He and Serena had shared grand dreams. His unrealized life with her would have been complex and sometimes stormy, but always interesting. In contrast, Xavier's rushed marriage to Octa was good, but simple. The matters that concerned her seemed so small in comparison with Serena's magnificent humanitarian visions. It was hard to believe the two were sisters. He knew that making such comparisons was unfair to Octa -- who treated him better than he deserved -- and also to Serena's memory. But he couldn't help himself? All trade ceased, and only pirates, or Lycanthian thieves came to these shores?