Torches burned brightly in their forged iron supports; red drapery, rich with golden brocade, hung loosely from column to column; a huge table in the shape of a horseshoe had been laid with twelve place settings, six chairs on one side, six on the other, as if awaiting the arrival of the warriors.

At the end of the room a woman of breathtaking beauty sat pale and alone alongside an empty seat. It was the Countess; more beautiful than a Byzantine Empress. Her face was framed by luxuriant dark brown hair, and her large sparkling eyes looked upon the warriors with fascination. Her blue silk dress, her breasts covered with jewels, her glittering pendants, all contributed to her awesome appearance; an appearance which stunned the new arrivals.

The Countess rose from her chair and, before the Prince of the Franks could open his mouth, she said with assurance : " Illustrious descendant of Clovis, welcome ! You are the master of this Château and therefore come and take your place next to me, the Countess of Cabrières. And select twelve of your soldiers to join our feast !"

Theodebert, impressed by the discreet courage shown by Dentoria but without knowing how to express his admiration, took a goblet filled with Clairette and, raising it to the Countess, gallantly said : "Lady, I drink to you and your beauty". Dentoria smiled in response, and the onlookers understood all.

They had reason to understand. Throughout the feast, served by the ladies, and with the aid of the local white wine, the warriors eyes and minds were opened to the significance of what they had witnessed. There was no doubt that that short exchange, between their Chief and the Countess, had generated the same passionate reaction.

And so, at the end of the meal, the couple went up to the ramparts of the Château, talking quietly and enjoying the moonlight of that warm summer's night. And at dawn, whilst everyone was still sleeping (some under the table), the guards could see the loving couple at the top of the highest tower, looking across to the heights of Sète, as the sun rose above the sea...

Theodebert remained at Cabrières for six months until, one day, he received a message from Metz to say that his father, Thierry le Sage, son of Clovis, was dead.

And that is how the Countess of Cabrières took revenge on her spineless husband, by placing the crown of Austrasia on her own head in the Cathedral of Metz...and that is also how a girl from the Hérault almost became Empress of Constantinople, for Theodebert was planning to conquer that region when he was killed hunting in 548 AD.

Before leaving for Lorraine, the crafty lass from the Languedoc caused some intrigue among the King's advisers by filling a basket with sticks. These sticks were, in fact, a little of her local heritage. They were vine plants: she had chosen the finest variety of grape in the region. On the hillside by Metz, the young Queen planted her sticks to later produce a light, bright wine. A wine which, even today, on the banks of the Moselle river, recalls the tale of love which brought together Lorraine and Languedoc.