Chapter 2
Benedict was glad to be free of the shackles.
Earlier a servant—Jonas was his name—had unlocked his restraints and brought him food. A thick sort of porridge that tasted better than it looked. He’d also been given some mint leaves to chew to freshen his breath. Afterward, to Benedict’s relief, Jonas had left without relocking the chains.
He searched the room for some weapon he might use on his captor or some means of escape. Being naked didn’t help. He was loathe to attempt climbing down the wall from the window bare-assed. If he perchance fell in his escape, his broken nude body would be on display for all to see.
Peering out the window at the ground below, Benedict leaned out, assessing the situation. He doubted he could scale it anyway. He’d been good at climbing trees as
