Go to the right

The soldiers turn to the right toward the hospital and make their way to their destination.

“Is the princess sick?” asks Rufus. “I’ve never heard of St. Andrew’s Hospital and Institution.”

“I don’t know much about it,” admits Dathan. “The king had it built about ten years ago. They handle special kinds of cases, but I don’t know what they are. I’m sure whatever Alexis is here for, she must be cured, or we wouldn’t be getting her.”

“I hope you are right,” said Rufus with a shudder. “I don’t want to catch anything.”

“If you don’t want to catch anything, you might consider different company than Theresa Lakemelder,” responded the Captain with a good-natured grin. “Half the cases of crabs that the Regiment deals with have come from her.”

“Bullshit,” protested Rufus. “I’m only the second guy she’s ever been with.”

“Maybe only the second guy so far that day! I know for a fact that she was at Rabe Mulqueson’s bachelor party and got passed around to half the guys who were there.”

“Bullshit!” said Rufus again, defiantly. “Who told you that load of crap?”

“No one told me,” replied the grinning Dathan. “I was there. Tell me, does she still snort like a little pig right before she orgasms?”

Rufus looked open-mouthed at Dathan before bursting out in laughter. “She sure does! I can’t believe it — I really thought she was fairly innocent! Are you making that up about the crabs, though?”

Before Dathan can respond, the carriage arrives at the gates of the institution. A uniformed guard approaches and salutes when he sees the Captain.

“We’re glad you are here, Sir,” said the guard. “It will be a relief to hand the princess off to you.”

“A relief?” asked Dathan. “Is she a problem?”

The guard looked troubled. “You mean they didn’t tell you? Well, it’s not my place to say. I’m sure they’ll tell you everything you need to know up at the office.”

Dathan considered the guard’s words and then looked ahead as the gates were opened for them to enter.