Chapter Eight
The next day, as the soldiers were breaking camp, Pulnar overheard the sisters talking. The two younger girls had been crying, one gently sobbing while the other was openly bawling. But if they expected comfort and sisterly solicitude from their older sister, they were doomed to disappointment. On the contrary, Pulnar heard the older one sternly berating the other two for showing weakness before the King.
“Stop that sniffling! At least you can act like princesses,” she hissed. “So they treated you roughly, so what of it? What has been injured but your dignity? Have you been tortured? Maimed? Killed? No! You’re still alive, aren’t you? So you’ve had your bottom warmed. It’s not the first time. As you well remember, that was one of father’s favorite sports. And you’ve been f*
