This time, she reacts neither to attack nor defend, but instead merely remains still and accepts the gentle touch.

"No, and you had not," Blodwen says, after a moment, marveling. "I knew you had enemies, to be sure, from what you had mentioned -- but not so many as that, no."

In the next instant her tone flattens.

"Oh and how they would regret it, if they dared try--"