'The fever is gone, but he has a haunted look in his eyes. When I was sitting with him he put up his hand and pushed me away. Then he shuddered and began to weep. He says he must be gone tomorrow. My father has given him letters of reference, and has booked charter on a merchant vessel sailing to Goriasa. It leaves at dusk tomorrow.'

'Not much time to get acquainted,' said Bane, sitting beside her. Her lips were moist and glistening in the moonlight.

'You are staring,' she said.

'I apologize. I am a mountain lad, and unused to such beauty.'

She laughed gaily. 'That compliment rolled a little too smoothly from your tongue. I think you are a rogue, sir.'

'A rogue would surely demand a kiss,' he said.

'And are you a rogue?'

'I am indeed.' He leaned in and lightly brushed his lips against hers. Then he drew back and took a deep breath. 'You should have slapped me,' he told her.

'And why would I do that?'

'For my impertinence.'

'How do you know it was not what I desired? How do you know I have not been sitting here waiting for you to return?'

'Have you?'

'No,' she told him, with a smile, 'but I might have been.'

Bane laughed with genuine good humour. 'I would have to be a rogue indeed to seduce the daughter of my host. So I shall content myself with the delights of your company.'

'You'll have to make do with the delights of my company,' said Appius gruffly, emerging from a side door.

'I'm sure that will be equally delightful,' said Bane. Lia rose from the bench, blew him a kiss, then walked away. He watched her, noting the sway of her hips beneath the cotton gown. 'She's very beautiful,' he said, as Appius settled down alongside him.

'Aye, she is. My treasure, Bane. Lia is sweet, courageous and foolhardy. Like her mother.' Appius fell silent for a moment. 'She was burned in the arena with fifty other heretics. It was said that the smoke from the pyres made them unconscious before the flames ate into them. Even so, it was a savage death.'

'What are heretics?' queried Bane.