It was early in the afternoon when Mira and Ellis arrived in the wagon filled with supplies which everyone helped them to unpack at the direction of the kindly Phia Carder, who saw to it that all were properly settled and appropriately cared for, and all was now at peace as they approached the evening meal. Jordan had left for the Council meeting that morning, as was usual, determined to arrange a meeting between the Council and their Ambassador, but he had not  yet arrived back, though it was near evening.

The next morning, Jordan and Eliezer once again departed for the meeting of the Kingsmen Council, this time with Benjamin.  "Members of the Council, may I submit to you yet again Ambassador Webber," Jordan announced as he began the meeting, extending an open hand toward Eliezer, who stood at the edge of the platform, "and may I introduce to you, also, Prince Caliphus," he concluded, moving his hand to the left towards Benjamin. "I remind you that the Ambassador and the Prince are here as our guests for the purpose of our own benefit, and I ask that you should address them appropriately a

'Oh, Timothy...'  She strolled thoughtfully along, several steps behind them, pondering his state and hers.  'Funny how our lives change. Funny how time marches onwards. Funny how...' she looked over to Eliezer and smiled,

He knocked on the door a second time, having received no answer, and waited, but again no answer came. 'Once more.'  He knocked again. Nothing. He frowned. 

Eliezer knelt beside the bed in his room with his head down and his face buried in the blankets. His elbows rested comfortably on the mattress and his hands pressed together with interlocked fingers. It was late and long past the time he would have normally slept, but his mind was set on other things. The room was dark with the exception of the soft and gentle moonlight which flooded through the window, the curtains of which he had pulled back to welcome the newness of the quiet air at even."Will you not sleep?" a gentle voice asked from behind him. He smiled, raising his head without opening his eyes. "You, my dear, are awake, are you not? So, tell me, why not I?""You, Mr. Webber, do not take proper care of yourself," she quietly scolded him. "You have tried and labored these past days. You should rest now, while you're able.""Ah, and you, Miss Garner? Will you rest, also?" he asked, discreetly glancing over at her, unmoving. She stood in the doorway, her arms crossed, on her f