Chapter 20The woman was as tall as Vredech, with long black hair framing a slim, well-defined face. Her figure, too, was slim — though even dressed in a dark formal robe and cloak, the impression she gave was one of wiry toughness rather than willowy softness.
The hand on his arm tightened a little in confirmation of this.
‘I was looking all around the congregation for you.’ Her voice fell to an amused whisper. ‘I didn’t think you’d be here in secret, but as soon as I saw you getting angry at the people standing around here I recognized you. There was no mistaking that posture.’
Still preoccupied with his response to Cassraw’s sermon, Vredech stared at her vacantly for a moment. Then his mouth dropped open.
‘Nertha! What are you doing here?’
The woman raised her eyebrows. ‘How nice to
