The writer gives life to a story, the reader keeps it alive.
Xan and Edith, followed Heyem along the pathway, phased out of focus so that Heyem could not detect them. They both materialised as three Amanojuko agents were also stalking Heyem and appeared on the pathway. The agents surround Heyem in an attempt to abduct her.
Heyem is suspicious that the two strangers who have gate crashed her lecture are not innocent passers-by, interested in herstory.
The lecture theatre has emptied of everyone save Xan and Edith, as their granddaughter, Heyem, unaware that they are her grandparents, and not part of this time, struts towards them to lecture them about talking in her class.
Generals Xan Medani and Edith MehXian have been ordered by President Asenath Bomani to keep watch over Xan’s progeny, as the Amanojuko agents are taking particular interest in their twin granddaughters, Alexand and Heyem. Xan and Edith sit in the second row of Heyem’s lecture theatre posing as students. Xan has used a gender switch to disguise himself, as he believes Heyem could recognise him as a man. Edith being much younger than she was when she had died, remains in her own body.
Generals Edith MehXian and Xan Medani look on from a distance, phased out of focus, witnessing, but being unable to take part in, a past conversation between their adopted daughter, Inajda and their granddaughter, Alexand.
After Sister Ancille confirmed that Alexand’s grandparents were the suspects in her father’s murder, Alexand retreated from the city, frightened that her father’s legacy did indeed suggest that she and Heyem were in danger from the Amanojuko, because of what could potentially be in their blood. (Special thanks to David Gittlin. You can read David’s blog here.)
The strange couple continued to talk with Eric as he drank his tea and ate his croissant, but as he turned his head towards a commotion down the road, he saw an angry woman marching towards the café, along with a national guard.
Eric emerges from the café, glad to see that the couple he has helped are still waiting for him outside by their table.
The Guild Master’s General had transported Katherine from the cart, and both of them watch from a distance, phased between matter and energy, so that Xan and Edith, and the unsuspecting Eric cannot see they are witnesses to Eric’s poisoning.
