Father Basil returning from Compline decides to stop at the Duo Galles and have a small cup of wine to finish the evening and watch as the sky darkens and the stars emerge. Seeing the old bishop looking so re-energized has helped him deal with the awkward break in catechumen lessons with Phoebos. He noticed as he walked up from the harbor that the vigils were busy pulling some poor soul out of the water. He had whispered a prayer for the fellow…and the vigils for good measure!

He slowly opened the tavern door and gazed in. He was reluctant to put a damper on people’s fun as he knew the entrance of a clergyman in a tavern often does, but Secunda, Kleopatra, and the others were his friends, and he loved the light repartee that could usually be found in the common room. The Duo Galles also often provided him with news and the names of souls to pray for who were ill or in want. And there was that excellent bonus of Kleopatra’s fine bread and the warm welcome Orpheos the cat was wont to offer him. “That feline is the one person who doesn’t seem to mind that I am a presbyter!” he would often tell himself.

The Lady Reylari seemed to be deep in discussion with an usual and commanding figure of a man—a stranger to Basil. He tried not to invade the privacy of their conversation and merely nodded a greeting to her. Secunda, not waiting for Basil’s request, brought wine, water, and bread to his table and smiled offering the hospitality of the tavern to a friend.