Kainnan: The Uncovering: The Kainnan series, #2

By Belinda Stott

BOOK 2 OF 9 IN THE KAINNAN SERIES. An epic Christian urban fantasy series, set between two worlds...

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The elusive Wilhelm is still alive and plotting multiple takeovers. Despite hunting him for months, Aaron the Priest seems no closer to uncovering his plans and is forced to seek assistance on earth to stop the tyrant. 

Following their life-threatening experiences on Kainnan, Noah and Katerina are looking forward to a normal life – if normal includes living in hiding. Along with Ryder and Summer, who are facing challenges of their own, Aaron must recruit them all if Kainnan is to be saved. 

With the truth and deception rings in play, treachery abounds as Noah and Katerina, Summer and Ryder struggle to uncover Wilhelm's plans. Assassination attempts and their own emotional pain will obstruct their efforts to save Kainnan from the greatest peril it has ever faced.

Action-packed from beginning to end; love, risk, pain and duplicity are powerfully played out on the intermingling worlds of Kainnan and Earth in The Uncovering.

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Praise for the Kainnan series…

"Like Narnia with guns! And more romance…A parallel world controlled by cruel rulers, and in their defeat, you learn life-changing truths to help you cope in the real world too." Junita.

 "Full of unexpected twists and deeper meanings, Kainnan will take you on a wild adventure while communicating incredibly valuable lessons about mental health and emotional wellbeing. The plots are truly unique; unlike any series I have ever come across." Olivia.

"Takes you from edge-of-your-seat action to the depths of the characters' minds. And I absolutely loved how Belinda portrayed God. Since reading the Kainnan series, I have viewed God in a completely different, positive way." Amber.

"Action-packed adventure underpinned with great life values…the best series I have ever read." Isaac.

"Like an action movie captured in print – fast-paced, exciting, full of twists, unpredictable – but with fantastic character development, romance and fantasy too. If you liked Suzanne Collins The Hunger Games, or Ted Dekker's novels, this will be right up your alley." Natasha.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Belinda Stott
• Release date: Jan 3, 2020
• ISBN: 9781393420958

Belinda Stott

Belinda Stott is a novelist, counselor and international speaker. With her husband Matt, she runs a course called Soul Tour which combines psychology, philosophy and theology to help young adults better understand their own mind, emotions and behavior.  A prolific traveler (81 countries and counting), Belinda reads obsessively, loves fairs, Jacuzzis, castles and feisty heroines, and watches movies which inspire her to create high-stakes stories that visit other worlds and kingdoms. She is particularly passionate about sagas that bypass the mundane to explore what God and life are really all about, describing her style as a blend of spy stories like 24, Alias and the Bourne novels, with a sprinkle of Narnia and the intensity of a Ted Dekker novel. Belinda lives in Christchurch, New Zealand with Matt and their two creative, adventurous kids, Jasper and Scarlett, (who cameo in Kainnan: The Uncovering).  Find out more about Kainnan and Belinda's upcoming, cult-based trilogy at Belindastott.com.

Book preview

1. Visitor

After a few blessed weeks of dreamless sleep, the nightmare had woken Katerina again. It was the same sequence of events every time.

She was with her ex-boyfriend Patrick — (who was really Wilhelm, the now-dead ruler of the alternate world of Kainnan) — in a crowded mall. He had hold of her by the wrist and she could not break free. Even though there were people everywhere, she couldn’t speak to them or gain their assistance. She was crying because she knew something terrible was about to happen.

Then she was in another crowded place; this time a ballroom. It sparkled and shone with lights of many colors. The ceiling was made of blue glass and she was staring up at it in awe when it suddenly cracked and shattered. Daggers of glass began raining down on her and she screamed. There was blood, noise and chaos all around her. But over and above everything, she could hear Wilhelm laughing maniacally.

When Noah arrived an hour later, he knew immediately. The dream again? he asked. Without waiting for an answer, he drew her into his arms and she buried her face in his neck.

After a few moments, he raised her face to his and said, He’s dead. Remember that — Wilhelm is dead.

I know...and it’s so frustrating that my stupid subconscious still hasn’t worked that out!

Noah laughed at the reference. Their counselor Tamsin had told them that dreams were often a result of the subconscious part of their brain trying to make itself known; bringing up problems they were trying to ignore during the day in a dream at night when they couldn’t shut it off so easily.

Come on. Let’s go for a swim — it’s so hot already, Noah suggested.

I’ll go change, she agreed, shrugging the dream off determinedly.

It was the fourth house Aaron, the priest from Kainnan, had loaned to Katerina and just as palatial as the previous three. This one contained a swimming pool, tennis courts and a games room, which had proved to be just what they needed to recover from the intensity of their experiences on Kainnan. After meeting in such dangerous circumstances, it had taken some time to get used to having fun together. Not that they could always manage it; there was still the continual concern that they could be found by Wilhelm’s men at any point. Moving around, changing their names, staying inconspicuous all helped. But at the end of the day, if Wilhelm’s men wanted to find them Katerina reflected, they would.

They swam for an hour then sprawled out by the pool to dry off in the sun. After a few minutes, Noah raised himself up on his elbow to look at her and asked, Do you know that I have never been this happy before? Life with you is so perfect! And yet I still can’t seem to stop feeling on edge.

I know what you mean, Katerina agreed getting up. She wrung the remaining water out of her hair and pulled on a sundress. I continually feel like something’s about to go wrong.

He nodded. I do too. We’re still on red alert. Our brains are still looking for trouble.

"It is getting better though. There are big chunks of time now when I don’t feel that way. I guess reminding myself we’re not actually in any danger now — knowing it’s just the memories mixed with adrenaline — helps."

I wonder... Noah began. But the doorbell rang abruptly and they both froze.

Are you expecting anyone?

No, are you?

Noah shook his head grimly, getting to his feet.

I’ll go, Katerina offered. It’s my house. You stay hidden but close in case I need you.

She looked through the peephole first. But her visitor looked harmless enough so she cautiously opened the door.

Summer had woken that morning finally feeling a little better. But instead of this improvement changing her mind, it had actually given her the energy burst she needed to go through with her plan. Besides, it had taken her six months to track Katerina down, because not only was the girl totally off the grid, she also moved all the time — four places in as many months. Now Summer had found her she was not about to lose her again.

The house was huge and gorgeous, with a wide, well-manicured lawn and a stunning garden. Summer knew it was on loan to Katerina, as the last three houses had been, and wondered again who the girl’s rich benefactor was. Her heart was beating rapidly when she rang the doorbell.

She had seen a photo of Katerina in her high school yearbook but the girl’s beauty still took her by surprise. She had long, thick black hair which was obviously dyed, because it had been more red-brown in the photo Summer had seen. Her eyes were a clear hazel color and she was wearing a striking red sundress, which showed off a shapely figure. The expression on her face was far from friendly however and she greeted Summer with a chilly tone, Can I help you?

Ah, yes. You can, Summer said, her nervousness increasing. I’m Summer Kelly. Can I come in?

I would rather you told me what you want first.

Summer studied the girl’s unfriendly expression then inwardly sighed. The hostility did not surprise her because it was obvious Katerina was on the run. She had hoped to deal with her in a civil manner but that clearly was not going to happen. Instead she said, I don’t think you want to do this out here where someone could hear us — Katerina.

The girl’s eyes narrowed and she studied Summer intently. From behind her a male voice said, Let her in. Let’s find out what she wants, and Noah stepped into view.

As she had been with Katerina, Summer was struck by how attractive he was. He had dark hair, very dark blue eyes and an extremely handsome Irish look about him. He was dressed casually but there was a feeling of barely-contained strength about him as if he could explode into action at any moment. Yet strangely Summer did not feel afraid of him — of either of them.

She followed them into the house and took a seat. They sat opposite her and waited. She looked around as she gathered her thoughts, wondering again at the opulence she saw everywhere. Nice house.

What do you want? Katerina asked. Summer saw how Noah touched her shoulder briefly to calm her down.

Summer took a deep breath and launched in. I know about the trip you took to Kain Island. My fiancé was meant to be on that trip with you. Simon Silcock. He was killed at the airport before he could get on the plane.

She saw the shock that crossed Katerina’s face at her disclosure. Then the girl seemed to subside. She remained silent however as did Noah, waiting to see what else Summer would say.

I’m sorry to come here like this. But it’s been so hard for me to move past this. I just...I need some sort of closure. The police have left the case open but they’ve all but stopped looking for his murderers. She felt the tears coming and wiped them away angrily. "I feel like I won’t be able to let him go until I understand why he was killed. I think his murder was linked in some way to the trip you took so I guess I wanted to ask you about it; to see if you could think of any reason why someone would want to kill him."

Katerina moved slightly on her seat but stayed silent. She knew full well why Simon had been killed — to stop him from reaching Kainnan with them. She remembered the boy only too clearly. She would never forget the sight of his body sprawled in the airport, one bullet in his chest, one through his forehead, blood pooling all around him.

We never met him actually, Noah broke the silence. He never made it to our terminal so we didn’t have the chance to. I am very sorry for your loss though, he added, with a gentleness in his tone that surprised Summer.

Thank you. This time she waited for them to speak again but they were both stubbornly silent. Before it became more uncomfortable, she asked, I understand there were some challenges on Kain Island?

Where did you hear that? Noah did the talking again.

I talked to Josiah before he died.

You did?

"He couldn’t tell me much but he did say there was some trouble on the island and he claimed he’d been followed back from there. He thought some men from the island were after him. He actually seemed a bit paranoid at the time...but I guess he was right since he was killed not long after I saw him."

What else did he say? What sort of trouble was he talking about?

That some people tried to kill you, she said, defiantly because she was expecting disagreement. Perhaps the same ones that killed Simon. That’s why I wanted to talk to you about what happened to you all on Kain Island.

Noah said, I understand your desire to know how and why Simon died but unfortunately we really can’t help you. I’m not sure what Josiah meant or what he was referring to but our holiday on Kain Island was without any major incidents. Other than meeting Kat of course, he had moved closer to his girlfriend and wrapped an arm around her as he spoke. Katerina smiled back at him and leaned into his embrace. Summer had the distinct impression the two were putting on a show for her.

So you’re saying that Josiah lied to me?

We weren’t with him the whole time, so maybe something happened to him when we weren’t there. Or he was just delusional...I don’t know. We didn’t know him very well, so we really can’t help you...

Can’t — or won’t? Summer asked. Her pain and the knowledge of how long it had taken her to track Katerina down made her bolder than she would normally be. But it was Noah who answered again.

That’s enough. We have listened to you and answered your questions, now it’s time for you to go.

I’m sorry — I didn’t mean to be rude. It’s just...it’s been so hard losing Simon.

We understand but unfortunately we really can’t help you. I’ll see you out now.

Helpless to know how to keep them talking Summer rose to her feet. She looked pleadingly at Katerina but the girl avoided her eyes. Unable to delay the inevitable, she had no choice but to follow Noah to the door.

But as they reached it, cheerful voices outside heralded the arrival of more people. Before Noah could do anything, the door was flung open and another couple waltzed in.

Even if she had not seen Alice’s photo already Summer would have known it was her by the way she flung her arms around Noah her brother and greeted him with an affectionate kiss on the cheek. Jacob followed close behind his pretty blonde fiancée. He noticed Summer immediately and gave her a warm smile. Then he turned his attention to Noah, which gave Summer a moment to study what he was holding in his hand. It was a wedding invitation and she had just a few seconds to memorize the address before Alice noticed her too. As they locked eyes, Summer put her hand out to Alice introducing herself.

Alice looked quickly from Noah back to Summer then took her hand and shook it. Nice to meet you. She didn’t introduce herself in return.

Summer is just leaving, Noah said, not unkindly. Before she could think of a way to stay longer, he was ushering her out. Good luck with finding the answers you’re looking for Summer, he added. Then he shut the door firmly on her. Relieved she was gone, he sighed then smiled weakly at Alice.

What was that all about? she asked.

She wanted to know about Simon the guy that died at the airport and about what happened on Kainnan. We lied and said we didn’t know anything.

Do you think she believed us? Katerina asked, appearing in the doorway.

No. Not a word.

Summer debated with herself as to what to do next the entire drive home. She had travelled two hours to meet Katerina so she had plenty of time to think. She could do what her closest friends had recommended and drop it all now. As Imelda had put it, she had to let Simon go eventually and continuing to chase his killers was not helping her do so, yet seeing the wedding invitation felt like a sign. She had found out about the wedding from a relative of Alice and Noah’s but the location had been an extremely closely guarded secret. Not only had the venue been kept quiet, now that she knew where it was she could see it was actually miles from where they lived, in an obscure town with no connection to them at all as far as she could tell. They really, really wanted to stay below the radar she reflected.

In the end, this secrecy was what decided Summer. It had taken her so long to track the group down and they were so careful to stay hidden she did not want to lose them again. The very fact that they were hiding meant they had something to hide or someone to hide from — perhaps the very people that had killed her beloved Simon. Keeping an eye on them might be her only chance to find the answers she sought. She certainly did not believe they were as ignorant of what had happened as they claimed.

So she woke early the next morning, dressed in a sky-blue dress to match her eyes, swept her blonde curls back with sparkling clips, slipped comfortable but dressy sandals on her feet and started the long drive to the wedding.

{

2. Wedding

Katerina helped Alice dress for her big day. She had chosen a strapless gown of cream silk and pale gold brocade with a tiny gold tiara for her hair, which Katerina curled into gentle waves. She wore soft makeup and golden slippers. When she was dressed, Katerina stood beside her looking into the mirror and smiled. You look so beautiful Alice! I’m so happy for you both.

Me too. I just hope nothing goes wrong.

It won’t!

Although Alice’s mother had wanted to be with them for the whole morning, they had managed to persuade her to just meet an hour early at Alice’s family home instead. Noah had tried to talk them out of even doing this, pointing out how incredibly dangerous it was because their house was probably being watched but Alice was adamant. I have done everything you and Jacob wanted, moving around, concealing my identity, constantly hiding...but there’s been no sign at all that anyone is still after us...and this is my wedding! I want Mum to be part of it, she insisted and eventually Noah gave in.

The drive was uneventful. They both avoided the topic of Summer’s visit, what it might mean and whether they would be safe at the wedding. As they neared Alice’s home however they both fell silent as their tension over what they might find there increased. However, there seemed to be no one around. The streets were mostly empty and those people that were walking, cycling or driving by all appeared perfectly normal. Still they spent as little time as possible there, submitting to photos and making small talk with Maggie, Alice’s mum, until they could convince her it was time to leave for the wedding venue.

Again the drive was uneventful, and they arrived right on time. The venue was a small garden owned by a friend of Katerina’s parents. It was filled to the brim with colorful flowers, heavily laden fruit trees and beautifully manicured hedges. From a distance, they could see a large crowd of people seated in rows of lawn-chairs. They were personal friends of Alice and Jacob’s, their relatives and their parents’ friends. Alice searched for and quickly found Jacob, standing by a makeshift altar with Noah and his other groomsman Jariah.

Beside her Katerina was handing her the bouquet of wedding flowers; long-stemmed red roses and white lilies. As Alice took them, Katerina caught her breath sharply hissing, "What’s she doing here?"

Alice followed her friend’s gaze and saw the girl from the day before, Summer. Dismayed she asked, Do you think she’s brought anyone else with her?

Katerina knew immediately what she meant. They were both worried Wilhelm’s men might still be trying to find them even though their master was dead. They started scanning the crowd carefully for any sign of anyone obviously connected to Summer. But people were beginning to look their way and Alice could see Noah signaling to Katerina’s father to start the bridal march. She looks like she’s alone, Katerina said finally. She turned to face Alice and put her hands on her shoulders. Look my soon-to-be sister, you just enjoy yourself. This is your special day. I’ll keep an eye on her. She won’t cause any trouble — we won’t let her. You just go get married to your Jacob!

Alice nodded, fighting back emotion. This was a day she had long awaited, never imagining that the boy next door would even notice her as a woman, let alone fall in love with her and want to marry her. On Kainnan she had feared for her life on several occasions, and that feeling of imminent danger was still hard to shake. Not only had she frequently feared this day would never come, now it was upon her she kept expecting something to go wrong.

But the wedding was beautiful bringing tears to most eyes. Katerina managed to draw Noah’s attention to Summer’s presence and they both kept a subtle eye on her throughout the ceremony. Yet the girl sat quietly during the service, saying and doing nothing untoward. As far as Katerina could tell she was definitely alone. Even when the service was completed and before Katerina could confront her, Summer got up and left. Breathing a sigh of relief Katerina shifted her focus to talking with Noah’s many relatives that wanted to meet her instead.

In actuality, Summer had gone for a walk to decide on her next move. Although she had enjoyed the beauty of the service, it revealed nothing new about the three she was interested in, other than that they really had bonded during their trip to Kain. It was evident they were extremely close now as if Katerina had joined Alice and Noah’s family already.

The garden was close to the beach so she made her way down onto the sand and found herself a spot to rest in. The sun was high in a cloudless sky and it made her sleepy but she forced herself to concentrate. She was certain Katerina and her friends knew more about Simon’s death than they were letting on but she had no idea how to convince them to trust her and share what they knew with her. She could hear laughter drifting out to her from the wedding. They sounded and looked so happy whereas she had not been at peace since she had lost Simon. If only he hadn’t agreed to go on the trip when Josiah invited him...

The anger came again then, as fresh as ever. She could not undo Simon’s death but she could come to understand it — and seek justice for it. Newly resolved, she got up and started back towards the reception.

For a while she hung back at the outskirts of the party amongst the trees, watching her targets. She tried to do so unobtrusively, not feeling ready for another confrontation yet. However, Katerina spotted her after ten minutes. As Summer watched, the girl disentangled herself from the group of people she was talking to and headed straight for her.

Her voice was hard as she demanded, What are you doing here?

I needed to talk to you again...

We already told you we can’t help you.

"I know you saw Simon get killed. Josiah told me you were really shaken up about it. He said you fainted after you saw it."

Taken aback, Katerina was silent for long moments, studying Summer. How do I know you are who you say you are? she asked eventually.

Summer shrugged, I’ll show you. She lifted off the locket she always wore around her neck, opening the latch and offering it to Katerina for her perusal. It contained a photo of her with Simon at their engagement party, arms around each other smiling and happy together. Katerina stared at it for a long time while Summer waited. After a while, her gaze slipped off Katerina and she started looking around.

She could see a group of people gathered around Jacob and Alice laughing at something the boy had said. Noah was nearby pouring two glasses of punch at the drinks table. Other groups of people were standing, sitting, eating and drinking throughout the garden. There were three men moving quite deliberately away from the group, as if they were re-positioning themselves. It caught her attention and although Katerina asked her something, Summer didn’t catch what it was because she was focused on watching the men instead.

And then it happened. One of the men turned towards her and suddenly she was no longer seeing a human being but some kind of creature from a horror movie. His face dissolved and all she could see was leering, angry hatred — a darkly shadowed, misshapen face, with wild, red angry eyes and a lop-sided grimace instead of a smile. It was like looking at violence personified.

Summer? Katerina was asking her. But she was frozen, staring at the obscene vision she was seeing. She forced herself to shift her gaze to the other two men and they also had morphed into something else, with the bodies of men and the face of monsters. She closed her eyes and pushed her fingers hard into her forehead, thinking perhaps she was hallucinating. But when she opened her eyes again, they were still transformed.

What’s wrong? What are you looking at?

Can’t you see it? she whispered. There was sweat beading on her forehead as she stared at the men.

See what?

Those men! They look like demons, she pointed. They look like hate and death...and, she said, realizing, they are watching Alice and Jacob!

I don’t understand. They just look normal. Are you having some kind of hallucination?

I don’t know. Nothing like this has ever happened to me before, Summer said, unable to take her eyes off the men. Each one was standing very still at the edges of the party as if they were waiting for something.

Perhaps it’s the strain of losing Simon, Katerina suggested, not unkindly this time.

What is it? What’s happened? Noah interrupted. They hadn’t even noticed his approach they were so focused on their conversation.

She says those three men at the edges of the party look like, uh...death and hate...and they’re watching Alice and Jacob.

Noah was silent a moment. "They do seem to be watching them, but very subtly. He exchanged glances with Katerina. I don’t like it; let’s get them out of here."

How?

Aaron and Karim are here — they’ll help...

"What?" Katerina gasped. Where? Why didn’t you tell me?

They got a message to me last week saying they wanted to be here and would keep an eye on things for us. They gave me a signal. From the corner of her eyes, Summer saw Noah was pulling matches and a cigar from his pocket. He lit it up and started waving it in the air as if to make a point. She wanted to look around and see if anyone was coming to their rescue, but she dared not take her eyes off the men.

I can’t believe you didn’t tell me they were here! Katerina was saying to Noah.

They asked me not to. They didn’t want you worried.

I see them, Katerina said suddenly. Summer forced her eyes off the three men to follow Katerina’s gaze. This time she was looking at a man surrounded by a bright white light, his face radiant. He had green eyes the color of freshly mown grass and they looked like they were glowing. Clearly she was the only one seeing him like this because although he was moving through the crowd of people, no one else, including the three men, was reacting at all.

Kat, Noah, the man said warmly as he reached them.

Aaron this is a surprise. There was a hint of frost in Katerina’s tone. But Aaron was focused on Noah’s concerned face.

What is it Noah?

Those three men — they’re watching Jacob and Alice...

Aaron looked for seconds only, then nodded. I need you to head for the house. Those men are here for you. I need you out of sight now. He glanced briefly at Summer and demanded, Who are you?

I’m Summer.

She’s the one that spotted the men...

You are glowing, Summer said quietly. She wanted to reach out and touch the light she could see around Aaron but it would have been inappropriate.

Aaron stared at her for long moments. Then he said, You’d better go with them too. Noah keep them safe — and hurry!

They skirted the outside of the party sticking to the trees. They moved fast but Summer had enough time to see Aaron and several others heading stealthily towards the three men. There was another man at the door of the house and both Katerina and Noah greeted him warmly as ‘Karim,’ following him inside the house without question. He let them into a room off the main entranceway, told them to lock the door behind him, then headed back out again leaving them to wait.

The silence stretched out until Summer could bear it no longer. What’s going on? she asked. Who are those men and why are they ‘here for you’?

Katerina stared at her with a deep frown then sighed and seemed to make her mind up abruptly. They are the men who killed Simon. Well, maybe not the exact same men, but they are connected with the ones that did.

Kat, Noah warned but the girl shrugged.

She helped us back there, she seems legitimate...

At least wait to see what happens, Noah interrupted.

Okay, Katerina shrugged and subsided into silence again. It was painfully quiet and tense as they waited. Eventually Summer gathered up the courage to speak again but before she could there was a knock at the door. From behind it Aaron called, It’s all clear now, open up. When Noah did so, Karim, Alice and Jacob were standing beside Aaron too. They all looked worried.

Once more the door was firmly locked behind them. Then Aaron crossed the room to stand before Summer. We need to talk. But first, I need to ask you some questions, he said.

I’m Summer Kelly, she began.

Aaron interrupted, "Actually, I know all about you. I know you’re an incredibly talented artist and actress. I know you’re studying at the Halsberg School of Performing Arts. I know you have a sister called Elsa and your parents are public speakers and counselors. I know your wedding to Simon Silcock was meant to take place last week. I’m also aware that you’ve been investigating Simon’s death for many months now because you don’t know how to get over it. What I don’t know is what happened just now. How did you know what those men were? And why did you say I was glowing?"

Summer was white-faced and trembling by now. She asked urgently, "How do you know all that stuff about me?"

I’ll answer that once you tell me what just happened back there. 

I don’t...I’m not sure...I was just looking at those men and then their faces warped and they became terrifying. And when I saw you — it’s like I saw light or some sort of power around you.

Has anything like this ever happened before? Aaron asked stepping closer to her, staring into her eyes as if to look right into her soul.

No, not that I can recall...no, I don’t think so...

Aaron exchanged pointed glances with Karim. When he looked back at her his expression was inscrutable. If you had to give a name to what you saw in me and in those men, what would it be?

I would say I saw violence in those men, she said slowly. And power in you — good power, not bad. Actually, maybe it was more like protection I saw in you — like you’re some kind of bodyguard.

She has it, Karim murmured behind Aaron. She has the gift.

Without looking behind him because he was still staring at Summer as if he wanted to read her mind, Aaron replied coolly, We’ll see.

{

Louisa had been out of reach all day. This was not unusual in itself. Being the president’s daughter there were often times when she had to be at official occasions, family celebrations or media events. What was bothering Ryder was that this was happening day after day and even when he saw her she was distant, uncommunicative; not really present with him. He had tried raising it with her the last time he saw her but she was evasive, changing the subject then making what he guessed to be an excuse to leave after that.

She had lost weight too and he suspected she was not sleeping well because she always looked tired. She never seemed to want to go out with him any more either. Usually they stole at least one or two nights a week from her busy schedule to go for a meal, a movie, a show or even just a walk together. But it had been nearly a month since that had last happened. Indeed,