All that day Reigna did not show up at the house and the group that gathered adopted a rather fatalistic party atmosphere. There was laughter and cooking. Lord Varatt had Nimue send for Layla so she could carry him back and forth from the Tor with wine.  Maric, Faren and Varatt got in a knife tossing contest. Each would claim a kiss from his lady reward although Samantha wondered if the younger men were just letting the old fox beat them or if really was that good.<br/><br/>Faren took Maisie a ride on Susan and the child squealed with joy. She was quite reluctant to rejoin the family for the evening meal.<br/><br/>“I don’t wish to be ungracious or rude, “ Samantha said to Nimue as they cleared the dishes, “But Reigna not being here is like a dream come true. This is how it would be with all of us if she had never come. Although I am glad for Maisie.<br/><br/>Night fell and still no Reigna. Nimue murmured to Maric,<br/><br/>“What if evil has befallen her? There are wolves near by. Perhaps you should take the men to  search for her. As much as I dislike the woman, no one should have to spend a night in the cold and dark all alone. She wasn’t dressed for rough walking nor did she had a weapon that I’m aware of.”<br/><br/>The men were gathering when a knock sounded at the door. It was the Sheriff and a large, rather unkempt man carrying what appeared to be a sleeping woman.<br/><br/>“Faren, squire of the house of Lord Maric, paladin of light?” the Sheriff barked,<br/><br/>“You are under arrest for the death of your lady wife, Lady Reigna. She was found walking in the woods, delirious, claiming her husband had poisoned her. Just before she died, she named you as her murderer three times. Come with me, boy.”<br/><br/>Maisie reached toward the woman, calling,<br/><br/>“Mama,” but Samantha pulled her back, staring in disbelief. Faren was not a murderer. The man holding Reigna looked Samantha over as if she had no clothes on at all and smirked at Maric but said nothing, only shifted his weight. Samantha felt dread wash through her.