There was an oppressive pall in her heart that contrasted with the gleaming blue sky and the smell of fresh flowers on the grounds. As she walked back towards the manor house, she fished the ring out of her bodice and squeezed its edges until it hurt. Every word the Queen Dowager and Dieyre said was sopping with doubt and menace. They rattled her soul, yet still she believed in the Medium’s power. She had experienced it so vividly throughout her life, that she could not deny its reality. Yet Dieyre’s warning cast little shards of doubt into her heart. She tried to crush them, but still they poked and stabbed her.
When Colvin and Ellowyn had first arrived, the Aldermaston told her that the time would come when she would need to use the Cruciger orb to find a safehaven for them. She knew that they would leave that night, under the cover of darkness. Only in the dark would they be able to find their way past the wall of Pareigis’ men. That was the only thing she could think of. But what if Dieyre was right? What if they had a way to release the Blight on Muirwood and it would no longer be able to defend itself? There was so much she did not know. There was so much confusion. Glancing around herself as she walked, she saw the frantic scurrying of wretcheds and learners alike. So many had overheard the altercation at the gates. Rumors would be flying to every corner of the Abbey. Doubts and more doubts.
She reached the manor house and found the Aldermaston conversing with Colvin in the hall. “Yes, enough provisions for several days. See Pasqua, she will prepare them for you. I must give other instructions. If you need any additional supplies, see my steward. There is much to do still.”
He gripped Colvin’s arm to steer him away, but the Earl stopped him. “You are wise, as Lia says. I trust your judgment in this and I am grateful you did not betray us.”
The Aldermaston nodded impatiently. “Yes, yes, be gone. I must speak to Lia now. Come, child.”
Colvin glanced at her, his expression concerned but hopeful, then left.
Lia approached him worriedly.
“Is Dieyre gone?” he asked in his whisper-like voice.
Lia nodded. “He gave me a warning…”
He hushed her with his fingers. “Of course he did. Speak no more of it. For a moment, I thought my plan would be ruined, that he would never leave.”
“Your plan?” Lia asked, a little dazed.
“Oh yes, Lia. And because the Medium is truly with us, I received confirmation of it this very morning.”
Lia was excited. “Is Garen Demont coming?”
The Aldermaston smirked. “No, the Earl of Dieyre was well-informed on that point. He is leagues away, heading into a conflict against a superior force. He is betrayed on all sides.”
Lia gulped. “But I thought you said…”
He hushed her again and turned and opened the door, beckoning her to follow him. “Yes, the Queen Dowager is well informed and they laid their trap very deftly. I commend them for their subtlety. But as we learn in the tomes, be wise as serpents yet harmless as doves. They have managed to discover and keep watch over many of our secret tunnels. But not all of them. Not all of them.”
He motioned towards the window seat.
Martin sat there, arms folded smugly, his teeth showing through his beard in a fierce grin. “By Cheshu, lass. It is good to see you safe.”
CHAPTER TWENTY FOUR:
The Wretched of Pry-Ree
With a surge of relief and a half-choked sob, Lia rushed to Martin and hugged him. His face was smudged with dirt, his eyes puffy from lack of sleep but still alert. Some of Pasqua’s crumbs were stuck in his beard, but he managed to shoo her back, scowling at her affection yet his gaze was gentle and warm.
“That is enough, lass, stop smothering me. You think I had died on my journey? But I am not careless and evaded the Dowager’s net. Had to wait most of yesterday to slip past them at nightfall, but it was dark and they are drenched. The Aldermaston said you did well enough in my absence. I suppose you learned something from me after all.”
Lia took his dirty hands with hers and squeezed them. “I learned everything from you. Where have you been?”
“Roundabout,” he replied. “A hard journey. There is much that has happened in the wide world. I have already told the Aldermaston. We will be parting again soon, but at least you know your own strength now.”
She gazed back at the Aldermaston, who nodded slowly.
“You noticed me speaking with the Earl of Forshee just now,” the Aldermaston said. “Martin brought ill tidings. Two Abbeys have fallen in the last fortnight. Burned by fire.”
Lia felt stricken. “Which?” she whispered.
“Dorset Abbey in Caspur’s domain. And Sempringfall Abbey to the east.”
“Sempringfall!” Lia gasped. “That was Ellowyn’s…”
“Indeed,” the Aldermaston said. “Garen Demont is marching northwards with an army to confront the Earl of Caspur’s forces. Which is why the Queen Dowager is combining her allies here. Martin will take Ellowyn and the others into the Bearden Muir tonight. That will give them a strong lead when Pareigis comes calling in the morning.”
Lia was confused, but she still clutched at Martin’s hands as she stared at the Aldermaston. “I want to go. You said I would be the one to take them.”
He shook his head. “I need you here, child.”
“But I have the orb,” she insisted. “Where is Martin going to take them?”