Peytra gave a gentle squeeze to the Baroness’s hand and they looked one another in the eye. It was a silent thank you for the gift. A moment of understanding between friends.
They were interrupted by a stout burly man with a full beard and a badger mask.
“Peytra Sike, I presume?”
“Yes?” She tried her best to sound regal. “You are?”
“Unimportant, but Sir Xerves Rodham. The King requests you, Miss, for a private audience.” The man was curt with an unreadable expression.
The Baroness gave Peytra a reassuring squeeze and then left her alone with the man as she waved to another friend. Peytra looked around her before following. The Duke was nowhere to be seen, and a pit seemed to open up at the base of her stomach. She’d come to understand some of the power these nobles wielded, but even t
