They all clinked the necks of their bottles together and echoed the sentiment, even Anissa, the newcomer to the group. She suppressed a wistful desire to remain in Kilkenny and become true friends with these good people.

"So what's up?" Eric looked around the group and must have noticed their troubled faces. He stretched his long legs in front of him, then leaned back so his chair balanced on the rear two legs.

David pulled up another chair from the far wall and ...