Tristan raised his hands.
"Deep in my heart and soul I worship the Lady Hellayne," he said. "For me she had but friendship. Else were I not here!"
"A sainted pilgrim," sneered the Count, "in the Groves of Enchantment. And for such a one she left her liege lord."
His mocking laughter resounded through the ruins.
"You wrong the Lady Hellayne and myself. Of myself I will not speak. As concerns her—"
"Of her you shall not speak! Save to tell me her abode."
"Of her I shall speak," Tristan flashed. "You are insulting your wife—"
"Take care lest worse befall yourself," snarled Laval, advancing towards the object of his wrath.
Tristan's look of contempt cut him to the quick.
"You think to bully me as you bully your menials," he said quietly. "I do not fear you!"