Chapter Twenty-Two
It was almost noon when Sabrina arrived at the town gate. She hadn’t slept much, and had left the cottage near the farmer’s hut early that morning. Though the gate was open, there was a guard standing on either side of its archway, and an oxcart stopped at the entrance. Taking a deep breath, Sabrina composed her features into the most calm and neutral appearance she could command as she walked up to the gate. She stopped when the guard to her right signalled her to do so. He looked to be in his late twenties and, though not very large, stood like a man who knew how to handle himself in a fight.
After scrutinizing her clothes for a moment, he asked, “Who are you and what is your business here?”
“I am Sabrina Melchiore and I am here on the invitation of Lord Sandford of
