“I know nothing about that. It’s the priest’s orders.”
I pricked up my ears at that and the great crushing weight of my fears began to lighten.
“Say that again. And tell me what it means,” I cried.
“She’ll only be taken to Maglai,” said Petrov.
“Say that again,” I repeated to his companion.
“I don’t know what it means. I was told she had confessed to being a witch and asked for the priest, that she might repent and be shriven; and then we were told to come to unbind you.”
“Why the devil didn’t you say so then, when you came in, and do it at once?”
“You’re too violent.”
“If all’s well with her, you can go to hell your own way.” The relief from the strain was so intense I felt almost hysterical with sudden joy, and I lay back and laughed aloud. The two men stood staring at me wonderingly.
“What shall we do?” asked Petrov’s companion.