The sun is streaming into my eyes, as I awake, quite rested. Rushing through my morning rituals, I am soon dressed and "equipped".

The cook had given me a hot croissant dripping with fresh butter and sweet herbs. I was just finishing it when I noticed another newcomer breasting the hill behind the Manor.

She was accompanied by two slaves and a dressed woman, must be Luisa. I rushed out, and caught the new woman, Melissa. I shook her hand warmly, and put my arm around her. She never noticed the bit of catalyst soaking into her neck and hand where I touched her. Odorless, painless, and tasteless, it was half of my plan.

I was ready to do some exploring, so I set off to walk along the shoreline. I approached the limit of what I had seen so far, passing the pier. A gleam in the sun caught my eye on the jetty, and I bent over to pick up a coin that had fallen. Nearby, in between the planks, another gleam... and there was one of the keys! I wasn't sure whose it might have been, but it was MINE now.

Glancing around, there was nothing more other than a noisy boat sailing away to the eastern horizon. I resumed my hike, watching for signs of anything. I put on my infra red goggles again, looking for more tunnel openings.

I wander around the ouside of the island, sticking to the near-edge of the cliff surrounding the small living space. The long walk gave me an idea of the lay of the land, and lots of hidey-holes. I stashed a few things in out-of-the-way places, erasing my tracks with tree branches with leaves. Just in case I was on the run, I'd still have a few tricks up my sleeve.

Halfway around, I was surprised to find a cave with tracks around it... of a big, big cat. Lynx? Wildcat? Whatever, I was surprised. Would this island never stop surprising me?