His clothes were all azure blue and splendid, and I regretted my dusty brown. But he did not notice my dress. His eyes roved over the bulky bag across my shoulder, and on to Kallai on my wrist. “I see. You feel ill, Elsha, so you go out hunting?”

I started walking, to give myself time to think. He followed me, loping in long strides across the ground, groaning. “Not so fast, handmaid! My head has a drum in it today. I’ve just woke up, and found I missed the fun. But your face is lovelier by far than the Firelord’s. Well, not lovely, exactly. Your nose is bent, your mouth is too wide, and your eyes are crossed. But there’s something appealing about you.”

“Thanks,” I said, and couldn’t help smiling. I could cope with criticism more easily than compliments from him.

He laughed silently again. “If you’re going hunting, let me come with you?” he asked “I smell dried berry pies in that mighty bag of yours, and cold chicken. I’m starved.”

I looked at him sideways, wondering how to get rid of him, and he shot me a devilish grin, and added, “It would also give me untold pleasure to spend time in your company. Those fire-crossed eyes of yours have conquered me.”

I said, as kindly as I could: “I need time alone, Alejandro.”

“A lot of time alone, I’d say,” he murmured, looking at my bag again. “Are you sure you’re only going hunting, Elsha?”

I was trapped. I hesitated, thinking “Yes,” I said. “And you may come with me then, but only if you do everything I ask.”

“I’ll do it with all my heart,” he said. “I’m your captive, your bondman, your enchanted slave. Speak the word only, and I’ll lay my body on the stones, and make a mat of me for your beloved feet.”

“Carry this,” I said, giving him my bag, and laughing.

“By God – this is heavy!” he exclaimed, pretending to stagger under the weight At least, I think he pretended. “What have you got in it – firestones?”

“Some of those. Leave it here, if you like. Somewhere on a high rock, where we can find it later. I don’t need all that’s in it. Not at the moment.”

“I’ll get the food out first.” Before I could stop him, he was delving deep in the bag. “What’s this?” He pulled out one of the underdresses, held it up, and rolled his eyes. “Oh, be still, my beating heart! It is the handmaid’s undergarment. Oh, sweet, sweet smell! To conquer a man through his nose, to lead him about–”