“What does it say?” Lia whispered, holding forth the orb. It glowed brilliantly.
The Aldermaston wiped his eyes again and looked at the writing. He studied it closely, his face intense. He shook his head in wonderment. “I can read it,” he said, his voice choked with emotion. He glanced at her. “You had this orb…as a child? In Muirwood?”
Lia nodded. “What does it say?” she asked desperately.
His expression paled. “It says…it reveals quite plainly that Ellowyn Demont must go to Dochte Abbey in Dahomey. She must warn them of the coming of the Blight. It will happen before anyone realizes it. This is her task. The Medium wills it. Her name will be spoken of for good and for evil for generations because of it.” The Aldermaston shook his head, stunned. “What is your name, child?”
“I am Lia Cook from Muirwood. I am…I am a wretched, but I am of Pry-rian birth. This is my homeland. I was sent to protect Ellowyn.”
The Aldermaston looked even more surprised. “How did you come here? I know the road was being watched.”
“We came over the mountain.”
“But the Fear Liath…how did you get past? The Fear Liath lives in the mountain. Only a maston can pass unharmed.”
Lia swallowed. “Yes.”
“You are a maston?” he said, clutching her arm in complete surprise.
“I am,” she answered.
He squeezed her so hard it hurt. Tears trickled down his cheek. “You must go then. I cannot keep you here.”
In the distance, a door opened and shut. Voices came from the manor house, speaking Pry-rian. She would have recognized Martin’s voice, but the men were not him. The Aldermaston looked back and then at her. He pulled her down amidst the vineyard. With his other hand, he pulled Ellowyn down too. He took their hands and clasped them together. He spoke in their common language next. “I will delay them. You must go at once. They will not listen to reason. They will try and follow you. Hasten to the mountain. The orb will give you guidance. If the Medium protected you on the mountain, it will do so again. You must go with all haste.”
Lia looked at Ellowyn and then back at him. “Do you know who I am?” she whispered.
The Aldermaston blinked back tears. “Yes. I know you, child. I know you. When your task is complete, I will tell you all. Go, child” He grabbed Lia’s cheeks with both hands and kissed her forehead. Then he kissed Ellowyn’s as well. He clutched the surprised girl’s hands with hers. “I Gift you with courage,” he said to Ellowyn. “You will need it in the mountain and on your journey. Now, go. Go!”
Lia hooked her arm around Ellowyn’s and tugged her with her, staying low so that the vines would shield them. They moved quickly down the row, their footfalls softened by the earth. Voices carried as they approached, the warbling tongue of that country. They were easy in their banter, comfortable.
“Did you see which way they went, Kieran?” one asked.
“Nathen said they were going to the vineyard. I think it is over there.”
“No, that is the garden.”
“Let us check there first. I want some strawberries.”
Lia panicked. Colvin was still in the garden. She was not sure what to do. The end of the row of vines led up to the woods at the base of the mountains. The garden was off to their left, past the low stone wall.
As Lia poked her head above the hedge of gravepines, she saw the two Pry-rians enter the garden. They wore leather hoods and vests and each had a gladius at their belt. They approached the cropping of brush where she had left Colvin hiding.
CHAPTER THIRTY NINE:
Fear Liath
Lia bit her lip and held her breath. Sidling up behind a thick pine, she glanced through the maze of trees at the garden at the two Pry-rians. Both were wearing woodsman garb, like Martin. Both had gladius’ belted to their waists and leather tunics with hoods. She stared at them and pressed the thought at them: Find Ellowyn. She is missing.
“Do you see the size of these? I’ve never tasted one so sweet. Here, try one.”
“No, I want a plum. They are rare. I want to take a few with me when we go to the ships. I have never seen one so big.” The branches hissed as they were disturbed for the fruit.
Find Ellowyn. She is missing. Lia pushed the thought again.
“Do you see the Aldermaston or the girl?” one of them asked. “Do you think everything is all right?”
“What is wrong?” Ellowyn whispered in Lia’s ear.
Lia raised her hand to silence the girl, focusing on the two men. She stared at them, directing her thoughts fiercely towards them. Go look for her!
The two men plucked at fruit from the garden. One looked towards the alder trees. “I do not hear them.”
“Hear what?”
“I do not hear the Aldermaston or Ellowyn. Where do you think they went?”
One spoke with a mouthful of fruit. “The vineyard. I told you.”
“Are you sure?”
“Why are you worried?”
“I do not know. I just am. Let us go see where they are.”
The other grunted noncommittally.