Dmitri rushed over to Judith and knelt down beside her, “Claudia, link with me!” He said in a rush.

“Well have fun with your new toy won’t you?” said Birkett. “I sure did,” he added with a sneer.

“You animal!” screamed Claudia and rushed at him, clawing and scratching. Laughing, Birkett fended her off, “Jealousy doesn’t suit you Claudia. Besides, you can come to me anytime,” he finished with a laugh as Mattief restrained her.

Dmitri turned to face them, “Let her go,” he demanded.

“Or what?” retorted Birkett, and then sighed, “Oh, she’s not worth the bother. Mattief, let her go,” said Birkett shaking his head.

Mattief did as Birkett asked and let her go. She immediately turned and gave Mattief a slap on the face, and then she started towards Birkett once more, who spread his arms as if welcoming the challenge. Dmitri stepped in and grabbed her by the shoulders, “It is not worth it,” he said gently. “They will get what is coming to them.”

Dmitri could feel Claudia relax beneath his hands.

“We had best be going I think,” said Birkett. “We do have a feast to attend. Draycott is happy you are done. Claudia, I’ll raise a toast to the downfall of your countrymen.”

Claudia stiffened in Dmitri’s arms, so he tightened his hold on her and looked her in the eyes. Birkett laughed once more and Claudia closed her eyes tightly, trying to ignore him. He shook his head and walked out, Mattief close behind.

Dmitri turned his hold on Claudia into a hug, “You can’t let them get to you,” he said softly. “We have to make them think that they’re winning.”

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Claudia nodded in his arms and he gave a tight squeeze before letting go. She stepped back and looked over at Judith who was still on the floor beside the bed.

“We should link,” said Claudia, clearing her throat. “We have to find out what happened to her.”

Dmitri nodded and reached out for his magic and Claudia. Once linked, Dmitri traced the glyphs for water and air and let them seep into Judith. She groaned some more but rolled onto her back. Her eyes flickered open and widened as she saw Dmitri. “Dmitri!” she cried, “you came for me!”

Claudia’s eyebrows rose and Dmitri’s eyes widened in surprise at the emotion in Judith’s voice. “I’m sorry Judith; we’re prisoners here as much as you are.”

She struggled to sit up and Dmitri and Claudia each grabbed an arm to help her up. Once she was sitting, she looked around the room and then at Claudia, “Where am I, who is this?” she asked.

Claudia raised her eyebrows at the abruptness, Dmitri saw her reaction and laughed, “Don’t worry Claudia. Judith here is one of the fiercest women I have ever met. After I’d accidentally thrown a fireball at her driver, not only did she leap over and take the reins, she also stopped the horses and started yelling at me.”

“Claudia?” asked Judith, “as in Armand Destria’s daughter?”

Claudia’s eyes shot wide open at the mention of her father, “You have news of my father?”

Judith turned to face Dmitri, “I see you found her.” Turning back to Claudia she continued, “Yes, Draycott’s men caught me just after I left your village. I’d gone there to find word of you after Dmitri had told me that he was looking for you.”

“How is he? Is he well?” asked Claudia anxiously, concern flooding her voice.

“Not a day goes by when he doesn’t pray for your return, he misses you dearly,” replied Judith.

“Tell me more,” pleased Claudia.

“He has closed up the shop, he said it reminded him too much of you,” Judith said bowing her head sadly.

“Didn’t he get anyone to try and help me?” cried Claudia.

“Yes,” replied Judith, “and Draycott stopped them all. “They were either turned away or they simply disappeared.”

“Dmitri, we have to get free and help him!” cried Claudia.

“We will soon,” said Dmitri returning with some food and water for Judith. Handing her the water, he explained, “I’m afraid that what is in store for you isn’t going to be pleasant.”