Anthony leapt from his bed and ran to the door of his room. He opened it slowly and peeked around the corner. Twenty feet down the hall, three soldiers pummeled a squirming brown shape with their spear butts.

"Where is the novice named Anthony? Tell us or we will make your silence permanent."

A soldier kicked the brown shape and it rolled. Anthony saw the face of the elderly and arthritic Brother Sebastian. Blood ran from his mouth. Sebastian's eyes met Anthony's. The old man's arm shook as he raised it and pointed away from Anthony, toward a stairway down to the refectory.

Anthony wanted to protect the old man – to leap on the back of the nearest soldier and grab his sword from its sheath – but Melchoir jerked him back into his cell. Luke quietly closed the door.

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