Olivier d'Angle had never seen such a woman - a golden-skinned beauty with purple-black hair and scarlet lips, her supple body lightly concealed by a wisp of gauzy silk and a few jewels. Rumor said she was the most influential woman in Constantinople.
'You must leave.' she informed her disappointed visitors. 'I am expecting a great lord.' Then she held out a golden key to her little blackamoor slave. 'Give this to man I wish to see tonight.'
As Olivier and his companions left the palace, the little slave brushed past them - and slipped the key into Olivier's hand.