Chapter 9: The Fight

Twenty Marchbanks guards came pushing through the crowd, with their blue coats and their drawn clubs.

The people in front tried to hold them back, and the guards struck them.

I tried to stand on the dais, and my knees gave, and I went down on my hands.

Then Doran came up the steps in two strides and stood over me.

He pulled the silver road-star off his collar and held it high.

"Road law of the King's Wardens," he said, and his voice carried across the whole Square.

"This woman was released from a crown camp by the King's own writ."

"If she is accused, she is accused before the King."

"Until the King hears it, she is in my custody."

The guards stopped.

"My lady's charge..." the captain began.

"Is noted," Doran said. "Stand aside, or I'll note your name too."

Behind him the mother of the little girl began to cry out, "She saved my daughter! She saved her!"

The crowd took it up, thousands of voices, and the captain looked at the faces around him and lowered his club.

Odette's smile never moved.

"Of course, Marshal," she said sweetly. "The King shall hear it."

Doran lifted me in his arms in front of the entire city.

He carried me down the steps and through the crowd, and no one touched us.

The carriage door shut behind us.

I sat on the bench, shaking, with my knees on fire.

My heart was going so hard that I could not hear the wheels.

Doran sat opposite, and he said nothing.

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