Hazel woke up in a lurch. It was the middle of the night and the she felt the cold keenly. She frowned. There was no give in the mattress beside her and when she stretched out her arm, she felt nothing. Panic stuck to her throat, ramming against the walls of her mind.

She fumbled out of bed and lit a candle, having to try twice before it stayed. The flame flickered and using its small pool of light, Hazel investigated the scene. The covers had been neatly flattened out and the bed was still warm. He must not have left too long ago.

Hazel made up her mind to search for him now. She blew out of the candle and draped a travelling cloak over her night garments. She left in a hurry, only checking to make sure Frank hadn't gone somewhere else in the house. The mill was silent and when Hazel went in, she saw nothing and only heard the sound of silence.

      Frustrated, Hazel returned to her house, though she didn't go in. Where was Frank? Why hadn't he told her he'd be gone? Was he in another woman's bed? That had to be it. There was no sign of struggle and Frank had slipped away quietly.

    Tears traced Hazel's cheeks and she wondered whether it was even worth chasing Frank. The best she could hope for was some justice in the ecclesial courts, but he might never forgive her. Hazel sighed. Many men strayed from their wives; she was proof of that. Hazel almost smiled at the irony, but the thought bit. Would she go and see Frank? No, she decided. She'd take counsel with Nico first. Her course of action decided, Hazel returned to her empty bed, Frank's absence taking up more space than he ever had.

***

Hazel woke up to the sound of loud voices. "What do you mean my grandson has been arrested?" Grandma Zhang was saying.

Arrested! Hazel sat up quickly and ran to to front door without even changing her clothes. Grandma Zhang was staring down at Michael and though he was one of Lord Dare's retinue, he looked slightly nervous. "What has he been arrested for?" Grandma Zhang demanded. "The last time I checked, clumsiness is not against the law."

"Thievery," Michael answered.

"Frank wouldn't!" Hazel exclaimed.

Michael shook his head, his expression grim. "We caught him."

Hazel blinked. Frank was better off financially than most of the villagers. Besides, it didn't seem like him. Why would he steal? "Did you see him stealing?" Grandma Zhang asked.

Michael frowned. "We caught him en route."

"So you didn't actually see him steal anything?" Grandma Zhang pressed.

"With all due respect," Michael began.

Grandma Zhang snorted. "Lay the formalities aside and answer my question."

"Why else would he be near the rocky spire at midnight?" Michael asked. "What business does a man have there unless he's slinking around to thieve like Octavian warned us?"

      "Octavian was the one who told you?" Hazel asked.

    Michael's nod led Hazel's heart to throw itself against her throat. She leaned against the door frame for support as waves of dizziness racked her body. "Octavian must have lied," she declared. "He doesn't like me and he's taking it out on Frank."

     Michael's expression made it clear he didn't believe her. "Please," Hazel said. "You have to listen to me. Frank is innocent."

     "He confessed," Michael replied.

      Hazel swayed. "What?"

      Michael's smile was thin. "The racks make most men divulge the truth."

     "You tortured my grandson?" Grandma Zhang asked sharply.

    She swelled up in rage, her eyes blazing in cold fury. "Take it up with the jailer — not me," Michael said, not meeting her gaze.

     Grandma Zhang curled a lip. "Not one of you will take responsibility for your actions, yet you punish my grandson for something he hasn't done."

      Michael sniffed. "I've had enough, you old hag."

      Grandma Zhang looked like she was going to clobber him with her fists. Hazel ran forward, kneeling, and clutching his legs. "Please, Sir Michael," she said, craning her neck so that her eyes met his. "I would like to visit my husband."

     "He's been imprisoned," Michael said tersely.

     "I'm just a woman," Hazel said. "A meek, weak woman who needs to see her husband. I miss him."

     Her eyes misted. "Please. We've not been married long and our affections are still tender."

    She could see her words starting to sway him, but he merely chewed his lip instead of saying the words she desired. "Please. You can't let the husband of my child rot in jail!"

     Michael gaped. "Child?"

      Hazel managed a few more tears. "I'm expecting our firstborn."

    Michael shuffled his feet. "I — umm. I'll speak with Lord Dare on your behalf."

     "Oh thank you!" Hazel said. "You are the most gracious and valiant of knights."

     "No need to flatter me," Michael said, but he looked pleased. "I'd better go to speak with Lord Dare."

   He left in a hurry. Grandma Zhang quickly shit the door and turned to Hazel who was now standing up. "You did well, shaming him by acting like a damsel in distress."

   Hazel shrugged. She was short and had been told she looked delicate, so others — especially men — expected her to be frail. "It wasn't hard and it was necessary."

     "I wouldn't like to do it," Grandma Zhang said.

      Hazel smiled. Grandma Zhang was more likely to cut off someone's pride in half with her sharp tongue than plead for anything and she certainly would not have groveled like Hazel had. "Is what you said true?" Grandma Zhang asked. "About the child?"

    Hazel nodded. "I learned just a couple days ago. I wasn't going to tell anyone yet, but. . ."

      Grandma Zhang took Hazel's hands in her own. Her grip was firm and her eyes fierce with some emotion as she gazed at the younger woman. "You are a strong woman," she said, "a loyal wife with a good heart. You are to Frank what Penelope was to Odysseus."

     Hazel remembered one of Chiron's sermons about Penelope where he praised her as one of the virtuous pagan women. Odysseus had received no such treatment. "Come," Grandma Zhang said, her voice strong. "Frank will be in need of physical sustenance."

   Hazel nodded and allowed the older woman to guide her into the kitchen where they began to cook up their scheme.