At a word from Vale, one of the guards approached the young woman and tore off her gag. The assembly fairly jumped to its feet, and the guards stood poised, swords drawn. As the girl stood panting shallowly in terror, Vale said in an iron, merciless voice, "What say you now, witch?"
"Vale!" Baldric's voice stopped the assistant. "Have you lost your senses?"
With a menacing leer, the assistant said quietly, "Why, no, my lord. But you must understand that this fragile young thing is not what it appears. You can not credit your senses in this matter." The returning of his attention to the girl acted like the cracking of a whip, causing her to flinch, involuntarily. "But you can credit mine. I am no wizard, but I have power enough to deal with the likes of this creature."
Baldric looked to Belloc who frowned and pulled absently at his lower lip, making no sign. Reluctantly, the Steward said, "Continue."
Sensing that he had been given licence to do as he pleased, Vale stood taller within his robes and said, "Now, witch! Tell us what you know about Demons." Into her look of fear, he said, "Yes, Demons. Demons and Dragons."
Her gaze strayed uncertainly between Vale and Lily, from fear to fear. Noticing this, Vale accosted Lily. "You two seem to know each other. You also are not what you seem."