CH 25.1 — A week later, Janine was awakened by someone pounding on the front door. Freddie raced out and barked a warning. She was annoyed anyway, because she had been up very late the night before tending a pot of Miracle Mix ointment for the coming winter’s colds and fevers. The heavy scent of the freshly made ointment still hung in the cave and tended to give her nightmares.
Janine wasn’t ready to receive company: her hair was a wild mess; she was wearing her oldest, most tattered nightgown; and she hadn’t even started the breakfast porridge. The pounding on the door only put her in a worse mood. She grabbed the door handle and yanked the door open.
“Do you know what time it is?” she yelled.
Janine scowled at the three men — princes, if their clothing was any indication. They were armed with swords, spears, axes, knives, bows and arrows.
The princes stepped back with shock and disgust on their faces as they stared at her.
Janine’s heart sank. She had forgotten to put on her mask.
Carol Nicolas 