said Bulbul to Apil as the dead fish started to wash up on the river bank.

"What do you mean?" Apil looked at the Hittite woman in puzzlement, disappointment at the end of his angling dreams evident in his voice.

"Believe me, you'll know all about it," she grinned. "Vee can always tell when His Worshipfulness has been playing with his thunderbolt!"

Apiladey nodded absently. There was something... something he should remember.

Suddenly his head snapped up!

"Hey, where's Vortigern?"