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Lia obeyed and dropped to her knees and he placed his heavy hand on top of her head The fiery itches ht a trickle of coly within hi at the banks He was full of it – so full of its strength

"The poison is not mortal I rebuke it within your body Be co flared up even worse, a spasrew firmer "Be comforted Be at peace I rebuke the poison It will not afflict you" The words no sooner left hisbecame even worse Her skin burned as if afire Tears came down her cheeks and she started to sob and treain to quell it His other hand came down on her head "By Idumea’s Gift, be comforted Be still Be cleansed fro sound filled her ears as the Mediu vanished away, leaving her gasping for breath and weeping with relief The feeling of well-being, safety, and comfort returned Slowly, shakily, she drew in a fresh breath and was not tortured by it

Lia opened her eyes as the Aldermaston stepped away from her and noticed Martin in the doorway, his eyes onder Her nose was running, and embarrassed, she covered it with her sleeve

Martin’s voice was thick with accent and e I told you the as too dangerous, by Cheshu!" His eyes glittered with anger "How is she?"

The Aldermaston walked slowly to his chair and settled in it wearily He looked aged by the ordeal "The poison will not kill her Considering her penchant for dangerous circumstances, is it not wise to train her the best we can?" He looked to Lia "Be wary not to burn the plant," he said hoarsely "The smoke can carry the oils into the air It would be harmful to breathe those vapors It has no roots, so bury it outside the Abbey grounds tomorrow Touch it not, for even the stems are poisoned"

Martin shut the door and came inside He went to help Lia stand, but the Aldermaston held out his hand

"Do not touch her, Martin Her clothes are soiled with it You may need to bury them as well if they cannot be cleansed at the laundry Soet it fro yourself"

Martin hovered near her His voice was low and tender "I worried for you, lass More so than I declared That plant, Aldermaston I have not seen its breed before I have not seen it in any of the woods I have travelled Not here or in Pry-Ree"

The Aldered his temples, his eyes squeezed shut "No, you would not have seen it before It did not originate from this land"

Lia looked down at her hands The rash and sores were still there, but they were no longer itching

As if reading her thoughts, the Aldermaston said, "Your body will heal now In a few days, the reive you a salve to aid the blisters in healing"

"Is it the Blight then?" Lia asked "This plant?"

"No, the Blight is not a plant or a plague, but it can bring either We will speak of it tomorrow You are both wearied froht We had visitors while you were gone and expect er is coed a look – a look full of dread

The s Lia’s nose Her body throbbed as if she had been trarateful it was fully dark when she left the apothecary and started towards the kitchen, anxious for a crust of bread to sate her hunger and a place she could hide her face and rest Pasty chalk-colored salve decorated her ars, and face and she walked with her hood up to hide the white splotches fro about Whatever news the Aldermaston had, she wanted to hear it, especially if it involved the Queen Dowager – the woman whose husband Lia had killed with an arrow at Winterrowd

Smoke drifted from the bread ovens and Lia inhaled it Her stoer It was late, so Bryn was likely still with Sowe instead of back at the village with her family Lia liked Bryn and was pleased the Aldermaston had chosen her to fill her place in the kitchen to help Pasqua Usually that was soer wretched to learn, but the Aldere It meant that Pasqua was likely bedded down and the crossbar in place