“Nay, but we must think—”

“I need no time to think,” she said. “We have rules, and he has broken them. He must go.”

Uzfan was silent for a moment. “There is more you have not told me.” Her face filled with fire. Although he could not see her in the darkness, she turned away just the same. Her fingers pulled the leaves off a branch, then she rolled and crushed them so that a pungent aroma scented the air. “Surely there are enough accusations already.”

“What else has he done?” Uzfan asked.

Her shame was growing, keeping her silent when she wanted to speak. She hated Draysinko, hated herself. “He said...” She stopped, unable to continue. “Let us not discuss it.”

“Has he forced you?‘ Uzfan asked in a soft, deadly voice.

“No. He took a kiss only. What else he meant to do, I gave him no chance to try.  He—I cut his arm with my dagger. It was not hard to drive him away.” She drew a sharp breath. “Am I wrong to wear leggings? Do I flaunt myself? He said I am no decent maid—” “Nay, child! Nay! This is not your fault,” Uzfan said angrily. “If that is what he said to you, then he lied.”

Tears stung her eyes. “But there is Kexis, growing so silly too. I thought—I was afraid Draysinko might be right.”

Uzfan gripped her arms. “Dear child, put this unhappiness from your heart at once. You should never feel that the brutality of men is your fault. You are as sweet and comely a maid as your mother ever was. Your father raised you to be a lady, and that is what you are. Draysinko must blame his own evil for his lust, not you.”