(BEST VIEWED FULL SIZE!) Aranée smiled, reliving the gala in her mind. Galen had danced with her - and his touch had been electric on her hands and skin. But her hopes for a little more time with him were dashed when she overheard Lord Jobil assign him an emergency journey to arbitrate a number of serious disputes in several far-flung Jobil towns. Galen would leave early the next morning and be gone for several weeks - and he regretfully bid her goodbye far too early in the evening. Memories of his hand lingering on hers and the way he had looked at her as they parted set her long-forgotten butterfly collection fluttering about inside her again. Aranée glumly had to admit she already missed him. Staying busy would help. Mubela was an absolute joy and a source of daily discovery. Also, Galen had arranged for continued weapons training with the palace guard while he was away. She also anxiously anticipated her first appointment with Jobil's learned man, Bellikor, in the coming week. But more than anything, she wanted to move into Jobil's hunting lodge. Kuila, getting larger each day, was moping around under "house arrest" in her small castle apartment and she was feeling quite guilty about him. She also wanted to start working on her pact with Lord Jobil. A few days before the gala he had learned the structure had fallen into disrepair, and now she had to wait until his hastily dispatched craftsmen and tradesmen set it right. It was finally ready a few days after the gala. Nearly three hours ride to the northeast of Jobil City, it was nestled in a slightly mountainous southern finger of the Packran foothills. The roomy two room cottage with an attached shed / workroom seemed quite luxurious by her usual spartan standards. While exploring the building, a gust of wind slammed the door shut and Kuila jumped at least three feet off the ground, executing a neat mid-air turnabout. She laughed until she couldn't see for the tears. Jobil's hunting lands consisted of hundreds of heavily wooded hectares and they explored the grounds for a good half-mile in all directions. Kuila reveled in his newfound freedom, loping in and around the trees, eventually returning to flop at her feet, out of breath, with an obvious cat-smile. Jobil was apparently not much of a hunter and the land had reverted to a somewhat wild state. Fresh game trails crisscrossed in great profusion and Kuila found many new scents to explore - it was comical seeing him incessantly run from one trace to the other. That evening, while Kuila sat mesmerized by the fire, she made up for a week's neglect and studied The Book at great length. Later they settled into the oversized bed for the evening, and the gentle whispering of the wind through the eaves lulled them to sleep. This would be a good place to call home for the winter. --- TO BE CONTINUED! View the series in numbered sequence to get the entire story. Sorry for the delay in posting. I'm battling a virus of some kind AND ramping up for a deadline with a new client. BTW, watch for the next two installments - major revelations are at hand! As always, PLEASE leave your comments or criticisms - your words mean SO much to me! Image and story © 2009 by Larry Hodge