Martin stood, his voice nearly a growl. “Who is infecting the stones then with this Blight? Who is spreading the taint? Is it the Myriad Ones? When Pry-Ree fell, it fell without a whimper. Without burning Leerings and noxious saps. The princes were betrayed by those they trusted. And when trust fails, so does law. When there is no longer law, there is only war and murder.”
“War is only one manifestation of the Blight,” the Aldermaston said. “Sometimes it kills with plague. Sometimes with drought. Sometimes even, Idumea forbid, with water.” He paused and looked at Lia. “I am sure you are confused. Prestwich understands the significance of the events. Martin does as well, for he endured it previously and witnessed his country succumb to the Blight. You are very young, Lia. You have not lived through this awful season before, the foul ripeness and bitter harvest. This will be your first, so I will attempt to explain it to you. Those of us older than you have seen it repeated like a waterwheel churning in a river.”
He turned and went back to his desk. “Prestwich, find the one from Hautland. There it is, with the copper seal. Yes, that one. Thank you.” He opened it and squinted. “In this one, the Blight came as a plant with poisonous sap. It started around a Leering in the woods and the plant spread quickly throughout the forest, inflicting everyone who touched it with itching boils. Attempts to burn it caused smoke to carry the poison inside the victims.” He handed the parchment back to Prestwich. “Strange, is it not? That a plant that is not native to this country can appear from nowhere and begin its work of destruction so rapidly. What brought it? When did it start?”
Her stomach twisted and lurched when she thought about Colvin being in danger. “Aldermaston,” she said. “I know who ruined the Leering in the wood.”
He paused, cocking his head and stared at her in disbelief. “How, child?”
“When I calmed the stone, I touched it. When I did, I saw them in my mind. There were soldiers from Winterrowd – the king’s men. They slept near the stone during the winter for warmth. I could see the snow around them. One came and touched the stone and he is the one who made it start burning. I recognized him because he is the man who tricked me. He brought Colvin to the kitchen and then went to find the sheriff.” She paused, taking a deep breath. “When I returned from Winterrowd, remember I told you of him. He is called Scarseth and he has the sheriff’s medallion. He cannot speak, but he knows about me. He knows I was at that Leering. He knows what I did to the sheriff’s men there.”
The Aldermaston’s face darkened with anger. “Martin, he must be found. The medallion he wears is dangerous. He may not yet realize its powers or what he does with it. But one Leering can lead him to the rest and compromise the Abbey if he penetrates the boundaries I put in place. Find him, Martin. Bring him to me if you can. If not, then do what you must. He must be stopped.”
Lia stood firmly. “I can find him, Aldermaston. The Cruciger orb can lead us right to him.”
He shook his head, equally firmly. “No, Lia. I cannot afford to let both of you leave. I am in need of two hunters right now.” He held up his hand before the protest escaped her lips. “Hush, child. Do as I say. I act with reasons you do not always understand. Have faith in me a bit longer. I need you and your orb here because of the guest the earls brought to Muirwood. Her name is Ellowyn Demont, the niece of Garen Demont and the heir of Pry-Ree, the daughter of the prince of the Pry-Ree who died shortly after she was born. The birthing killed her mother. In the customs of that land, children are named after their mother’s family. Her mother was the only daughter of Sevrin Demont who died at Maseve, and she was Garen Demont’s young sister. It is no secret that the king’s entire family still hates the Demonts. The child was reared in Sempringfall Abbey as a wretched. After Winterrowd, her location was discovered. Pay close attention, for this is important. To the Pry-rians, she is the legitimate heir to their kingdom. They have petitioned Demont to have her returned and to study at their Abbeys. So far, he has not consented. There is great fear that they will attempt to abduct her.”