Lyra was just beginning to enjoy the respite and ease her twisted ankle with Lamadius'cool wine when a fierce black-furred creature jumped across the table knocking over her chalice! Oh no! Did one of those ferocious animals from the ampitheater escape it's cage?

The howling cry of the creature gave evidence that it was only a cat - a black cat and while Lyra was partial to felines, the sound of its shriek had sent shivers up her spine in spite of the day's heat.

The laughter of the men, the startled faces of the new arrivals and her fading fear began to make Lyra shake and chuckle.

Who knows? Maybe the old man is right. Maybe it is an omen!