Main Club, Uhlans Base, Kathil.
Daniel waited as his sister sat down and sipped the wine that had been brought over for her approval. He sat down and poured the Timbiqui Dark ale into a frosted stein.
"How are things going Allie? The letters tell me that you and Dave are doing well but that's about it. I would have gotten here sooner but as you know, there is a war on." His attempt at humor fell flat but Allie didn't seem to notice.
"Well, we are doing fine. Dave is off doing God knows what, Secret Squirrel stuff behind the lines, he can't talk about it, but I deal with the nightmares. He does his required therapy and does not beat me or the kids when they are with us. Right now, they are with Grampa Dinh on Kowloon." She drained the wineglass in a swallow.
"I suspect the separations are hardest on Henry and Elizabeth since they are the youngest. I am due to rotate back to the Lyran State Command after this tour is done. Dave will be too, but we are still not sure where we want to be assigned. Dave is due for a cadre post. I will probably teach at one of the Academies for a couple of years just to try and give the kids a sense of normalcy. If I don't teach, I'll take a post at a major supply point like Skye or Donegal."
Daniel nodded.
"Allie, I'm not sure what to tell you. All I know is that I have about four more months of this bond tour thing and then if I am lucky, I go back to my unit. I wish Dave was here so he could see and hear you. The way you are putting down the wine makes me a little worried. No, I am not going to preach at you or, try to tell you what to do. I'm lucky to see you every couple of years and here I go trying to give my big sister a lecture."
