I strode through the castle and came across a door leading outside, intent on stealing a few minutes of peace. I’d stopped in at the great hall and thrown together a ham and cheese sandwich and I grabbed a bottle of water. I was munching on the remains of the sandwich when I came across Nell, Maree and Emma, along with Haelan.
Where they stood was at the opposite end of the castle from the bridge. The castle walls created a vast backdrop to the location, where the earth was open to the elements and a variety of medieval-era buildings dotted the landscape.
Nell noticed me first. Putting down the shovel she’d been wielding she pulled off her work gloves and hurried across to wrap me in a fierce hug. “Are you okay pumpkin?” Her expression was sympathetic. “Mister Perrault told us about thos
