"I… love you, Drex,” he gasped, his vision blurring. “That cow knows nothing but hatred and revenge. Will you feel the same about her when she compels me to make love to her?"

Colours turned to grey, then to black, but Grimm would not give up the struggle.

At last, the Geomantic assault ceased, and the mage saw the wet gleam in his beloved's eyes.

"Prioress Lizaveta would never do that!” she yelled, stamping her foot in a pale the petulant manner of the shabby, adolescent street urchin Grimm had first met in the town of Griven. “And my name's Weranda!"

The mage felt a hot, bright upsurge of hope; he was now the manipulator of emotions, not Drex.

"You liked Shakkar,” he said, sitting up, not tearing his eyes from hers. “You know you did. You liked General Quelgrum and Tordun, too!"

"They're all just oppressors and would-be rapists!” Drex cried, tears now rolling down her red cheeks.

"Do you remember how embarrassed Tordun was when Questor Xylox put him in the tent with you?” Grimm demanded. “Although you couldn't have resisted him for a moment, he never laid a finger on you, and you know it!

"Shakkar would walk through fire to protect you, as would Quelgrum: as would I. We gave you love, respect and protection; all Lizaveta has done is give you pain, and that's all she'll ever give you, until she's finished with you!"

"No!” Drex sobbed, almost bent double. Grimm knew he was winning the exchange by sheer force of will. “She's a good woman, a holy woman!"

Grimm snorted. “She's holy, sure enough: wholly corrupt! Fight her, Drex; you know I'm right!"

The girl's mouth opened and closed, but no words emerged as she drew a series of whooping, convulsive breaths.

"Sister Weranda!” Lizaveta's husky voice snapped from the doorway. “Straighten up and control yourself!"

As if she were a flesh marionette, Drex jerked into an upright position in an instant, tugged by unseen strings. At once, her expression became as blank as the stone blocks of the small cell. She wiped the moisture from her cheeks and bowed her head.