Samantha took Maisie up to the loft and held her while she cried. The little girl was upset by all the talk of taking Faren and not with the realization that something had happened to her mother. Samantha could hear the rumble of men’s voices and the stern, take charge tones of Maric and Varatt. She stared wistfully over the head of the little girl and thought how wonderful men could be.<br/><br/>Men, good men, defenders of the faith, like Maric, Faren and Varatt were the glue that held the rest of the world together. They were strong and in charge but they did not abuse their authority or strength. Without men like the paladins, the world would be full of injustice and cruelty. What chance did women or the average man, for that matter, have against tyrants and criminals?<br/><br/>“Shhh, darling,” she crooned to Maisie. “All will be well. All will be well. Don’t cry.” She patted her on the back and stroked her dark mass of hair. Samantha admired the hair and imagined that this child belonged to her and to Faren. She imagined that she had carried this raven haired beauty in her womb and suckled her at her breast. Suddenly, Samantha felt a fierce rush of love for the child spring up in her heart.<br/><br/>“Shhh, darling. No one will ever hurt you again. I swear it.” She declared, squeezing her tightly. Maisie squirmed in the firm grip. She leaned back to look at Samantha.<br/><br/>“Not even Mama?” she asked, her large eyes searching Samantha for the truth.<br/><br/>“Not even her,” Samantha promised. “You are safe here with  your father and I. Your auntie Nimue and uncle Maric will not permit anyone or anything to hurt us. Auntie Nimue even has a dragon to guard us. Look.”<br/><br/>Samantha went with her to the window and there was Layla playing some kind of game of tag with the Black and with Susan. Maisie giggled.<br/><br/>“Silly Thuthan.but  Samantha, that dragon doesn’t look very scary. She runs with her toes pointed inward, like a pigeon.”<br/><br/>“Believe me, she breathes fire and when she gets mad, everyone but your Auntie Nimue runs away fast. You can ride on Layla’s back and she would carry you far, far away. Never fear.” Samantha assured her.