Chapter 6.8

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My limp, battered form was dragged into the Great Hall where all the castle folk waited to eat. I was the pre-dinner entertainment. Sharp, sitting at the foot of the Lord’s own table, grinned at my wretchedness. The Lady Victoria could not take her gaze from my bare feet, her expression one of recognition and horror. Elise, serving at the edge of the room, set down her tray and looked at if she might cry. Lord Guerney heaved his bulk from his chair and stepped down to stand in front of me.

"So, are we now what we appear to be?" He laughed.

Just like your daughter? I vomited blood at his feet.

"Excellent. Go back to room and pack – I’ll have my answer to Lord Reinard sent there before much longer. You can leave straight away."

And be on the road in the winter darkness, prey for the wolves and the Silver-eyed. Not even my Lord Reinard deserved such a man for a father-in-law.