fifteenth

(Previous Chapter)

I returned to Damek some time later, my britches washed and the stench of my humiliation removed. Despite being late summer, it was a chill day, and my wet pants were making my scrawny arse cold.

“Took your time, boy,” the blind man said as I returned. He was seated beneath a gnarled oak, twirling a twig between his fingers.

“I cleaned up as best I could so you wouldn’t complain about the way I smell,” I replied.

“Ha! Take you a damned sight longer than that to remove the stenc...