5
FATHER WAS NOT to be dissuaded, so Ellisandra helped him down, careful step by very careful step. He was too busy not falling down to answer her questions and trembled with the effort, but as she already knew, his hands retained surprising strength and he seemed very determined. She was hoping that halfway down, he’d change his mind or he’d forget what he wanted. The discussions between him and Enzo about politics never ended well. But when they were finally in the hall, he was as determined as ever to go and give the young men a history lesson.
Their voices, heard through the door, fell abruptly quiet when she knocked.
She opened the door into the warmth and firelit glow of the room.
“Elli?” Enzo sounded annoyed.
His friends gave Ellisandra and Father suspicious looks, including Ja
