Invigorated by the sight of the castle, I start to jog toward it, slowly building speed into a comfortable run. My Teva sandals are not made for this, but I suspect they will serve well enough over the short distance.

Thirty minutes later, I have still not reached the castle. "A lot fricking farther than it looks," I mutter to myself as I slow to a walk, catching my breath, "you'd think what with the travel money and all they'd have a driver here for me."

I check my watch and start back into an easy reason. "Don't want to miss dinner."