gain personally. You are hereby banished from Settlement –’ There was a gasp. ‘And the Limen.’ Exclamations and cries escaped; there was a hum of anxiety as whispered words were exchanged. Elder Errizo waited until they’d all but stilled. ‘You are not to enter Settlement again until either your Bonds are fulfilled or you die trying.’
Dante didn’t understand what everyone was so upset about. This was a good outcome, wasn’t it? Katina wasn’t being put to death – he wasn’t being put to death. They were simply to return to Vista Mare – to Serenissima. That meant they could find Tallow, get her away from those who would cause her harm. He knew that somehow Tallow was the key to his Bond, to the one he shared with Katina. Best of all, when they’d done this, they could return. He knew he’d bring Tallow with him. They’d be together again after all.
‘There’s one more thing.’ No-one moved. ‘Your partners, Alessandro and Debora, are forbidden from joining you, from crossing the Limen until your sentence is carried out. You will bear this punishment with Dante Macelleria alone.’
There was a long wail from the back of the cave. The sound was eventually muffled. The Riders began muttering again; their voices rising and falling.
‘Silence!’ roared Elder Nicolotti, standing so quickly, the candle in front of him blew out. A finger of dark smoke curled its way towards the ceiling, dividing his face in two. He had to thump the table a few times before everyone finally stopped talking. During the commotion, Elder Errizo sat down and began rolling the parchment with great care.
‘Do you have anything to say for yourself, Katina Maggiore? Any last words?’ asked Elder Dandolo.
Katina looked from one Elder to the other, her eyes lingering on Elder Maggiore. ‘No, Elder Dandolo. I do not.’ There was a catch in her voice.
‘Bene. You have fourteen rests to get your affairs in order, to say your farewells, to prepare yourself, then you will leave. In that time, you will be provided with food and water. Is that understood?’
‘Sì, Elder Dandolo.’
Elder Dandolo indicated the other Elders should stand. They climbed to their feet and waited for Elder Dandolo to do the same. As one, they all bowed to the Bond Riders who stood and lowered their heads. The Elders turned and filed out from behind the table, passing through a dark opening and disappearing deep into the mountain.
Dante turned to Katina as soon as they’d left, questions tripping off his tongue. She shook her head. ‘Not now,’ she said between clenched teeth. Her eyes were glassy.
With barely a word or glance at Katina, the Bond Riders exited the cave, shaking their heads, holding hands, talking in fraught snatches. A movement in the corner caught Dante’s eye. Only Stefano and Santo remained stationary, the throng being forced to move around them. In the spaces between heads, they nodded towards Katina, their eyes cold, their mouths twisted in sneers. Katina bit her lip. Knowing she’d seen them, they turned and departed.
Debora and Alessandro waited till only the guards at the entrance remained. They jumped over the benches and ran to Katina, their arms held out. Debora was crying, tears streaming down her face. Katina fell into their embrace. They stood there for a long time, not talking or moving, but Dante could see Katina’s shoulders were shaking. He wanted to comfort her, to offer her something to make her feel better, but he knew he didn’t have the right.
‘Look, perhaps I don’t understand what happened, but isn’t that good? I mean, you have to leave here – yes – but only until your Bond, our Bond is fulfilled. That means you can come back – doesn’t it? It’s not goodbye! Why are you so sad?’
Katina slowly drew away from Alessandro and Debora. Pale, Alessandro pulled Debora against his chest. Her face was red and puffy; she sniffed loudly. Katina’s state was not much better. She shook her head at Dante, a sad smile on her lips. ‘You’re right – you don’t understand, Dante.’
‘Explain it to me then.’
Katina sighed, a long shuddering sigh that ended with a fresh bout of tears.
‘I’m such a fool. I thought, I dared to hope when they fed me, brought me water and vino, that I would be forgiven …’
‘Who brought you food?’ asked Alessandro quietly.
‘Elder Maggiore. I was so … grateful. It has helped me enormously. I thought …’ She paused and took a deep breath. ‘I now know he