Merlin flung out his arms, and his mouth worked.
“A lie—by the Book, a lie!”
“The father knoweth his children. I have answered you.”
Jack Straw sidled up, drawing a knife from its sheath.
“Persuasion—a touch of persuasion! Hold her.”
Guy caught her arms from behind. She stood rigid, staring at the fire.
“The blade of a knife under a thumb nail, hey?”
Isoult did not resist, did not move, but set her teeth and kept her lips shut.
Wat the Tiler sprang up, knocking his stool over.
“Let be. This is a coward’s game. Answer me, Isoult. Was it Richard the King on the white horse?”