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did it for a corporation. Try and imagine doing it for a country. I won’t be around forever, though. Ain’t admitting to being an ole’ man or anything, but there’s some mornings I get out of bed I can believe I will be one day. I could use some help. What’d you think about that?”
    “Sounds like my line of work. What does Dalph do? Besides ride patrol?”
    Johnny looked thoughtful. “He guards the world. Tries to anyway. Soon as we get back, he’ll be heading out again.”
    “Tonight?”
    “Well, there’s certain times Dalph likes to take out night patrols. Keeps the pigs on their toes, and it’s getting close to that time. He’ll be gone three or four days. I’ll have you right at home by the time he gets back.” Johnny cocked his head and narrowed his eyes as he scanned my face. “You made your peace already, haven’t you? Took me a while longer than that.”
    A wave of sadness rushed my heart as I thought of Carlos and how he must feel this morning. I knew we’d never have lasted but still, he must be frantic right now, just as frantic as I’d be were I the one already safely in Jamaica and his plane hadn’t come in. It must have shown in my face.
    “Well, you’ve come a long way to making your peace, anyway,” Johnny said. “Let me guess. That look would be for the CEO of Ramos International.”
    Oh, yeah. I’d have to watch Johnny for sure.
    “We’d never have been a permanent couple. I’m surprised it lasted as long as it did. International playboy—you know the type—inherited wealth. He sort of takes it for granted. To be honest, his grandfather actually hired me to make sure the business got enough attention. It never crossed his mind I’d be a romantic interest. Mine neither. We did care about each other, though. He must be out of his mind this morning. He’ll move on fast.” I grinned. “And then he’ll get irritated at the time it’ll take a new troubleshooter to read his mind. Which I’m guessing his grandfather will make sure is a man.”
    Johnny laughed, and Dalph stood up and gave a command, and the riders mounted and reformed ranks. We moved out and over one hill, into a meadow, and then over another hill.
    And before us spread Trussa.
    Dalph stopped at the top of the hill. I turned my head around to catch his expression. It was full of fierce pride, of pleasure at his homecoming, of dedication. Johnny was absolutely right. Dalph lived for this country. And based on knowledge gleaned from my entire twenty-four hours of residency, I was sure that one day he would almost certainly die for it.
    Johnny pulled up beside us.
    “Well?”
    “I ain’t in Kansas anymore,” I said.
    He laughed. “Damn sure ain’t, baby girl.”
    The walls and battlements, constructed of a white material without a shadow of gray, gleamed under the afternoon sun. They reflected a pinkish glow under the rays of the red sun. Behind the walls I saw buildings of one and two floors constructed from the same stone and a golden, glowing wood. Bright pennants flew from many roofs. And in the center of the stronghold stood what had to be the Rata, complete with towers and turrets.
    “Does it have a drawbridge?” I asked. “And a moat?”
    Johnny laughed. “No. The town is its moat. And nobody and nothing’s ever gotten past it.”
    “Welcome to Camelot,” I said softly.
    Johnny laughed again. “Yeah, and there’s even a Round Table. Of sorts. But for God’s sake, don’t expect armor. Dalph’s knights have protection of a different sort.”
    Dalph spoke then, and though I didn’t understand the words, the meaning was clear.
    “Enough.” And he lifted his hand again, and the riders started forward.
     

Chapter Four
     
    As we neared the walls, I saw guards posted on either side of the large open gates. Even here, deep in his kingdom, it seemed Dalph never let vigilance relax. I heard the shouts go out as we swept through.
    “Trusca vite!”
    “Trusca comes,” Johnny translated through