Hamish sat in silence, watching as Isolde enjoyed the French cuisine. Josef was a fine chef indeed and had matched his dinner to Hamish's request. It had been a simple logical guess that she would enjoy the French richness over the typical German heavy starches. She accepted his offer and Hamish smiled slightly at the conversational mood that had returned. He was enjoying this time. A quiet dinner with a beautiful woman who might be a friend, something Hamish had and knew little of.<br/><br/>She kissed his knuckle and a spark went through him. It was not the tingle of lust that had awakened in him, no, this went much deeper. There was a bond forming and in that instant, Hamish knew there was nothing he would not do at her request. There was no thought of money or anything in return. Was this friendship?<br/><br/>There was a knock at the front door and the prison of his newly found emotions slammed shut. Hamish was out of his seat in a flash, a Luger had appeared from somewhere in his hand as Chaya had run through and spoke quickly with Myra in the kitchen. As Myra ran back through Chaya crept her way into the room to stand just behind Hamish, as if she could disappear in his lean, ever shifting shadow. He spared a glance at Isolde and determined that if it were officers coming to take them, there would be more dead soldiers come morning.<br/><br/>A strange feeling quite suddenly overcame him. Whoever was here meant no harm. Hamish tried to shrug it off but the gun just as smoothly disappeared and Hamish sat back down. His hand rested near the steak knife that sat ready for whatever uses Hamish would find for it. Warm feelings or not, some instincts did not rest easily.<br/><br/>The man was led in by Myra who stood in wonder of him. He was tall with black hair and eyes that sang of hope and peace. His black suit seemed enough to keep the cold at bay and Hamish instantly tried calculating his threat level but nothing came back. Then Hamish took a closer look at the man’s face.<br/><br/>The Native he had seen in a fluttering memory; a memory that bordered impossible like the coast boarders water. Again the smell of the pipeweed, the buffalo dung burning in the fire, the warm fresh air of the grassy plains, and the visions escaped Hamish in a storm of repressed mental violence.<br/><br/>It was only the years of training that stilled Hamish to silence at that moment and prevented him from crying out in madness. His hand trembled at the knife that sat there patiently waiting but something stronger was keeping the hand at bay. Hamish needed answers now more than ever.<br/><br/>Slowly, Hamish opened eyes he did realize were closed and locked eyes with the man.<br/><br/>“You are known to me, although I do not understand why,” Hamish said, relaxing the cold menace that tried to claw its way back. Hamish indicated a third chair at the table. “Please, do join us.”<br/><br/>Hamish turned a look on Myra who had not stopped staring at the man until Hamish called her. She snapped her gaze away and curtsied with an embarrassed grin before hurrying off. Chaya stood mutely to Hamish’s left, her eyes downcast, and Hamish could feel the tremor of fear from her. Hamish reached out and squeezed her hand, the fear vanished briefly.<br/><br/>“Chaya, have Myra attend us please,” Hamish spoke to her softly, with more than an edge of tenderness. “Please learn the duties in the kitchen with Josef and be attentive. I have a feeling this will not be the first dinner held here.”<br/><br/>Chaya squeezed his hand thankfully but said nothing as she shuffled quickly out the room. Hamish watched her go with understanding. Fear was powerful and some horrors would not let go so abruptly. There would be a reckoning for her, however. Given time and under his protection, perhaps she could flower into womanhood without having to look over her shoulder for someone who hated her for simply being who she was. Hamish was uncertain why this bothered him. It didn’t yesterday.<br/><br/>Hamish rose slowly form his chair to nod at the newest guest. “Would you like wine or tea,” Hamish asked. “We have only just started dinner.”