Ranae, Megara, Kamiros and I are all seated at a small, round table at the edge of the courtyard having breakfast and light conversation.

"Ranae and I should return to Phaistos today. I hope that you," I address Megara specifically, "and Kamiros will join us."

"Oh, yes, please do come with us! Things will be awfully dull around Phaistos if you do not," my sister says, while feeding Kamiros another grape.

"Good morning to you all."

"Welcome back, Con," I stand and grasp his arm. "When did you get back?"

"Last night," he responds.

"I am so glad to see you have returned safely, Con," Ranae says to him, smiling brightly. "Please sit down and join us. You must be hungry."

"Only if I am not interrupting anything," he says a bit flat.

I detect a touch of jealousy in his voice. Ranae looks a bit confused for a moment and then we both realize that Con probably took notice of her feeding Kamiros as he approached.

"Don't be silly, Con," Ranae says with a smile, recovering quickly. "You are not interrupting us."

Con sits down. Ranae graciously passes him the plate of fruit and orders one of the servants to bring him a cup of wine.

"We were just talking about returning to Phaistos today," I add. "Our mother has decided to take up residence here permanently, thus Phaistos is to become our responsibility."

"How is your mother?" Con asks.

Ranae sighs. "She has been ill, Con. I do believe the stresses she has experienced in the past few weeks have caught up with her. She had a very serious attack the other night. We feared greatly at the time that she might die."

"I am so sorry to hear this. Is she doing any better?" he asks with a very serious, concerned expression on his face now.

"She is doing somewhat better, but we are still concerned. It is good that Phaistos is not farther away. We will be able to check on her often," I respond.

"OH!! Not to change the subject, but have you had a chance to meet General Agrafiotis' son?" Ranae suddenly says excitedly.

"No, I have not met him having only returned last night. Tell me what you can about him."

Con, being the chronicler of the General's life, is no doubt going to be extremely interested in this new chapter.