Talvin was treating Nick's wounds when he woke up.  The sting of the alcohol 
Talvin was applying to prevent infection had awakened Nick, "Ouch.  Where am I?" 
 Talvin looked over at him, "Don't move.  You're hurt.  You've been asleep for 
nearly 24 hours."  Nick looked over at the window and frowned, still dark as 
night outside.  Talvin brought Nick some food and water.  It didn't look very 
appetizing, but Nick was hungry enough that he ate it anyway.  Talvin picked up 
a broom and started sweeping his house while Nick ate.  Nick watched Talvin 
sweep for a minute, then started looking around the house.  It seemed like a 
simple place.  A wooden table, a small fireplace with a heavy metallic pot over 
it for cooking, a few windows, then something that caught Nick's eye.  On the 
far side of the house there was a small bag, partially opened.  From his bed 
Nick was just able to spot some gold coins, and decided then that he would get 
those coins.  Later, Talvin left.  Nick saw his opportunity and started to get 
up, but just then Kilana walked in.  Nick laid back down again.  Kilana walked 
slowly toward Nick's bed, stopping right in front of him and kneeling down, 
"How's your recovery going?"  Nick smiled, finding that Kilana did actually 
offer him a little comfort, "Just fine,"  then he looked back over at the gold 
coins, wanting Kilana out of the room.  To his dismay, she stayed, moving even 
closer to the bed, "I'm glad to hear that.  Talvin went to get some firewood.  
He'll be gone for at least an hour."  Nick was still looking past her, at the 
gold coins on the table across the room.  Kilana, undaunted by his disinterest, 
climbed onto the bed and began slowly loosening one of the straps on her outfit, 
"There's something I want to do for you, if you feel up to it."  Nick looked at 
the woman sitting above him, his thoughts turning away from the gold coins.  
Seeing his uncertainty, Kilana loosened both of her shoulder straps, letting the 
top of her outfit fall away.  She leaned down to kiss him, and he returned the 
kiss, pulling her closer to him.  

     *******************************************************************

Later, Talvin returned to the house.  Kilana had gotten dressed and was sitting 
in a chair near Nick's bed, a smile on her face.  As Talvin came in Kilana said, 
"Talvin.  I'm ready to declare Bashin."  Nick was shocked and sat up, "What?  
You didn't tell me you . . ."  Kilana turned toward Nick, "I thought you were 
ready for this, Reflectionist law states that if two people sleep together they 
have to be married."  Nick suddenly wished he had read Reflectionist Law more 
carefully when he swindled his way into the clan, "Well, I suppose I . ."  
Kilana quickly sat down on the bed and enthusiastically took his arm, "We're 
ready, Talvin."  Nick looked around, his mind frantically searching for a way 
out of the situation.