"How did I get here?" thought Davinia, not for the first time, or not, possibly, the last.

Recollection slowly crept in. The mission. The attack by 6 whirling dervishes... or were they a longsword morris team? Relief at being hailed a holy one. Shock as her(?) followers ran off at the first hint of trouble. Rapture at the sight of strong cider. Horror at the effects of same...

Something about a crow, or was it a woman, was lurking there but she could not put her finger on it.

The palace was now deserted but for Omar Sharif lookalikes clearing away trays of food fragments and wasted flagons of fine ale and wine. She knew she had to act now but nothing told her the next step.

Suddenly she had it! The crow had told her that Kat had been rescued!!! No more need to help there so her main mission could go on unhindered.

Now how could she continue with the crusade? Counting the servants present - 6 - a smile flickered beneath the beard.

"Omar" she called coquetishly "Can you dance or play concertina....?"