When we have eaten, we make ourselves ready for Empress Aubrey’s favorite pastime: the pits. A hard stone has taken place in my belly. I hardly ate anything for fear of it coming up again. When I rise to walk to the door on the right wing, Lord Algar is suddenly there with his arm as if to escort me. I almost decline, but Prince Terra glares at me over his shoulder. He doesn’t have to say the words ‘behave or else….’ for me to understand him.
Lord Algar doesn’t keep me for himself, though, as Lord Beldun, rude as always, takes my other hand in his. They bicker over me on the way through the right wing, but I’m relieved, as it means I don’t have to talk to either of them. Massive double doors guarded by gruesome gargoyles are at the end of the wing.
Today, the doors are open to everyone;
