‘And what shall I do with you who have knowledge that is forbidden.’
Firilla spread her hands. She was near to fainting. ‘As you please, my lady...’ she whispered in a dry voice.
‘I will keep you here. You will never see the light again if you have lied.’
‘I have not lied, my lady.’
‘We will see.’ There was a pause. ‘Take her to my private cell,’ Maya called out suddenly, and several novices ran forward to seize Firilla and lead her away. Weeping and exhausted, not knowing if she had done the right thing or not, she was pushed into a small cold room and left alone.
* * * *
Bardek fled through the corridors of white crystal with Vallida in his arms, pursued by the echoes of the sounds he had made to free her. Where is the skull?’ he cried. ‘We must destroy it this time!’
They began t
