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’deine that de Venue must have had a pack of some kind of very vicious hounds that ran with his are that dogs, trained to kill, ine," Clay murmured

"Well," Carlo said, "please, there is a lot to see here, really, even beyond the actual ground, where, you will note, it is sloork Grant is well aware of this The scenery here is quite beautiful Wander as you wish--areas where the integrity of the find are being preserved are clearly hts and look down, you can iether Be careful if you climb around any of the cliffs--the many earthquakes here leave areas that are not secure But, please, enjoy The campsite is there… chat with the workers, have water or coffee if you like I’m afraid there is no refreshment stand as yet"

They thanked him

"Grant, may I have a moment? I wanted to ask you a few questions about your work the other day,"

Carlo said

"Certainly," Grant told hilanced at Stephanie "Maybe later--"

"Don’t be ridiculous!" Stephanie said "I’m fine, I love it here I feel encapsulated by beauty and history

The afternoon is gorgeous"

"He won’t be long," Carlo assured her

"Don’t worry, we’ll be fine," Stephanie told hiht here"

"We’ll just wander around, exploring," Liz said

"Stephanie… you can wander with Liz and Clay," Grant told her She had the feeling that he didn’t actually want her to do that

"I’o!"

Grant nodded, and left with Carlo, the two heading for the campsite where a number of tents had been set up

"I think I’d love to see the area from that little plateau, just up the hill," Clay said

"You two go ahead," Stephanie told him "I’ll wait"

"You sure? You probably shouldn’t be alone in this area," Liz said "The ground could be unsteady"

"I don’t think it’s just going to open up and suck me in," Stephanie said "I’ll just wait for Grant, honestly

You two go ahead"

Clay pointed to the rise about a hundred feet froh the trees and foliage to a s that way If you need us, just give a call"

"I’ll be fine," Stephanie assured them

She watched as they started for the trail, and found herself wondering just what the relationship was between the two They were obviously close, but--in front of others, at least, they were never de near the area where cords and little numbered cards indicated little work areas She sat and stared at them, and wondered what the numbers indicated

It was beautiful here The entire landscape of this part of Italy was stunning Far below the sun with a beautiful array of colors In the distance, she could see the rise of cities and towns on different cliffs; they were very old, for the ht into the h the centuries in which European knights were ht the Crusades The medieval enchantment was picture-postcard perfect, and she reflected that the area should becoreat destination for visitors, especially art students and those who silorious places that did re; she hadn’t realized they had spent so et out here than she had thought, too

She sank down to the ground in front of the log, leaning against it The sky was lovely She lay her head back against the log, felt the air sweeping around her Her eyes closed She couldn’t believe it, but it was really so gorgeous and lulling… she was te see the ood She’d felt it that first night she had coic…

Mes

With her eyes closed, she felt the sweetest sense of lightness, as if the very ground offered a sense of warmth and security

It was just the breeze And her oeariness

And there was no reason not to nod off…

They had co

Clay stood at the edge of the re the scene that legend had passed down--a beautiful wo to reach her…

And then fate, or nature, stepping in The earth ru them all to their deaths

Or had they all died?

Clay was tense, eyes closed, teeth grating Tension gripped the length of him

"Here… God, yes, the center is here… there is so much that I feel… and can’t quite touch!" he said in frustration

"There is a difference here," she old at that moment

"It’s Stephanie," he said

"But we don’t know enough!" she protested