"Baroness," said Fitz, "are your men ready?"
"They are," replied Hayley, "though they"re not all men."
"Sorry," the baron said. "You have men, women and Orcs. I"m not sure which form of address would be appropriate.
"They"re all rangers," she suggested.
"Of course," he said. "In that case, are your rangers ready?"
"They are, my lord," Hayley replied.
"Good," said Fitz, "then let us delay no longer."
He turned, looking directly at the impressive structure that stood before him. The Earl of Shrewesdale was a rich man, thanks to his marriage to his late wife, the daughter of the previous earl. Fitz strode up the walkway to the door, the rangers following. Halting, he rapped the door three times with the hilt of his sword.
"Open up, in the name of the queen," he called out.
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