The Scourge of Muirwood (Legends of Muirwood #3)

Marciana looked sad. “They are failing. Many learners have returned home and said the Leerings are not working any more. Lia, the Blight is coming quickly. I can feel it. We do not have much time to stop it.”


Lia saw the nervous look in her eyes, the wild fear. She hugged her tight, grateful that she could face Colvin with the knowledge that his sister was safe. It was a burden she no longer had to carry.

It was Kieran who spoke next. “You cannot stop it. The Blight comes by Twelfth Night. I was alive when the Blight came to Pry-Ree. I do not wish to be here when it comes again. We leave in ships for another shore. It is less than a fortnight from now.”

Marciana straightened and looked him firmly in the eye. “If that is where the mastons go, then so will I.” She squeezed Lia’s arms. “Fetch my brother, Lia. Bring Colvin and Ellowyn back to Muirwood.”

Lia wished she could tell Marciana the truth about herself. She opened her mouth to try, but the Medium forced her not to speak the words. Truly, she had not really expected it would let her. “I will use the orb to find a ship to Dahomey. I will leave in the morning.”

“I do not know how many ships will be sailing in the morning,” Marciana said. “There is so much damage by the fire. But consider this. There is another port eastward. Doviur is the major port on our eastern shore. The straits there are the nearest point to Dahomey. I could send a mounted escort. If you rode hard, you could be there in the morning.”

“Does Doviur have any Abbeys?”

“There is one Abbey in that hundred. It is called Augustin Abbey.”

A feeling of peace came through her. “Then that is my road to Doviur. I will leave tonight.”

“Let me send an escort with you,” Marciana pleaded.

“They are needed here, Ciana. Those who will flee must go. They must warn others before the Blight comes. This is our last chance to warn them.”

She looked over at Kieran and took his hand in hers, gripping it firmly. “There is something about the Leerings in Muirwood. They will heal you faster than you think. And you will walk, Kieran Ven.” She squeezed his hand. “I know it.”

“You are not what you seem,” he answered softly, his face enigmatic.

She looked him in the eye, wishing she could tell him. Something passed between them, a spark of recognition. “Do I remind you of someone?” she asked simply.

He studied her face, her eyes. He looked as if he would speak, but his jaw clenched shut. Then he opened his mouth and said, “Yes.”

She patted his hand, thanking him with her eyes. You did me service this day, Kieran Ven. I will not forget it. She was about to withdraw her hand, but he clenched it tightly, making her wince.

“I was trained in the city. You were trained in the woods. Let me teach you what I know. Maybe some of it will help you.” He shifted slowly, wincing. “Dahomey is a land of great wealth. It sits in the center of many kingdoms. Just as Muirwood is the oldest in your realm, Dochte is the oldest Abbey in Dahomey. It is the richest Abbey in Dahomey. It is situated on an island, off the northwestern shore. When the tide leaves, it opens a land bridge to the island. It is dangerous to time it, for if the tide comes in during the journey, you will drown in quicksand. The orb will help you. When the tide comes in, sometimes there are fishing boats that will row you to the Abbey. Where there is great wealth, you will find corruption. The Abbey is built on top of the island. It is surrounded by the village of Dochte. There are huge walls separating the village from the Abbey proper on the dome of the hill. The walls are enormous. It is actually a giant castle, five or six stories high, that surrounds the sanctuary. The Abbey itself rises like a spike in the center of the island. It must have required two hundred years to build it, stone by stone. It is impressive. The village houses are lower down and are not as imposing. The only way in or out of the Abbey is through the main gate in the wall. I was able to enter because I was a maston, but I recall the disdain with which I was treated because of my clothing. Even though I was an ambassador from Pry-Ree, I was treated with contempt because I did not look like one. This is important, Lia. You may be allowed in because you know the maston signs, but you will stand out because of the way you dress. The women of Dahomey are very particular in their appearance.”

Lia understood and looked down at the soot stains on her shirt. “Are you afraid I will barge into Dochte the way I did at Lambeth?”

“It had crossed my mind,” Kieran said pointedly.

“I would give you this gown I am wearing,” Marciana offered. “Except I have no other gowns. They were all burned in the fire.”

“I cannot wear it,” Lia said, shaking her head. “I appreciate the warning, but the orb will show me another way. I think…perhaps…it is the reason I have had it all these years.”

Another pulse of warmth in her heart confirmed it.