Chapter 73

"Zenas!" Cleopoda whispered harshly, her initial tiredness forgotten. She snatched her hand from Birian's as she stared at the famous actor from head to toe. "What are you doing here?" she asked.

He looked from her to Birian with sleepy eyes. "Is she the one?"

Birian nodded and took hold of her hand again to lead her inside. The room was barely lit with only a small lamp whose light was already burning out sitting on a small stool. There was a strong aroma of something in the room that made her feel dizzy immediately. She gagged and fell to the floor.

"Is she alright?" Zenas asked Birian as he stepped forward to help her stand on her feet.

"She is a bit weak from staying in the cramped cell she has been staying since she came." He looked around the room and noted the glow of burning herbs in bowls at different corners of the room. "The smell of those," he pointed at the bowls, "will not help her."