Page 32 (2/2)

"I just, uh, sprainedso ers, and at a ti about

"It happened during her escape from the hunters," Bastien clarified

Rona approached us, h Bastien’s other ar the corridor and reached a winding wooden staircase Here Bastien allowed ain, and he carriedbehind us in single file I was beginning to feel dizzy fro the top, we parted froed in another hallway lined with doors

"As you know," Lavonna said, breaking the silence, "we are not exactly accustouests But we have two quarters free, due to E to visit Emil’s parents"

"Teia and her sister?" Bastien asked, frowning "Why would they accompany Emil?"

"Emil and Teia married last month," Rona explained

"Oh," Bastien said softly "I see"

I had no idea who either of those people were, but the exchange gave limpse into how distant the Blackhalls and Northstones actually were, in spite of hoelco now to Bastien

Lavonna stopped outside the second to last door at the end of the corridor and pushed it open Then she moved to the one next to it and pushed that open too

"Well," she said "Take your pick"

Bastien looked at o with this one," I said, pointing to the roorabbed hold of the door handle and hobbled to it I glanced fro a sood rest"