"King Solomon, for all his boundless wisdom, was led astray from God by beauty and temptation. Just as Eve was tempted by the serpent, and Adam in turn by Eve, to eat the forbidden fruit, so sin entered the world."
"Was your marriage recognized by the Church?" Eric asked, ignoring the Lord of Chippenham and turning to the woman.
"We were married in a Church, with a Priest as our witness, my Lord Count," the woman said, her voice thick with tears.
"As a freewoman, or a serf?" Eric asked.
"As a freewoman!" the woman repeated.
"Are you certain? Gisa, I must remind you that you are standing before the Count of Wiltshire, the highest judicial authority in Gloucestershire and Wiltshire. Perjury is punished severely. If the offense is serious, you could lose an arm, and the resulting deformity will serve as a lifelong reminder to all that you are a liar.
