Anaplerotis Amblys sat attentively at his desk while Darius related what Kleopatra had told him at the Duo Galles. Amblys was not a tremendous help usually, but Darius needed to bounce the news off someone, and Amblys was at least awake.

"...so, you see, Amblys, Orpheos is planning to move the kidnapped girls right here to Chios! Under our very noses!" The deputy held his nose as if in defense. "What do you propose doing, Vigil?" the timid fellow asked cautiously (already considering a change of career). "Deputy, I believe you and I need to scout out the mastic plantation the pirate has recently purchased and see if we can spot a likely place where he might keep a dozen young ladies without drawing undue attention," Darius drank a little diluted wine.

"And?" the deputy knew the young vigil was likely to have gone a few steps further in his planning. "And, we will need to fill in the Nomarch and the Lady on something this serious. It could change their plans about taking the cruise on the Margarita. They may want to waylay the Bas as it returns to Chian waters or notify the Admiralty! His Lordship the Admiral must be out of his mind with worry!"

"And?" Amblys offered as he rolled a scroll left open after the last arrest. "And," Darius continued now giving his deputy a serious glance, "we must tail that creep Pluvius and, if possible, throw him in the jail for trying to bribe Imperial servants at their duties!"

"And," Darius continued without prompting, "this last task will be your responsibility, most eminent anaplerotis!" With his hands on his belt, Darius stood watching his hapless deputy. Amblys, flummoxed in the extreme, looked like he was searching for an official seal to hide under.