Alyson halted as ordered fifteen feet from the gates, dusk darkening the road.
Above the guard tower flew the red and brown banners of Aquitaine.
“Lift your arms and turn around once!” called the high-pitched voice from the top of the guard tower. A broad-shouldered woman with hair bursting from beneath a helmet brandished a spear.
Alyson did as she was told. Why so paranoid? she wondered, facing the tower again after a spin.
Two guards approached from either side, spears c****d.
“I"m a girl, for wyrm"s sake.”
“Or a witch who appears to be girl.”
“Don"t tell her that, Dirge, she"ll turn herself into a nasty old hag and us into frogs!”
“I will not,” she said, giggling. “You"re so silly. I"d much rather be a beautiful princess. Since I can"t be one of those I"ll just be a harmless wa
