"No sooner had you both disappeared up the stairs, there was a second flash of light directly outside and a violent hammering at the door. I looked at Taline and despite her obvious fear she stood up straight and raised her head. She looked me straight in the eye and without even the slightest quiver in her voice told me 'You'd better open the door, Matt. It won't keep him out anyway.' I shook my head and tried to push her behind me as I grabbed a poker from the fireside. I am ashamed to say that when the door burst open and she pushed past me, I did nothing further to stop her."