Page 159 of The Serpent’s Shadow

“Ah. I can tell by the ears that you are not simply adeen. You are the bastard daughter of Lindi Foradeen.”

My head peeled back, surprised he knew my mother. Then again, they looked a similar age, so it wasn’t too surprising, since Vikingrune was my mother’s alma mater.

“That is correct, sir.”

“Why do you besmirch your own given name?”

“Because it is not the name I prefer, sir. I was born a bog-blood, perhaps, yet I have worked my way here. What is a name among our people, if not a symbol of our endeavors and victories?”

Sigmund’s mouth didn’t move. He didn’t enjoy my small, defiant smile, and I felt my blood run cold.

“Are you finished pontificating?” he asked.

I squared my shoulders, clearing my throat. “Yes. Sir.”

“Why are you here? You know I am a busy man, yes? Were you not in Dorymir Hall with the other initiates during the debacle the other night?”

I floundered, not expecting that. “I was, sir. I do know you’re a busy—”

“Were you responsible for the treasonous pages inside the commencement pamphlet?”

“Erm, n-no, sir.”

“Do you know who was?”

I shook my head fervently. “I don’t,” I lied.

I had not expected to get grilled when coming here. Actually, I hadn’t even expected to speak with the Gothi, realistically.

“Tell me, then, what it is you wanted to discuss about the academy’s prisoner. What you believe I want to hear.”

“His name is Corym E’tar,” I said, too forcefully.

Sigmund paused. His head tilted. “You know the brigand.”

Of course I know him!I wanted to blurt out.Do your own scouts not debrief you? Did you not know I was held captive by the elves for a month, while your Hersirs harassed me and my friends?

Of course he did. He also must have known I’d been caught with the “brigand.” Who else could order a contingent of Huscarls that large to besiege the elf encampant? The orderhadto come from the top, which was this severe man standing in front of me.

Which meant he was simply prying for information. Trying to find an angle on me no one under his employ had been able to yet. Perhaps trying to find a way to control me.

The easiest way, of course, would have been to shackle me right there and beat the information out of me.

But Gothi Sigmund Calladan did not do that. Instead, he remained silent for a long moment, examining my face through the bars separating us.

“Speak, Daughter of Lindi.”

I braced myself, breathing puffs of mist from my nose and mouth. “I have a proposition, sir.”

The Huscarls behind Sigmund stiffened, as if I’d said the wrong thing and they were waiting for him to explode on me and curse me for my insolence.

“It has to do with my ears you mentioned, Gothi. A compromise I believe will benefit everyone involved,” I added, past his unnerving silence.

After a long, heart-thumping wait, Sigmund said, “Tell me what this proposition involves, and I will tell you if it merits a response.”

And so I did.

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