To Bronwyn’s surprise, one tall, bearded ex-slave was a cleric. His name was Mikail and it was soon established by Leon’s priest that Mikail read Latin, though he could not speak it with any clarity.
Once this was realized, Leon seized ink and parchment, and much discussion ensued. According to Mikail, the former slaves had been captured in a northern Polish principality as their homeland was rife with war. Baldassare di Vilonte had taken advantage of the chaos there and pounced upon the remote village. Many had been killed, the remainder herded aboard Baldassare’s ship, ultimately to be sold as slaves.
Bronwyn noted the shadows in many eyes as Leon’s priest translated the tale and read it aloud, and her heart ached for what these folk had endured. Their village had not only been ravaged
