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I watched the twitching tails of the goats, but as I neared the castle entrance, I allowed myself a quick glance up. Through the gatehouse passage, I could see the courtyard beyond.
I was almost inside.
Suddenly the bearded guard was in front of me, blocking my way. “And who might you be?” he asked in a rough, ugly voice.
Fear nearly closed my throat. “I’m a—I’m a washerwoman,” I said. “Sir.”
He put his hand on the knife at his hip. “No, you’re not. I know ’em, and they’re all ugly cows.”
“Not that it stops you from ruttin’ on ’em day and night,” yelled the other guard over the heads of the crowd. “Ya hairy old bull!”
A soft ripple of laughter made the bearded guard flush with anger. “Piss off, Finnet,” he growled. He turned back to me. “Who are you, and what do you want?”
My name is Hannah Dory, and I am a thief and a liar.
“I’m old Berna’s niece,” I said. “You must know her. She’s been washing for the baron since before I was born.”
The guard narrowed his eyes. “And where’s good old Berna today?”
“She’s taken ill, so she sent me in her place.”
“Is that so? A pretty thing like you to wash the baron’s underthings?”
I nodded as meekly as I could bear to. “Yes, sir.”
He took up a fistful of my skirt and gave it a tug. “Maybe I’ll find you later, Berna’s niece,” he said leeringly. “You can show me what’s under these rags.”
Gritting my teeth, I nodded as though I thought this was a fine idea.I just need to get through the gate.
“You and your prick are holding up the line, Gorn!” said the second guard. “There’s ale in that cart back there, damn it, and it’d better be inside for breakfast.”
The guard called Gorn was so close to me now that I could feel his hot, foul breath on my cheeks. “You can pass by for a kiss, little niece.”
My stomach twisted in disgust.It’s just a kiss, I told myself.And a small price to pay to save your family.
I pursed my lips. Gorn leaned in, grinning. His teeth were black and half rotted. “That’s a good girl,” he said. His hand reached up and grabbed my breast.
And then—dear God please help me, though I know you won’t—I spat in his face.
CHAPTER 13
Shouts rang out behind me as I flung myself past the guard and ran forward into the passageway. Pushing my way through the crowd, I knocked the silk seller sideways. Hands reached out to stop me but I dodged them all, bursting out of the gatehouse and into the courtyard of the outer bailey.
I stopped and looked around wildly. Where to now? There were people and livestock everywhere, and the air was so full of noise that I couldn’t even hear the shouting guards. But I knew they were close behind me, and that I couldn’t run more without being spotted.
In the shadow of a towering battlement, I scanned right and left for a hiding spot. Then, just a little ways up ahead, I saw the battered hay cart slowly rolling away. Bending down low, I hurried toward it as quickly as I dared. When I reached it, I clambered into the back and covered myself with the itchy golden stalks. The driver continued on as if nothing had happened.
Perhaps, as far as he was concerned, nothing had.
My heart was beating so hard it seemed like it could leap right out of my chest, and I willed it to slow as the cart clattered its way toward the stables.
When a groom called out, the cart jolted to a stop. I slithered to the back of the cart as the men began to haggle over the price ofthe fodder. Lifting myself over the rails, I dropped to the ground and scurried into the stable. I ducked into the corner of the nearest empty stall, shaking with fear and praying no one had seen me.
I stayed in the stall until the weak sun had climbed well into the sky. Then I got up, brushed the hay from my clothes, and walked into the courtyard as if I belonged there. I saw no guards—only blacksmiths, farriers, and groomsmen. High on the wall, stonemasons were repairing a damaged drum tower.
“Where are the kitchens?” I called to a serving boy hurrying past.
He slowed down, just barely. “In the inner bailey, where else?”
