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"Lia," Colvin said huskily

She blinked and rushed to the bars separating the over his shoulder, she saw Dieyre, hand on his hilt He had a s

Colvin clasped his hands around the bars "Why did you tell them?" he said sharply, his face flushed with emotions "Why?"

"Because she is a fool," Dieyre answered, pacing the roouidly "We already kneas her at Winterrowd The cloak and hood were a disguise, but the hair is re the battlefield afterwards Even soirl they had seen"

Colvin’s hands clenched tightly around the bars, his head bowing slightly "Why, Lia?" he begged her His hands slid down the bars until they rested on hers

I cannot tell you why, she answered with her eyes She longed to stroke his hair and whisper that it would be all right To trust her She was following the Medium’s will She knew her path had destined her to the serpent Leering

Her voice was firht is coo froht"

Colvin raised his head "I cannot leave you here," he said in a strangled voice "Do not ask that of irl and be done with it, Forshee!"

So was pressed into her hand just an instant before Colvin shoved away from the bars and whirled to face Dieyre Lia nearly dropped it, but she saw the glint of azed at Colvin with conteoad, Forshee I have the weapon here, not you What do you intend to do, glower htly

"For the love of beauty, man, act like one! I despise you for your tiood is your vaunted self control? When there is so I fancy, I take it No harm has ever come to me No black cloud or rain shadow You are a fool You crave this girl Why not take her? I will not stop you"

"If you utter another word," Colvin said with raw fury, "You will regret it Do you understandmore or you will be cursed" Colvin’s hand lifted to the n "Another hile in this cell, and you will never speak again Do you doubt the Medium’s power? Then test it Utter a word and you will see that you cannot" There was a blinding intensity that seemed to shake Dieyre to the core of his soul He stared at Colvin sharply, his eyesBut would he speak? Would he test Colvin’s power?

The two men stared at each other balefully Colvin waited for the other to speak, to challenge his clai He looked at Colvin and then at Lia A little curl came to his lip, part sneer, part snarl

Colvin turned around then cah the bars "I will hold vigil for you tonight" His hands were treil and I will be there when the ordeal is over I will not leave while you are down there You can do it, Lia I know you can" He reached through the bars and cupped the side of her face, his fingersstrands of her hair His face blanched

"You s in alarm He seemed to notice the splotches on her skin, the stiffness in her hair as the cider dried His expression turned to horror

Lia looked into his eyes "I will be all right," she whispered "Trust the Mediuasped, his face twisting with conflict

A new voice entered the dungeon "It is time for the ordeal," the Aldermaston said "I would have the two of you leave I must speak with the accused and make her ready"

Lia looked over Colvin’s shoulder and saw the Alder metal in her hand, hidden Colvin stared at her, his eyes piercing her with his worry

"I will not fail," she pro roo as the Dochte Mandar filled the room behind him There were so many, her heart throbbed with despair

The eyes of the Dochte Mandar began to glow Instantly Lia was seized by doubts and fears, whispers of worry and shudderings deep within her soul The Alder her appearance