The girl shook her head yes, with a disgusted look on her face.
Thaddeus couldn't help but smile at the face she made, but then the seriousness of the matter took over again. "Did your daddy every act like that with a girl?"
The little girl shook her head emphatically yes and hope began to spring forth in Thaddeus's heart, "Do you know what her name is?"
"Krista. I don't know what her last name is though. She's very nice!" Zarsha replied in the exuberance of a free spirited little girl.
"Do you know where she is Zarsha?"
A sad look came over the girl's face, "No, she ran away."
Thaddeus rather puzzled by this asked, "Why did she run away?"
"She didn't want to be daddy's slave." The little girl said matter-of-factly.
After Thaddeus got over his initial shock a smile creased up at the corners of his mouth. So his quiet and reserved grandson with a heart of gold had a slave girl.
"Do you know what Thaddeus?" Zarsha asked leaning in toward him secretively like she was sharing a closely guarded secret.
"No, what?" He said as he leaned toward her playing along.
"I don't think she really wanted to leave daddy."
"You don't say."
"I do say!" The little girl said, as she nodded her head sagely.
"How did your daddy react after she left?" Thaddeus asked inquisitively.
Zarsha made a mean angry face, which was comical to behold on the little girl's face.
Thaddeus got the picture though. "Zarsha I need you to tell me everything you know about the slave girl you call Krista. Don't leave anything out."
Thaddeus spent well over an hour listening to the little girl talk. After she was done with her story he took her to the kitchens for a late morning treat. Leaving her in the adoring care of the kitchen staff, he made his way to his office and summoned his clerk.
The clerk left the office soon thereafter in a hurry. Within the hour twelve dark clad capable looking men quietly slipped into the office to stand across the desk from Thaddeus.
"Good! You're all here. I have a mission for you that supersedes everything else on the agenda! I need you to find this woman!" Thaddeus said, as he rose and handed over a surprisingly good facial sketch that Zarsha had drawn for him with some charcoal.
"This is some more information about her. She has likely set up shop as an herbalist healer in a small town somewhere. It is doubtful that she is in Attorgron or Zoarinian territory, but leave no stone unturned. Gentlemen, you have all served me well in the past please do not fail me now! Find her at all costs and report back to me at once. You can pick up travel expense money from my clerk on the way out. Find her and I will make wealthy men out of you all!"