And whatever had happened he would take Marion away with him if it was only her dead body that he carried in his arms.

To do these things he needed strength.

He advanced more slowly and drew deeper and deeper drafts of air into his exhausted lungs.

At the edge of the grove surrounding the castle he paused to listen.

For the first time it occurred to Nathaniel that the prophet might have assembled some of his fighters to the defense of his harem, which he knew would be one of the first places to feel the vengeance of the outraged men of the mainland.