How smooth and even they do bear themselves!”What was this, he wondered in confusion. Where was he?“As if allegiance in their bosoms sat, Crowned with faith and constant loyalty.”His back burned, as if on fire, And his head hurt explosively. Worse, he was so dry he could not swallow. What had happened?“There are no innocent Gypsies.”His mind, groggy and dull, urged him to awaken, and an odd horror began. His stomach felt dangerously sick. He was going to vomit—which meant he had to get up. But his body was so heavy that even though he ordered himself to rise, nothing happened. He realized he lay on his stomach, clutching a pillow.“There are no innocent Gypsies.”“Stop! You will kill him!”Ariella! He tensed, suddenly remembering why he was prone on his belly in a bed he did not recognize. He had taken the flogging for Djordi, and it had been vicious…. Ariella had been there, screaming and weeping for him.“The king hath note of all that they intend, by interception which they dream not of.”He went still.
