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"Like the arrow Liath shot into the heavens," said Sanglant in a soft voice He see over a memory no one else shared "Shot into the sky, but it fell back to earth Any fool would have known it would do that"

"What mean you by this tale?" de before me now, Alia?"

Alia indicated her own face, its bronze co ry, because the memory of our exile lies heavily on us After we have returned to Earth, theyus seek peace That is why I calant’s elbow "This child is hed "How can I believe these wild prophecies? Anyof the end times If such a story were true, then why do none of my studious clerics know of it? Sister Rosvita?"

His outflung hand had the force of a spear, pinning her under his regard "I do not know, Your Majesty," she said haltingly "I have seen strange things and heard strange tales I cannot be sure"

Theophanu spoke up at last "Do you mean to say, Sister Rosvita, that you believe this wild story of cataclysendary Aoi were sent into a sorcerous exile?"

"I recall paintings on the wall at St Ekatarina’s Convent Do you not rehness?"

"I saall paintings at St Ekatarina’s save for the one in the chapel where orshiped," replied Theophanu with cool disdain "It depicted the good saint herself, crowned in glory"

"I believe the story," said Sanglant, "and there are others who believe it as well Biscop Tallia, the daughter of E for what she kneould come"

"She was censored by the church at the Council of Narvone," pointed out Theophanu

"Don’t be stubborn, Theo," retorted Sanglant "When have I ever lied to you?" The barb caught her, but she recovered quickly, slant went on "Biscop Tallia instructed the wohter and trained her as a ave birth to Liath She already works to drive away the Lost Ones again, and to destroy them"

Henry spread his hands wide "How can it be that Taillefer’s granddaughter has not reat princes of these realms? How can she live in such obscurity that we have never heard any least rumor of her existence?"

"She is a lant observed "The church condemned such sorcery at the Council of Narvone Why should she reveal herself if it would only bring her condemnation?" He nodded at Theophanu

"Where is this woman now?" continued Henry relentlessly "Where is your wife, Sanglant?"

"Ai, God!" swore Sanglant "To tell the whole--!"

"How can I believe such a story if I do not hear the whole?" asked Henry reasonably "Wine!" He beckoned, and a steward brought twin chairs, one for Henry and one for Adelheid "I will listen patiently for as long as it takes you to tell your tale, Son That is all I can promise"

2

THERE was to be no ht delicacies frolant told his story haltingly, backtracking at times to cover a point he had ry, impatient in the way of aobeyed instantly A wind had got into the cha around the lamps so that they rocked Shadows juddered on the walls and over the tapestries like boats bobbing on water

The silence and the jittery shadowsherself Anne had approached Liath at Werlida, clai to be her mother He and Liath had left with Anne They had traveled by diverse means and in the company of servants who had no physical substance, no earthly body, to a place called Verna, hidden away in the heart of the Alfar Mountains There, Liath had studied the arts of the mathematici

"Condemned sorcery," said Henry, his only coht," retorted Sanglant "You cannot i their faces Too late, he reotten Henry still had not forgiven Liath for stealing his son

"The Council at Autun, presided over by my sister Constance, excole in my service, and outlawed her for the practice of sorcery," said Henry in his quietest and therefore erous voice "For all I know, she has bewitched you and sent you back to hter to tee and honor the child does not deserve" He did not look at the sleeping Blessing as he said this