Page 41 of The Exquisite Torment of Loving Your Enemy

“Yes.”

To Osric’s annoyance, Fairhrim produced a sheet of adhesive gold stars for well-behaved children, plucked one free, and put it in the middle of his forehead. “Well done, you,” she said.

“Fairhrim.”

“Hmm?”

“Fairhrim.”

“What?”

“I’m naked.”

“I know.”

“You healed seith rot.Healedit.”

“Yes.”

“Why aren’t you reacting to anything? What’s the matter with you?”

Fairhrim scribbled notes upon his chart and stuffed it into her satchel. “Nothing’s the matter. A good thing happened last night. I’ve got to get back to Swanstone.”

“What happened?”

“I’m not meant to tell anyone.” Fairhrim pressed her hands togetherin uncharacteristic restrained excitement. “But it’s good. And largely thanks to you.”

“Tell me.”

Now that they had touched upon the subject that so preoccupied her, Fairhrim became more attentive. “I really can’t. Why are you naked?”

“You’ve just said whatever happened was thanks to me. Surely I’m entitled to know.”

Fairhrim looked Osric in the eye. Impressive self-control, given that his cock was, you know, right there.

Gravely she asked, “If I tell you, do you promise to keep it to yourself?”

“I promise,” said Osric. (It was untrue. But then again, so was most of what he said.)

“The Wardens caught Tristane,” said Fairhrim.

It took a moment for Osric to process this absurd sentence. “What?”

Fairhrim looked pleased. “I know. It’s brilliant.”

“Caught Tristane?” repeated Osric. “Caughther? That’s impossible.”

“It is possible.”

“How?”

“I implemented the advice you gave me about where to have wards set at Swanstone and expanded on it a bit. We had wards set at the waystone at the Publish or Perish and snag anyone with unknown seith. We had a Warden stationed there round the clock. Tristane was caught as soon as she exited the ley line.”

Osric stared at Fairhrim, open-mouthed. “The advice I gave you was meant todeterTristane, not result in a capture. You were never meant to actually catch her.”

“Well, we did.”

“How many died?”