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delirium, she clasped Sanct’ Germain more closely, holding his head to the curve of her neck; there was a moment of keenest ecstasy that made her tremble with fulfillment as she succumbed to rapture. When she came back to herself, she held Sanct’ Germain tightly, wanting to hang onto the ephemeral elation she had felt, but as cold needled her skin, the last of her bliss faded. Finally she released him, once again wrapping herself in the blanket. “Almost a butterfly,” she said at last.
    Sanct’ Germain met her gaze steadily. “Surely, for an instant, a butterfly.”
    Viridia sighed, “I want to think so,” she said, and blinked as he rose from her side. “I hate to see you go.”
    “I fear I must,” he told her, bending down to kiss the corner of her mouth one last time, aware of her nearness with all the poignancy of loss.
    She caught his hand before he could turn away. “Sanct’ Germain, what is it you long for?”
    “Something those of my blood may never have,” he replied, the kindness in his voice making her want to weep.
    “What is it?” She held his hand more tightly. “Tell me.
Tell
me.”
    He shook his head very slightly. “It would not be wise for you to know.”
    “You mean it could be dangerous to you?” she asked, hoping to provoke him into answering her.
    “No, Viridia,” he said calmly. “It would be dangerous to you.”
    “Oh!” she exclaimed, releasing him.
“Oh!”
She refused to look at him so that she would not have to see him go.
     
    Text of a letter from Ithidroel ben Matthias to Episcus Luitegild of Toletum.
     
    To the most respected Episcus Luitegild, the greetings of Ithidroel ben Matthias, spice merchant of Toletum.
    In accordance with the instructions of Franciscus Sanct’ Germain, I am sending to you the sum of fifteen gold Apostles as his donation to your good works in the city, and your continuing protection of his former slaves, whose writs of manumission you and I both witnessed. It is the intention of Sanct’ Germain to continue his donations annually until he himself, or one of his descendants, shall return to claim his holdings. I have among the instructions Sanct’ Germain has given me the conditions of identification that must be met when and if one of his blood comes to claim his estate. I or my successors will be responsible for verifying the identity of anyone attempting to establish himself as Sanct’ Germain’s heir. This sum may not be taxed even though it is held and administered by Jews.
    I commend you for your intercession with the Praetorius. Without your timely arbitration all of Sanct’ Germain holdings within the city walls would now be in the hands of the Praetorius and the fighting men who surround him. Your efforts have been noted by all who live here and are praised everywhere; you found an authority in your position that the Praetorius had to honor. Had you not succeeded, I would have
been powerless to protect Sanct’ Germain’s holdings no matter how persuasive my position might be, for I would not have had the additional jurisdictional influence you bear by right of your position within the Church. The devotion of the Praetorius Chindaswinth to your faith has at least been of benefit to more than himself or his court. It is to your credit that you have been willing to extend yourself to the benefit of someone who is not of your flock.
    Those of Sanct’ Germain’s servants who are continuing to care forhis house and villa are now protected from any claims against their master. You will have no reason to fear that you might have to provide for them from the donations Sanct’ Germain has made to your Church. I have just received the necessary signatures on the deeds that ensure their position and their livelihood. Since money is not an object in this instance, the servants will not have to worry that their situation might be suddenly changed on account of debt. I am pleased to see how be forehand Sanct’ Germain has been in his