The Wretched of Muirwood (Legends of Muirwood #1)

By the time Bryn returned, Lia’s heart and anger had scarcely calmed down. More than anything, she wanted to go to the common room, seize the thief by his hair, and claw his face with her nails, or bash a pot against his head. Or maybe crush his fingers with a mallet. The commotion of the inn did not stop, but no one else ventured into the kitchen but the family. Most of the patrons, it was said, had gathered around the abbey gates to watch the confrontation between the Aldermaston and the sheriff. Lia chafed her hands, wondering how long it would last. All eyes were fixed on that scene. It was the perfect moment to rescue Colvin. In her mind, she wished the Aldermaston would refuse entrance even longer. The delay benefited her, if only he realized it.

Bryn was too excited to sit. She brushed back her hair as she talked quickly to the others. “The squire…you know, the prisoner…he has a cross look. His scowl is truly frightening. He does not seem frightened, only angry.”

“You have described him well,” Lia said. “Where do they have him? Tell me of the room.”

“In a corner, on the floor, like a dog. I am so sad for him. They have him chained at the wrists, they do. His face is bloodied…”

“Did they ask for a healer?” Lia asked, pleading.

“Yes, he said we should fetch one. One of them said they ought to clean him up so when the king comes, he will be recognized. They were grateful for the food and the cider. I have seen hungry men before, but they were more like wolves.”

The chains would be difficult. Then an idea struck Lia, and she turned to the good woman. “A tub of fat. Grease. Anything slippery. That will help with the chains.” Brant was still gone, saddling up the horse, at the rear of the Pilgrim.

“Take me to him,” Lia said, her stomach twisting into knots. What if one of the sheriff’s men recognized her? She had to worry about that. It would ruin everything. She would have to pretend to be someone else, someone they would never care to notice.

The good woman shook her head. “Valarianum does not work that quickly. Give them time to eat the meal first. Do not be hasty.”

Lia bit her lip, then shook her head. “I must. If the sheriff returns, we have lost our chance.”

Her expression darkened. “You should not have been sent,” she muttered. “This is wrong.” She rose. “You will not go up there. Silar – do not let her go. She is a child.”

Lia turned to the good man, who gawked at her and then at his wife. “But what am I to do about it? If the Aldermaston sent her…”

“It is wrong to send a child to do this sort of work.” She looked at Lia fiercely. “Sending up a tray of food will not arouse suspicion. But you are a girl still. Those soldiers are men. I will not let you do this. I will go instead.”

The father gawked again. “You cannot go, let alone mount the steps. Now that is enough foolishness. If the Aldermaston sent her to save the young man’s life, then we save him.”

“It is wrong. He should not have sent a child.”

“It is not our choice that he did. What you are asking me to do is defy the Aldermaston.”

The good woman closed her eyes, shaking her head. “It is wrong.”

Lia rose to her feet. “No one has sent me against my will. Please believe that. The young man’s life is at stake. The king will not show him mercy.”

“If the king finds out that we helped…?” the good woman whispered.

Her husband took her shoulders. “The Aldermaston will protect us, as he always has. Have confidence in him. He would not have sent her if it was not the right way.”

“She is only a child, Silar. And so is our Bryn. This is wrong!”

Standing tall, the good man confronted his wife. “Should the Aldermaston ask me to wear a noose, I would do it.” His voice trembled with emotion. “For him, I would. He took us in when no one else would. Can you forget that? We were wretcheds. Now we are Family.” He shook his head. “Your heart is fearful for our children. For this child. But I tell you, the Aldermaston will shield us as he always has.” He turned to Lia, tears in his eyes. “Go now, child. You show your courage this day. The Aldermaston will shield you as well.”

Lia stared at him, wondering and amazed at the depth of his feelings towards the Aldermaston. While Bryn was upstairs, Lia and the good woman had prepared a tray for healing – woad, broth, linen, warm water. She crossed to the table where the tray was and carefully lifted it. Glancing back at the family, she nodded to them, and then followed Bryn out into the hall.

“Mother is like that,” Bryn whispered with a mischievous grin. “She worries overmuch. This way. There are the stairs. The common room is over there. Watch that floor board, it can trip you.”

Lia was grateful for the warning and followed her up the steep steps that rose into the higher levels of the inn. She was careful not to jostle the tray and spill any of the contents.