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I approach and glance at the still pond It reflects the stars and ht for arden but also peaceful

"Wine?" he asks,ood idea to accept a drink from a man you're pretty sure you can't trust I can't think he wants to dowine the first tih about him and this place that I'm tempted to pass

But come on - this is wine

"Sure," I reply and sit Had to be stone I wince,

He pours then pinches and sprinkles so into it from a low, ceramic bowl

"What is that?" I ask

"Herbs to enhance the drink" He puts so to kill oblet Before it reaches my lips, I can smell vanilla and maybe cinnamon Their faint, familiar scents reassure me, and I take a drink The wine is dry and tart

"How is he treating you?" the Red Knight begins, sipping his wine

"Good Battle is rough"

"He has shown a certain level of restraint I find intriguing"

Restraint? Really?

"He has not decided to keep you Not the witch he expected?"

I lowerThere's a political aspect to this ht inforht eht I' of a response that won't shut the door on anything the Red Knight ht be able to tell me, but will also derail this line of discussion

"He has not perforht and his battle-witch You have failed hi ood enough

"It has the others talking as well"

"What ritual?" Dread flutters through ht's face is hard to read in the starlight I wonder if he chose this place on purpose because it would be more difficult for me to read his expressions

"Wait," I say quickly, aware he's drawnI'm not here to discuss "I don't want to knoanted to talk to you about a couple other things"

"Very well But first, how do my sisters fare?"

"Great, I think I haven't seen them much"