Volusius thrashed about in a blind panic, losing all sense of direction as fear and confusion clouded his mind. He was unable to regain his bearings until he felt the sudden absence of the hands holding him down and realised that the woman was gone. Slowly regaining his senses, an icy dread filled Volusius as he sensed something far more sinister than a simple lake. 

He desperately scanned the area for any sign of the mysterious woman, when out of the corner of his eye he caught sight of a fleeting shadow running away from him. He turned quickly, but it was too late: the figure had already vanished. 

Looking back, he found a woman standing less than an arm's length away, different from the one he was looking for. Despite the lack of light underwater he could see clearly her colours and shape. 

Her features were like those of the person who had drawn him there, but unlike the first, her eyes were a deep shining blue. Her pale skin stopped at her hips where thin black scales continued, ending in two webbed feet. A fin grew from each ear, while her hair had become a mane of long, thin black tentacles. 

She stood still before him, and though she was far from the air he so desperately needed, Volusius could not help but lose himself in those deep blue eyes that seemed to have something supernatural about them. Despite her strange and unnatural form, she was magnificent to behold, and her mere presence gave him the same feeling of indefinable disorientation as our first meeting. 

The lake creature smiled sweetly at him, then grabbed him tightly and bit his shoulder, dragging him deeper, further away from the precious air of the surface, until Volusius felt his lungs burning in his chest. 

It was at this point that Volusius brought his greatest physical strength to bear. He grabbed her wrists and freed himself from her arms. Since the creature would not know how to loosen the grip of his jaws even by force, he pressed his thumb against her larynx, causing a choking sensation that caused her to release her grip on his shoulder and swim away. 

Before she could escape, he grabbed her by the throat and tried to strangle her, but after a while Volusius realised the futility of his gesture. He abandoned it and tried to get to the surface as quickly as possible in search of air. 

Despite his best efforts, he felt something grab him and pull him deeper, until his strength failed him. 

He was barely aware of what happened next, but he clearly remembered hearing my voice in his head. It was something that reassured him, happy not to be alone at the bottom of that lake, and then the following words came from his lips: 

Iuppiter ianuam novit. Iuppiter ianua est. Iupiter ianuae est clavis et custos. 

Ianus est et Summanus. 

Guided by an instinct that was not his own, he crossed his arms, then stretched them out, and like two great invisible hands, an arcane power moved the water, creating a dome of air beneath the lake. 

Volusius fell into the mud with the lake creature, but he had no intention of continuing the fight, even in these favourable conditions. He moved his arms and collapsed part of the dome, burying the creature under tons of water, then stopped what was left of the dome to open a passage to the shore, where the precious air he sought lay. 

Volusius burst out of the water like a man possessed, his muscles rippling with adrenaline as he staggered towards the shore. "What fresh hell is this?!" he roared, spittle flying from his mouth in wild rage. "Am I cursed? Or is some twisted creature using me for sport?" He paused to catch his breath, his eyes searching the darkness for any sign of his tormentor. "Wraiths, nymphs... dragons? Is there no end to this madness? Come forth and face me! Let's end this once and for all!" 

A dark aura began to envelop Volusius' body, his eyes turning a deep crimson as his chest swelled with raw rage. Thick cords of veins bulged on the sides of his neck and shoulder, pulsing with boundless energy. He was no longer a man, but a beast, his visage transformed into a snarling visage of pure rage. 

A strong wind sent leaves skittering across the ground; shadows shifted in the moonlight. And then three wraiths appeared. Their ghostly, shadowy forms materialised before him like apparitions from hell. But Volusius showed no hesitation; he sprinted forward with all haste towards them. No more running, no more fear: this time he would fight back with everything he had. 

“I am Volusius Ulpius Vopiscus!” he roared, his voice echoing through the darkened forest. “Descendant of the Irpinian wolves of Soranus! You shall feel my bite!” 

The air crackled with intensity as Volusius charged forward, ready to unleash his fury upon his otherworldly foes. 

Despite his rage, there was something that soothed his anger. As he approached the bush where the wraith with the small bell was standing, a small female figure emerged from the tangle and stood alone, watching them all. Then a flash of green light chased the wraiths away. 

There was silence, then I emerged from the darkness. My steps were slow, but my gaze, transfigured by anger, betrayed an impatience to inflict pain. My head moved like that of an animal ready to pounce on its prey. 

The lake creature watched me approach and saw the glint of my golden eyes behind my anger. It stared into them for a moment, then gasped in horror. 

“You!” said I full of hate in the direction of the lake creature. “My little yellow ember... your song of pain has ruined my beautiful dream!” 

The lake creature looked at me in horror. It turned, ready to dive into the water, but before it could, it was grabbed, lifted and held in mid-air by an invisible supernatural force. 

The grip of a god was tight around her neck. She opened her mouth wide in a cry for help as she slowly suffocated before Volusius' eyes. Her eyes widened until the irises swallowed all visible whites, leaving only her inky pupils. The liveliness left her lips, leaving them a pale ocean blue against her pale complexion. 

Volusius watched as the creature writhed in fear and pain as his grip on her neck tightened. Her eyes rolled up, tears streaming down her smooth cheeks, slowed by sweat, leaving lines across her surface like damp cobwebs on glass.” 

“Enough,” said Volusius, grabbing my arm. 

I let the creature fall into the water while all my anger was directed at Volusius. A violent flash and he was hurled far away. Then the storm passed as I realised what I had done. 

“I... I'm sorry,” said I before disappearing into the forest. 

I ran aimlessly along a leafy path with all the strength I had in my body. Branches slapped at me, and leaves tore at my skin. My legs ached from being pushed to their limits for so long, but still I ran, begging my sore muscles to carry me farther and faster. I searched, moving without thinking, until finally I found a dark, hidden place among the foliage where I could disappear into myself. It was a hole in the ground, between the roots of a tree, dark and cold, where the surrounding branches twisted around themselves, forming the bars of a black prison that encircled me from all sides except for a small opening above. The charred smell of dying wood made me cough and sent smoke curling up into the sky. Still, it wasn't enough to keep me separated from the world. 

Following the sound of my sobs, Volusius found me and came close. He grasped a branch and let a ray of light through, which I responded to by scurrying closer. 

“Go away!" shouted I. "I don't want to hurt you. I don't want to hurt anyone else!” 

Volusius remained quiet. He let go of the branch and sat down cross-legged a few paces away from me and waited there in meditation, breathing calmly without meeting my gaze, as if to give me space to process my emotions. Even though I wanted to be alone, something inside me compelled me to look at her again. 

I stayed silent, my eyes still streaming with tears. I held on tightly to both my arms and legs, trying to shield myself from the world outside but eventually I shifted my gaze back towards Volusius. 

He did not look at me, giving me the feeling that he didn't want me to feel judged. He just sat in the only patch of light near me, waiting for me to calm down and opening myself at my own pace. I lowered my gaze again, but seeing no reaction from Volusius, I raised it to him. 

There he was, silent and motionless, in a cone of light amid so much cold and darkness. Cold... I felt so cold in that alcove in the middle of the ground. I was afraid of what he might think, but Volusius remained there, bathed in light, ready to answer if and when I felt confident enough to open up. Always there. Always there for me. 

As time passed, I began to feel calmer because of his presence, until finally I decided it was time to leave. I pushed the cage of branches aside with my arm and walked out. I stood upright and slowly approached Volusius with my head bowed, avoiding looking him in the eyes. 

“I want to get out of this forest,” asked I weakly, sobbing. 

Volusius stood up, took my hands gently and then hugged me. 

“Let's get out of here,” said he, gently leading me away from this place. 

We both returned to the lake, where no trace of the lake creature or the wraiths remained. It had returned to being an immense silver mirror, surrounded by its emerald frame and illuminated by sunlight. 

I felt refreshed by these images and began to feel better. I approached the water's edge and washed my face to the sound of birdsong. Volusius did the same to keep me company, but he said nothing or asked nothing for fear of disturbing me. 

We continued along the shore, looking for a way out of the forest, but soon discovered that the passage was blocked and that they had to dive into it, away from the lake, to find a way out. 

Volusius did not like having to go back into the forest, nor did he like the idea of leaving the only place where he had light to keep the ghosts away and landmarks to orient himself. 

I, on the other hand, for the reasons you have seen, was not afraid of these beings and did not care about them. The only object of my thoughts was my outburst and the fact that I had had it in front of Volusius. 

We made our way through the trees, walking slowly, avoiding both the countless roots that kept changing our path and the potholes that seemed to appear out of nowhere. The undergrowth was so thick that even when we bent our heads to avoid low branches, our eyes stung. The ground swayed, rising and falling as if the earth itself were alive. The amber light filtering through the thin canopy of leaves revealed patches of earth where small shoots had sprouted in the last few hours, and other places where only mosses lived. 

I was almost flattened by a thick liana swinging from a tree and hanging from my chest. I narrowly avoided being thrown off by Volusius' elbow; he had stumbled over me a few moments later when an invisible root beneath me forced him to shift his feet suddenly. Without a word, he ducked and carried on as if nothing had happened, probably judging correctly that no words could alleviate my embarrassment at my outburst. 

Small animals scurried about in the bushes around us, mostly squirrels, foxes and fawns, bringing some life to this dreary forest. But it was only when an owl flew overhead and perched on a nearby branch that I felt peace return to my heart. 

Volusius on the other hand was still thoughtful. He could hardly believe what he had seen. This Varuclezia was different from the one he had met at home and talked to until the day before. I realised that I was the cause of Volusius' worries, so I walked on with my head bowed at his side, carefully avoiding meeting his gaze. 

Volusius could not deny the dark desire that had arisen within him to kill the lake creature, even though its wide, fearful eyes were still fresh in his mind. He fought it desperately, hoping to divert his thoughts by looking around for any sign of civilization, but all he saw were more trees blocking our path and impeding our progress. Inwardly, he raged against himself for even entertaining the thought of harming another being without fully understanding why. 

“I'm sorry...” I said suddenly, taking Volusius by surprise, “...I didn't mean to upset you or do what I did.” 

Volusius paused, not sure how or what to answer me. He wasn't even sure what he was feeling, but then he gave me a smile. 

“I wouldn't worry about that if I were you, Varuclezia...” he said, changing the subject, “...let's concentrate on finding a way out of this forest.” 

And speaking of the way out, Volusius took a step forward. The light from the sun was blocked by the trees and Volusius could only see a few meters in front of him. The forest floor was littered with a variety of plants and tree roots. 

The forest smell was pungent. The thick layers of green leaves above their heads trapped the aroma of the damp earth below. 

He raised his arm to point ahead and was greeted by a seemingly endless sea of trees and bushes. The packed dirt path that he had been walking along suddenly ended, and in front of him there was nothing but the thick wall of vegetation that surrounded him. This doesn't seem good, he thought as a chill ran down his spine. He looked left and right at the dense forest that surrounded him, unsure which way he had come or which way he should go to get back. 

And I continued to be sad until Volusius had an idea. He took a purple handkerchief from his pocket and removed the Amethyst ring. The handkerchief took the shape of a squirrel and ran up his arm. A jump and, in the air, it turned into a finch and flew to my neck where it tickled me. 

I laughed, and in my laughter, I found some relief. Cries of joy went through the forest, and some animal may have taken me for a fool; but that matters little when one is sad and in need of release. 

"A fairy handkerchief... it must have cost you a fortune," said I after recovering from my laughter. 

"Not really..." he replied, taking back his handkerchief and putting the ring back on, "...it was a gift given to me a long time ago in the forest of Hercynia." 

"Let me guess. It was a beautiful nymph?" said I with a mischievous look. 

"Who knows! I don't know what I saw that day either..." replied Volusius, putting his handkerchief back in his pocket, "and anyway, all nymphs are beautiful, so I don't know how much sense it makes to say: 'beautiful nymph'." 

"Anyway, she was beautiful." 

"I don't really remember much about her face, but yeah. She left me with a good feeling." 

"What about me?" said I, leaning towards him curiously. 

"And you what?" 

"Am I a beautiful nymph? Do I look like a nymph? Am I a nymph?" 

"More of a pain in the neck, don't you think?" said Volusius, raising his eyes thoughtfully. "Indeed, more of a strix." 

"...!" 

My dear children, if you are reading this story, I take back everything I said about your father: your father is an insensitive monster. 

Suddenly we saw it. A speck of light, larger than the others, grew larger and larger until it became an immense light, revealing before him a vast, treeless space and a city in the distance. 

“At last!” exclaimed Volusius. 

“I'd say so!” cried I. “After so many trees it's nice to see some civilization." 

“Come on, just a little more effort and we can rest in a warm bed.” 

Volusius took one last look at the grove and then we both set off towards our destination. 

Finally, after five days (one day longer than planned), we reached the city of Arretium and from their position we could deduce that the lake we had started from was Lake Trasumennus. After descending through a pine wood with soft light filtering in between the trees, we were surprised to emerge into an ancient city wall of stone, brick and cliff face. The dark walls rose up around us and boomed with voices. The tops of towers rose above the walls on the far side of the road, and smoke swirled out of chimneys and vanished into a grey sky. 

The city was bustling with activity. On every street corner, there were blacksmiths hammering away at bronze and iron weapons and farm implements for exportation and local consumption. 

From carts to storehouses, hundreds of merchants unloaded the 95,000 tonnes of grain the town was famous to produce. Pottery artists crafted beautiful pieces of black or red pottery that had been moulded into smooth shapes. The city had grown so much over the century that it now extended beyond the fortified walls and branched out along nine roads that radiated out from the hilltop. 

Volusius couldn't help but feel overwhelmed by the sights and sounds of the city. He had never seen anything like it before. The bustling marketplaces, the clanging of metal against metal, and the sweet scent of baked goods wafting through the air all combined to make him feel alive in a way he never had before. 

Obviously, the capital was much larger, but he was not used to walking through an entire industrial district with activities specialising in the production of a limited number of artefacts. 

He was no stranger to industrial districts, but here his senses were overwhelmed. Gigantic brick basilicas loomed all around him, towering above as if to mock him. Everywhere he looked the air was darkened by thick smoke billowing from furnaces and presses of monstrous size that shook the very ground beneath his feet. He had never witnessed such a show of power before, and it made him feel small and insignificant. 

“The time of dragons is over. The age of man has arrived” said Volusius. 

We approached an inn, a two-storey building with smoke billowing from the chimney into the clear night sky. The outside walls were covered in ivy, and a small window peeked out of the door. As we pushed open the door and stepped inside, the smell of roast lamb and mulled wine filled the air, making our waiting stomachs growl. Inside, a warm and welcoming atmosphere greeted us as we approached the innkeeper, who stood behind a tall wooden counter. He greeted us with a friendly smile and showed us to our room on the second floor. 

The room was small but comfortable, with a sturdy wooden bed in one corner and a desk in another. At the end of the room was a window overlooking the street below, while the sounds of laughter and chatter emanated from the tavern below. We paused for a moment to take in the atmosphere: men laughing, glasses clinking, and the occasional thud of boots on the stone floor and a dog snoring on stone echoed from below. 

Then suddenly the magic word was spoken: someone mentioned baths. Do you have any idea, dear readers, what it means to travel for days on end? Baths! Nothing but leisure, hot perfumed steam swirling around you... warm stone tiles under your feet... no worries... 

I looked at Volusius like a child with dreamy eyes. 

“Look, you don't need to ask my permission,” he said. He made the mistake of being distracted for a moment and I disappeared from his sight. The only thing he could say was: “How on earth is she doing that?” 

Volusius huffed, then lay down on the bed and closed his eyes. He felt his muscles relax and his mind wander but found that he was neither sleepy nor tired. The image of me came to him: me on horseback, talking to him, standing by his side. Every word I said brought out different emotions, laughter, curiosity, fear and laughter again. 

He rose from the bed and paced the room as if trying to escape his thoughts, but they followed him at every step, and he found no respite; my presence still haunted him. With each frantic step he could feel my nearness: 

“In the end you were right, Sofia. I really like Varuclezia.” 

Suddenly I appeared in the doorway and his heart raced as if his life depended on me. 

“SorryIforgotthis!" I said, pulling a bathing costume from my pack and quickly vanishing from sight. 

Volusius took a deep breath. He let out a sigh and muttered to himself: “It's a good thing there are walls, because with all this enthusiasm, something has to stop that little girl's outburst...” said Volusius to himself, and without even thinking about it, the sound of someone banging against something was heard, “...and there's the wall,” said Volusius, hearing a big thud. Then he looked down at his own backpack. 

He grabbed his own bathing suit and towel and walked south to the baths in a narrow, winding alleyway that cut through the heart of the city, not far from the inn and separated from the street by an anonymous wall, but once inside the main entrance, one could see a huge open-air gymnasium where athletes trained in the summer, surrounded by a peristyle. 

Volusius crossed the gymnasium and headed straight for the changing rooms. They were large, though they would probably have seemed smaller had he come at a less busy time. To be honest, he didn't mind that they were all for him, he didn't like crowds. 

As he undressed and put on his costume. Volusius smiled as he knelt to unlace his sandals, appreciating the skill that had gone into the mosaics. A large marine fauna, composed of black and white tiles, formed a line in the direction he needed to travel to reach the frigidarium. The mosaic of a shell caught his attention, and he stroked it with his foot, admiring the artist's beautiful work. Then he shouldered his towel and entered the frigidarium. 

It was a rectangular room with four apses on each side, each with a pedestal, but none with a statue. There should have been a statue of one of the four winds, north, south, east, west, destroyed long ago in the dark years and never restored. 

Volusius gazed sadly at these empty spaces, but then his face softened as his gaze fell on the most beautiful statue his eyes could desire. 

Dressed in an elegant white two-piece bathing suit, I sat on the edge of the pool, my neck arched gracefully into the water as if peering into the depths of some vast and overwhelming mystery. 

My feet dangled above the clear blue water while the smells of soap and perfume surrounded me. Here and there, between the tall buildings behind me, a little sunlight peeked out, leaving a silent trail like a line drawn by a drunkard. 

In fact, I was huddled at the edge of the pool like someone who has seen water for the first time and is afraid to touch it. Just as I raised my fingertips to the surface, I pulled them away. I stared at my fingertips for a moment and then placed them back on the side of the pool, but with less enthusiasm than before. 

“Is something bothering you?” said Volusius as he approached me. 

“I hate cold water,” I said. 

“Well? There is also a pool of lukewarm water and one of hot water, you can start with those.” 

“Yes, but the order wants you to start with the cold water. First the frigidarium with the cold pool, then the tepidarium and finally the calidarium.” 

Volusius huffed and sat down beside me. 

“Now, now, it's not a tragedy,” said Volusius, putting his hand on my back in a sign of understanding. Then, with a gentle shove, that damn monster threw me into the icy water. I elicited a scream that would have been heard at the other end of the baths. Volusius had no time to laugh, however, as I grabbed his arm and dragged him into the water to suffer the consequences of his actions. A short splashing match ensued. 

I swam like an eel, gliding across the surface as gracefully as I could. My movements were smooth and elegant, but powerful, slicing through the water in an instant. 

The surface of the water was calm, like glass. A gentle breeze moved it into elegant ripples and waves. Volusius had never seen such fluidity, not even in the paintings of the great masters. 

Volusius watched me from the edge of the pond in awe, his mouth agape, until he couldn't contain himself. He jumped into the water after me, grabbed hold of me and tried to swim. 

At first, he seemed to struggle until he caught up with me. Then he wrapped his hands around my waist and pulled me into his arms. He held me for a moment before leaning forward. His eyes met mine and at that moment, Volusius felt his heart beating wildly. He held me tightly, feeling my smooth skin slip under his fingers. I looked at him in confusion and finally Volusius moved his head closer and planted a soft kiss on my soft cheek. 

I stood there stunned for a moment, unable to comprehend the emotions inside me, then I pushed him away and swam frantically away until I was sure the distance between us was large enough for me to take a breath and turn around safely. 

“I'm sorry! I'm sorry, I didn't mean any disrespect at all...” said Volusius, holding his hands out clearly and stepping back, “...I misunderstood, I didn't mean to do anything to offend or upset you.” 

I closed my eyes and took a breath, the thought of being touched by someone again after so long felt strange and unfamiliar. “N-no, it's just that...” I took another deep breath, “...it's just that it's been over a century since a man has been so affectionate with me.” 

“I'm sorry,” repeated Volusius, his guilt consuming the atmosphere. 

“No, it's not your fault...” I whispered as tears gathered in my eyes, “...it's just that I'm not used to feeling happy with someone anymore.” 

Volusius' gaze lowered as his heart filled with grief. He stepped hesitantly towards me, his hand trembling as he placed it firmly on my shoulder. His voice was soft and full of compassion as he comforted me, and for a moment I felt a glimmer of hope in my chest. My eyes filled with tears, and I looked into his eyes with appreciation before planting a tender kiss on his cheek. I hugged him tightly, an endless stream of emotion flowing between us. 

We both got up and went to the tepidarium where we immersed ourselves in the tub of lukewarm water. The heat was welcome and soothing, and I sank into it with a contented sigh. Volusius stood watching me, hands clasped in front of his belly. He looked pleased to see me so content. 

Not content that I was the only one who was happy, I swam over to him, feeling my hair float out behind me and tickle my shoulders, and took him by the arm and encouraged him to swim with me. We slowly waded towards the centre of the pool. 

Silence filled the air. Volusius and I looked into each other's eyes, silently trying to discern the truth or a hidden meaning from the other. Then he noticed something mischievous in my gaze. Did I have a joke in mind? Or perhaps a prank? 

I stood up and leaned forward slightly, getting out of the water. My breasts rose to the surface, but I avoided exposing them further. 

I leaned forward slightly and said: “Tell you what, if you buy me dinner, I'll take off the top of my costume.” 

Volusius paused in silence and then nodded slowly. “Are you kidding me?” he said as he blushed bright red. 

“I'm serious, promise me and I'll take it off,” I said, crossing my arms and imposing on him. 

Volusius looked me in the eyes. Not only was mine a mischievous look, but he could clearly see that I was holding back a laugh. Then he paused for a moment, trying to guess what the catch was and how to turn it against me. 

“All right, but you've got to keep your hands on your hips,” said Volusius. 

You saw that, didn't you? That mischievous look in his eyes. He thinks he has cornered me. He really thought his eyes were going to get such a valuable prize. 

“All right,” I replied. 

“What?” 

“I said it's fine.” 

“But, but...” 

I raised my arms, pushed my chest forward, showing off my beautiful breasts, and slowly began to undo the top of my costume under Volusius' gaze. 

Volusius blushed and swallowed hard. His heart beating faster as his eyes lingered on my cleavage, which was now visible as I slipped out of my dress. He watched eagerly for more ... and he got it: in the next instant I pulled down each shoulder strap, not covering my breasts with my arms even a fraction of a centimeter as the fabric slid down, revealing both of my breasts completely. There they were, naked and in plain sight... unfortunately for Volusius, from the position he was in, he could only see a bit of my back. 

“I knew you were teasing me!” he said in a mock innocent tone. 

“Sir! Did you take me for a woman of ill repute?” I said in an equally mock innocent and scandalized tone. I brought my hands to my chest, shielding my breasts from the lascivious glances of what I thought was a decent man, and hid in the water like a damsel in distress. “Do you think I am a woman who would do such a thing?” 

“But, but...” 

“Why do you boys have to be so vulgar?” I said, putting my costume back on. “When a woman tells me she wants to undress in front of me, I don't think anything vulgar! I don't think she wants to show me certain things with obscene intentions!” 

“But what's that got to do with it? You are between women.” 

“It has to do with the fact that you, my dear...” and here I brought my face closer to his, “...have a promise to keep.” 

Volusius gasped. 

"All right, all right. I'll show you my beautiful breasts,” I said as I got out of the water, holding my chest out for all to see, my hands on my hips. Two beautiful white buns covered in long green hair. I really want to see what excuse this rascal will use now not to buy me something to eat. Me, my two beautiful gifts, I showed them off. I can't help it if my long green hair clings to my skin and covers them. 

“You really are a thing” said Volusius. 

“I have honestly kept my promise, or do you wish to deny it?” said I. 

“You would make a perfect lawyer; do you know that?” said Volusius with a powerful laugh. 

“I know, I know,” I said with a chuckle, and he jumped back into the water and began to swim. 

“Come on Volusius, come on. You brought this on yourself,” he said, rubbing his eyes. 

Volusius dived into the water up to his chin. He could not bring himself to be angry, perhaps because of the warmth of the water, perhaps because he did not want to think about how he had been manipulated, or perhaps because he liked it too much to see me swimming happily with a smile on my face. 

I swam to the edge of the pool, my fingers curling around the smooth stone. Volusius watched me with a puzzled expression as I returned to him, my face twisted with shame and guilt. 

I returned to him with a shy face, my eyes darting downward as if seeking refuge in the ripples of the water. A shadow of guilt crept over me, settling deep in my bones like an unwelcome visitor. 

“Look,” I said, treading water and trying to keep my voice steady. “If it bothers you that I tease you like this, just tell me. I mean you no harm.” 

Volusius emerged from the water. He huffed softly and rubbed his eyes again with his fingertips. 

“I already know I will regret this, but go ahead... in moderation,” he muttered, clearly annoyed but also amused by my antics. 

“Sure?” I asked again, wanting to be sure he was okay with what I had planned. My dreamy eyes locked with his and he felt a shiver run down his spine. 

“Please leave before I change my mind,” he finally said. 

As I turned away, I couldn't help but feel a flutter in my chest at the thought of what might come next. We laughed and splashed and teased each other, forgetting everything but the moment we were in. 

I became thoughtful for a moment, then set a condition for my previous victory: “ova volo, I want eggs,” I declared, giving myself as noble a bearing as the sentence I had just said allowed me to have. 

“Eggs?” 

“Ova! Parvula, rotunda, optima esu... Eggs! Small, round, good to eat...” said I, “...I want eggs.” 

My hands twisted into the shape of an egg in front of him, tracing the outline of that sweet, precious food in the air with my fingers. 

“I know what eggs are!” he said. “You are really strange.” 

Volusius rubbed his eyes. With all that had happened, he had forgotten how I could be... eccentric. 

“I have very powerful friends...” he said, crossing his arms and giving himself a high-sounding tone, “...I think I'll be able to get a few.” 

“Then I am a very lucky woman...” I replied, touching his arm and lowering myself before him like a supplicant before her hero, “…what are we waiting for? Come on! You don't want to keep a young lady waiting, do you?” 

I got up and head cheerfully for the calidarium room. 

“You'll get into trouble one day with this attitude of yours,” said Volusius. 

“Don't worry, I don't do that to everyone,” replied I. 

“So, mine would be an honour.” 

“More of a burden, don't you think?” 

“Yes.” 

We immersed ourselves in the warm waters of the calidarium, not saying a word to each other. We took each other's hands and twirled in the gentle waters of the baths, laughing and joking until the heat brought us to rest at the edge of the pool. Not without a few mutual smiles.

I love warm water. I could have stayed there for hours. Not so much Volusius, who eventually had to give in and seek relief outside the tub. I stayed a little longer than him and eventually returned to the changing rooms.

As evening approached, we returned to the inn for dinner. 

The inn was bustling with activity, and we found a quiet table in a corner. As we sat down, Volusius leaned over and whispered in my ear, "I have a surprise for you." 

My heart was pounding with anticipation. “What kind of surprise?” 

“You'll see,” he said with a mischievous grin. 

Oh, my goodness! Did you see that grin? I'm a bad influence on him. 

We ordered our food and talked about our plans for the day, but my mind was elsewhere. I couldn't stop thinking about what Volusius had planned for me. Was it something exciting? Something funny? Something... naughty? I couldn't wait to find out. 

When our food arrived, we dug in eagerly. The flavours were rich and savoury, and I found myself lost in the delicious sensations of the meal. But as we ate, I noticed Volusius looking at me out of the corner of his eye, a mischievous twinkle in his eye. 

Suddenly he leaned over and whispered in my ear once more, “Close your eyes.” 

I complied, curious and excited about what was to come. I heard him move around the table and then felt something soft and warm pressed against my lips. It took me a moment to register what was happening, but then I realized that Volusius was kissing me. 

The kiss was soft at first, but quickly became more passionate as Volusius deepened the embrace. I felt my body lean against him, lost in the moment. His lips were soft and warm, and I could feel the heat radiating from his body. As the kiss continued, I found myself surrendering to the experience, my thoughts consumed by the sensations coursing through me. 

Then I opened my eyes to find an egg in front of me in a finely decorated blue egg cup. I examined the egg carefully. It was smooth and shiny white like a precious oval pearl. It smelled of earth and grass and clean water; it had the aroma of a summer morning. 

I gently reached out my hand and lifted the egg cup to my face, where I blew on the shell to cool it. I gently touched it with my fingertips and brought it to my mouth, touching the sharp end with my lips to hold it in place, then pushed it all the way into my mouth, swallowing it whole and sliding it down my throat. I leaned back against the backrest and felt with satisfaction the intact egg now floating in my stomach. 

What? I eat eggs like that. Although I don't recommend it if you don't want to choke. In any case, whether because of my extraordinary beauty or because they were all engaged in various conversations, none of the diners seemed to notice the strange way I had eaten the egg. Only Volusius found it odd, though he laughed afterwards. 

Dinner over, we headed for the room. The first to change was Volusius, while I waited in the corridor. Then it was my turn. I made my way to the bed and my rucksack. 

I staggered slightly backwards, then forwards and back to the bed. Apparently, I was slightly tipsy. I took off my trousers, leaving them on the floor, then my jacket, but I stopped there before taking off my green shirt and turning my head towards the door. 

I had the feeling I was being watched, but in the end Volusius proved to be a gentleman. I felt a little ashamed to have doubted him that time. 

I continued to undress... or at least I tried, because the shirt didn't... want... to... know... one last tug and I managed to get his head out of the shirt. I slipped one arm, then the other, my legs, and there I was, ready to lie exhausted in bed, just wanting to empty my mind. Volusius felt the same and crawled into the bed opposite mine. 

As we lay there in silence, I couldn't help but feel a sense of longing stirring within me. I felt lonely, more than I had experienced in almost a century and the kiss had left me wanting more, and I found myself glancing over at Volusius. I tossed and turned in bed, but I could find no rest, then I discovered that I was neither as tipsy nor as tired as I thought. 

I slipped out of bed like a snake and crawled over to Volusius, where I straddled him. He looked at me in the moonlight, but despite the lack of light he could see me clearly in my colours, especially my long green hair and my golden eyes. We gazed into each other's eyes, and I leaned over and kissed him on his lips. 

Meanwhile, on a ledge overlooking the lake sat a figure dressed in an eccentric red dress and wearing a silver mask, representing who knows what noble figure from the past. The bird's song rang out sweet and clear, the finches' chirps like a melody heard for the first time. 

The figure raised his head towards the water of the lake, which soon began to move, revealing the head of the lake creature that had recently attacked Volusius and dragged him underwater. 

“Sigismunda,” said a voice similar to the wind blowing in the trees or the waves crashing on the rocks. 

The water parted again, revealing Sigismunda's face. She blinked the water from her eyes and stared at him until he turned his head back to her. 

He remained motionless for a few moments, watching her as she watched him, her eyes not moving from his distracted gaze. 

“She's gone,” said Sigismunda, but immediately returned, hidden underwater except for her deep blue eyes. 

“She's gone?” said the masked figure, tilting his head towards her. 

The figure stood up, causing the birds around him to squawk in fear and rise into the sky. A few of them flew away and down the spur while others stayed nearby, watching with their eyes peeking over the brambles. 

Sigismunda nervously backed away from him as he turned towards her. 

Sigismunda stood hidden in the water, while the birds fled from her a short distance. They were silent but seemed curious as they watched her. Then the man cloaked in red stood up, his staff twirling almost playfully between his fingers. He stopped at the end of the spur and then he turned away, his back facing her. 

Sigismunda watched him and, seeing him so quiet, she crept closer to him. 

Hearing the soft pattering of water as she carefully stepped out, Sigismunda looked up at him. The man cloaked in red sat on a rock near the shore and listened to her voice as it echoed in the still air around them. 

“There was someone we didn't expect...” she said as he carefully stepped out of the water and sat down on a rock, “...everything was going well, until...” 

A deep chill ran through Sigismunda's veins as the shadowy figure brandished its long staff. She could feel her pulse racing faster than ever before, and something dark began to creep within her, like a pit of quicksand that seemed to have no bottom. 

The masked figure raised its arm and pointed towards her, paralyzing her with sheer terror. Fear filled the air, intensifying with every passing second until with almost palpable force it descended upon Sigismunda with an intensity that made her wince in agony. 

“Is that fear I feel? Is that fear you felt?” said the masked figure, pointing to her the staff. 

Like a drop of ink that spreads when dropped into water, the fear in Sigismunda's heart grew and grew until it permeated every inch of her body. 

She paled and trembled. Her breathing quickened and her eyes widened. Her bones ached and a cold sweat ran down her forehead as the image of Varuclezia and her untimely death swirled in her mind. Her elbow slipped from the slippery rock as she tried to steady herself, only to tumble into the cold mud beneath her feet. She tried desperately to free herself from the invisible grip that held her but despaired of any chance of escape. 

“Fear, fear... your soul is drenched in it,” said the red cloaked figure. 

He pulled his staff away, freeing Sigismunda from the wicked enchantment that had wrapped itself around her very soul. 

“Tell me...,” he continued in a low voice, “...have you become afraid in front of a mere mortal?” 

Sigismunda did not answer, and after a moment of fear, she lowered her eyes in shame, trying to recover from the terror she never wanted to feel again. 

Sigismunda looked up at the man cloaked in red. He seemed calm again, intent on admiring the peaceful horizon, but a deep anger was palpable. 

“There is an ancient holy site near here," said the masked figure. "Summon the wraiths! Our two preys are cunning enough to hide there.” 

An ominous silence seemed to expand in the lake as Sigismunda nodded her head slowly, then dove into the water and disappeared like mist. 

A cloud moved to make way for the sunlight. The figure took off his mask and looked up, revealing intense purple eyes that glowed like fireflies in a moonless night: revealing purple eyes and the forked tongue of a snake. 

“So, you found help against the wraiths...” he said, “...this is going to be interesting.” 

The next morning, I woke up in Volusius' arms. His hug was so comforting, and it was a pleasure to be under the covers with him. Ever experienced the feeling of warmth and security? The feeling that no matter what happens there will be someone next to you? 

Slowly my eyelids lifted, and our eyes met. 

“...” (Varuclezia). 

“...” (Volusius). 

“...!” 

“...?” 

“...!!” 

“...??” 

I snapped back and ended up falling out of bed, dragging the blankets with me and ending up bundled up in them. A nice rolled up bundle at the foot of a hotel bed. 

“You forgot you were sleeping in my bed, didn't you?” 

“Maybe.” 

“Do you need a hand?” said Volusius, seeing me trapped in the covers. 

“No... maybe...,” said I. 

Is a very normal thing. I'm pretty sure it's happened to you a few times too. It's not that strange. 

Volusius freed me from the blanket, and I stood up, acting as if nothing had happened. 

“So! Who feels like killing a dragon today?” said I, jumping to my feet and putting my hands on my hips. 

“One day you'll have to tell me where you get all this energy from,” said Volusius. 

I grinned at him and winked. “It's a mystery, my love. But all I know is that I'm ready to face whatever comes our way,” said I and went to the window. Pulling back the curtains, I gasped at the sight before me. The sky was a deep red, as if the heavens themselves were on fire. My heart raced as I looked down at the land below, knowing that danger lurked just over the horizon. 

We quickly dressed and set off (after breakfast, of course), ready to face the challenges of the day. 

We gathered the necessary items for our journey; the depths of the forest lay before us. 

"Let's move quickly," Volusius said, turning back to me. "I don't want to meet the ghosts a second time." 

I nodded in agreement, my heart still racing with excitement and anticipation. We made our way into the forest, our footsteps quickening as we entered the thick undergrowth. 

As we walked, I couldn't help but feel that something was watching us, lurking just behind the trees, but nothing happened. We set off at a brisk pace. The forest smelled of pine and dry earth. When we heard the sound of crunching leaves behind us, we got goose bumps. Our hearts beat in our chests as if to tell us that something was wrong, but once again nothing serious happened. I guess that's normal after the bad experience we had. 

When we reached the far edge of the mountain, a pile of rocks stood in our way. They stretched upwards like teeth on the mountain's jaws, reaching for the sky as if to bite down on a passing cloud or bird. A stream bed, deep and wide enough to hide all manner of creatures, ran from one side, across the stones, and disappeared behind a bend in the mountainside. 

We left this stream bed for a passage that followed the rock face. The path wound up and down the slope until it rounded a corner onto a ledge high above a raging river. 

The sun had moved to the other side of the mountain and the shaded sides of the valley below us were an indigo blue. The lush grass rolled in waves with every gust of wind, as if it were alive. Deep shadows stretched across the valleys as the sun dipped behind the peaks. 

Looking behind us, we could see the long, crystal-clear strip of a river, but after a while it was hidden by the thicket of trees and foliage. 

In front of us instead was an undulating sea of rocks and plants that stretched to the horizon, and on that green sea we were sailing up and down like a ship and left and right between the mountains like a snake. We were happy... and to say we were hunting a dragon! Yes! In hindsight we should have been more serious, but despite our mission we felt at peace. 

The terrain rose slowly but surely, and as we progressed the trees grew taller, darker and, above all, thicker. Despite all of this, the path that nature had laid down was no obstacle to our passage. 

There was no noise to disturb the path, only the singing of birds to accompany our footsteps. From time to time a drop of dew would fall from the still leaves, but there were no whispers, no sighs, no murmurs, no movement among the plants. There was nothing to indicate a hostile presence, just a family of deer in the distance and a sweet air that made them feel at ease and welcome in this pleasant place. 

In short, there was nothing malevolent on the horizon. Perhaps that was why the dragon had chosen this place. A glimpse of those hills and the soul would be at peace. 

The sun began to rise, and yet the dew continued to decorate the forest with silver... much to my misfortune. I grabbed my long green hair to keep it from getting caught in the branches, and just then an icy drop fell treacherously on my neck and from there slid down my entire back, tearing a scream out of me. Volusius laughed. 

The light grew brighter as we went on, and by midday we were standing in a great circle of trees. We ate a frugal lunch under the clear sky of the mountains, but in the shade of the tall pines that slid down the slope. We stayed there until the sun rose high enough to take away our shade and force us to leave. 

A carpet of dense green ferns covered the ground, intertwining and wreathing themselves around the base of a circle of oak trees. We had come to find one among them--an abandoned building. Volusius led the way, his hand on his knife as he moved through the thicket to cut a path for us. When we stepped inside, Volusius took in the cave-like rooms carved into the ancient stone. He laid a hand on the ancient stone and said with a veil of sadness: “This was once a temple, perhaps abandoned in the dark days.” 

“The day when men began to destroy their temples and burn their libraries...” I said, also placing a hand on the ancient stone, "...the dark days when white became black and black became white at the mercy of ruffians and demagogues." 

Volusius seemed to notice the seething rage in my voice and took my hand, saying: “It's been what now? A century? Everyone is now free to choose the gods they believe in,” but I was unconvinced by his words and replied: “One does not break covenant with the gods without suffering the consequences. And no new peace can rebuild itself until justice is done.” 

I took a few steps forward and touched the ancient stone. “Did you know that nymphs and fauns of the Hercynia Forest often gathered near such temples? Those who fear books because they contain hard truths also hate those who possess this knowledge and can pass it on. Since the dawn of civilization men have proven themselves childish and narrow-minded. With the arrival of industry and reason we believed a new golden age was at hand, where humans and gods existed together peacefully, but these fresh superstitions ripped away any chance of that ever happening.” 

Volusius looked upon me with confusion, attempting to understand my words. “A hundred years have come and gone...” he answered me softly, “...and even if they are turned away, nymphs and fauns can always make their way back to the Hercynia Forest.” 

To those words I did not reply. 

“Oh, all right then...” I exclaimed, planting my hands firmly on my hips, “...let's get ready to set up camp. This area is hallowed ground: if it still is, no wraith shall be able to set foot here.” My words echoed around us as we stood among the ruins of what had once been. 

“Sounds like a good place to camp then...” said Volusius, taking a step forward before I stopped him saying, “...but whatever happens, don't draw your sword here with hostile intent, the god of this place, whatever his name is, might not appreciate it.” 

“Understood.” 

Volusius drew his sword from its sheath, only then remembering that its tip was broken. Gritting his teeth, he meticulously cut the grass, leaving no blade untouched as he worked vigorously to make an area fit for worship again. 

With a determined slash through the overgrowth, Volusius created a circular clearing in what must have been a meeting place. The stones piled up from underneath created a circular space with what appeared to be a hearth for burning offerings. 

As I gathered bundles of brushwood and made two beds and a windbreak, Volusius stood back to admire his work. 

With satisfaction oozing from his eyes, Volusius marveled at what he had created. Although it didn't come close to the grandeur of an opulent city temple, we had managed to restore some recognizable features, such as the altar and the walkway leading to it. The altar was now recognizable, though its surroundings remained in ruins; fragmented rocks too heavy for him to move. 

As he sheathed his blade, we both knew that without someone to look after it, the lush vegetation would grow back and take over the sacred site. Our efforts had breathed new life into this forgotten place, but there seemed to be no followers left to pay homage. 

“Hmm,” said Volusius, his voice echoing off the broken stones. “Perhaps this place was intended as a shelter for passers-by, or perhaps it was designed to serve the shepherds who transhumed these lands seasonally. Or maybe...” he added with a shrug, “...it's just nature hiding the road and making it slower than it seems.” 

I watched as he walked around the clearing, examining each of the stones that had been carefully placed here. The altar was still intact, though any trace of sacrifice had long since rotted away. 

Volusius thought aloud, looking at me from time to time with a pensive expression on his face. He asked me if I knew which gods were worshiped in these parts; I admitted that I had no such knowledge. 

He ran his fingers through his wolfish black hair and sighed before informing me that whatever deity this place was dedicated to must have been forgotten long ago. He suggested that although we could not see it, some form of cult activity might still be taking place here, albeit in secret. 

As we discussed other possibilities as to why this site had been abandoned, we concluded that local superstitions might be keeping people away; perhaps they feared what lurked within the ruins, or whatever secrets were still untold. 

The sun began to set, and so our conversation ended as we paused to take in the beauty of the night sky above us. A cool breeze swept through, reminding us of our need for shelter from the impending chill of nightfall. 

We quickly worked together to gather materials - twigs and small branches - to make two makeshift beds, using some old blankets found nearby and tucked into an alcove in one of the ruined walls for protection from rain or wild creatures. 

Under a blanket of stars, we lay down on soft bundled beds of logs and dry leaves, feeling blessed but uneasy about this strange new home in such an unknown place. 

Volusius was enjoying the fresh breeze of the evening when he saw me passing by with flowers in my hand. I placed them on the altar and looked up to heaven. 

“Sive deus sive dea qui hunc locum colis, fac ut ista nox salva nox sit” O God or Goddess who dwell in this place, let this night be a safe one, whereupon I went to my own bed and lay down. 

The night sky above us was a canvas of stars, twinkling with a mysterious and captivating beauty. I watched as Volusius took it all in, his eyes filled with a deep reverence for the unknown. 

Suddenly he stood up and pointed to a constellation I had never seen before. As he described its shape and told me about the stories behind it, I felt moved by his knowledge of the stars. 

I glanced over to the altar where I had placed some flowers earlier in the day as an offering to whatever gods might be left in this forgotten place. Since no one else had come here in ages, it was up to the two of us to keep their memory alive. 

We lay back in our makeshift beds and fell asleep under a blanket of stars. I slowly closed my eyes and fell asleep with a great sigh. Volusius stayed by my side for a while, watching me, happy to see me so serene, then slowly his eyes closed too, and he entered the world of dreams.