Autumn 1096 SR
Charlaine and Giselle rode into the courtyard of the baroness.
“I still don’t know why I’m here,” said Charlaine.
“The baroness specifically asked for you.”
“She did?”
“Yes, why, does that surprise you? It was, after all, your idea to attack the raiders on their own ship.”
“But that was months ago,” said Charlaine.
“And things have been quiet ever since, or hadn’t you noticed?”
“That’s hardly my doing. It’s the admiral’s ships that have been keeping us safe.”
“True,” replied Giselle, “but now they know exactly what they’re looking for.”
“That still doesn’t explain why she wants me present.”
“Perhaps she just wants to thank you? In any case, you should be grateful. You get to visit a fancy estate and eat a nice meal. What more can you ask for?”
“Oh, I don’t know,”
