The Scourge of Muirwood (Legends of Muirwood #3)

“I learned today that my grandmother first studied at Dochte Abbey when she was my age. I had always believed she came as a learner at twelve. My mother, however, did not study here because she was not the daughter of a king. But my grandmother was the daughter of a king, and the sister of one, and so by rights could study here. The Aldermaston showed me her tome. When someone passes the maston test here, they promise to grant their tome to the Abbey to protect the knowledge which they contain. My grandmother was married when she was nine years old to an Earl. How awful I felt for her. Her first husband died when she was my age. They had no children together, though he spawned a brood from his first wife. My grandmother swore an oath that she would never marry again unless he was a maston. I think her first marriage was very tragic. She studied at Dochte Abbey and passed the maston test within her first year. The Aldermaston said that women learn quickly in Dochte Abbey. He also told me that my grandmother fell in love with another earl – Sevrin Demont. The Aldermaston said that at the time, the people believed that Sevrin had seduced my grandmother because she was the sister of the king and that he wanted power through her. But I have read her tome. It is clear to me that she wanted him and that she influenced the king to get what she wanted. I did not realize a woman could have so much power.”





- Ellowyn Demont of Dochte Abbey



*





CHAPTER SIX:


Lambeth Manor





Lia and Kieran followed Reome to Lambeth manor, a stone fortress built in the heart of a rundown neighborhood in the center of the Stews. The grounds were blocked by ivy-fed stone, tipped with spikes but there were tree branches visible within, revealing some open inner area beyond the walls. The manor had a large main keep that rose up in the north apex of the grounds, but it was not as imposing as the citadel of Pent Tower. Still, it was impossible to see inside the grounds of Lambeth and as Reome approached one of the porter doors at the rear, Lia motioned for Kieran to hold back.

“What are you going to do?” Kieran asked.

“Talk to her and learn what I can. Then I will take her shawl and basket and go inside.”

The look he gave her was beyond astonished. “That is your entire plan?”

“I am not asking you to go with me.”

“You are asking to be caught or killed,” he said, seething. “We have found Lambeth. Let us study it for several days to learn their routines, their faces, their weaknesses…”

Save Marciana.

The jolt from the Medium was so strong and insisting it made her eyes blur with tears. She saw Reome reaching for the knocker and knew she had to act.

Glaring at Kieran, she whispered, “If you do not wait for me, I will understand. But the Medium bids me do this.”

Lia summoned her courage and advanced, closing the distance before Reome knocked. “So this is where you live now?”

Startled, Reome jerked around and stared at Lia in surprise. It was clear she had recognized Lia’s voice. “What are you doing in Comoros?” Her eyes betrayed loathing as well as fear. “Is he paying you as well?”

Lia noticed Reome hug the basket protectively and had a suspicion. She reached for the wicker rim and lifted the blanket covering the wet contents. Within the basket were several green gowns, too fancy and expensive to belong to Reome. The workmanship showed a master seamstress and the color was the kind that Marciana preferred.

“She is here, Reome,” Lia said. “This is where Dieyre is keeping Marciana.”

Reome bit her lip. “Who sent you? The Aldermaston?”

Lia nodded.

“I hate that old man. I…I like it much better here than Muirwood.” Her eyes were filling with tears.

“In the Stews? Reome…this is not your home. Dieyre escaped the tower last night. Did he come back? Is he here now?”

Reome still clutched the basket to her stomach, but she wiped tears on her arm. “No. He is in Dahomey. That is where…why are you here? How did you find me?”

“I am a hunter, Reome. You always teased me about that. I have hunted Colvin’s sister.”

“I must go inside,” Reome said, trying to pull away, but Lia gripped the edge of the basket tightly.

“What did Dieyre promise you?” Lia asked.

Reome showed her teeth. “I do not have to answer to you. This is where I work. If I do not return, they will look for me.”

Lia stepped closer, pitching her voice lower. “Did he promise he would claim the baby, Reome? Or will you abandon it as a wretched as you were abandoned?”

The look in Reome’s eyes was haunted. It spoke of misery, of sleepless nights, of tortured hopes. She struggled with her emotions, her face contorting with pain.

“How did you know that?” Reome whispered faintly. She trembled, her skin going pale. “I have told no one save him.”