Read "The Virgin of Valkarion" by Poul Anderson online for free on Textopian. Full text with search, annotations, highlights, and AI-powered reading aids.
Alfric lost desire for sleep, the girl being as skilled in the arts of love as she was beautiful. But later they fell to talking.
A dim shaft of moonlight streamed through the window and etched her face against the dark, a faint mysterious rippling of light and shadow and loveliness. He drew her closer, kissed the smooth cheek, and murmured puzzledly: "Who are you? Why are you working in a place like this, when you could be the greatest courtesan in the world? Kings would be your slaves, and armies would go to battle with your name on their lips -- if they only knew you."