Fifty

The Milagrian knights carried their fallen comrades to a quiet room near the kitchens. Nikiti quickly cleared a couple beds for them. In the past, Alexis guessed, it had been a dormitory for servants and cooks. It was neat and orderly, except for the rather thick layer of dust coating its surfaces. Nikiti coughed as their movements scattered it into the air. Alexis stepped into the kitchen and grabbed a bucket on her way to the well. Ivan followed her and insisted on drawing up the water himself. Several stones had deteriorated and crumbled while the rope had long ago rotted away. Her escort had to search through the stables before he found a serviceable replacement to draw up the water. Returning with the water, Alexis set it on a stove top before stuffing the oven with wood. Cadmus c