A rainbow rose from the waterfall. Trees leaned over the riverbank and children swung on a long rope before jumping into the lagoon below, cheering as they did so. Although the scene was captivating, Arminio could not spot the person he was looking for among the adults present. However, he was captivated by the lightness of the moment. Brazil boasted an incredible diversity of flora and fauna — at least, that was what he had noticed more and more frequently over the last few days. Enchanted, he gazed at the cascades plunging into the river. Speechless, he stood on the riverbank, watching the scantily clad Brazilian women jump into the water.

A voice behind him chuckled: “Ah, it's the fire frog.”

“Fire frog?” he replied, mockingly. Arminio recognised Lorelia's unmistakable heat signature even before he looked over his shoulder. He drew in a sharp breath.

The sketch he had received from Thiveus did not do her justice. The Amazon, whom Arminio was now examining closely, took his breath away. Her dark hair was braided into countless thin plaits, from which blue parrot feathers hung. Wearing a tight leather bustier and skirt, she revealed a lot of skin. Her legs seemed endlessly long. He tried not to show any emotion when he noticed the fresh scar above her left ankle. Why hadn't she gone to the healers?

Lorelia tilted her head slightly to one side and smiled. “Yes, the fire mage who has been hopping through the jungle like a frog with portals for days. Given how clumsily you move, I expected an acolyte.” She put her slender index finger to her lips. Graceful as a cat, she strode towards him.

Arminio felt reassured to see that she was wearing the belt with the insignia. The high-quality fabric did not quite match her other clothes. She had attached gemstones to it with leather straps and added two pockets. His gaze lingered too long on her hips, and he cursed as he felt himself getting hard. He folded his hands casually in front of his robe and stood with his legs slightly apart. “You must be an Indocta; otherwise, you would greet me with the respect I deserve.” Instantly, Lorelia's eyes narrowed to slits. Nobody likes to be called uneducated, and he was curious to see how she would react.

“Magister,” she greeted him reverently, bowing her head and glancing briefly at the floor. 'I would like to address you correctly, but I do not know you.'

The fire mage lifted his chin and looked her up and down conspicuously. “I am Magister Arminio Cavallaro, Capitano of the Roman Gendarmerie. And you are?”

“Journeywoman Lorelia.” A smile played on her lips. “Cavallaro? Are you related to Furio?”

“Yes, he is my brother. Have you met him?”

“No, but Glandera often spoke of their romance.” She pursed her lips coquettishly, raised an eyebrow, and examined him closely. “The Cavallaros have a certain reputation.”

Arminio lowered his voice. “I am more talented than Furio.”

Her gaze lingered on the rope tied to Arminio's mage's belt. Her heartbeat quickened, and he would have loved to read her thoughts. Slowly, the earth mage moved closer. She looked at the fire mage with her fawn-brown eyes for what seemed like an eternity, then brought her head so close to his that the feathers in her braids touched his hair.

“So, is that you?” she whispered in his ear.

A pleasant shiver ran through his body. A moment later, when he gazed at her again, she grinned broadly. Luckily, Lorelia hadn't noticed his slip-up. This was probably because she was enjoying his racing pulse all the more. Arminio cursed inwardly as he sank into her brown eyes. The young woman in front of him knew exactly how to use her charms. She also smelt seductively of campfire. There were many different varieties of this aroma. Hers was a mixture of fresh wood, dry grass and forest leaves. The scent of freedom. Lorelia slowly pulled her head back, turned around, and took a few steps forward. Given this body language, any other woman would have been seized by the wrist and pulled back towards him.

“And what business has a Roman Capitano in Brazil, Magister Arminio? Surely, not to enjoy the view.”

He looked at her backside with pleasure as he thought of an answer that wouldn't be a lie. “I'm looking for something valuable.”

“Oh.” She turned back around. “Are you looking for precious stones? Perhaps I can assist you?”

“You know about these things?” His gaze fell on her belt.

“Yes.” Then she frowned. “But you've been searching the entire area for days and haven't lifted a finger. You choose your words very carefully so that no one catches you lying.”

The corners of Arminio's mouth twitched upwards. She was more cunning than he had anticipated. “Let me calmly explain the situation, companion Lorelia: My speciality is locating missing persons, and I...”

Her eyes narrowed instantly and she interrupted him. “I was afraid of that. My father sent you.” Lorelia took another step back. “Let me guess: he offered you a finder's fee.”

“Naturalmente. It is customary for me to be remunerated for my services.” Arminio could sense her heart pumping warm blood through her body faster and faster, and her muscles were tensing.

“Be quiet!” she replied angrily. She made a gesture that Arminio knew all too well. “I don’t think much of men who work for my father, and you will never take me back to him.”

“Lorelia, listen to me!”

But she had already disappeared through the portal.

“Lorelia, please! I just want to talk to you.” Arminio realised she would not turn back, and if he pressed her, he'd be just like her father. He had no choice but to give up, which hurt his ego more than he cared to admit.