Last night’s mysterious visitor had been more than a dream, but was she human? The servant his uncle had assigned him brought hot water and urged Daniel to hurry with his toilet, or he’d be late for the main meal of the day. Lord Kendrick, he explained, liked the meal served promptly at eleven o’clock and was displeased with any who were late. Daniel hurriedly shaved and dressed and rushed over to the great hall. The trestle tables were set up, and the gathered diners stood at their places beside them. As Daniel reached the table at the head of the room, his uncle came out of the solar directly behind it. He stopped beside the high-backed chair at the center of the table, motioned for Daniel to move to his right side, and nodded to the priest. Father Clemens said a short grace. Lord Kendrick sat and everyone followed his example. Daniel looked at the faces along the table and tried to connect them to the jumble of names he remembered from last night.
