Fifty-Two

Ivy circled high above the castle until she found a lighted window. Landing on the sill, she quietly nosed open the shutter. Without a sound, she crawled from the window, up the wall and onto the rafters to perch, watching the four men below her. Three of them stood in the firelight, dressed in the finery that denoted his higher station. Their voices were agitated, but her attention quickly focused on the fourth hiding in the shadows. Her nostrils twitched, waiting for her master to make his appearance. Jaron entered the castle through the main hall. There his group broke into smaller units and moved down different corridors. Jaron led the few men who remained at his side to the dining hall, where he was sure his uncle remained. Nearing the hall, Jaron listened to the agitated voices