<div style="font-size:10pt;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;color:black;"><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">I enjoyed the first part of
eh homecoming, but when it came to the discussion with the crystalball, I was
lost. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, by goingback over it, it
became basically clear.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are too
many details in the technical operation of the crystal ball.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When star treck or other successful science
fiction production deals with technical<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>stuff, they never go very much into the details.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Their motto seems to be, Keep it simple,
Stupid. That’s a good plan.<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><o:p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font></o:p></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Home<o:p></o:p></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Sitting hopped off the griffin’s back. Spreading her wings, she glided
safely to the ground. The griffin lowered and turned its head to look into
Sitting’s eyes. She touched its beak gently with the tip of her bill. “Thank
you, my friend,” she said. It nodded, then turning and walking a short distance
away, it spread its powerful wings and with a final backward glance, leaped
into the air. Sitting watched until it was out of sight. Dropping her gaze, she
surveyed her surroundings. <o:p></o:p></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">I don’t recall Sitting
getting out of<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>her cage in captivity. I
surmise that she agreed to cooperate with her captors. Where is
Grasshopper.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why couldn’t she fly
hrself?<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;">The crystal pond glistened in the noon
sun, but something seemed different. A harpy sat on a rock at the far edge of
the pond. To the left of the pond, a sparse but green forest had almost
completely replaced the charred remains that had been there when she flew away
what seemed like weeks ago. Walking over to the edge of the pond, she gazed
down into the water sweeping her head left to right searching for the queen fish.
“Where is the queen fish?” she asked, looking up at the harpy. </span><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><o:p></o:p></span></font></font></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><o:p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font></o:p></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">“I was the queen fish,” said the Harpy. “Welcome home, my queen. I am
Fuchsia.” With that, she slid off the rock and dove deep into the waters of the
pond.<o:p></o:p></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman">A puzzled Sitting watched for a while
hoping she would come back up. A rustle of leaves drew her attention to the
forest. Several magnificent griffins stepped out into the open. One, apparently
the leader, stepped forward, and lowering his head, bowed deeply. “Welcome
back, my queen,” he said. <o:p></o:p></font></font></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Sittings eyes widened, and her bill gaped. “Who are you?” she stammered.<o:p></o:p></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">“We are the former katydids,” he said. I am Caster.” We are ready at your
command, my queen.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><o:p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font></o:p></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">‘So, this is what Dread Demon had meant,’ she thought.’ He had said that
now that she had committed to take command and see Hades Legions through this
war, her army would appear and her subjects would take on the proper form for
her province.’<o:p></o:p></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Why do you say, She thought
he said,”? Wasn’t she there when he said it. Instead of saying ‘thought’,
wouldn’t , ‘she thought she remembered him say,’ work better? <o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">“Thank you,” she said. Then turned toward the castle. Marching straight
through, she peeked out the back door. The ant hill was gone. In its place
stood a barracks with a young man in peasants clothing leading against the door
jamb with his arms crossed. <o:p></o:p></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">“queen ant, I presume?” <o:p></o:p></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Straightening, He bowed low. “At your service, my queen. I am Anthonee.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Sitting turned and stepped back into the castle. Welcome home, my queen,”
said a tall fellow in a long robe and pointed hat. Several similarly dressed
humanoid beings stood behind him. They all inclined their heads respectfully.<o:p></o:p></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">“The fireflies?” she asked.<o:p></o:p></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">I am<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>enjoying these character transformations.<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">“At your service,” said the lead wizard. “I am Fire Light.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Were fireflys wizards
before?<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Sitting nodded her head. “Thank you,” she said. Spreading her wings, she
flew up to the second level and landed in front of the door to her command
center. A very large, impressive, and handsome (if she did think so herself)
drake stood on guard beside the door<o:p></o:p></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><u><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">I’m not sure <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">, if she did think so
herself really fits in this context. That phrase usually means that the speaker
is talking of something that is a favorable characterstic or achievement<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>they take credit for.</b></span></u><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">.<o:p></o:p></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">“Welcome home, my liege,” he said.<o:p></o:p></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">“ Queen bee?” <o:p></o:p></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Why were all these
characters queens in the past? Were they all in drag originally?<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">He nodded. “I am Driver. I have the news for the province since you were
last here whenever you are ready.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Excellent, she said. “I’ll need a little while to get settled in, and then
I want to meet with all the rulers in my conference room.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">He bowed his head, “I’ll see to it immediately, my liege.” <o:p></o:p></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">“Door open,” she commanded. The door opened and she walked into her command
center. ‘Well, I guess its official,’ she thought, her gaze taking in the room.<o:p></o:p></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">‘Looks that way,’ grasshopper thought back.<o:p></o:p></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">I think you should have
metntioned that Grasshopper was with her before now. I was wondering what
happened to him or her.<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">‘Do you ever have the feeling you have absolutely no idea what you’re
doing?’<o:p></o:p></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">“Never,’ thought grasshopper, and immediately, the thought quivered in
Sittings mind, indicating he was lying.<o:p></o:p></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">She made a sound almost like a chirp or bark, but the air came from deep
within her throat making it sound more like a squeak.<o:p></o:p></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">“Are you laughing at me?” said grasshopper.<o:p></o:p></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">“Who, me? Never.” she said, and squeaked again.<o:p></o:p></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Sitting walked over to her command chair, flapped her wings, and with a
little hop, landed in the seat. The red message light on the crystal ball was
flashing.<o:p></o:p></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">“Get messages,” she said.<o:p></o:p></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">“You have 15 new messages waiting.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">“Read them starting with the most recent.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">“On May 10, YR2 at 4:10 we received this note...To The Honorable Lady
Sitting Duck<o:p></o:p></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">You have seen what happened to the previous monarchs. I’m instructing my
wizards to cast hail, storms, and drought on your province. Surrender now
before you are destroyed like your predecessors.<o:p></o:p></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="yiv9558662150msonormal" style="margin: 1em 0in;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><o:p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font></o:p></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Signed, Sir Fly the Rogue of Farius in the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placetype w:st="on">kingdom</st1:placetype> of <st1:placename w:st="on">Silent Enigma</st1:placename></st1:place>
“<o:p></o:p></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">“Read the next one.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">“On May 10, YR2 at 4:00 we received this note...<o:p></o:p></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">To The Honorable Lady Sitting Duck<o:p></o:p></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Are you there?<o:p></o:p></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Signed, Sir Fly the Rogue of Farius in the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placetype w:st="on">kingdom</st1:placetype> of <st1:placename w:st="on">Silent Enigma</st1:placename></st1:place>
“<o:p></o:p></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">“Why would he ask that?” asked Sitting.<o:p></o:p></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">“He wanted to establish a live conversation,” said the Crystal Ball.<o:p></o:p></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Sitting was puzzled. A live conversation? Sitting thought for a moment.
“Isn’t Sir Fly the same ruler that sent me a message shortly after I became
monarch?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">“Yes,” said the Crystal Ball. “Would you like me to read that message
again?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">“Yes.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">“On May 1, YR2 at 4:00 we received this note...<o:p></o:p></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">To The Honorable Lady Sitting Duck<o:p></o:p></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">A Queen after 2 kings?<o:p></o:p></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">It looks like your kingdom doesn’t know what to do.... As you might have
noticed, we’re even getting bigger than you, and the war meter hardly
changes....<o:p></o:p></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">What is a war meeter?<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">I’ll give you some advice as a former king: Hit that surrender button! It’s
better for your health, and that of your kingdom!<o:p></o:p></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Signed, Sir Fly the Rogue of Farius in the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placetype w:st="on">kingdom</st1:placetype> of <st1:placename w:st="on">Silent Enigma</st1:placename></st1:place>
“<o:p></o:p></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">“Hmm,” said Sitting. ‘That was nine days ago,’ she thought.<o:p></o:p></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">“Do you have a reply?” prompted the crystal ball.<o:p></o:p></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Sitting ignored the question. She was peering at the other table. She was
sure something had changed since the last time she was in the command center.
“Grasshopper, does the globe look different to you?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">The other table came into clearer focus as grasshopper turned his attention
to it. “Yes, I don’t see the globe anymore.<o:p></o:p></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Sitting hopped down from the command chair, and repositioned herself in front
of a pedestal standing where the globe used to be. On the front of the platform
was the names of 21 provinces. She recognized some of them. There was The
Crystal Pond, The Dark Legion (Dark Merlin’s province), Hollow Dogs (Sir Dog
Breath’s province), The Flatulent Legion (Sir Regis<o:p></o:p></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">s province), Legacy Of Dragons (Sir Dragon’s province), and several she
didn’t recognize. Beside each name was her name, the words “no vote”, or the
name of someone else. A few showed a vote for Dragon. Others showed what might
have been the monarch before Dragon. The words “no vote” appeared beside her
name. At the bottom of the list, appeared the number 21, and the words, “This
kingdom has no monarch. To be monarch, you must have a majority of the votes
cast.” She showed to have 5 votes. The same number as Sir Dragon. “No vote”
showed beside her name. In all the confusion before she flew away, she had
never cast her vote. “how do I cast my vote?” she asked.<o:p></o:p></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="yiv9558662150msonormal" style="margin: 1em 0in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">I’m confused about the vote thing. Who are the voters and what are they
voting for?<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="yiv9558662150msonormal" style="margin: 1em 0in;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><o:p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font></o:p></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">A window with a list of the province ruler’s names opened up beside the
name of her province. She touched her name with the tip of her right flight
feather. The window closed and her name appeared beside The Crystal Pond. The
list now showed six votes for her and five for Sir Dragon. The globe reappeared
above the pedestal. The carrier on her head lif<o:p></o:p></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><o:p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font></o:p></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">and the strap extended slightly as a tiara appeared under it. <o:p></o:p></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="yiv9558662150msonormal" style="margin: 1em 0in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">What is a strap in this
contexct?<o:p></o:p></span></u></i></b></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;"> At the bottom of the list, appeared the number 21, and the words, You
are the kingdoms monarch.” She showed to have six votes, and Sir Dragon still
showed five. Below that, was a row of lights. The surrender light glowed bright
red and the peace light altered between white and light blue.<o:p></o:p></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">How do you withdraw a peace offer,” she asked <o:p></o:p></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">I’m befuddled about how all
this<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>voting works and what is being
voted for. <o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">“A flashing light is an option that is pending. You touch the light, and
tell the globe what you want to do,” said the crystal ball.<o:p></o:p></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="yiv9558662150msonormal" style="margin: 1em 0in;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><o:p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font></o:p></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Sitting reached out and touched the peace light.<o:p></o:p></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">“Do you want to withdraw the peace offer to Silent Enigma?” asked a
mechanical voice.<o:p></o:p></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">When was a peace offering
made?<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">“Yes,” said Sitting.<o:p></o:p></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">The light began to flicker. “Touch the light again to confirm that you wish
to withdraw the peace offer to Silent Enigma.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Sitting touched the light again. It flickered for half a second longer, and
went out.<o:p></o:p></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">“The peace offer to Silent Enigma has been withdrawn.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Sitting sat down in front of the globe her heart pounding. She felt faint.
She could hear her blood rushing through her ears. <o:p></o:p></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">‘What have I done?’ she thought.<o:p></o:p></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="yiv9558662150msonormal" style="margin: 1em 0in;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><o:p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font></o:p></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">‘Jumped up,’ thought Grasshopper back<o:p></o:p></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">What does that mean?</span></u></b><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">. <o:p></o:p></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">‘A stupid thing?’ thought Sitting back, not at all feeling confident.<o:p></o:p></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">“Maybe,” said Grasshopper.<o:p></o:p></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">“Yep.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">She returned to her command chair, and directed the crystal ball to read
the rest of the messages. Most of them were from different rulers trying to
find out where she was. She sent a brief response to each letting them know she
was back, and inviting them to join her in her conference room as soon as
possible.<o:p></o:p></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">A ding sounded from the crystal ball indicating a new message had arrived.<o:p></o:p></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="yiv9558662150msonormal" style="margin: 1em 0in;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><o:p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font></o:p></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="yiv9558662150msonormal" style="margin: 1em 0in;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><o:p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font></o:p></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">To be continued...<o:p></o:p></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p class="yiv9558662150msonormal" style="margin: 1em 0in;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><o:p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font></o:p></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font></div>