East

I read the brief history, curious about when I was. Carter gave me a general rundown of the era and also cautioned me about what was known of social protocol and norms. I was too tired yesterday to offend anyone, and I took note of what he told me as far as dealing with those around me.

When I finished reading, I sent him a fast response. Neat. Got it. Um - about the 'poor man's cryogenics' … are you serious???? What happens to me while I'm under? Is this experimental technology like the empathic memory chip that almost killed me??What if someone drops me like a statue and I shatter?

The sound of movement and shuffling came from outside my safe little cocoon. I waited impatiently for Carter's response.

I've got it covered. Don't worry!! When you see Genghis, take his pic. No one in nine hundred years has seen what he looks like!

"Worst response ever, Carter."

I debated sending a heated response and reminding him about how well he had my first adventure covered.

But in truth … I felt too angry about what happened. About the fact Carter purposely eliminated the best man I'd ever met from the face of the planet and used me to do it. I didn't want to give Carter an ounce of any part of my emotions or thoughts. He didn't deserve them and worse, I had a feeling he'd find a way to use them against me.

I hated Carter for hurting Taylor, my husband of two days in the eighteen forties, and yet was doomed to do what Carter wanted. He was my only link to my world, my only hope of maybe one day getting back home.

I considered his messages for several minutes before tucking the phone away. Nowhere near as eager as I was on my first adventure, I was also excited about being somewhere so completely new, a witness to events still spoken about during my time a thousand years later. It was here where I needed to focus, not on the memories trying to pull free from my mind of watching the man I cared about disappear from all of creation.

Pushing my covers down, I prepared myself for a day of learning and exploration.

A large form in layers of wool and leather rendering him even larger was near the entrance of the tent, back to me. I swung my legs down from the waist-high bed and tucked the blankets back into place before looking around. The servants, commander and Ghoajin were all gone.

"Excuse me," I started quietly. "Do you know where …"