Bill Kitson

The Shepherd's Lodge Bill Kitson

The mitato, a shepherd's lodge high in the Red Hills owned for generations by her family, now belongs to Lemonia. It was that stone building, and more importantly the occupant, who filled Lemonia's thoughts - and dreams. The shepherd who tended her flocks asked for no remuneration other than to live in the mitato, away from contact with the outside world. She respected his wishes, conscious of the debt she owed him. Widowed at a young age, her disastrous marriage had left her almost bankrupt until the stranger volunteered his services. Over the years he had come to mean more to her than merely an employee. Lemonia wanted more, but was afraid to force the issue. Better by far to dream - dreaming poses no risk of rejection. Maggie, a young Englishwoman, travels to Tritinos on an epic quest: to find a man she has never met - a man who vanished years earlier. Despite her determination to locate him, she is concerned as to the outcome. Neither Lemonia nor Maggie could have predicted the course of events. Nor could they have guessed that, as with previous generations, the mitato would cast its magical spell.