The priest returned after a few hours, along with two others, nobles, both well-armed and in exquisite armours. They were just watching me as the priest stepped forward.

‘Was the village you were in under the protection of your house?’ Was his next question. Then I realized there is no war. If they wanted to attack, this would not matter. And if they did not, then I might be able to save the others. After all, if they raided the protected village, that would mean war for sure. Unless they negotiate correction. And, if they were willing to fight with our house, why those questions? Why that politeness?

‘Yes they are’ I said. And, it was not a lie you see. While our house has not extended protection officially, they saved my life. And I fought for them, was protecting them. And actions of noble are actions of the house.

‘She is telling the truth’ priest turned to one of the others. ‘Not the whole truth, but it is the truth’

‘Shit!’ expression on nobles face told me what I needed to know. They won’t go to war. They are afraid, for some reason.”

‘Patron? We should release the slaves. We can use the fact she killed Ralgerd without honour to avoid larger repercussions.’ the priest looked to the draveii that was still silent. He stepped forward and looked at me. It was just a minute or two but it felt like hours. I felt his stare under my skin, there was anger in his eyes.

Do as he advised, I thought. Do it, release them, release me and we can go our ways. Please, please, listen to the priest.

‘No!’ patron turned back. ‘You know how much we can fetch for those slaves. And, look at her. Can you imagine how much we can get for bed slave of her uniqueness?’

Wait, what? No! He cannot do that. Even if he wishes to risk it, I am noble, I am a warrior. I cannot be made simple bed slave if captured in fight. It is against the laws!

‘Make her admit she argued with Ralgerd about that slave of hers. Make her admit she shot him without honour. That way she loses honour. And her house would face repercussions if they object. We can declare that raid as rightful payment for her treachery’ patron looked at the priest with a cold face.

‘But that would be a lie’ priest appeared to be shocked.

‘Yes, it would’ patron did not even flinch. ‘Remind me. You are allowed to interrogate under pain if she refuses to answer or lie. That OR is an important part. Whatever will be her say after interrogation, that is considered truth, is that so?’

‘She has right of denial. She can stand her ground and endure to protect herself or others, that is the law.’ the priest closed his eyes, it was obvious he does not agree.

‘It is meant to withstand the torture instead of other punishment.’

‘There is no rule forbidding you to do this right?’ patron stared down the priest

‘It goes against the principle of the right of denial’ prest looked to the ground.

‘I do not care’ patron shrugged and turned to leave ‘For a thing like this you have one day, right? I am sure you can make one girl to admit anything in a day. Any means necessary. And that is an order.’

‘Yes patron’ priest sighed, eyes still turned to the ground.

‘I am sorry’ he looked at me when patron left. ‘I truly am’