"Yes but I can't."
"Why?" She looked at him and he sighed heavily again. He noticed he had been doing lots of sighing that day.
"Because I can't. I am labelled a traitor so I'm an outcast. The gatekeeper was kind to me before but I doubt he would be now. I will be asking for my death If I lay my feet on that soil."
"I don't think so." Miranda shook her head. "The king must be dead now. Besides this event occurred twenty years ago. It is a forgotten issue. Bygone! I'm sure no one remembers."
"You think fireites forget things easily?" He laughed drily.
"So you will just abandon your mum and your friends?"
"I don't know, Miranda. I don't know." He banged his fist on the table and Miranda's eyes narrowed.
Rubbing a palm over his forehead, he spoke softly. "I don't even know how t
