Standing atop the highest tower of Ashbrook, Rafelius had the finest view of Liandel's capital.
From the shadows, a man emerged and stopped a few feet behind him. He offered a bow before speaking.
"Sire, our scout reported that Lady Elain has encountered no trouble within the city. However, the Blythmors summoned the blind healer, Petra Avory, to attend to the young ladies of the family. One of the maids revealed that Cynthia Blythmor had punished them. As for the reason, the servants were not informed."
"What kind of punishment?"
Rafelius knew noble families had their own rules and methods of discipline. Though the Blythmor name carried prestige among the nobility, he had never taken enough interest in them to learn how they punished members of their household.
"Whipping."
Rafelius's eyes narrowed. "So that was it."
☪︎
Two days after the whipping, Elain finally began to feel lighter. Her wounds no longer threatened to split open with every movement she made.
