Not quite what it sounds like! The story continues: He hadn't counted on having dinner with a lady. He asked if he might borrow a shirt of Sergius'. Domna found one for him. Azdrubaal couldn't believe his eyes as he looked around the dining room. The walls were stripped bare and there were simple wooden bowls on the table, where they'd once dined from plates of fine silver. No meat, only cheese, fruit and bread - a peasant's meal but good enough for now. The only thing left was Sergius' astrolabe. That hung on the wall, behind what used to be Sergius' chair. The large table was gone and in its place a smaller one. "What happened?" "Taxes, dear Azdrubaal. I had to sell everything in order to pay them. I don't know what I shall do next year." She pointed at the astrolabe. "Sergius wanted you to have that. I kept it, hoping you would return so I could give it to you...among other things. He spoke often and very highly of you. He considered you like a brother. More than a brother. He said you saved his life once or twice." "He saved mine a few, too. I know he had a cache of gold and treasures stashed. He didn't leave you that?" He knew exactly where it was, because he'd helped Sergius stash it. He wanted to see what she'd say, though. "He left me a map. I guess he thought I could find it from that, but we haven't been able to - Celus and I. Believe me, we looked, but there was nothing to be found. Then again, neither of us thinks like a pilot. You wouldn't be interested in having a look at it, would you? I would gladly pay you from it for your help...if we found it," Domna offered. "But let us take supper first. I've not eaten all day." "I don't need your money, Domna. I've nothing better to do this now, and I love a good adventure. I'll help you, but you keep it. Sergius left it for you and this house." With that, Azdrubaal took his seat at the table, in Sergius' chair. Odd, there was already a bowl there, as if she expected him. "Oh, but I insist that you have *something* for your troubles," she said as she sat down, and smiled looking him up and down. "I believe there is another thing we need to discuss, once we've eaten." Background by me made in VUE. Thanks as always for looking and your comments! Cheers, Rayvn