{21}
The Dancing Maiden‘Goodness,’ Santha breathed. ‘This is going to take some getting used to.’
Berisolis was humming with activity. The scent of baked bread and meats turning over a fire wafted over, making her mouth water. Nearby, a circle of men squatted over the cobblestones, enticed by a game of chance. Dice fell from a cup and the groans of dismay were many. ‘Again,’ growled a soldier to a youth who scooped up the dice with a grin and deposited them in his wooden cup.
A child in tattered clothes whisked by Krishtar, followed by angry shouts and a group of boys giving chase and throwing stones. Over the din, a wistful song carried from a young woman atop a wooden crate, a good head and shoulders above the crowd. People were everywhere, filling every nook and cranny, and living in
