That said, he went to the great hall looking for his grandmother. She sat in her favorite chair staring into the flames of the massive hearth. If it were possible, the one day's events appeared to have aged this indomitable woman another twenty years.
"I'd heard of the raids on the abbey as a child growing up," his grandmother said as Laethan reached her, "though never, in all my years, did we think the area was unsafe. I played there when I was young, and so did every child who grew up in the area. Do you think our parents would have allowed us near the place if there was such a danger?"
"Likely not,” he said, planting a kiss on her forehead. “It’s not your fault, Gran. It’s no one’s”
"I blame myself. I should never have conceived of this party to find you an heiress."
"Now, don't go
