Maia nodded. In her mind, using her Gift of Invocation, she silenced the Blight Leering. The power thrumming through the boulder quieted. A breeze wafted into the ruins, and Maia heard the flutter of silk. Turning, she saw another archway by the toppled columns at the perimeter of the ruin, nearer to the rubble of the lost abbey. It was an Apse Veil.
Maderos smiled. “When you were in the tunnel, you sensed this place, sister,” he told her. “Back when you first came here. The Medium whispered to you. It invited you to come to this place, but Ereshkigal clouded your mind. She made you fear what you did not know. Now that you have opened the Apse Veil again, you can pass back to Muirwood. You must save them, Maia.”
Her heart dreaded the conflict, but she steeled herself. “I do not want to destroy the Naestors, Maderos.”
He gave her another slightly crooked smile. “Of course, child. Why do you think the Medium has chosen you?” He patted her hand. “You will be remembered long after this second life has ended. Your memory will give others courage to live, to be what the Medium wishes them to become. Go now, sister. Return to your kingdom.”
Maia started toward the billowing veil, but she hesitated before walking through it. “But what must I do, Maderos?”
He rested his arms on the mushroom-shaped top of the staff. “Is it really so difficult? Open your mind, child. Open your heart. The answer is there, if you will only believe it is possible. Do not doubt. Believe.”
Maia looked into the aging man’s eyes for a moment. Behind him, she saw the sun sinking low—a reminder that time was passing. It was going to be a glorious sunset, like the many she had enjoyed while walking the grounds of Muirwood.
The answer came to her in a thought, so small it almost passed without notice. She stared at the rays of sunlight, felt its warmth bathing her face.
It was so simple.
All she needed to do was stop the sun from setting.
Carved into the walls of every abbey there were Leerings with faces. The Leerings on the outer walls typically bore the faces of the sun, the moon, and the stars. These were light Leerings, enabling the abbey to glow at night and provide light to the grounds. But they could do so much more than that . . .
With her mind fixed on those Leerings, Maia stepped through the Apse Veil in the ruins of the lost abbey and emerged in Muirwood. She instantly felt the stains of her wounds and the filth and dirt she had carried with her, but she did not allow her thoughts to linger on them. There were mastons inside the temple—the entire place seemed full of people speaking in low voices, wearing maston robes. Many she did not recognize. Towering above those around him because of his height, she recognized Tomas, who had been Richard Syon’s steward and now served Aldermaston Wyrich. When he saw her rush out from beyond the Rood Screen, his eyes widened with complete surprise and twin dimples appeared on his cheeks.
“Lady Maia!” he gasped, maneuvering through the crowd to reach her. “My lady! You came!” His look of cheer turned in an instant to worry and concern. “They have the Aldermaston . . . they have Richard Syon! He surrendered to them this morning so he could offer them a truce. He is to be put to death. Everyone has gathered outside, my lady. This way!”
His face pinched with concern as he took in her appearance. “You are wounded!”
“I am well enough, Tomas. Take me!”
She marched with him, passing dozens and hundreds of onlookers. A crowd began to follow behind her as she hurried to the abbey doors, which were opened for her before she reached them.
“Where is Aldermaston Wyrich?” Maia pressed.
“He returned with the warriors he led and has gathered the choir outside the abbey,” Tomas answered. “They were going to start singing at sunset, to calm our people’s fear.”
The inner grounds of the abbey were packed with people of all ages and ranks. The choir from Assinica had gathered along a few rows of benches lining the abbey wall. Standing before them, she saw Aldermaston Wyrich. He was staring at the horizon, where the sun was just touching the border between land and sky. Long shadows were painted across the ground. The people were sitting together in a mass, waiting for the music to start.
“Aldermaston!” Tomas called, gesturing with his long arms.
Aldermaston Wyrich turned, his gray hair gleaming in the sunlight. He saw Maia, and his serious frown broke into a brilliant smile. He rushed forward to take her hands. “The Medium whispered that you were coming,” he said smiling. “I had almost given up hope.”
“Where is King Gideon?” Maia asked.
“Walking toward us now,” the Aldermaston replied, gesturing.
Maia whirled and saw Collier striding through the dense crowd, his eyes wide with delight. He was walking! She had not dared to hope she would see him this improved.
“My lady, Richard Syon is with the Naestors,” Wyrich said gravely. “They plan to execute him at sunset. I had hoped your coming would prevent it . . . but I do not see how.”