She couldn’t stop shaking as he led her out of the dungeon, up a narrow, stone staircase, then down another. She feared it led to another dungeon. Or, worse, a place of execution. Instead, it was a kitchen A dozen women clad in long gray dresses and white aprons looked up as the guard pushed her into the room. “Bellina!” “Aye?” A short, plump woman with white hair looked up from the pot she was stirring. “She’s in your charge now,” he said, giving Marri a shove. “If she escapes, you die.” He didn’t wait for a reply, merely turned and strode away. Bellina waddled over to stand in front of Marri. Taking Marri’s hands in hers, she touched the backs, studied the palms, and barked a snort of disdain. “Never done a day’s work in your life, have ye?” Marri shook her head. The woman gestured at a long table. “Get along over there with ye.
