indicating that he should enter, and Sigismund stepped forward, still blinking against the light. He opened his mouth, to say who he was and ask for help, but was stopped by a chime of laughter from the end of the hall. Hands clapped together as he hesitated, and a woman stepped forward, her hair gleaming gold in the lantern light. Her eyes were sapphire as she smiled at him.

"Welcome to my house, Prince Sigismund," said the Margravine zu Malvolin . . .

from Chapter 8 — The House in the Forest