Chapter 32
Small Cut
“Little one. No one is here to rescue you,” Sandrell heard as she flung the door open to the gashouse. Aline was facing her, with her longknife out, circling a man. The man had no shirt. His heavily inked back was to Sandrell. He was holding a short fighting staff.
He sniffed the air.
“No, it could not be …” said the man, “… can it be my fierce little bird comes back to me?”
Sandrell stood motionless.
The man turned around to her. “It is. My little bird, you have flown back.”
He started walking slowly towards her. Sandrell stared, but did not move.
The man asked, “Where have you been, little bird? I have missed you.”
He kept approaching. Sandrell had her long and shortknives ready.
He stopped and took notice of Aline again. “Ah, is she a gift for me? For runn
