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The Aldermaston motioned to Prestithdrew another scroll The steward’s voice was thick and cultured "This letter infor Whitsunday at Muirwood this year We expect her arrival in a fortnight Her retinue will be joining her as well and we have been asked to provide lodging for them at our expense"
Lia looked at the Aldermaston in alarm "Does she know that Ellowyn is here?"
"I do not know I can and must presume that somehow she does know and that her retinue will be prepared for many possibilities They may try to abduct her, poison her or the earls, or determine what they can about our defenses – to plumb the depth of our coth of our thoughts That is why the earls are staying here and not in the village That is why they will only eat from my kitchen And that is why my own hunter will be responsible for their safety while they are here If any threat ees, you are to flee to the tunnels and use the orb to find a safe haven for the to find your quarry, for you must return before the festival so that I have both of you here when the Queen Dowager arrives Re’s wife I understand that she has been visiting the towns and Abbeys in surrounding Hundreds in recent uard with her"
Martin leaned forward "It would be safer to irl now then, Aldermaston"
He shook his head "I would rather she stay under Muirwood’s protection while it still is strong We have time yet, Martin There is still tihts and worries She folded her arht of her responsibility
The Alderhts "So you see, Lia I have not sent Martin on the harder errand after all"
CHAPTER SIX:
Pro the foodstuffs and carefully packed it inside Martin’s baggage She included some small pouches of spices that she knew he liked and then cinched it closed and held it out to hi, the two quivers full of brightly-fletched arrows, his hand resting casually on the gladius po the work of death and war htmares of the battlefield of Winterrowd still haunted her, though not as often
She gave hi, which always made hi, lass By Cheshu, I get the joy of wandering again in the fenlands and serous" He looked at her sternly "I have taught you well enough if you had the mind to listen The hunter is patient The prey is careless You are a good lass Be wary Be wise Be cautious I will return within a fortnight" He reached out and sesture, a subtle showing of affection, and it made her s
"I will have Pasqua save you a slice of sambocade," Lia said "Maybe a whole dish"
He shook his head and pounded his sto But a slice – that would be worth returning to Keep an eye on the learner quarters I think there are several of the first years who are getting a bit daring now that the year is finishing I would not scold you if you dyed soht Woad is a useful plant for that"
Lia laughed and gave hi Then she opened the pouch at her waist and withdrew the Cruciger orb He peered at her, his eyes suddenly fierce and penetrating The scoas still there beneath the bushy cropped beard that wasIt was as if he wanted to say so, but could not
"Show me the way to the aze
The orb twirled and spun in her hand and pointed northwest, towards the Bearden Muir He looked at the spindles, at the writing that appeared on the surface of the orb, but he could not read either He nodded to her and then departed, tugging up his leather cowl to shade his face froht, she looked down at the orb again Showtowards the Cider Orchard, where she expected him to be Carefully, she placed it back in the pouch and headed off towards the orchard So hts collided in her mind, that she nearly stuers, it was difficult untangling theirl had ene soon at Muirwood How could she, one person, handle it all? Part of her had been dreading Whitsunday for weeks, and that had turned to excitement when she learned Colvin had arrived But instead of enjoying the dance, she would be worried about him