"There's not a lot I can do about his mind," Millie said. "And if I try to try to divert him, he'll be more convinced."

"Maybe I should keep away from him until this is over." Pinja said.

"I think he'd find that suspicious as well."

"I'd rather not be seen like that." Pinja touched her stomach, imagining how huge she would get in a few months. How obvious it what happened to her would be. She shuddered.

"I know," Millie whispered.

"Maybe when I'm stronger I can get my own room." Pinja said.

"I'm sure you can. As soon as the houses are ready, I'm hoping to rebuild my shop too."

Pinja turned green at the mention of the shop. She grabbed the pail. After she finished throwing up she managed to gasp. "The shop doesn't need to be rebuilt. They... THey made a mess of it but it was still standing."

Pinja wished the shop had burned down.

"I don't wish to return to that building. Too many bad memories." Not only Pinja's memories, but Millie had herself been attacked by Jack and Mazi there.

Just thinking about the place was enough to give Pinja flashback. She shook and curled into a ball.

Millie touched her lightly.

Pinja jerked away so violently she came halfway off her pallet. The leering faces, the hands, the blood, the pain.

Millie backed off. "Sorry."

Difyr hurried over with a cup of calming tea.

"Pinja- Pinja. It's okay, you're safe now." Difyr called gently.

Pinja came back to herself. She was still shaking and her face was wet with tears.

"Sorry, Difyr. It's my fault," Millie said. She knew everything she always did was wrong. "I'm going to take a walk, but I'll be back. If you want me to come back," she added to Pinja.

"It's not your fault, you probably didn't know... I want you to come back." Pinja said, scared to have her friend leave in the first place.

Millie smiled at her. "All right. I won't be long. I mostly want to stretch my legs a bit."

"Okay." Pinja said and took a sip of the tea.

Millie left the room and headed for the kitchen.

Difyr made sure that Pinja was all right for the moment then went back to Aislyn and Nelek. "I think it would be best if I moved you to the next room."

Aislyn glanced at Nelek. "It all right with me but you'll probably need permission from Lord Thornblade."

"If Lord Thornblade has a problem with it he can take it up with me." Difyr said. "The well-being of my patients comes first and it will be best for all if you three were in another room."

Aislyn got to her feet and lifted a sleepy Kadey to her shoulder. She also took Nelek's arm with her spare hand. "Lead the way. Oh and if it's not too much trouble to have someone prepare a bath for a certain dirty little girl."

Difyr helped Aislyn support Nelek. "Will do.'