‘Might I at least bring her mantle? ‘T’is turning to autumn’s cold, and if you have a long journey, she will need it.’
‘Run and fetch it then, and waddle as quickly as you can, with your fat belly.’
Banan turned from Ravenna and started barking orders at his men to take what food they wanted from the kitchen and to get ready to ride out. Thankfully, he let go of her, but Giselle could not move. Her whole body shook. Any moment now, she may vomit.
The soldiers fanned out, with their swords drawn, and started foraging about the yard for any food they could carry off. Anyone who got in their way was cuffed or pushed to the ground. One soldier came running back with a piglet held by its back legs. Its shrill squeals rent the air around Beharra.
Giselle stayed where she was on the hard ground, watching Ramsay push himself off the floor and drag himself backwards against the wall. His mouth oozed blood, and his eye was already swelling horribly. He clutched his ribs, face white with pain and, when his eyes locked with hers, he shook his head. No resistance, that was his meaning. If she fought, it would be worse for everyone. If she fought people would die.
Ravenna rushed back out and came over to her, wrapping the mantle around her shoulders with shaking hands, pulling her close.
‘There is nothing I can do, Giselle, but you must be strong,’ she whispered in her ear. ‘Lyall will come for you.’
‘No, he must not, for if he defies the King’s order, he dies. That is what Banan wants.’
‘I cannot tell him to forsake you.’
‘Tell him not to come, Ravenna. Tell him to forget me. By tomorrow I will be dead or shamed. Tell him not to come, promise me, swear it.’
‘Alright, I will tell him, much good it will do me.’
Ravenna clung to her, saying, ‘I’m sorry, I’m sorry,’ over and over, but then Banan tore her away and pushed her aside. He dragged Giselle to her feet and up onto his horse.
Within minutes, she was galloping out of Beharra, to the sound of the piglet, flung over a saddle and still screaming for its mother.