I grabbed my bag. “I’m coming too.”
He eyed me. “Of course you are, Apprentice Witch of Mayfair.”
Chapter Seven: The Interrogation of Doom
It was, indeed, over. A swarm of boys armed with brooms swept the ash and stamped out small fires in the courtyard. Most of the stable still stood, but it was abandoned now. Horses nickered to each other, unsettled by the events of the night and to find themselves tied to posts around the yard.
Lord Draw approached a man I didn’t recognize. Gray hair and beard fell to his shoulders.
“Did they take Lady Issa?” Draw asked.
The man glanced at me, then angled his body so he faced Draw only. “She’s gone. One casualty—a fellow from the Cedars.”
Draw nodded, face expressionless.
I took a sharp inhale, guilty for my part in this. A man from the southern cedar swamps...that must have been the man attacked by the war hammer last night. I had seen the last brutal moments of his life.
I’d wanted to push Issa into the limelight and a man had died. Would the man’s family think it was a fair trade?
I pushed those thoughts away. This was make-believe. Characters on a page.
The graying man finally turned toward me. “You should not be out here, my lady. It’s not good for womenfolk to see the result of battle so early in the morning.”
Though I never wanted to see any battle ever again, I felt I had to show I was a hardened witch’s apprentice. “Or even afternoon battles, like the one I found myself in yesterday. Don’t worry, you need a stronger constitution than most to work with a witch.”
My words had the effect I wanted—the man left me and Draw without another word.
There was a hint of blue sherbet to the sky. Dawn was coming. I only then recognized how tired I was, confronted with the fact there would be no more sleeping for another day. Or could there be? What duties did I have around the castle? My evening plans were foiled, which meant if I wanted to be ready for a nighttime adventure, I should make my way back to the Maidens’ Chamber and sleep.
I yawned. “I’m off to bed. Thanks a bunch for your help last night.”
“‘Thanks a bunch,’” Draw repeated back, turning the words in his mouth.
I rolled my head, stretching my shoulders. I’m sure it wasn’t ladylike. “‘Tis time for me to lay my head upon mine fair pillow. Alas, until the eve.”
He looked even more nonplussed by my sarcasm.
