In the middle of her breathing exercises, a squire arrived with terse summons from Lord Gedric. Irenya wrapped a woollen shawl around her shoulders and followed the squire to a small reception room. A dozen scenarios replayed in her head, all of them unpleasant. She paced, wishing he wouldn’t keep her waiting and a second later wishing he would forget she existed. The note had given no indication.
The suspense unbearable, Irenya strode to the door. Damned if I’ll wait around, a rabbit in a trap. She flung the panel open and found herself nose to shoulder blade with a beefy guard. He glanced at her over his shoulder and grinned. She smiled politely and the guard pulled the door closed. When it opened again, three people entered: Elaaron, Gedric, and Captain Ahearn, who carried a cloth-wrap
