will be able to break the bond. They are supposed to have some knowledge of such things. Along with a great deal of gold, of course.”
Nate had been basking in the knowledge that Elban’s line really did end with the two boys, but suddenly his mouth went dry, and his feigned shock became all too genuine. He didn’t know anything about the Nali. He hoped Derie did. “What would happen to Judah if the bond was broken?”
“That’s not our concern today.”
The Seneschal’s tone was final. Nate closed his eyes briefly, took a deep breath, and tried to compose himself. At least his discomfiture would seem genuine, he thought wryly. “So she’s in the same condition as Lord Gavin?”
“Yes, but if he will recover, so will she. That’s not the problem.”
“What is, then?”
The Seneschal picked up the poker from the cold fireplace and put it down again. “Judah is...well, she’s clever, and she’s bored. When they were children that led to mischief. Now it leads to actual trouble.” His mouth went thin. “She’s had an affair with a staff member. Against my explicit orders, I might add. I knew all about it, although I’m sure she thought she was being very secretive. Nothing in this city happens without my knowledge.” Nate caught a hint of smugness in the man’s tone. “I figured that once she was caught, it would serve as a relatively harmless way to demonstrate to her that my prohibition was serious. But that’s also not the problem.”
Nate went cold. “Is she pregnant?”
“Unclear, as of yet. But that’s not the problem, either. The problem is that she was with the man when Lord Gavin was injured. She collapsed. The man was understandably alarmed, as anyone would be. He picked her up and ran with her to the House. Burst into the great hall calling for help.” He shook his head. “Considering that it will cost him his life, it was actually very brave of him.”
Nate thought of Judah with a man: after all the years of sacrifice, the generations of planning, to be pawed at like a common girl. “He’ll be killed?” Nate said, and realized that he took a savage pleasure in the idea.
“He’ll have to be. We can’t have a repeat of this incident. The man’s punishment must be severe, so that even if Judah would disobey me again—and she might, she’s willful—none of the staff will have her. It’s a shame; he’s head stableman, and I understand that he’s quite good at his job. It’ll be relatively quick. Not too quick, of course, or it won’t be a deterrent.” The Seneschal rubbed his eyes. “She might at least have chosen a courtier. I wouldn’t have to kill a courtier. And she’ll be punished as well, of course.”
“How?”
“She’ll be caned.” Nate’s face must have revealed his horror, because the gray man smiled a tight, unpleasant smile. “Yes, it’s unfortunate. But the damned fool stableman ran right through the gardens with her in his arms. There aren’t many courtiers inside right now, but there are enough to make sure Lord Elban hears of it. And if I can’t assure him that she was suitably punished, he’ll want to know why. We won’t do it publicly, of course, but the rumors will spread. When the courtiers hear that she was whipped bloody for sleeping with a staff member—which they never would be—it will reinforce the idea that she’s not one of them, and perhaps they’ll be less inclined to involve her in their little games.”
“But if Judah is...whipped bloody...” Nate almost couldn’t speak.
“Yes,” the Seneschal said again. “Lord Gavin will suffer, as well. Which is why we need to do it now, while the House still thinks he’s recovering from his head wound.”
Head wound. “I would not recommend this while she’s still injured,” Nate said.
“I agree, but I don’t have a choice. I’m telling you all of this because you will need to be here, and I want you to understand exactly why what you see is happening. It may seem cruel, but it’s actually the kindest possible scenario. As I said, Lord Elban will hear about all of this. If he deems the punishment not severe enough, he will order one he finds more suitable. Shall I give you some examples of the sort of thing Lord Elban might consider a suitable punishment, or will you believe me when I say that none of us want that?”
His voice was hard. “I’ll take your word for it,” Nate said.