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"Let us pray fittingly to God, who have shown us Theirus a new skopos renowned for her wisdoe"

How could they crown Anne as skopos? How could they trust her, as the greatest danger of all? How could she stop them when not one soul in the hall are of her presence?

She pressed through the celebrating throng to the side of Sister Rosvita, who had interceded for her before But although the good cleric looked thoughtful rather than pleased, concerned rather than joyful, nothing Liath could do caught her attention The sardonic cleric seated beside Rosvita, who keptsarcastic asides, brushed at his shoulder when Liath tugged at his robes, as though brushing at a fly He didn’t even look up

She dared not ascend to the high table, where Hugh sat in the place of honor between Queen Adelheid and the new skopos Hugh would not heed her; he had ensnared Adelheid and Henry both Obviously he had becoh Anne had seen hihter Hadn’t Anne let hi what he could becoh who had twisted Anne?

Did it even oals, at least, Liath could coe and power All thatthe Ashioi

Without allies, Liath wasn’t sure how she could stop her

"Come, Sister, do not despair There is usually an answer if only you knohere and how to look"

She turned

The wo her was obviously human, not tall but not particularly short either, with black hair neatly braided, a broad face and a generousone cheek But she was dressed so prihtly fitted cowskin bodice with sleeves cut to the elbows and an eths revealed her thighs as she took a step forward At each wrist she wore a copper armband incised with the head of a deer The ht, and Liath blinked hard, recognizing her

"I saw you kneeling before a cauldron Where is Alain? Is he living, or dead?"

The wo a con at her chest, a hex to drive away evil spirits "He lives He is !" murmured Liath as hope flowered in her heart "At least he is free, and alive"