but neither he nor Mother is convinced of its necessity, he explained as he held both her hands in his. Keleigh, this is monstrous. I do not know why anyone outside our families should be allowed a say in our future. No one else should direct something so personal between two people.

My family says the mark-out is a disgrace however untrue it may be. If I fight it, it will only get worse and everyone has weighed in. One of the Elders even told my grandmother that I was rumored to have enticed you because ‘that is what warrior women do’. Grandmother was angry because she knows and loves me, but she is a civilian and she said that is the way civilians tend to think.

My mother is a civilian and she doesn’t think that way; she did her best to champion you, he said soothingly, and instinctively she stepped forward and into the warm arms that encircled her. Perhaps there will be a way past this awful business. I cannot believe any heart could be so callous –

Your Highness! exclaimed a voice from the doorway, and the two separated at the scalding sound of a scandalized noblewoman. It was Valacia Renaugh, a very opinionated and loquacious Elder who bore her nobility like a beloved burden of correctness. She stood prim and proper as she eyed Keleigh with disapproval. Lieutenant Shanaugh, His Royal Highness is requested to join his father in the castle first parlor. I will be glad to accompany you to the gate.

Stuart had no choice but to do as directed since it was an order from the king. He squeezed Keleigh’s hand and left for the castle. Lady Renaugh waited until he was out of hearing before she spoke.

Surely you must realize he is destined for greatness; it is written in the alignment of the stars. It is bad form for him to dally with someone struck from the List and to do so not only looks bad for his judgment but also suggests unseemly behavior. Her unshakable delivery left no doubt that rumor of unseemly behavior would be quickly seized upon by the Elders if the couple defied the edict.

If I changed tasks will you all leave us alone? Keleigh asked bluntly.

What cheek! As if your task is solely to blame!

Then what is it? Surely you do not believe I am a tunic seeker!

It does not matter what I believe –

That is correct; it does not matter what you or anyone else believes, Keleigh said sharply. What cheek, indeed! You do not need to escort me off the castle grounds, Lady Renaugh. I have romped on these grounds since I was a child and know the way better than you, thank you very much! With a toss of her head, Keleigh marched down the drive and out through the gates, leaving an outraged woman in her wake. Keleigh later regretted her sharp reply to Lady Renaugh but preferred to make her feelings known rather than sit back and say nothing.

Because they were both in the Air Command, Stuart and Keleigh found it a simple task to exchange brief notes when opportunity presented itself. Stuart was an honest man, honest to a fault. It was one of the many things she admired and loved about him. If they were caught he would have to admit going against the Elders' edict and that would reflect poorly on the crown prince. He could not help his defiance, however, and neither could she. Their hearts were young and their need for each other strong. He could not resist bringing her the Five-Oh gift, and for a short time the romance continued.

They met each other at a country house marked for demolition: a nearby spring caused the ground to give way and the house was slowly sinking. That day the work crew left early to prepare for the next day's holiday, and he had slipped a message to her in a jacket pocket at the Air Command headquarters. They hurried to the house on personal speeders, where they indulged in a passionate interlude. In the distance they heard the far-off call of a rheamor.

Oh no! she gasped as she jerked upright. Father told me to be sure and be home before overhead moon so I can have the gakkis groomed and ready for the parade tomorrow! He'll check and will know I haven't been there to do it.

I'll help you and then slip out the back and go over the bridge to Arne. He won't have to know.

Oh Stuart! Yes, that would be a grand idea if we can do it quickly enough. They hurried to dress and make it to the Shanaugh estate in time. The moon was already on the rise and they sped through the night as fast as the speeders would go. They stopped on the other side of the bridge and left the speeders there so the noise would not alert Nathe Shanaugh that something was afoot. Together they hurried to the barn where they quietly herded the waiting gakkis inside. She kept a portable light low to the ground so no one would be able to tell by window light she had only just arrived, but would be plausible that she had been there earlier and simply not been noticed.

They finished the task quickly and the gakkis were brushed, their hooves and horns cleaned and polished and their bellies full of grain and water. Stuart and Keleigh went to the back door, where he held her from behind and hugged her to him. You hold my heart in your hands, he whispered in her ear and she murmured, As do you, mine.

He was just about to release her and reach for the door handle when the door suddenly sprang open. There stood Nathe Shanaugh with a hand lantern, surprised at the sight of the two lovers before him in