Chapter 30Dressed from head to toe in black, eschewing his normal robe or even a head-covering, Rashmi knocked on the door and nodded at the man who answered.
“Are you ready?” he asked.
“As I ever will be. I’ve never visited palace cells before. Although I’m quite certain many of those in my home country have them. We have many palaces used for more than just places from which to rule the people.”
“A very polite way to describe dungeons, Jacques.” Rashmi laughed. “Bravo, monsieur.”
Jacques sketched a quick bow. “I hardly liked to say the word. You think the woman will cooperate?”
“She’s very hard, very dangerous. She has an edge of steel.” Rashmi grimaced. “But even the sharpest steel becomes blunt after many years left unattended in cold, dark, damp places.”
“And that isn’t an idle
