THIRTY
"...And that's how the girls dance their shoes to pieces every night," Vasco finished triumphantly.
The Lord Steward continued to stroke the golden goblet. "So let me get this straight. They have a secret trapdoor in their bedchamber, which is how they escape to the lake where a pack of ruffians claiming to be princes carry them to a secret underground ballroom where they dance all night until their shoes are destroyed. Then the ruffians bring them back, so the girls can get some sleep and new shoes before doing it all again the following night."
Vasco nodded. "I think they mean to carry them off, but they haven't yet. I heard two of them talking, but I didn't hear enough to be certain."
The Lord Steward rose, setting the cup on his desk. "Very good, soldier. You have earned a
