Ea loved night spying. She was well aware of the danger, and had been warned of the things that befell foolish young girls who followed people into dark alleys, but the thrill was worth it. With her black palla wrapped around her, she was only another patch of midnight. And who could catch the night air?

Now, as the sun set, Ea slipped her black palla on, and set off softly in pursuit of Glaucus. He led her through twisting alleys, into the Subura -- the roughest part of Rome. Still, Ea stuck to the long night shadows and was not noticed.

Finally, Glaucus arrived at a tavern, long emptied of even the latest night-carousers. With a quick look around him, he rapped four times on the rough door and entered the building. Ea went silently around. The tavern, of course, had a servant's entrance at back. Ea slipped inside and found herself in an incredibly dirty kitchen. A bit of exploring showed her that the kitchen connected to the area behind the bar. On her hands and knees, Ea crawled in. She was in a dimly lit room, filled with hushed voices. Ea, shivering with excitement, leaned forward and began to eavesdrop.