Page 42 (1/2)

If there were passages in the walls, thatoverheard I made a mental note not to speak too freely while ere here

JB and Violet walked ahead of us down a long stone corridor lined withqueen of the castle, down to all of the accessories Then I got a closer look at one of the helmets on the suits Inside was a huulped

Nathaniel noticed the direction of aze He leaned close to me as alked

"Those are soldiers from the War of the Roses in 1460," Nathaniel whispered "Amarantha kept them as trophies when she helped the Earl of Warwick defeat the Lancasters at the Battle of Northaland?" I said

"Yes Arated here two hundred years ago"

"Just how old is she, anyway?" I asked This corridor see forever, especially now that I knew the suits of armor were filled with bodies

Nathaniel frowned "I ae, but I believe she has recently entered the 1107th year of her reign as queen"

"Wonderful," I said sotto voce "How come everyone I meet is a kajillion years older thancrafty Me, I’ thrown in the deep end of the pool without a floatie"

"I aled I couldn’t help it Nathaniel looked so stiff and formal, as he always did, even when he said the word "floatie"

"You do not believe my assistance will be valuable? I assure you, I have had s with Queen Amarantha," he said, his voice frosty

"Of course I believe you’ll be valuable," I said, not wanting to deal with one of his hissy fits right now "It’s just that--"

I was cut off as we finally rounded the corner at the end of the corridor and ere greeted by a set of polished oak doors Violet finally took her claws off JB’s arm and turned to face us

"If you ait here for a moment, I will alert the queen to your presence"