Chapter Twenty-Six

"Sir."
"Sit down kid, this is serious."
"Sure thing Dad."

Hamaf knew that if there was anyone who'd want to fix Jor's problem, it would be Jeanine.  She'd always kept a close watch on him, it had been under her command he'd been promoted to Sergeant.  She'd always taken 'the kid' along for any mission, no matter how dangerous or how mundane.  Many troopers had suspected there was something going on between them, the reality was that she'd never really been interested in his type. 
To most people that would mean she didn't like poor farmhands.  Hamaf knew better.  Ever since she'd been a little girl she'd always liked dumb guys.  He'd never really worried about it, she had brains enough for three and guts for ten. 

"Dad?"
"Sorry, just thinking."
"Thought is cheap, use your words."
"Heh, Actions must be reserved for the nobility then."
"What's the news?"
"Our mutual friend Grath has interfered with the happiness of the Kid.  Polly's father has arranged a marriage for her in spite of her involvement with Jor.  We're acting now."
Her face went blank.  It was a weird thing, serious thinking seemed to inhibit her ability to maintain a facial expression.  Or it seemed that way to him anyways, no one else ever seemed to notice it. 
"How long?  Wait.  Four months, three days and 19 hours; her mother has been helping her to pick a dress.  She's been crying."
"Not surprised, that's probably pretty awful to go through."
"Add him to the list?"
"Top of it, and we move at the end of the week."
"That soon?  Shouldn't we be doing research, making a proper list, checking it twice, deciding who's naughty or nice?" 
"I'll improvise.  And you know what to look for in the future.  You can do this princess."
"I hope so Dad.  I'd never be able to forgive myself if I can't."