CHAPTER 81
Gradually, they brought out an iron bracelet.
Grace stood watching.
The Northern prisoners closed in, forming a tight ring around her. She remained still at the center.
"Say your full name, King," they said in unison.
Grace hesitated. "My name is Quicke Charlenugo." She paused, glancing between them.
"That's all? No other one?" one of them asked, their collective voice deep and strange.
She shook her head.
"Stretch forth your twitching hand," they commanded, their eyes fixed on her.
Grace froze for a moment. How did they know about her twitching fingers? Then it came to her, Robert.
"He had told them," she muttered under her breath.
She extended her hand slowly, almost waiting for someone to say, Stop, don't do it. But no such words came.
"There you go," one of the prisoners said.
They grabbed her hand in a sudden, forceful motion and slid the iron bracelet over her wrist.
"Dear King, this might sting," they said.
