... of the meal with the Brehyrion and Morgaine, Jodynn re-entered the wineshop and surveyed the tables where customers still lingered, some eating, some sampling more of the liquid wares.

The best in Trinovantes, she grinned triumphantly, none of that swill that Olchabar tried to pass off as a tasteworthy vintage!

Believing implicitly in the value of honest commerce, Jodynn had put her principles to work immediately after her husband had died, and been rewarded with a large and loyal clientele.

Scanning the tables, her eyes rested on the men at the rear of the shop. Some were laughing boisterously, others were quarreling, but all deferred to the large man who sat in the midst of the activity.

Thinks he's a king, that one does, Jodynn thought, her delight at the promise of new trade and new success dampened by the sight of Camulodunum's best-known "entrepeneur", as he styled himself. I could do without having that one as a patron, she sighed.

His own demeanor was always passable, but his sycophants and toadies sometimes drove the more respectable people away with their rowdy behaviour.

The dark-haired woman debated hard with herself. On the one hand, Mungo, the acknowledged leader of the not-so-savoury men who congregated at Olchabar's, always paid his bill, and had never, up until now, anyway, ever caused her any trouble. On the other hand, his lackeys annoyed her more ordinary customers, and there were faces among those that she had not seen in a while...

Well, no sense in putting it off, she decided. The longer it waits, the worse it will be. Squaring her shoulders, Calliope at her heels, she walked purposefully towards Mungo's table, stopping close by his side.

Mungo looked up at her, impatient at being interrupted in the recounting of one of his adventures. Fingertips drumming the tabletop impatiently, he raised his brow and nodded for her to proceed.

Jodynn drew herself upright and took a deep breath. "Might I have a word with you in private?" she said in a level voice. "There are a few things I'd like to discuss."