Page 9 (1/2)

As the memory of the Aldermaston’s words filled her mind, sheYou will stop now

It did, but grudgingly The burning withdrew The fla deep inside the stone, dih for Lia The rock cooled enough to touch it

When she did, an i around the stone wearing blood-spattered ar Not the sheriff – for it had happened during the winter months when snow covered much of the Bearden Muir Aa snail-shapedand summoned the flames to warm them He communed with it in hishad told him who last had touched it It had shown hinized the man and knew his name

"A desire to be observed, considered, esteemed, praised, beloved, and admired by his fellows is one of the earliest as well as the keenest dispositions discovered in the heart of man My advice to new learners is to squelch it all their days for those desires lead to ruin"

- Gideon Penht

Lia stifled a sob of joy as they crossed the final ring of oaks and entered the grounds of Muirwood Splotches of violently itching sores covered her face, hands, and legs and had plagued her the entire way back Washing the plant’s oil fro or prevent the poisonous sap fro to other parts of her body As she and Martin wove through the treacherousinflamed her hands and face and then spread further Martin drove her hard, hardly stopping to rest, warning her to stop scratching, but she could not stop The itch wasand unquenchable They reached the Abbey a day earlier than expected The sunset colored the sky a rich violet and the first stars began winking into view

Martin coughed to clear his hoarse throat Their water had run out earlier that day "I will find someone to stable the beast You hurry to the Alder, and the Abbey seemed abuzz with life Lia raised her hood to hide the blistering skin on her face and dug her nails into her ribs to keep frohter bubbled froathered She kept her head low and walked quickly, not even glancing at the kitchen until she had passed it and entered the hast that she had not brushed her boots before co her? Would it kill her?

She grasped the handle of the Aldermaston’s study and yanked it open

"Lia?"

It was the Alder, she saw hi down the hall When he finally saw her face, his eyes widened with shock "Prestwich! Send for Siara Healer"

Her jaw hurt fro burned across her body Its persistence nearly made her scream She turned to look at the Aldermaston as he motioned her inside his study and shut the door