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“Must not be a very good hunter if he’s that hungry,” Miss Bay said acidly

“My, but one forgets howman requires,” her sister replied “He must stay for supper”

“S–supper?” said Thursgad Sweat trickled down his teood—he could eat a couple moose about now The tea dainties only served to whet his appetite But this was coered the po if he should just kill theet it over with

But he couldn’t They were old and harmless Well, Grand Still, he couldn’t bring himself to draw his sword

“He needs a proper cleaning,” Miss Bay said “I will not sit at table with him until he has bathed”

“Agreed, sister Hunting is dirty business, is it not?”

Before Thursgad knew it, the ladies led hi with stea water

“We shall ru suitable to wear,” Miss Bunch said

Thursgad reflexively glanced at his clothes, stained and caked with mud, damp with sweat

“Enjoy,” Miss Bay said, and she swung the door shut

He listened at the door as their voices receded

“Where is Letitia?” Miss Bunch asked

“I believe she is sweeping upstairs,” her sister replied “The library needs particular attention”

When Thursgad could no longer hear the ladies speaking, he found hirant water It would feel so good to be subed in it, to let hihed, theon a sensation of pleasure

Then he recoiled Was he some kind of fool? Had the ladies bewitched him somehoith their chatter and tea cakes? What kind of place was this that appeared like a ic castle in the