The Wretched of Muirwood (Legends of Muirwood #1)

“I used to hunt with my father. The night is full of noises. If a large animal comes up here, wake me. Or the sheriff. Do not wake me otherwise.”


Without giving her a second look, Colvin lay down on the earth, his back to her, his head resting on the saddle as a pillow, his hand on the hilt of his maston sword. He had no cloak or blanket.

Around her, in the dark, she felt as if the smoke-shapes were still sniffing against her clothes. She did not sleep. She could not sleep. Dread tormented her the rest of the night.



Before dawn, the lowlands of the Bearden Muir were covered in mist, engulfing even the hillock and its trees. From Lia’s earliest days she had seen the mists and they were comforting to her, but on this morning, they terrified her. Her heart was a throbbing pulp of misery. Her eyes were swollen from all the tears. Colvin awoke with the dawn and set about saddling the horse again, without saying a word of greeting. He chafed his arms constantly, but he did not complain of being cold. His discomfort was plain enough from his expression.

Coming back up the hill, he handed her another apple.

“I am thirsty,” she mumbled, taking the fruit from his grimy hand.

“As am I,” he replied. “I had a thought while I was saddling the stallion. We are still another two days from Winterrowd, if Maderos was right. I doubt we will die of thirst by then, but if there is a safe spring to drink from, the Cruciger orb would know. If not, we will suffer patiently. But if there is one along our path, or close to it, that would be helpful. You could ask the orb.”

Lia had not thought of that herself, and she was angry that Colvin had first. After untying the pouch, she emptied the orb into her hand. It was cold and heavy. In her mind, she repeated his request. If there is safe water along the journey, show us the way.

Nothing happened.

Colvin looked up at her.

“I do not think there is safe water,” she said huskily, her throat raw. “Show us the way to Winterrowd,” she then said.

Nothing happened.

Colvin’s brow furrowed.

Dread joined the fear in Lia’s heart. Then anger. She focused her thoughts – she stared at the intricate spindles and willed them to move. Show us a safe road! she screamed at it inside her mind.

Nothing.

“Let me try,” Colvin said, holding out his hand. For a moment, she wanted to shove him away, to hunch over and protect it. His hand was extended, his fingernails black with mud and dirt. Reluctantly, she gave it to him.

His brow furrowed even more and he looked sternly at the orb, saying nothing. But it did not obey him either. “Vexing,” he muttered, giving it back to her. “Is the orb not working, or is there no longer a safe road? We must determine that. Ask it to show you the direction of Muirwood. Not a safe road there, just the direction.”

Lia focused on it, hoping the spindles would whir again. But as she thought about Muirwood, she was met with despair. The orb was silent. “I do not understand,” she whispered. “It…it was working yesterday…it…it…”

His face was a struggle to read as he battled to control his feelings. He looked furious, but determined to conquer the emotion. It took several moments for him to master himself enough to speak, and when he did, his voice was more like a bark than a man’s voice.

“We do not have time for this!” He turned away, still struggling to contain himself. She was wounded by his reaction, hurt by the anger in his voice. She had no idea why the orb had failed them.

Looking at the beautiful surface, she willed it to heed her. Show us the road. Show us safety. Show us a way to escape the sheriff. Please!

“I am sorry,” he said over his shoulder. “I am sorry. I am doing the best I can.” He turned back to her, his face still twisting with various emotions, none of which she understood. “I am trying to protect you. I am trying to get to Winterrowd. I am trying not to worry about my sister. I am failing at all three. I promise, I never intended to drag you away from your home. Believe me, if I could have done it over again, I would not have let you help me. I should have left on my own as soon as I could stand. I should have gone!” He sighed mournfully.

“Why will it not work?” Lia said, crying openly. “I do not know why it is not. I…I…I do not know what to do. The mist. Winterrowd could be anywhere.”

He shook his head violently, his fingers clenching like talons. “No, you are not to blame. I am. Believe me. I am. I know what is wrong. I know why it is not working.”