When they reached the yard, Padric took Slouch Hat by the wrist and looped an arm over his shoulders. The husk’s limb felt fragile, devoid of muscle or bone, but there was strength when he tried to pull away. Padric held tight.

“Just act drunk.”

Slouch Hat must have understood, for he went limp, stumbling along as they made their way to the hall. Some of the refugees under the support beams were awake and watched them from the dark, but Padric paid them no mind. They just needed to reach the Thegn’s bedchamber. After that, Padric saw only red.

They dropped the act after opening the heavy doors and slipping into the hall. It was black as pitch inside, the central fire cooled to embers. Padric crept close to the wall, leading Slouch Hat, hoping they would not tread on someone sleeping in the dark. He felt his away along until they came to the side passage which led to the Thegn’s quarters. Padric paused to listen for any sign that their passing had made a disturbance. Silence met his ears and he breathed easy. Nothing stirred, no footfalls, no mumbles of wakened sleepers, no snores. It was completely quiet.

Curse his stupidity!

He turned to flee when the torches flared. Banan stepped out of Kederic’s chamber, an axe riding one fist, a sword the other. Poncey Swan had an arrow trained on him from across the hall, his smile willing Padric to run. Seon and Big Cunny stepped forward with leveled spears, and behind, Fat Donall lounged on a bench with his torch held lazily. Drefan almost danced as he approached and held his torch close to Slouch Hat, who backed as far into the wall as he was able to avoid the flames. Aglaeca relieved Padric of his sword then hauled him roughly to the center of the hall and threw him to the floor.

“These actions grieve me, Padric,” Kederic Winetongue said. “I did not want to believe you capable of this.”

Padric struggled to his knees and looked up to see the Thegn standing over him, Acwellen close to heel.

“I believed too much of you,” Padric spat on the Thegn’s foot. Aglaeca cuffed him heavily across the face and Padric met the floor again. This time he spat blood.

Kederic knelt down in front of him. “I thought you stronger than this. Past being taken in by the lies of these creatures.”

“I know the truth when I hear it,” Padric told him through sore teeth.

“What have they promised you, Kederic?” Slouch Hat demanded from the wall. “You speak of lies! What falsehoods were you fed to birth so much evil?”

Kederic rose. “Bring that thing here.”