“You’d like that, wouldn’t you?” Reigna said haughtily.” I am stuck with the burden of a child and a ruined reputation and you are free to do as you please. Let me remind you that I was not the one who pursued you , you pestered me until, I , a virtuous woman succumbed to your declaration of love. Yes, I insisted on a priest because I did not wish to be labeled a woman of loose morals. When you sobered up, you insisted that marriage was not the price you had imagined to enjoy the luxury of my bed. The Church does not condone divorce and I told you this. You chose to share my bed, as my husband for three more months and then one day you disappeared with your mentor, Lord Maric. As if you would ever become a great paladin in your life time.”<br/><br/>Reigna’s laugh was ugly. Maisie crept up behind her mother, disobeying Faren’s instructions to go play with Nimue. She wanted to be with him.<br/>Maisie peered around her mother, looking  at Faren and said<br/><br/>“Daddy?”<br/><br/>She smiled shyly at him  while keeping a wary eye on her mother.<br/><br/>“Yes that is your Daddy but he doesn’t want us. He wants to just be wild and free. He would let you starve and be an orphan.”<br/><br/>The little girl looked around.<br/><br/>“Thuthan?”<br/><br/>Reigna threw up her hands,<br/><br/>“Has he polluted you with that abominable horse?”<br/><br/>Maisie ignored her mother’s outburst.<br/><br/>At the Tor, Samantha had been fed and bathed. She had been talked to, scolded, made over, instructed, petted and given an inspirational speech. She was ready  to face Faren. Lord Varatt knocked on her door.<br/><br/>“I will join you on the trek to the house. I have been wanting to talk to Maric about making me a new sword and this is a good a time as any. If that old besom gives you fits, maybe I will shove her off the ferry into the lake.”<br/><br/>They went down the path and Rupert took them across. He was sober for now, so the trip was easy and he was charming. Samantha found herself laughing several times and realized that her life wasn’t over and Faren was worth fighting for.