Chapter 199

Night.

The fire in the hearth burned high and drove back the cold that crept through the cracks of door and window. Above the mantel hung a stag’s head with great antlers; in the firelight their shadow upon the wall behind was like a vast set of claws.

Domeric sat at a long oak table covered with rolls of parchment and books, most of them writs waiting only for his name. A knock sounded at the door.