• Even from way up in her tower bedchamber, Levy couldn't help but her the young maid's shrieks of pain
    Retreating to her room hadn't helped.Te hundreds of thick grey slabs of rough-cut stone, the well smoothed mortar that held them all together, the massive oak door with heavy iron hinges that barred the entrance to the room - non or it seemed able to prevent the girl's tortured screams from reaching Levy's ears it was everywhere at once, and seemed the only thing she could hear.
    Levy sat on her bed quietly hand clasped in her lap, her dress smoothed out over her legs. her calm,placid expression belied the feeling of guilt ridden dread that sat like a handful of cold gravel in her stomach.
    The agonized screams ended briefly and then began anew, practically doubling in volume, causing the muscles around Levy's shoulders to tighten even more. In fact, it felt as if her entire spine has been stolen and replaced with screeching violin strings. She brushed a stay lock of long,curly,brown hair out of her face while sighing a bitter,anxious sigh.
    She hadn't meant to touch that poor girl's arm.It had been an accident.
    And besides, what was a castle maid doing wearing a sleeveless blouse in the first place? Sure,the day was hot enough for most everyone to eschew their heavier clothing - Levy herself was wearing a sleeveless gown today - but sleeves were part of the regulation uniform that applied to anybody who worked in the castle! How could Levy have known she'd be sleeveless?
    And it had happened in the library, of all places ! So, in addition to having to explain about that poor maid's arm, Levy would also have to try to explain what she was doing there to begin with.