ent

w puddle she had stepped in proved much deeper, the water, fouled by mud and animal shit, slopp

war, they worked in exchange for food and shelter, and she often caught them at play. She let them be – play was not some

oy who, like these lads, had spe

ting or remembering that I used. When you are done with your game, someone be kind enough t

inned, the flash of teeth and the charm

ought, turning her eyes to the sky, the prayer one frequent

ot and empty it. The blacksmith had been taken by the Fae early, and his apprentice ha

ht sadly. Though he had sacrificed himse

lf. The cobblestones had been lost beneath seasons of dirt and animal faeces

cessity and their steadily declining number had seen them brought into the bailey. Now the three milking cows munched disco

re happy to eat any waste from the kitchens to Yelena they were wo

e, the stones gathering in piles around the base of the wall. Scorch marks where fire-arrows had once s

household were children and women, the men and older boys taken by the Fae or humans to fight their

aded silently.

een of his successes. This battle won, and this foe

at from experience.

please….

lift her spirits. Hold on Yelena, she told herself. Battle on Yelena. Fight another day, another way. Hold

and returned her boot to her foot, striding across the

ced as they were expecting to see her descend the stairs, not come from the bailey. Some held produce, bread, vegetables,

old bread suitable only for pigs, vegetables gone slack and soggy after over-keeping, watermarks, rotten

edly towards the kitchen, hearing the out

eard yellowing in the corners of hi

en use her titl

debt,

l not s

ageous that

e keep? That you no longer work our fields? Pay your taxes? That you offer your Lord and Lady,” she

sted grimly, her mouth downwards turne

tossing it to her. She threw its companion to the tan

aker cried out

rising tide of theirs. “No. No. Y

he lfited her chin as the others crowded around her, trying to overwhelm h

word delivered unexpectedly, she thought with amusement, and added that it was a pity tha

ce of Lord Rithelwen. The Fae Lord’s garments were elegant, fur lined, embroidered in gold thread, and sapph

thought with sour wryness, w

her face as if finding it an answer to the dissatisfaction o

nnot handle,” she

elbow twisting her, the movement stealing her breath, and his body pressed her up against the wall.

t her made him repulsive. She knew men with their other, more animalist nature, close to the surface, and she had never

said firmly. “B

main a virgin bride, the consummation unsatisfied, and the Lord Sylvin will call for annulment and marry the

hat is his by marriage. He trusts, My Lord, and I will not betray that trust. If, and only

ness soon enough, Yelena. For the day will come that the annulment will arrive at your door