"But it was you who saved me from the shameful brand," Squint-Eye said. "Otherwise I"d have my nostrils torn and a brand here," he pointed at the center of his forehead.

"Nostrils torn, how horrible!" Mily said fearfully puckering her pretty face in disgust.

Enriki laughed. "No problem, he"d just get new ones."

Mily smiled and looked at Squint-Eye very affectionately.

Orel who was quite drunk by then hiccupped and looked at his friends with misted eyes.

"Now everything is gonna be different!" He slammed his goblet against the table. Tol laughed. There were new tattoos on his gums.

Two pretty girls from "Backara" came up to their table, posing gracefully and pouting. "Are you going to drink up everything here? Let"s dance!"

"Vil, you"re drooling," Lis said. "Close your mouth."

Everyone laughed.

One of the girls hugged Enriki.

"You"re so handsome, master Galas! Let"s dance!"

Enriki kissed her gently. "Sure!"

Squint-Eye looked at Mily. "May I ask you?"

She lowered her eyes and got up readily.

Orel and Lis exchanged glances. Lis laughed and shook his head.

"I need to find someone, too," he said. "You"re okay for me," he said to the remaining girl.

"You"re okay for me, too," she said leaning towards Lis in such a way that Vil"s nose nearly got buried between her breasts.

Tol and Asa also stood up.

"Orel, let"s go jump with the music!" Tol said. "Or are you going to do book-keeping with Vil again?"

"No-o-o, anything but that! I"ll find someone… And it is called "to dance", Tol."