At the Satrap's Residence

About forty-five minutes later, the house and its surrounding garden came into view as they crested a slight rise. The house was quite a large building. Astra noted that it was built out of wood rather than stone. That enhanced her already existing impression that this was a peaceful, well-ordered region, where it was not envisaged that a dwelling might one day need to serve as a defensive redoubt.

"Unless my master has gone out unexpectedly since I left the house this morning to begin my rounds, I shall take you to him immediately we have stabled your horse," the man told her.

"Couldn't you get me some clothes first?" Astra asked. "And the chance for a wash would be welcome, for I am hot and sweaty from the walk."

"I am sorry, but all that will have to wait. The Satrap will want to see you at once. But I don't suppose that he will want to question you for very long. You should be washed, dressed and on your way well within the hour, assuming that your answers are satisfactory."

Soon Folly was tethered in the stables, with some hay for him to eat. The stableboy had looked astonished when he first caught sight of Astra, but going by the deference with which he had treated herself and - to an even greater extent - her escort, she thought that her guess that the man was the bailiff for the estate was probably correct.

He led her from the stables into the main building, which was well designed so that it remained pleasantly cool even on a warm day like this. They went along a corridor, and then the bailiff opened one of the doors on the left-hand side and ushered her into a small, sparsely furnished room. "Please wait here for a moment," he told her.

Crossing the room, he knocked on a door opposite to the one by which they had entered. Then he went in, and Astra heard him say: "I've apprehended an intruder on the estate, sir, a young woman. She seems innocent enough, apparently having strayed into the estate accidentally, but I thought that you would want to question her. She is waiting in the anteroom. She was swimming in the lake when I found her. Whilst she was swimming, someone seemingly stole her clothes - though not her horse, oddly enough - so she is currently wearing only my cloak."

1. Astra heard the Satrap reply: "Send her in."

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