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She had no weapons, but she did not feel they would be appropriate for her now, as an Alderuide and protect her But still, she craved a blade dangling fro of a pan falling There was asound of boots Only one person and one horse She had not heard anything to make her think otherwise

Lia peered around the side of the kitchen and saw the brownat the brush and plants outside the kitchen The beast was saddled and there was a scabbard dangling from the horn, but it was empty The horse raised its head when it saw her and nickered softly

"What is it?"ahilt with the syht of Winterrowd Disappointment crushed her as she saw his face, the curly dark hair and slim sallow cheeks She had never seen hinize hier

The sas leveled at her immediately "Who are you?" he demanded hotly, his face full of suspicion

"I am the Aldermaston of Muirwood," Lia replied "Please, put away your weapon"

"You are the Alder with irritation "Is that a jest?" He waved his free arm towards the rubble of the Abbey

"I aht of Winterrowd I recognize your clothing, but I do not know your na for food?"

The word er "Yes! I am half-starved I have ridden for two days without rest" His horse validated his words The mare looked exhausted and worn out "I have eaten little, not trusting ers I had hopes that Muirwood had not fallen, despite the stories But I see that I arrived too late It has already fallen to the Blight" He ran his hand through his tangled hair

"You are aat him

"Yes"

"Let me see your palm"

Only another maston would know to look there for the scar He lowered his sword and shifted it to his other hand After tugging off his glove, he showed her his dirty palm, but she could see the mark of the stone where it had burned hi warily "A charm of some sort?"

"Not a kystrel," Lia answered with a nod and showed hi He looked relieved

"I aloith inner fire "They are powerful Even the strongest est of us all"

Lia looked at hiht?"

"The Battle of Forshee Though it was not ether "We abandoned the earl and each rode our oay" He rubbed his mouth on his arm, his face livid with memories "I should have left for Pry-Ree when Deht Forshee would redeem the mastons, but he could not Not with her as his wife" He looked at her blackly "The earl’s wife is hetaera I know she is You could see it just looking at her I could not serve him And now he is ill, and…"

Lia did not mean to, but she started "Ill? What do you rowl "He came back from Dahomey with Deh the king had sworn peace if she becaan it anew They were ht, and then the Blight struck hi The Dowager’s forces were closing in when I took flight They were closing the ring around us, but I is hunts every ’s army of mercenaries will land now that the stordorip They will kill Forshee for treason, they will If the sickness does not end him first"

CHAPTER THIRTY SEVEN:

Fallen Blossoms

Winter ended with an abruptness that surprised Lia It seerounds one day and then the next, a warm humid breeze floated in and the ice ht at least, she had experienced the stirrings of the Mediu ca would happen – she did not knohat Perhaps the Queen Dowager would send her ar was co to prepare Perhaps Maderos would come and relieve her of the burden he had placed on her She thought that the ships would not leave during the winter, not when brutal storms lashed the seas with their utathered to a safehaven, to a secret place Spring would bring calm waters and she would need tier orb, it would make the search more difficult