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Lightning lashed in the sky The wind began to keen and howl like wolves Lia’s hair was also whipped about her face Her clothes thrashed with the fury of the gale She took another step closer

Pareigis’s raven hair spun wildly around her She was hunched, as if under a huge weight "This is hter I have destroyed all of the mastons and I will destroy you! Do you think you can defy an army led by the Dochte Mandar? I allowed this Abbey’s defenses to destroy my army It was part of my plan to ruin you This is my dominion!"

Lia took another step The air felt like it would burn "You have taken everything from me My true fa else you can take from me I surrender all that I am and all that I have to the Mediual, the Unborn You will depart"

"No! You cannot co but a child!"

The sky lit up with jagged shards of lightning The trees swayed wildly Pluainst Lia’s face

"You are Ereshkigal, the Unborn You will depart"

The look in Pareigis’ eyes ith frustration and fury She screa and unearthly that it rew louder and louder, drowning out the booers, hooked into claept forward as she rushed to rake Lia with the her back with all her strength as the storan to dash fro her heels into the ground to help her balance

"You are Ereshkigal, the Unborn!" Lia shouted "You will depart!"

It was as if all the strength gushed out of Pareigis’ body Lia found herself holding the frail girl up by her wrists as she sagged and collapsed Lightning seared the air, revealing onlooking Dahoer with awe and terror

On her knees in front of Lia, the Queen Dowager’s eyes fluttered open

"Where am I?" she whispered, her voice a tiny frail wheeze She spoke in Daho at the fires raging within Muirwood The rain began to quench the flaer’s hair was soon drenched with rain and she stared up at Lia in confusion and terror "What land is this?"