"How indeed, my lord Dion!" Of a sudden the slim princess was laughing through her tears. "I walked, as you did, though it took me longer, for I wanted to be sure we were free of that dog Theseus before I joined you." "Free of Theseus--?" "Of course. When he came seeking me at my quarters in the night I fled, then followed him, till I knew for certain he was aboard his ship." And that brought up another matter: "But--the cloak--the woman--" "The woman?" Never had Ariadne looked more a picture of wide-eyed innocence. "I do not understand, my lord." Burke gave her back stare for stare, holding his tongue; and after a moment, with a sound suspiciously like a giggle, she murmured, "It could not be my maid you mean, could it, my lord?" "Your maid--?" "Yes, the peasant girl who found such favor with Theseus." Ariadne's dark eyes held more than a hint of laughter. "I thought it only fitting that he be rewarded for his efforts, Lord Dion. So I wrapped the wench in my cloak and told her that if she kept her face hidden and played the role of Princess Ariadne long enough and well enough, she might end up as Theseus' queen." The picture was perfect. Burke laughed till he feared he'd open his wound again. * * * * * Ariadne laughed with him for a moment, then sobered. "I meant what I told her, Lord Dion. She's a clever girl, and Theseus can see no farther than the nearest bed. By the time he reaches Athens, she may have him so in her toils as not to be able to bear the thought of parting from her." Burke smiled wryly; shook his head. "I'm sorry, Ariadne. It won't work. Theseus isn't going to like being tricked. So when he puts in at Naxos, he'll leave your maid behind." Ariadne's great eyes widened. "And--Theseus himself--?" "When he reaches Athens, he'll find his father dead." "I see." The slim, lovely princess nodded slowly. "And then, you'll go to Athens, and you'll kill him. And after that, if my father, Minos, still lives, you'll kill him, too. And then--" Burke said, "No, princess." "No--?" she stared. "What do you mean?" "I mean, I'm all through killing." Burke shifted, trying to ease his wound. "You see, Ariadne, I don't need to kill anyone. Because Theseus isn't stupid, really, and after all this trouble here, he's going to settle down and make Athens a good king. "As for your father, he's alive. But we don't need to worry any more about him. All he's thinking of is avenging himself on Daedalus for helping us. Only Daedalus is going to get away to the court of King Cocalus, in Sicily, and Cocalus' daughter will kill Minos." It was a long speech. When he'd finished, Ariadne brought up her hands and crossed them on her firm, bared breasts. "It is good to know what the future holds, my lord Dionysus. I thank you." Quick irritation touched Burke. "Damn it, girl, I'm not--" He stopped short. That line he'd half spoken--the one about him not being Dionysus, not a god; just plain Dion Burke?