In about half an hour, Denise reached the end of the tunnel. Pushing her way past the bushes hiding the entrance, the huge woman strode off down a nearby forest path. Her home was a pair of rooms behind the sanctuary of a ruined church. Entering her abode, Denise placed the sleeping child upon her bed and started a fire. The next morning, after seeing the child had a hearty breakfast, Denise took Caitlin back to the castle. The guards were relieved to see Caitlin. One of them snatched the child from her arms and rushed off. The guards surrounded her, then a blow to the back of her head knocked her unconscious. She came around in a cell in the dungeon. Denise began pacing her cell. A great commotion at the dungeon's entrance announced the arrival of Duke Stefan, Cailtin's father. He was younger than she had expected him to be, but he was clearly in charge. Stefan shouted at the jaolers, demanding the key to open the cell door. Armour clanked, keys rattled, then rang loudly as they hit the floor. Impatiently, the young duke seized them before the embarrassed guard could retrieve them. Stefan strode to her cell door and quickly opened it. He marched up to her and looked up at her, momentarily daunted by her size. Catching himself, the duke broke the silence. "Blithering idiots! I'm sorry you were treated so shabbily." Stefan glared at his men. Beckoning for her to follow, he stepped toward the door. "Please, come with me. This is no place to talk." Denise followed the duke through a maze of rooms and hallways until they reached the castle library. They were not alone; the dutchess and Cailtin were already there. Spying her, the little girl rushed to her and hugged her. "Denise!" she shouted joyfully. Releasing her, Caitlin ran back to her mother. Stefan gestured toward a chair. Judging it would not hold her bulk, Denise politely declined. The duke nodded, just as politely remaining standing beside her. "Tell me your side of all this," he asked. When Denise finished, the Duke seemed relieved by what he had heard. "You haven't told me, though, why you were down there in the first place--and apparently not for the first time, since you obviously know those passages quite well." "Duke Stefan, look at me." Surprised by the request, he cast her a puzzled look. Denise jabbed her thumb into her chest. "Look how your men treated me; people see how big I am and get scared. They see me as a threat--as dangerous." She paused, letting that sink in, then continued; "They call me names--at a safe distance--and even throw stones at me to keep me away. I found it easier to stay out of sight. When I discovered the tunnels, I was fifteen and already as tall as you. They were my sanctuary from the world's hatred. They still are." Duke Stefan nodded, a sad look upon his youthful face. A servant intered the room with a large tray of food and drink. He quickly laid out the small feast and, bowing, retreated from the room. "Come, let us enjoy our meal and get better acquainted with each other." After the meal, Stefan once again drew Denise aside. "Our little Caitlin is getting to be far too adventurous for her own good. It has occurred to her mother and myself that what she needs is someone to watch over her and keep her out of trouble." He smiled. "Not out of adventures, mind you. We just want her to be reasonably safe. And," he added, "if you were to be Caitlin's official protector, I suspect people would treat you with far more respect, if for no other reason than that I will require it of them. In short, no more stones." He looked up at her intently. "Will you accept the position?" Stunned, Denise could only nod happily.