Sally only sobbed more, and she grabbed hold of the end of Baski’s robe. “P-please! Oh, pleeease! She’s w-whipping her, and her back… her back is all bloody! Please!” Baski was torn. She didn’t have the power to intervene in the businesses of the king’s mistress. But the girl was crying so hard. She didn’t know what to do. “The king is the only one that can intervene, my dear. I don’t have such powers. And you know… how the king feels about Danika,” Baski pointed out falteringly. “He would never intervene—especially if he’s the one that gave permission for it.” “I know! I know, Madam Baski! I just wanna try! I have to try! Please, help me!” “And the worst part is that the king said he didn’t want to be disturbed now. He didn’t sleep well last night, so I made him some herbs to help him

