Hawklan’s eyes narrowed in response to Gulda’s biting anger. ‘Don’t quibble, Memsa,’ he said, almost savagely. ‘You understand my meaning well enough. You knew who he was and you let me — us — go without any warning.’
Gulda turned her face towards the glowing stones again.
‘And you’d have me explain?’ she said. There was a strange helplessness in her voice.
Hawklan stared at her, his anger fading. ‘Yes,’ he said. ‘I’d have you explain that and many other things as well. Who you are? How you come to be here? How you know so many things about this Castle, about wars and armies? The list is long.’
Gulda nodded slowly but did not speak for some time. When she did, her voice was quiet.
‘I am what I am, Hawklan,’ she said simply. ‘And I am here because of what I was.’ She looked at him. ‘As
