They didn’t return to Aquilla. Anna sighed with relief, but at that moment, voices bubbled out of the house and called her back. She couldn’t keep running away. A deep rumbling voice answered Aquilla, and a shiver went up Anna’s spine. She hurried to the door. Aquilla stood in the middle of the room, face to face with his captive. “Who are you? The man looked him squarely in the eye. “I am an Ursidrean.” Aquilla’s eyes flashed. “I know that. Tell me who you are. What is your name?” “My name is Menlo,” the man replied. “What is your position in the Ursidrean army?” Aquilla asked. “I am not a member of the army,” Menlo replied. “I am a geographer assigned to the border patrol.” Aquilla’s arm shot up. Anna flinched, but he didn’t strike the Ursidrean the way she expected. He simply waved his arm.
