to fetch our food, Gwalchmai reluctantly drags his eyes away from the hound.

"Good looking animal," he says of the dog, his expression covetous. "You marked the breeder's name well, didn't you?"

"Aye, Brehyrion, I certainly did," I reply, then continue on in honeyed tones. "I do hope you'll remember to hide your interest in Jodynn's services a bit better than you did your interest in her hound?"

I let my voice raise questioningly, knowing that I've made my point. The Brehyrion, to his credit, laughs at his own avarice. Like many Celts, he loves to wager, and coursing happens to be a particular favourite. Smiling, I extend a hand to Calliope, who rewards me with a lick of affection. Guess I needed to wash my hands before eating anyway, I grin.

Jodynn arrives back at the table with the trenchers of stew and a flat loaf of bread, then serves us neatly. Seating herself, she makes sure everything is to our satisfaction before taking a few small spoonsful of the stew herself. Tearing off a hunk of the bread, I dip it into the luscious gravy, savouring the rich meat flavouring.

My eyes slide to Gwalchmai's and I am rewarded with the slightest flick of an eyelid. My permission to broach the reason for our visit. "Wonderful stew, Jodynn," I compliment the woman who is sits with us, occasionally offering a small tidbit to a grateful Calliope. "These Vertragi never seem to get filled up, do they?" I laugh.

Jodynn's smile is wide. "No, they don't. This one," she looks at Calliope as one would at a treasured child, "is always hungry... I'd swear she had hollow legs!"

Looking at Jodynn, it is easy to see her Silure heritage, although she runs to slimness... "How have you fared since Olchabar's passing?" It is an ambiguous question. It will be interesting to see how she answers. Chewing slowly on a piece of lamb, Jodynn takes her time before answering.

"I fare well, all things considered," she says finally. "I was not certain I had the heart to continue the shop when he was gone, but I'm glad I have." Her look as her eyes meet mine, is direct and honest. "I've found I have far more ambition than Olchabar did. You can see that business has improved four-fold at least, and I have many ideas for improving it more."

"Brehyrion, I hope you will see that we Trinovantes are not taxed out of business!" she laughs, looking from me to the Trinovante leader and back again. She smiles and lowers her voice conspiratorily. "These Romans, they're really not very good at negotiating, are they?"

Our meal continues pleasantly, the food and wine good, the conversation intelligent. Gwalchmai's response to Jodynn is not lost on me. As we finish up with a second glass of wine, I turn to our hostess. "Jodynn, the Trinovantes have need of canny merchants such as yourself," I begin seriously. "The Brehyrion and I would be pleased if you could join us at a small gathering we are planning for next week."

Pushing our chairs back from the table and standing, the Brehyrion and I make ready to leave. "We will be inviting some of the most promising merchants of the canton," I continue. "I think you will find the conversation most... interesting... May we count on you to come?"

Jodynn's eyes are lively as she accompanies us to the door. "I would be honoured, Lady Morgaine." Stepping out into the sunshine, once again we pause to let our eyes adjust. Time to get back to the Governor's Palace.

Taking the Brehyrion's arm, I nudge him into one of the Marchadfa's side streets. Surely he won't mind if I stop at just one more shop on the way back?

I laugh inwardly, knowing the answer to that question. No matter. I can rationalise most anything! I mean, really now, how often do I have a chance to shop?