“So he died fighting,” said Anna.
“I think so, but we’ll never know for sure. Father took it hard; he wanted to execute all the prisoners in retaliation.”
“I’m guessing someone convinced him not to, judging by the cages on the walls.”
“Very perceptive,” Henry said. “Valmar talked to him, convinced him not to. Some of our men were their prisoners; if we executed their men, they might kill ours. Father decided to punish them instead. For three days he had them tortured, not even bothering to ask them questions; he was in a fearful rage. Now they hang on the walls in cages, to starve to death or be picked apart by crows.”
“Grisly,” said Anna, and Beverly imagined the look of disgust on her face.
“Yes, but he wouldn’t have it any other way. He’s a changed man, Anna; something inside him b
