The Wretched of Muirwood (Legends of Muirwood #1)

No!

The violence of her emotions surprised her, especially at how vividly she yearned that Colvin would not die. No, it was stronger than a yearning. She demanded it. She insisted on it. Whatever else would happen on the morrow, no matter how the king’s army engulfed them, Colvin would not die. With all the willpower she could summon, she fixed her mind on that thought. Colvin would live. A choking grip strengthened against her. She was going to die. The king’s thoughts were going to kill her.

Who are you!

She quailed again, panicking, knowing that she only had moments left to live. Myriad Ones smothered her. She could not speak. She could not breathe. In that moment of near-pure panic and fear, she clenched her fists, bowed her head, and let loose another thought as if screaming it.

Be gone from me!

The Medium awoke within her, responding to her feelings with a surge of heat. It flooded her heart, flooded her mind, strengthening her. As if the king were a man kept in dark rooms whose eyes could not bear even a candle flame, his will flinched from the fierceness of hers. She could breathe again and gasped for air, more angry than fearful. The thing gripping her mind loosened. Just as had happened with the Aldermaston and Colvin, she could discern the king’s thoughts for what they really were. What she found squirming inside his mind shocked her. He was afraid. He was afraid of Garen Demont as he had feared being weak like his father. In every war he had fought, in every battlefield he had championed, a dark twisted fear had been there, a blight in his soul. He feared anyone who used the Medium for it would not hearken to him. It would not obey him. Only through a chain and a charm around his neck was he able to light the tiniest of candles or summon the gushing waters from a gargouelle. But even the chain and medallion frightened him too, for he had used them too freely and now the Myriad Ones controlled him, as they had Almaguer. The medallions had made both men into puppets.

Lia raised her head and looked into the sky, into the milky gauze of stars. She opened herself up to the Medium again. She had sacrificed sleep, but somehow she knew that it alone was not enough to save Colvin. To barter for a man’s life required more.

I am only a wretched, she thought, speaking softly in her mind through the Medium. What must I give to achieve what I desire? Colvin is a man of proper Family. He has a sister who loves him and wishes his good health. If justice cannot be satisfied without blood, would my life be enough instead? If one of us must die, can it be me?

She waited, listening to the stillness, thrusting her petition into the stars. As if to answer her, she felt as if she grew into the size of a giant, and the king size of an ant. She saw him clearly in the camp below. He sat in a stuffed chair in his pavilion, staring blankly into a rack of torches, clutching a goblet of cider, his hand trembling so much, the amber pool sloshed.

Who are you? his thoughts pleaded. I know you. I recognize you. Are you a memory or a shade?

His thoughts were gibbering with fear. She realized that he did not know whether she was real or a phantom. His thoughts were so consumed with his own jealousies and needs, he could not see beyond himself, let alone see her hiding place. He could sense her thoughts, hear them almost, but not coherently. Her strength with the Medium, how she had used it to pluck his grip away from her mind, terrified him.

Who are you, girl?

Another thought came to her, so small and still that she hardly heard it at all. Yes, a life would be required to spare Colvin’s. The weight of that thought and the full rush of the Medium crashed down on her like a mountain. She collapsed.



The earth shook. Lia opened her eyes, realizing it was day. She lay against the inner wall of the burnt-out tree, her cheek itching with the sooty ruff of wood. Her ankle throbbed as she moved. A drumming sound filled the air, the charge of horses and jangle of arms. The hooves caused a murmur like thunder. Lia straightened, eyes filling with tears. She had fallen asleep! The vigil was not complete!