Chapter 20: Chapter 20: Broken Monastery, Part 4

"Go see Seda, then, if you must. But have a care, Binhadi."

"Prince Seda is nothing more than treacherous," Binhadi replied, removing his handkerchief and tucking it away as the healer arrived and began to tend the king's hand. "No one knows treachery better than I, hmm? As everyone says, it runs in the blood." He turned away and walked back down the hall without another word.

"Go," King Yavuz ordered the rest of them. "Get out of my sight, all of you. Do try to come back alive—and free of the damned Oath that binds you to him."

Mahzan did not waste time trying to ask questions, not quite running as he fled the monastery and reached the relative comfort of the outside. He moved to the high bank of the pond, staring down at the moss-covered water where the mist parted to reveal it.

"This place gives me chills," Sule said from behind him.

"What do you want?" Mahzan asked.