Maud easily hoisted the big knight onto her shoulder, and began to carry him away from the place of death. Red had to struggle to raise Wolf onto her shoulder. He weighed more than she did, but she managed the task.
The women carried the men out of the copse of massive dark trees to the clearing where the horses were hobbled. Maud placed the Raven across Midnight's saddle, and then she helped Red place Wolf across Nudge's saddle. They began the long quiet walk to Maud's cabin, leading the horses, with Shadow at Maud's side.
Finally Red could stand it no longer and bitterly asked, "Why?"
Maud sighed, "I let Mace have his way with me, because I knew you would result. But I could never hurt him."
"Even when he tried to beat you to death?"
"Even so. For me to kill your father would be evi
