Subject:  CHAPTER 96 |
Author:
KK
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Date Posted: 19:49:24 08/06/06 Sun
CHAPTER 96
By the time Nicadea reached the camp, nightfall had long descended and the fires from five hundred clay pits blazed across the valley. She approached the nearest grouping and waited to be noticed. One of the men, a tall redhead, described a large bear he had seen earlier that day. A small boy sitting near me looked up and smiled. She smiled back.
“You. State your business.”
She looked back to see everyone facing her. She stood slowly, wiping the palms of her hands on her skirt. “My name is Nicadea. I came to join the battle.”
“She looks familiar to me.”
She turned toward the voice, but the woman was hidden in the shadows. “I fought in another battle at Delome Hills. I became separated and lost my way.”
“We suffered many loses that day. Who fought alongside you?”
“Many from the village where I grew up. I am Nicadea, daughter of Grog, priestess of Lugos.”
A titter when through the crowd. “Let us welcome you, Nicadea. Would you take some stew?”
She realized she couldn’t remember the last time she had eaten. “Yes, please.”
One of the women stood and moved forward to serve, while one of the children left the group and disappeared into the shadows. She sat near the edge of the gathering to enjoy the food. The redheaded man finished his story and began another. In a few minutes the child, who had left earlier, returned in the company of two men. One she recognized almost immediately.
“Evian.”
“Nicadea. We thought you were dead.”
He embraced her as a brother.
“One of the Roman soldiers followed me into the woods. I escaped, but could not find my way back.”
“Come. Everyone will be glad of your safe return.
* * * * *
Sally reached into her purse for another piece of chewing gum. The office hadn’t been the same since Niki married Michael Samisen. Who would have thought that would have happened? Certainly not her. She didn’t even realize Niki knew the boss outside the office. Sally had asked her friend when she learned about the wedding, but Niki was evasive. How do you up and marry one of the wealthiest bachelors in the country without anyone even knowing the two of you are dating? Sally didn’t know, but she sure would have liked to.
“We don’t pay you to daydream, Sally.”
Ms. Hammond stood just over her left shoulder and glared down at her. Since Michael Samisen had left on his honeymoon and his father had taken over running the business, the dragon lady had become a different person. Even her clothing had changed. She seemed more feminine - more approachable. Once and a while she even seemed happy. It had to have something to do with the Michael’s father, Jack. Wonder what that was all about.
“Yes, Ms. Hammond. I was wondering if you’d heard anything about when Mr. Samisen was coming back from his honeymoon.”
The manager had walked back to the front of the room. “He’s already back. We can expect him tomorrow.”
“Then, Mr. Samisen, Sr. won’t be with us anymore?”
“No, for a while we’re going to have them both.”
Sally didn’t miss the satisfied gleam in the woman’s eyes.
**********************
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