Chapter 52
Bradamante had barely lain down again when another knock came at the door.
“Don’t answer it,” she told her brother, certain it was Astolpho.
The visitor persisted.
“Who is it?” Rinaldo called.
“Message from the king.”
Rinaldo opened the door. “What is it?”
“The king asks to see both of you.”
They took the time to change into their cleanest clothes—once again Bradamante wore her brother’s leftovers—then followed the messenger through a confusing maze of shortcuts across the city of Abincort. Eventually they entered the palace, where the bewildering route continued.
Bradamante’s exhaustion had not abated—if anything, the warm fire and warm milk had driven her further toward slumber. She stumbled after her brother and the messenger, hoping for the presence of mind to speak
