Who were they? asked Nicoleta, later that night, in the bedroom of the decaying mansion in the foothills. I dont know, dear, but it was a planned ambush, answered the fair lady, gravely. Sibiu is fast becoming too dangerous for us, I fear. If those butchers dont know about this house already, it wont take them long to find out. We shall have to move. Thats easier said than done. Especially with those two. Nicoleta gestured towards the cage-like structure in the corner of the room, occupied by two beautiful girls, both wearing short, frilly dresses and disposable diapers. They crawled, lay, and played upon a tangled mass of satin bedding, scattered here and there with toys (both of the childish and the adult variety). Often they would hug, kiss, and touch each other with unashamed intimacy; all the while emitting joyous cooing sounds. There was little discernable meaning in these noises, although if one concentrated very intently, one might have detected a very vague conversation that was taking place on an entirely different plane: Miki like be touched here. Lisa touch Miki here? Touch? Like? Silly Lisa. Me touch you. Feel nice? Nice¦ Like¦ Want¦ Nice¦ Oh! Nice¦ Ohh! Lisa like. Now you. Touch Miki. That right, good Lisa. So nice. Like so much¦ I trust youre not suggesting we abandon them, Nicoleta. Of course not! What do you take me for? Thats my sister¦ or whats left of her. Im just saying, it wont be easy. With Andreea and Antonia as well, theres six of us. Even if we leave everything behind, well never get everyone into the Trabant, unless one of us goes in the trunk. Youre right, of course¦ Nicoleta, she said, after a thoughtful pause. My jewels “ the ones you once tried to steal “ are in the broken music-box under the loose hearthstone in the back parlour. Id like you to take them, go down to the road, and stop the first truck or large van that you see. Commandeer it by any means short of killing the driver. Frighten them¦ knock them out if you must¦ but make sure you give them the jewels. Alright¦ How about half of the jewels, though? I mean, just in case we need something to trade for more petrol, suggested Nicoleta, aware that her mistress, for all of her power and intelligence, was painfully out-of-touch with modern realities. Very well. Their value is considerable. It should suffice. I shall alert the others. Before leaving the room, she cast another look over her baby daughters, who were now locked in a very affectionate embrace. Elisabeta was healed of all physical injuries, but her rebirth had not restored her mind. She would have to grow up all over again¦ and I will make damn sure that she gets the chance, resolved the lady, and left the innocents to their play.