The bedraggled man breathed heavily like he had fought through hordes to get here. He wore only black pants, no shoes, and no shirt. Long blond hair hung over his shoulders and in front of his dirt-smeared face. His piercing yellow eyes sunk into me like teeth—I was holding his daughter. “Give her to me,” he said darkly.

Seconds ago, I hadn’t wanted anything to do with this baby. But now, inexplicably, I couldn’t stand to hand her back to the enemy.

“Give me my child!” Lothair ...