Chapter 47
Fall slid grimly into winter. The entire castle was subdued. Footsteps echoed hollowly in the hallways, and the servants moved nervously, as though they expected an attack at any moment.
Master Fawkes did not return. When I asked Miss Groves about his absence, she told me he was traveling beyond Raine, gathering information for the king. I was quite sorry to hear it—not only because I was concerned for his safety, but because, without the excuse of harp lessons, I had no reason to skip weapons training.
It was no hardship for Neeve, whose swordsmanship had improved during her lessons over the summer, or for Kian, as talented with weapons as ever. But since hearing that I had successfully flung a knife at the drake—even with as poor a weapon as a kitchen knife—Sir Durum was de
