12: Imbas Forosna

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" colspan=2 height=90 BGCOLOR="#CC9900" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="047005a0dwnjzk.gif"> <div> <A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Cassies Writing"><U><B>home</B></U></A><B>     | </B><B> </B><B> </B><B>  </B><FONT SIZE="5" COLOR="#FFCC66" FACE="Arial" ><B>Cassie's Writing</B></FONT></div> <div> <A HREF="id25.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="1: Surprise Encounter"><U><B>1:  Surprise Encounter</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id26.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="2: A Proscribed Venerable Love"><U><B>2:  A Proscribed Venerable Love</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id27.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="3: Stalked by the Vampire"><U><B>3:  Stalked by the Vampire</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id28.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="4: Flight to the Auld Country"><U><B>4:  Flight to the Auld Country</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id29.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="5: Ally From Nowhere"><U><B>5:  Ally From Nowhere</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id30.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="6: Tales of Pookahs and the Sidhe Peopl"><U><B>6:  Tales of Pookahs and the Sidhe People</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id31.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="7: The Middle Kingdom"><U><B>7:  The Middle Kingdom</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id32.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="8: My Lady Healer"><U><B>8:  My Lady Healer</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id33.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="9: Triple Betrayal"><U><B>9:  Triple Betrayal</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id34.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="10: A World Apart"><U><B>10:  A World Apart</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id35.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="11: Flight From Tara"><U><B>11:  Flight From Tara</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><B>12:  Imbas Forosna</B><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id37.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="13: Wheel of Fortune"><U><B>13:  Wheel of Fortune</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id38.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="14: Wednesday, the Best Day of All"><U><B>14:  Wednesday, the Best Day of All</B></U></A></div> <div> </div> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" width=210 BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000"> <div> <B>12:  Imbas Forosna</B></div> <bR> </td> <td valign="top" height=390 BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000"> <div> After only a few minutes of walking, Barnabas slowed to a halt.  He called to one of the torchbearers who was still on foot.  Puzzled, Quentin stood by and listened as Barnabas explained that he wanted to arrive formally with King Breandan's party to present gifts to King Niall and to negotiate a settlement between the Fir Bolg and the Tuatha De Danaan.  That seemed to make sense to the torchbearer, who was willing to help Quentin light a torch and send the two on their way.  He would be delighted to explain it all to King Niall.</div> <div> "Barnabas..." Quentin began to protest, worrying about Julia being left alone again, but one stern look from his cousin silenced him.  He held the torch while the man helpfully made a second one.  When he'd done, he touched it to the one Quentin was holding until it flared.</div> <div> "Well done," Barnabas declared.  "Thank you for your help."</div> <div> "It was my pleasure, my Lord Dearg-due," the man answered.  "I will be happy to deliver your message to King Niall."  Without another word, he turned and began to walk away.  Quentin wondered if Barnabas had enchanted him somehow.  He seemed to have some natural ability to beguile all the people in Brugh.</div> <div> “Barnabas, you could negotiate for your own little province.  I'll bet they'd give it to you!" Quentin exclaimed.  He had to admire his cousin's self-assurance.</div> <div> Barnabas lifted an eyebrow as if the suggestion was actually worthy of consideration.  "Indeed," he murmured.  "What a fascinating idea.  Come along, then, Quentin.  We need to meet with King Breandan's party."</div> <div> "What about Julia?"</div> <div> "Don't worry about Julia!" Barnabas sounded brusque.  Quentin's resentment began to resurface.  As if he sensed it, Barnabas turned back and sighed.  "Quentin, I would not let Julia be endangered-especially not now.  She is quite safe with King Niall-you saw the resemblance, didn't you? He would never let Jason harm her-it is a matter of honor, do you see?"</div> <div> Not really, thought Quentin, but that might be because he had not ever been much of an honorable man.  "Do you trust him?" he asked.</div> <div> "Yes, I trust him."</div> <div> "All right," Quentin agreed, reluctantly but mollified.  He found that he still trusted Barnabas-even after everything that had happened in Collinsport and here.  "Is Willie and Maeve with this King Breandan?"</div> <div> "Yes," Barnabas answered, beginning to sound impatient again.  Quentin began to walk; that would please his cousin.  Sure enough, Barnabas began to talk expansively of his plans.  Quentin found himself listening with growing fascination.</div> <div> Jason was in a foul mood, Julia could tell.  He was turning a lovely shade of royal purple as he came to the full realization that he did not have the influence over King Niall he thought he had.  His Royal Highness absolutely refused to entertain the thought of disturbing the slumber of the Druid, Colm.  It would spoil the imbas forosna, the King repeated calmly in spite of Jason's insistence that Colm had had plenty of time to dream.</div> <div> "He should wake on his own," Daoirdre spoke up boldly.</div> <div> "Would you listen to a woman?" Jason cried, desperately.</div> <div> King Niall scowled.  "She is a guest.  Away with you, then, McGuire, and stop worrying me!  I would like to speak to my cousin!"</div> <div> Julia tried not to smirk as the outraged pookah was summarily dismissed from the King's chamber.  There were several women in attendance, including King Niall's wife, Queen Liadan.  One poured rich wine into goblets for them all.</div> <div> Soft deerskin rugs were thrown before the fire.  King Niall threw himself down and invited his guests to join him.  Queen Liadan pulled a chair up and sat, taking up some needlework.  Although she was not a heavy woman, her face and ankles looked round and puffy.   Startled, Julia realized that by closing her eyes, she could visualize a tiny heart beating.  "You are with child, too!" she exclaimed before she was able to stop herself.  Queen Liadan smiled at her gently.</div> <div> "So you are a healer, too, then?" King Niall asked.</div> <div> Julia turned to look at him.  "So I've been told," she told him with a good-humored smile.  "I am a doctor in Sithein.  I've learned that in Brugh I'm capable of some pretty amazing things.  I'm still learning, I suppose."</div> <div> Niall smiled too, and Julia again marveled at the likeness between them.  "It is uncanny, isn't it, cousin?"</div> <div> "Do the people here live forever?" Julia wondered, looking at Queen Liadan.</div> <div> The King laughed.  "Forever?  No, though it might seem so.  Time passes very slowly for us.  We don't die the same way you do in Sithein."</div> <div> "But you must eventually die?  Where would you put all the children otherwise?" Julia asked.</div> <div> "Indeed.  There comes a time when we go to the realm of King Fin Bheara."  At Julia's questioning look, he went on,  "In Sithein, he would be the King of the Underworld, do you see?"</div> <div> Julia did, she supposed.  "And where is this Underworld?"</div> <div> "A different place," the King answered evasively.</div> <div> That was all right.  Julia didn't think she was very curious about the Underworld anyway.  She was, however, curious about this so-called cousin.  "Was it you-or was it an ancestor of yours who came to Sithein?" Julia asked.</div> <div> "She was beautiful and lively-like you.  Not so young," Niall answered in a far-away voice.  "She was only able to stay a short time, not long, just as I was only able to stay a short time in her world."</div> <div> "So it was you, then?  You're the ui Neill Jason talked to me about?" Julia asked.</div> <div> "Ah, little cousin, I never imagined to meet one of my own kin from Sithein!" Niall smiled at her tenderly.  "I can't even tell you how many generations have passed..." His voice trailed away, and his eyes got a far away look to them too.  He must have loved her very much, Julia thought.  She wondered if Queen Liadan minded and then supposed that if many generations had passed, what did it matter anymore?</div> <div> "What happened to her?" Julia asked.</div> <div> "Ah, well, she aged as the people do.  And she couldn't live here with me, and I couldn't live with her.  Not forever."</div> <div> Julia felt disappointed.  "Why not?"</div> <div> “You must be born in either place to stay forever.  Born here-or born in Sithein.  Otherwise, we can visit back and forth, but that's all.  When the child was born, we were in Sithein.  And so the child would visit, too-but that is all.  And she had a child, who bore a child.  When my beloved grew too old and frail and then died, the others eventually no longer came."  Niall sounded grieved.  "You have another kinsman-a shanachie.  Patrick O'Neill."</div> <div> Julia's eyes grew huge and round.  "Yes!  I met him!"</div> <div> "Yes, and he was the last to visit.  I've not seen any of his children or grandchildren then."</div> <div> Julia felt sad for the King.  She remembered the shanachie and how much the other people respected him.  "I would think his family could come for visits," she ventured, surprised that it wasn't so.</div> <div> "Ah, and Patrick told me his family has gone away from Sithein.  There's not much to making money here anymore, says he."</div> <div> “When Patrick came to visit you, did anyone heal him of his blindness?"</div> <div> Julia wondered.  If he had been healed here and returned to Sithein, only to become blind again, then it would mean that she hadn't really cured Quentin.</div> <div> "He is blind?" Niall sounded shocked.</div> <div> "You didn't know?"  Julia was equally surprised.</div> <div> "Is that why he hasn't returned?" Niall wondered aloud.  "Still, someone could bring him if he desired-" He broke off, sounding confused.  "Perhaps I should go to him."  He looked at Julia.  "You are troubled, cousin?"</div> <div> "If I healed someone from Sithein here, would that person be healed when we go back?"</div> <div> Niall shook his head.  "I don't know."  He looked at Daoirdre, who shook her head from side to side, looking puzzled.  They don't know, Julia thought, disappointed.</div> <div> "And we couldn't stay here permanently?" she asked again.</div> <div> "That is true, but visit-you can do that.  And I would like that."</div> <div> That settles that, thought Julia.  Well, it would be safer having all these babies in a modern hospital anyway.  She frowned suddenly, with concern.  "When I go back, will I still be-um-"</div> <div> "Oh, yes, Lady Julia, you will," Daoirdre reassured her quickly.  "That much I do know."</div> <div> "What about Barnabas?" Julia asked.</div> <div> "Ah, Lord Dearg-due!" Niall exclaimed.  "He is not really of Sithein anymore.  He was changed over there, yes, but he is really of the Tuatha De Danaan now.  He can choose as he pleases."</div> <div> Well, Julia thought to herself, Barnabas can certainly call all the shots here.  He is not hated or reviled-he is so popular, these people are fighting over him!  "Well, what happens now?" she asked.</div> <div> "We make pleasant conversation until you are tired.  Eventually, Lord Dearg-due will arrive with King Breandan and his delegation.  We'll talk and come to a mutual agreement.  Then you'll be free to return to Connacht-or Sithein."</div> <div> "We'll have a consultation with Colm first," Daoirdre put in.</div> <div> "Oh?" Julia asked, her eyebrows shooting up.  </div> <div> “Druids are very wise and skilled in the arts of healing and medicine," Daoirdre explained.</div> <div> "Is he wiser than a doctor of my world?" Julia asked.</div> <div> "I think so," Daoirdre replied calmly.</div> <div> King Niall looked back and forth between them, waiting patiently.  Finally, Julia turned to him and said, "Did you know that I am with child too?"  </div> <div> "Yes, I'd received that happy news.  I have been impressed with the skills of Princess Daoirdre-she is young, but she knows much.  I would put my faith in her, dear cousin.  If she feels you would benefit from a consultation with Colm, I'd encourage it, too."</div> <div> Julia considered.  Well, why not?  It wouldn't change anything.  Just as she realized she was feeling hungry again, the serving women reappeared with platters from the King's bruidne.  Julia felt her mouth watering and was more than eager to join the others at the dining table.</div> <div> When they reached King Breandan's camp, Barnabas turned to Quentin and said, "Find Willie and relieve him.  He's been with Maeve all this time.  I am sure he needs a break."</div> <div> Quentin was reluctant.  "I want to go with you."</div> <div> "No!  You can't!  You are still persona non grata with the Fir Bolg, and you will be fortunate if Caoimhghin doesn't catch you-I believe he'd like to skin you alive.  Now do as I tell you!"</div> <div> He still didn't like being ordered about.  "Well, what about Maeve?  I think she'd like to get her fangs into me."</div> <div> "Don't look at her and you'll be fine," Barnabas answered with his typical impatience.  Quentin was ready with another objection, and his cousin snapped:  "Listen to me carefully-Maeve is looking forward to a reunion with her husband.  You are not in any danger from her.  However, if you continue to delay me and argue with me, you are going to be in danger-from me! Don't make me go back on my promise to Julia.   Now go and find Willie!"</div> <div> Fuck you, Quentin thought resentfully, but he set off in search of Willie anyway.  The camp was well lit with a very large fire going.  Someone was in the middle of a story, but Quentin didn't stop to listen.  He noticed the men giving him hard looks and thought he would not be welcome to join them anyway.  He was beginning to feel very lonely for Julia, wondering how she was faring.  He also wondered how on earth she could possibly have four babies.  He didn't like lying to Julia, but he wondered if having that many babies at her age would be dangerous to her health.</div> <div> "Watch it!" Willie growled, and Quentin realized too late he'd practically stumbled over him.  Willie was sitting on the ground, knees drawn up to his chest, a brooding expression on his face.  "So Barnabas didn't kill ya, huh?  Too bad."</div> <div> "If he had, you little weasel, you'd have to sit up all night with our friend," Quentin snapped resentfully.  Who was Willie to talk to him this way?  He wasn't even a member of the family.  "I'm supposed to give you a break.  Go eat or something."</div> <div> Willie jumped up quickly-almost too eagerly.  He did stop to look Quentin in the face.  "Look, tell ole Willie the truth-are you gonna stay here?  I ain't gonna come back and find everything's gone to hell again because you run off again?"</div> <div> "I'll be here," Quentin snapped irritably.  "What am I supposed to do?"</div> <div> "Just keep her calm," Willie advised.  "She's been restin most of the time.  Sometimes she gets restless and starts askin about her Frank.  Ya gotta say she's gonna see him soon.  If she says she's burning or she's thirsty, ya give her some of this from the jar."  Willie held up a quart jar of a thick, dark fluid.  He thrust it into Quentin's hands.</div> <div> "Blood?" Quentin asked, nauseated.</div> <div> Willie laughed shortly.  "Better this than yours, right?  Look-she's behind a gauzy curtain, kinda like a maharajah's lady, ya dig?  Don't go behind the curtain and don't look at her."</div> <div> "All right, thanks," Quentin mumbled.  Willie turned to go.  "Hey, Willie?"  When he turned back again, impatiently, Quentin asked, "Have you seen her?"</div> <div> Willie was shocked.  "No!  And you listen to ole Willie-I tolja, don't look at her!  You know she's a special kind of vampire, right?  A suckyourbus.  Well, she'll do it to you if you look at her.  That's what Barnabas said.  And she'll keep you doin it to her until you die.  I don't know if Barnabas put up a screen or block or whatever ya call it to protect you.  So don't be stupid an look at her."  He turned and trotted off, obviously relieved to be free to move about.</div> <div> Quentin sat down in Willie's place, hoping that they could get going soon.  He didn't like the idea of vampire-sitting a succubus and set the jar of blood beside him, looking at it with great distaste.  Hopefully she'd stay quiet in there, dreaming about Francis.  Quentin reflected that it was sort of a mean trick that Barnabas was playing on her, but he supposed the end justified the means.  He wasn't sure how long he'd been sitting before he began to nod off.  </div> <div> He dreamed he was in his room in the west wing and smiled; apparently Roger finally came around and let him reopen the wing so that he could have some privacy.  Of course, he'd need the privacy-he was a married man again.  He saw Julia reclining on the bed, a sultry smile on her face.  She was so beautiful, her red hair grown out and down around her shoulders.  He felt aroused, moving toward her, beginning to unbutton his shirt.  He heard a loud keening sound.  What on earth was that? He wondered, turning.</div> <div> There was a crib near the bed-which was where the screaming sound was coming from.   Oh, God, he thought, the baby.  No-not one baby.  There were four babies in there!  Four!  He felt panicky.  He had no idea how to manage with one baby, never mind four.  What if they all started crying at once?  Did they sound different if they were hungry or if they were wet or...or...yuck!  He came awake suddenly, exclaiming, "The baby's starving!"   Someone really was keening, and he started violently, kicking the jar over.  "Fuck!" he yelled, grabbing for it.  Some of the contents sloshed over his hands but he managed to get it upright before everything spilled out.</div> <div> "Francis, Francis, where are ye, Frank?" </div> <div> Quentin felt his insides turn to ice.  That was Maeve's plaintive voice.  She sounded heartbroken, seeking her lost love.  "Hey, don't do that!" he found himself saying in a weak voice.  He cleared his throat, trying to clear the remnants of the dream from his mind.  "Maeve!" he called in a louder, stronger voice.  "Don't fret!  We'll be seeing Francis soon!"</div> <div> "Ah, but I can't stand it!" she wailed.  "I miss him sooooooo!"  Quentin put his hands over his ears.  Where the hell was Willie?  Where was Barnabas for crying out loud?   "I thirst," she moaned.  "Please, will you not come in and give me a wee drink?"</div> <div> Trembling, he picked up the jar.  "Sure, sure, here's something for you."  He moved closer to the lacy curtain that closed her off from everyone else.  He remembered Willie's warning and reached through the curtain with his arm, setting the jar down.  There were long poles-obviously, the men lifted Maeve and this contraption up on their shoulders to carry her.  </div> <div> Why does she stay in there? He wondered.  Maybe Barnabas had her under some kind of spell.  He heard slurping noises from within and shuddered, feeling sick to his stomach.  At least the keening had stopped.  Relieved, he saw Willie appear out of the darkness.  "Everything okay?" Willie began.  He stopped, listening.  "Huh-ya hadda give her another wee drink?"  He reached down and picked up a glass and then glared at Quentin.  "Ya didn't give her a glass?"</div> <div> "You didn't tell me to!"</div> <div> "What-ya give her that whole jar?"  Willie sounded outraged.  "Geez, Quentin, do you have any idea how long it took me to get that sheep's blood in the jar?"  He kicked the ground, genuinely annoyed.  "Oh, maaaaan!" he complained.</div> <div> "Hey, don't blame me, pal!" Quentin was fed up and began to shout.  "You didn't tell me she was on any kind of special diet, you jerk, you just said to give her the damn jar!"</div> <div> "What are you shouting about?" Barnabas demanded then.  "Lower your voice!"</div> <div> Quentin was startled.  He hadn't expected Barnabas to appear just like that.  Recovering his wits, he began complaining.  "Look, Barnabas, it's bad enough I've got you bossing me around but if you think I'm going to put up with this crap from this half-witted Renfield of yours-"</div> <div> Even before Willie could make a move or a sound of protest, Barnabas effectively silenced Quentin again with one look of fury.  His eyes suddenly flared as if they were two coals poked with a stick.  "Don't speak of Willie that way!  He is not a half-wit, nor is he a Renfield!" Barnabas snapped.  It was obvious he was struggling to control his fury-Quentin could see his very sharp teeth.  His hands clenched tightly into fists.</div> <div> "Barnabas, it's all right, it don't matter," Willie blurted, obviously try to smoothe things over.</div> <div> Quentin didn't move a muscle.  He was scared to death but didn't want to give Barnabas the satisfaction of knowing it.  You'd think family ties would mean something, he thought bitterly.  Barnabas had his eyes on him and he couldn't look away, first because of pride and then because he didn't have the will to.  The sensation he felt was one of being shoved aside with contempt; it felt like Barnabas had knocked him down and was standing over him.  "I don't want to hurt you, Quentin, but you are making it very difficult for me," he heard his cousin say harshly-or did he?  "If this is the only way I can make you behave then so be it.  You will do as I tell you without question from here on out, is that understood?  You cannot defy me, no matter how much you may want to."</div> <div> "Yes, Barnabas," he answered automatically.  The moment passed.  He and Barnabas were still facing each other.  Neither had said a word.</div> <div> "Barnabas?" Willie asked, sounding a little frantic.</div> <div> "Yes, Willie, everything is all right," Barnabas replied calmly.  His eyes were serenely normal again.  "The men are coming to transport Maeve.  We are going to Tara, and I am sure we will arrive well before dawn."</div> <div> "Then what?" Willie asked nervously.</div> <div> "I am sure we will be shown to some quarters so that we may rest before we begin our negotiations."</div> <div> "So we'll be able to sleep some?" Willie sounded hopeful.</div> <div> "I realize how tired you are Willie."  Barnabas sounded sympathetic.  "You have been a great help, and you will get all the rest you need-I promise.  You should gather your things together.  We will be underway very shortly.  You, Quentin, come with me."  He turned and walked off toward the great bonfire.  Quentin followed without protest, thoroughly subdued.</div> <div> Julia was comfortably reclining after the splendid meal, feeling herself slowly drifting into a light sleep.  She was aware of voices around her-her cousin King Niall was speaking to his wife and to Daoirdre.  Although Daoirdre seemed quite at home here, Julia could sense that she wasn't content.  She yearned for her home, and she yearned for Barnabas.  In the same way, Julia longed for Quentin.  She thought she would send a message to her love, conjuring up his face in her mind.  I miss you, she thought, slowly going over the length of his body, beginning with his unruly brown hair as it looked first thing in the morning, his bright blue eyes, the dark brows...</div> <div> She was distracted by male voices.  She heard the words, "The party is here!"  King Niall was speaking now-he wanted the party conducted to comfortable chambers and was very much surprised to hear that Lord Dearg-due desired to present a gift first.  Julia opened her eyes and began to sit up.  Daoirdre moved to sit beside her, taking her hand and squeezing it tightly.</div> <div> "What's the matter?" Julia asked.  She could feel almost palpable tension in Daoirdre's body.</div> <div> “Jason-this is for the pookah," Daoirdre whispered.</div> <div> Julia looked at her, wide-eyed, wondering what was to happen.  It was apparent she would soon see for herself.  All of the people in Tara appeared to be gathering within the inner circle of the rath, in the great open space before the King's quarters.  The King and his lady had to proceed everyone, and Julia found herself impatient to move forward to see if she could see Quentin.  She told herself to be patient, be patient.  Daoirdre grabbed her hand in sympathetic understanding.  She was eager, too.</div> <div> Finally, Julia and Daoirdre were able to squeeze out into the courtyard.  With all the torches flickering, the faces of the people were well lit but eerie looking; their bodies were in the shadows and Julia imagined a sea of floating faces.  It made her feel a little dizzy; there were so many people.  There, in the center, she could see Barnabas with another man regally robed.  The two of them were bowing to King Niall and Queen Liadan-not low bows, but a slight inclination of the head and shoulders.  The High King held out both hands to acknowledge them.  Julia could see Barnabas speaking but couldn't hear him.  Around them, everyone was silent.</div> <div> “I can't hear anything," Julia whispered to Daoirdre.</div> <div> "They don't want to disturb Colm's dream," Daoirdre explained.</div> <div> Julia nodded.  Superstitious nonsense-or was it?  This place was filled with contradictions and surprises.  She caught sight Maeve's enclosed chamber.  It had been set on the ground on the periphery of the little group gathered around King Niall.  Suddenly, Julia caught sight of Quentin, and her breath caught in her throat.  Willie was beside him, and the two of them stood several paces behind Barnabas.  Thank goodness, she thought, relieved. "Can you hear them?" Julia asked Daoirdre.  There was a dreamy expression on her face.</div> <div> "Through my Lord Dearg-due, I know what they are saying," Daoirdre answered after a long moment.  "Lord Dearg-due and King Breandan understand the distressing imbalance that has taken place between the Good Folk.  However, they are also aware that the pookah has introduced an unfair advantage to the Tuatha De Danaan."  She turned toward Julia, her eyes wide.  "King Niall is most distressed.  He was not aware of the Leanhaum-sidhe.  They have called for the pookah."</div> <div> There was a slight murmuring throughout the crowd.  Some of the people parted to make way for Jason, who'd taken the form of half-man, half-goat.  "How appropriate," Julia murmured.  "Is that what he looks like most of the time?"</div> <div> "I couldn't say," Daoirdre answered, and Julia looked at her.</div> <div> "That's right-I'm sorry.  We were the ones that brought Jason on you, I guess," Julia said.</div> <div> "Sometimes good comes after bad," Daoirdre replied.  "I think this is one of those times."  There was a hush over the crowd again, and Julia strained to hear.  The voices were indistinct to hear, although she could make out when Barnabas spoke-she knew his deep, sonorous voice well.</div> <div> "I still can't make out what they're saying," she complained.</div> <div> "Most are unable to," Daoirdre agreed.  "They hold their silence only because they realize that the imbas forosna is still going on."  Julia was going to ask the significance of that but Daoirdre went on, "Lord Dearg-due declares that the Leanhaum-sidhe corrects the imbalance between the Good Folk.  Because Jason the pookah has helped to correct the imbalance, Lord Dearg-due is presenting him with a gift-his lost beloved."  Daoirdre looked at Julia curiously.  "Jason has a lost love from Sithein?"</div> <div> “Um, well," Julia began wondering if that was so.  Before the trip here, she'd never met Jason.  She'd only heard of him.</div> <div> "It doesn't matter if Lord Dearg-due lies," Daoirdre assured her.  "You see, pookahs have an insatiable curiosity.  Jason cannot resist the gift."</div> <div> "Suppose the succubus is in there?" Julia asked, watching as Barnabas led Jason to the enclosure.  She lost sight of Quentin.  There were too many people moving about.</div> <div> "She is," Daoirdre declared, a smile on her lips.</div> <div> Julia looked at Daoirdre, suppressing her desire to laugh.  Everyone was still as Jason went through the gauzy curtain.  There were sudden, loud cries of passion from within.  King Niall signaled to several men, who immediately lifted the poles and carried Maeve and Jason away-probably someplace where Colm wouldn't be disturbed.  Julia snickered; she couldn't help it.  Daoirdre turned and looked at her, her eyes dancing, holding a finger to her lips.  "What now?" she managed to ask.</div> <div> "Now we will rest," Daoirdre replied, smiling.  "The negotiations will begin tomorrow, after Colm awakens from his dream."</div> <div> People were dispersing quietly.  Julia began to look for Quentin.  She could see Barnabas standing with King Breandan, King Niall, and Queen Liadan.  Daoirdre was moving toward them hesitantly.  Julia turned and went the other way, moving through the hordes of people to the place where she'd last seen Quentin.  "Julia!" Before she could turn she felt his arms go around her, lifting her off the ground.</div> <div> "Quentin!" He twirled around with her once, and then set her down so he could kiss her.  Her senses must be heightened, she thought, or he'd been walking long and hard.  She was aroused by his scent, very male and musky.  </div> <div> "Where are we staying?" he whispered to her.  "I'm tired as hell but, Julia, I can't rest until I get inside of you.  I've been thinking about you this whole time."</div> <div> "I don't know, but I feel the same way," Julia answered, smiling lustily at him while slipping her hand inside his tunic.  He was warm and sweaty.  "I'm sure we'll find out-everyone has to be quiet because the Druid is having a dream."</div> <div> "What?" Quentin exclaimed.  Then he went on, "Oh, I don't give a damn!  Just take me to our room!"</div> <div> Someone cleared her throat, and Quentin looked around.  Sorcha stood there, looking embarrassed.  She looked down at the ground. "My Lady, if you would follow me, I'll take you to your quarters," Sorcha said.  Around them, people were leaving in groups of twos and threes.  </div> <div> "Yes, please do," Julia said agreeably.  "And Lady Daoirdre?"</div> <div> "With Lord Dearg-due," Sorcha answered.</div> <div> Of course.  Julia and Quentin followed Sorcha back into the King's quarters and down a hall way to a private room, which seemed to be secluded from the others.  "How considerate," Julia murmured, flushing.</div> <div> "I guess His Royal Highness wants to make sure we get plenty of rest," Quentin answered, already hugging Julia from behind, his hands moving to her breasts.  Julia, with one eye on Sorcha, reached back to tickle Quentin and distract him until the shy servant could get away.  He doubled over, and Sorcha darted out.</div> <div> "Now what makes you so eager?" Julia asked teasingly, continuing to tickle Quentin.  Once he went on his knees to the floor, she moved to see if he was ticklish around his shoulders.  He rolled over, trying to get away from her, laughing.  She pursued him, but he suddenly moved suddenly, grabbing both her wrists, pulling her onto him.  Well, she could no longer tickle him so she kissed him instead and then playfully licked the end of his nose.</div> <div> "You shouldn't have done that!" He said immediately.  "You don't know where my nose has been." Julia sat up, shocked, and Quentin immediately began to laugh almost uncontrollably.  "If you could see the look on your face!"</div> <div> "Oh, you!" Julia exclaimed, but she couldn't even pretend to be annoyed.  She was so glad to see him and it was very obvious he was happy to be with her again.  She could feel his erection pressing against her belly.  "What is making you so aroused?"</div> <div> "You mean other than the fact we haven't been together in a couple of days and I've gotten used to making love to you just about everyday?" Quentin asked, grinning at her.  "I never made love to a pregnant woman before, Julia.  Show me again where the babies are."</div> <div> "Here," Julia answered, laughing, taking his hand and pressing it to her abdomen.  He pulled his hand away, reaching for the hem of the dress and pulling it up.  She helped him pull it over her head and then took his hand back and placed it back on her abdomen.  His other hand traveled up, moving to one breast.</div> <div> "How big are they?" he asked, his face serious now, his thumb and forefinger gently rubbing the nipple of her breast.</div> <div> Julia shivered.  It felt wonderful, she thought.  "Teeny.  In a few weeks, they might be about the size of your pinkie nail."</div> <div> "So they won't feel anything, then?"</div> <div> "No," Julia answered seriously, although she was tempted to laugh.  She didn't want to hurt his feelings or make him angry by making his question seem foolish.</div> <div> "When do we have to stop making love?"</div> <div> Julia frowned.  "I don't know.  Maybe we don't have to stop."</div> <div> Quentin looked shocked.  "Well, but wouldn't it be dangerous-for you, or even for the babies?"</div> <div> "Not that I know of."  Julia decided she didn't want to think about it anymore.  She stretched herself out on top of him again, reaching under his shirt with her hands to return the favor, massaging his nipples.  "Take it off, take it all off," she whispered to him in a sultry voice, trying to make herself sound like the sexy woman in the Noxzema shaving cream commercial.  She even growled.</div> <div> "Your wish is my command, my lady," Quentin answered, his voice suddenly hoarse with lust.  He quickly managed to pull his shirt off without dislodging her.  "You want to give me a hand?" he asked.  She was still straddling his hips.</div> <div> "How about more than a hand?" Julia teased him.  She got off, helping him pull most of the way down before placing her hand on him to stroke him.  His eyes rolled back in his head and he groaned with pleasure.  Julia had a feeling this first round was going to be a quick one.  The second time around-and there would be a second time-would be much slower, much more pleasurable for them both.</div> <div> Sometime before dawn, Quentin started.  Julia felt his whole body jerk as if he'd been electrocuted.  Julia opened her eyes to look at him and saw his eyes were closed.  He moaned.  "Quentin!  Wake up, dearheart!"  Julia shook his shoulder gently.  </div> <div> Quentin's eyes flew open, and he drew his breath in sharply.  "Julia!" he cried.  He rolled toward her, reaching for her.</div> <div> "Did you have a falling dream?" Julia asked, but realized quickly it had to have been something worse.  He was clutching at her, trembling.  "What is it?"</div> <div> "What if they're all boys?" he asked, his voice beginning to break.</div> <div> For a moment, Julia didn't understand.  Then she remembered the curse-she'd even tried to find out if Quentin would still be cured in their own world.  "Honey, I didn't get pregnant until after you were cured."</div> <div> "Yes, but Julia, back in our world, the portrait started to work again.  My black eye went away, and then when I came back here, I had it again.  What if I am cured here, but not there?  What then?  Does that mean that they would be cursed, too?"</div> <div> "Oh, Quentin!"  Julia stroked his face gently, wanting to reassure him.  The trouble was, she wasn't sure.  What if he was right?  She had a feeling that he was wrong, but she just didn't know for sure.  She thought until an idea came to her.  "The portrait is supposed to absorb the bad things that happen to you.  Maybe that's why your black eye went away when you went back.  Maybe you are still cured, regardless."</div> <div> "Oh, God," he groaned.  "Maybe I am-but what about them?  How am I going to know?  Wait until they're born and grow up and hope that when the full moon comes-"</div> <div> "Oh!"  Julia thought of something else.  "The portrait changes during the full moon.  We can look to see if it changes!"</div> <div> He stopped trembling.  "What if it changes?"  He'd lifted himself on one elbow, leaving the comfort of Julia's arms, to look down at her.  </div> <div> Julia had a feeling that wasn't going to happen.  She wasn't sure why-maybe it was true, and her power here was telling her so.  Maybe it was because she just wanted it to be so.  She was still afraid to reassure him, though, and so she said, "We won't know until it happens, Quentin.  If it does, then we deal with it."</div> <div> He fell back, covering his eyes.  "I'm scared."</div> <div> Julia put her arms around him and kissed him gently on the ear, the only part of his face she could get to that wasn't covered by his arms.  "Is that what you were dreaming about?"</div> <div> "No, it was about my little boy-and Lenore and Jenny," he answered thickly.  "I did want to be her father, Julia.  I don't know if you knew what happened with Lenore.  We didn't really get much of a chance to talk about my daughter when you came back, and then when I came to Collinsport, well, it had just been so long-"</div> <div> "Tell me," Julia urged, knowing he wanted to talk.</div> <div> "I wanted to be her father.  I wanted to take her back to Collinwood with me."  Quentin began to choke on his tears.  "The other members of the family didn't want her, but I loved her the first time I saw her.  She was so sick when Magda took me to Mrs. Fillmore's, and I thought she was going to die.  I held her little body in my arms, and she was on fire-" He broke off, struggling to control himself.  "It was Jenny who saved her-my wife, Jenny.  Her spirit came back, and she saved our little girl.  She came to me in a dream and told me to leave Lenore where she was.  She was better off there.  Jenny said Collinwood would kill her spirit, and she was right."</div> <div> Julia felt his grief.  She pulled on him, urging him to come into her arms again, and he did.  Julia stroked his hair gently as he wept.  "Oh, Quentin, I'm so sorry," she whispered in a comforting tone.  She knew the grief of losing a child; she hadn't told Quentin that she'd miscarried twice when she'd been married.  It was a pain different from the grief of losing a mate.  She wished she could tell him now because she really did understand how he felt.  She knew him, though, and was afraid if she confided in him he'd be more frightened than before.</div> <div> “I'm sorry I'm acting like a baby," he finally muttered.</div> <div> "Stop that!"  she exclaimed, a little more sharply than she'd intended.  "I would wonder if you didn't cry," she went on, moderately her voice.  "Quentin, you didn't abandon your daughter.  You certainly didn't abandon your son-you didn't even know about him.  As for your daughter, what you did for her took a lot of courage.  I remember your brother.  I've heard your stories about your family.  Jenny was right.  If you had stayed in that house, the other members of your family would have destroyed your daughter's spirit.  They wouldn't have accepted her."</div> <div> He'd quieted down, listening to her.  After a moment, he wondered, "What makes you so wise?"  He'd stopped crying.</div> <div> Julia laughed.  "Just the experience of an old gray mare."</div> <div> Quentin snorted, and began to laugh himself.  "Some old gray mare!" he exclaimed.  "You have plenty of filly left in you yet!"  He'd begun to caress her lightly, but in a non-sexual way.  "Julia, could you stand to be with me if the portrait changes?  And we know that the curse goes on to our children?  Will you hate me?"</div> <div> Julia sighed.  "When are you going to stop beating yourself up?"  She was stroking him now, too, in a slow, comforting way.  "Look, it's not like I haven't been working on cures for odd curses before."</div> <div> Quentin took her hand and kissed it.  "Oh, God, Julia, how I love you."</div> <div> "I love you, too, dearheart.  We'll get through this," Julia promised.  She kidded again, "It's too early for you to be up.  Do you think you can get back to sleep now?"</div> <div> "Stay with me, and I can."  Quentin pulled her to him, and she rested her head on his shoulder.  She put her arm across his chest, and used that hand to reach up and gently stroke his cheek.  His closed his eyes.  After a while, she could feel his breathing slow down.  He was falling asleep again.  She was relieved, but her eyes remained open, looking at the far wall, thinking, worrying.</div> <div> Julia finally did fall asleep again, but it seemed as if only a few minutes later she was awakened again by the sound of voices outside.  She opened her eyes sleepily and saw that Quentin was up and gone.  She sat up, wondering where he had gone.  He came back in from another room, grinning sheepishly.  He climbed onto the homemade bed next to her and kissed her.  "Are you glowing yet?" he asked.  "You look like you're glowing."</div> <div> "You're too kind," Julia smiled and then yawned.  "You mean I have that 'just woke up rumpled' look. '  I was wondering where you went."</div> <div> "I was looking for the golden throne," Quentin replied, with a smile.  </div> <div> No wonder he looked so silly, Julia thought, feeling her own need.  "Did you find one?"</div> <div> "Go and look," he urged.  "In the other room.  Apparently matches aren't the only thing the Good Folk borrowed from us Upper Kingdom folk."</div> <div> Julia's eyebrows arched up and she got off the bed to go and look.  She burst out laughing at the old fashioned loo.  The seat really was gold!  There was a pull chain overhead.  "Urisk didn't have anything so fancy," Julia exclaimed.</div> <div> "Neither did the Fir Bolg.  This must be reserved for the High King and his stratosphere," Quentin observed.</div> <div> "Well, I am feeling starved, so if you'll let me tend to my morning ablutions, we can go to the morning bruidne," Julia said, giving her lover a gentle shove.</div> <div> "A pot of an entirely different color!" he teased and went back into the outer room to wait.  He sat on the bed, brooding.  He was grateful for Julia's comfort last night.  He really did feel scared about everything-being a husband again, being a father, and maybe being the father of a child under the same curse he bore.  He wondered how Barnabas could stand it but then he reflected that Barnabas was different than he was-he was stronger in character.  He had better role models or something, Quentin thought, feeling depressed and sorry for himself.</div> <div> He heard Julia coming back and quickly hid his feelings behind a smile.  He got up and put his arm around her.  "Come on, I'm starving," he told her.</div> <div> "Me, too," Julia agreed.</div> <div> "Eating for five again," he kidded her, and they went out into the hallway and followed the sound of the voices to the large outer room which contained the hearth fire and the bruidne.</div> <div> There were a lot of people seated around the hearth fire this morning.  Quentin looked around for Jason and saw no sign of him.  He smirked to himself, imagining that he was still busy with Maeve and would be until she'd drained all of his energy away.  He wondered if pookahs could die and decided it wasn't his problem.  He didn't see Barnabas, either, nor did he see the kings.  Perhaps they were in a council meeting already; he wondered if Barnabas would have the strength or energy to negotiate now.</div> <div> "Julia!" Willie nearly leaped on them.  He grabbed Julia in a tight hug, tearing her away from Quentin, who stood by and watched.  He knew that Willie genuinely loved Julia as a friend and there was no reason to be angry or jealous about it.  "Julia!"  He repeated, his face almost handsome in a beaming smile of delight.  "I'm so glad ta see ya again-and ya look so good, Julia!  How are ya feelin, huh?"</div> <div> "Oh, Willie, it's so good to see you again, too," Julia replied, with deep feeling, her eyes flooding with sudden tears.  "I'm glad you're all right and that-that Maeve didn't worry you."</div> <div> "Her?  Nah-didn't Quentin tell ya?"  Willie looked at Quentin a little reproachfully.  "Barnabas set it up so's she wouldn't want me, anyways.  She thinks Jason is Francis, see?"</div> <div> "She does?  How horrible!"  Julia answered, the tears spilling over.</div> <div> "Hey, what's wrong?  You don't feel sorry for that Jason fella do ya?" Willie asked, clearly distressed.</div> <div> "No, it's hormones!" Julia explained, wiping her eyes.  Willie looked at Quentin, wide-eyed.  Quentin looked back at him innocently.  He thought it was Julia's business to say whether or not she was pregnant.   Willie pulled out a rumpled handkerchief, still very upset, and handed it to Julia.  "Thank you, Willie-you are such a dear friend."  Julia looked over at Quentin, who shrugged and gave a brief nod.  "I guess I should tell you-I'm going to have a baby-"</div> <div> Willie's distress changed to pop-eyed surprise and then to a wide grin.  "You are?  A baby?  Really, Julia?"  Then the grin abruptly left his face and he frowned.  "Geez, Julia, we gotta getcha outta here real quick, then, huh?  I mean, to get married before, well, before it's too late to fit into a wedding dress, huh?"</div> <div> Julia laughed and cried at the same time.  Now Quentin put his arm around her, wondering if this was normal.  He had no idea.  "My cousin Brian must think I've dropped off the edge of the world!"</div> <div> "Oh, no, no, Julia, I took care of all that for ya!" Willie exclaimed, trying to be helpful.  "Don't cry, please?  Barnabas had me call your cousin-said you got delayed a day or two but you'd be along real soon.  And I called the family, too, and they'll all be coming for ya weddin.  And when we go back, I'll drive ya to your cousin's house."</div> <div> "Oh, Willie!" Julia exclaimed, grabbing his hand in hers and squeezing it.  "What would we do without you?"  </div> <div> We'd manage, Quentin thought, somewhat resentfully.  He thought if Willie had been a Labrador, his tail would be going a mile a minute right now.  "Yeah, thanks," he put in, with not very much good grace.  </div> <div> "What about Barnabas?" Julia asked.</div> <div> Now Willie openly glared at Quentin.  "What is this, didn't you tell her nothin?"</div> <div> "Look, we had other things on our minds at the time, Willie!" Quentin snapped back.</div> <div> "Just a minute, you two," Julia intervened.  "Please don't fight."  She looked back and forth between them.  "Would one of you please tell me what this is about?"</div> <div> "Yeah, I will," Willie offered, still giving Quentin an offended look.  "Listen, why don't we sit down?  I'll getcha somethin to eat, Julia."  They found an area of the room where the three of them could sit together comfortably.  "I'll be right back, Julia!"</div> <div> "Nice of him to offer to get me some breakfast," Quentin muttered.  He looked at Julia and kissed her lightly.  "I'll be right back, my love."</div> <div> Julia grabbed his hand.  "Quentin-don't be angry with him.  He means well."</div> <div> "I know," Quentin said, smiling.  He really did understand.  He knew the relationship between Willie, Barnabas, and Julia.  He thought that he and Willie didn't get along so well because of Willie's jealousy and resentment of Quentin-that he'd just come along and suddenly seemed to be as close to Barnabas and Julia as Willie was.  Sure, I understand, thought Quentin, getting on line behind Willie and picking up a bowl.  He bumped into Willie, causing the other man to spill the bowl.  "Oh, I'm sorry, old man!" Quentin exclaimed.  "Let me help you!"</div> <div> Willie turned around and glared at him.  Oh, they understood each other all right.  Quentin smirked.  "Don't bother," Willie grumbled.  He moved to pick up another bowl and Quentin continued on down the line.  He didn't think Willie would bother him and he was right.  They returned to Julia at almost the same time; she apparently hadn't seen what had transpired between the two of them because she smiled sunnily when they reappeared, taking seats on either side of her.  As they ate, Willie talked.  "Barnabas had it all figured out, see?  He told me those people are like, what did he say-um, quid pro quo.  Is that right?  That means you got one, I got the same thing, right?"</div> <div> "Sort of," Julia agreed, encouraging him to go on.  Quentin covered his mouth with his hand, snickering, and Julia kicked him under the table.  Maybe she had seen, after all! </div> <div> "Okay, so Barnabas thought maybe the High King didn't know about that-that umm..." Willie broke off, frowning.</div> <div> "Leanhaum-sidhe," Julia supplied helpfully.</div> <div> "Yeah, that.  Barnabas thought that was a secret only Jason knew about cause the High King wouldn't be involved in a dirty trick like that.  So he thought if he brought someone like that he could tell the King that everybody was square, quid pro quo."  Willie seemed proud of his new vocabulary.</div> <div> "Oh, yeah?  Then why was our succubus the gift?" Quentin challenged, and Julia nudged him again with her foot.  "Ouch, Julia!"</div> <div> Julia smiled thinly.  "Let Willie tell it, dearheart."</div> <div> "Yeah," Willie agreed darkly.  "Okay, maybe I got that mixed up.  Barnabas is a special vampire-he's with that King Breandan's group.  Yeah, right!  Okay, and this other girl of Jason's-she was the quid pro quo.  And Barnabas thought he'd make like he was really grateful to Jason for solving everybody's problem.  And he'd give him Maeve."</div> <div> "How thoughtful," Quentin said dryly and snickered again.  This time Julia didn't kick him because Willie began to laugh, too.</div> <div> "Yeah.  Old Jason, he was my buddy from a long time ago, ya know?  But he was always kinda sneaky.  And he really didn't have no reason to be mad at Barnabas, see?  I tried to warn him.  I tried to tell him to go away, but he wouldn't listen.  He just wanted them jewels, see?"</div> <div> "I see. Well, we know that Maeve thinks Jason is Francis.  Who does Jason think Maeve is?"</div> <div> "Her.  This is kinda a wild, but Jason was in love with her before he left Ireland, see?  Her family knew he was no damn good, though.  And he got her pregnant, see?  And the father knew Jason had been stealin from his boss and said he was gonna tell the police if Jason didn't clear out.  So Jason done it."</div> <div> "What happened to Maeve then?" Quentin asked.  Now he was intrigued and interested.</div> <div> "Well, there was this other guy in love with her too.  A good guy but not near so flashy as ole Jason was."</div> <div> "Francis Sweeney?" Julia guessed.</div> <div> "Yeah," Willie answered softly.  "Barnabas couldn't really do nothin to bring him back, Julia, ya know?  He was already buried and everything.  But he figured he could make Maeve happy...and I guess ole Jason's happy."  Willie laughed nervously.  "I don't know nothin about this place.  I don't know how long Jason can keep it up.  I guess I'd have a heart attack and croak if I couldn't stop-you know-" He blushed furiously.</div> <div> Quentin laughed.  After a moment, Willie did too.  "What a way to go, huh?"   For once, they seemed to be on the same wavelength.</div> <div> "If everything is settled, what needs to be negotiated?" Julia asked.</div> <div> "Oh, it was somethin Quentin said," Willie said.</div> <div> "Me?" Quentin was shocked.</div> <div> "Yeah-something about Barnabas getting his own little piece of property.  The way he figures it, this way he can kinda belong to both o'these kingdoms.  Oh, and Daoirdre, too."</div> <div> Julia's eyes popped.  "What?  Is Barnabas going to stay here, then?"  She turned and looked at Quentin, shocked.  </div> <div> Quentin scowled at Willie.  "I was going to tell you, Julia, I swear.  I just didn't get a chance.  Does it matter?"</div> <div> "I would have liked to have known!" Julia exclaimed, stunned.  Her eyes were filling up again.  "Why, Willie?"</div> <div> "Doncha see, Julia?  These people-they all respect him here.  They don't hate him.  They think he's the greatest thing since-uh-sliced bread.  He's a lord, here, for Chrissakes!  And that young girl?  She looks like Roxanne, and she loves him.  He needs that, Julia, you know that."  Willie's face showed a number of different emotions as he struggled with how he felt about all of this.  His eyes looked sad.  "He always did like the young girls, Julia, and when he realized he wasn't going to be able to be with you, ya know?  What else can he do, Julia?  Come back to Collinsport and watch you and Quentin set up house together?"</div> <div> "No," Julia sniffled, her tears spilling over again.  Quentin took her hand, hoping she wasn't angry with him.  He really had intended to tell her what Barnabas told him on the walk here.  He was relieved when she squeezed his hand.</div> <div> "Don't cry," Willie said softly.  "This way, both of ya can be happy, see?"</div> <div> Julia nodded, again taking the rumpled handkerchief Willie offered.</div> <div> Caoimhghin was there suddenly, clearly his throat.  Quentin felt his body tense, remembering what Barnabas had said.  Truthfully Caoimhghin looked at him as if he would enjoy tearing him limb from limb but managed to control himself for the sake of everyone else present.  "Excuse me, my Lady.  Lord Dearg-due asked me to escort you to the King's chamber when you had eaten your fill."</div> <div> "Me?" Julia squeaked, surprised.</div> <div> "And-him." Caoimhghin jerked his thumb at Quentin.</div> <div> "Really?" Quentin responded.  "What for?"</div> <div> Caoimhghin answered tersely, "It has to do with the imbas forosna."</div> <div> "I wouldn't cross this guy if I was you, Quentin," Willie advised under his breath.  "He ain't me.  You can't get over on him, and he's really mad at you."</div> <div> Quentin studied Caoimhghin thoughtfully and decided Willie was right.  "It's all right.  I think I'm finished," Julia said hastily.  She got up, and Quentin took her elbow protectively, to escort her himself.</div> <div> "Good luck!" Willie called after them.</div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <A HREF="id35.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="11: Flight From Tara"><U>11:  Flight From Tara</U></A>    <A HREF="id37.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="13: Wheel of Fortune"><U>13:  Wheel of Fortune</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Cassies Writing"><U>Cassie's Writing</U></A></div> <bR> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>