Tuscany Trip

"There are more positions than just fighters, you know," Khaat reminded Steven. "I suppose you can know what we do. There are evil wizards in this world who want to take wizard children, sell them to muggles who are wealth and power hungry and would exploit the powers of wizarding children. These kids are auctioned off like property--and they live like property. My father has formed an organization to stop that. Brian and I think that the man on the beach was the head of the largest trafficking organization in the world. We've fought him for years. He knows about my daughter and my granddaughter. He was letting us know that he was openly threatening us. But you have to realize, Ronata, that this job can be one of those life threatening things, even if you aren't a fighter. Its a matter of millions of dollars and sickles. Make your choice carefully. You're welcome, of course. But you need to be very sure of your decision."

"I do know," Khaat said after Ronata left. "I know what she'll pick and so does Brian and so do you. But she's not a fighter. My father won't put her out on the frontlines. He won't sign her death sentence like that. However, he would use her at the base headquarters. Ronata is a nurturer. And when we bring in a load of kids, you know as well as I do that it can be hours and endless hours of tending horribly traumatized children of all ages. That sometimes can be more grueling than the actual battle itself. Not many woman can stand that sort of pressure. Its tougher than most people think it is. That would be her strong suit, I think. What are your thoughts, Steven?"

'Steven knows all about making choices with your heart," Khaat smiled, understanding. "He just has a protective streak, that's all. Don't worry--when the time comes you'll have plenty to do."

"Hey, Brian," Angus called from the wheelhouse, " You all decide if you want to dock and go inot a different village for dinner, or you want to dine onboard? We had a good day fishing today, and we have fixings for a wonderful American style crab boil--we have crab, shrimp, lobster, corn, sweet fresh Italian sausage, ..."

"That sounds fine," Brian grinned, "There's nothing like fresh seafood right off the boat. That's a rare treat. '

"Well, we may have some rain overnight, so we might not want to go too far from shore once it starts to get dark."

"Whatever you say, Angus," Brian said, "I don't think we want to stay out in a seastorm."

"No. Not out here," Brian agreed. He looked at Steven and Khaat and Ronata, "Fresh seafood for dinner?"

"We'll find it," Khaat smiled, understanding her. "We can do more sightseeing and shopping. Maybe we need to leave the guys on the ship for a change." She grinned. "Make part of the day a girls day out. I think we could have a really good time and leave the boys to whatever boys do. They need to let us shop till we drop, actually--or until we don't have any cash left, whichever comes first. "

"Khaat," Brian said, "You're not going alone. We'll be within eyesight. Maybe not earshot if you want some girl time, but since Gelding has shown up, I am not going to leave you alone. Your father would kill me."

Khaat sighed, and looked at Ronata. "Well, I tried."