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"I already knew that, Lia"

They reached the gatehouse, which was opened for them The streets were full of people and carts, the traffic of buying and selling that Lia loathed soruder still as they usually did before twilight A few looked askance in her direction, but she ignored them Several whispered behind their hands and then pointed at Colvin The wind scattered leaves and dust and Lia looked up and saw clouds rushing in frorim Inn bustled with stain-splotched travelers and weary helpers She looked for any indication that souests, but waved to her The children were playing at the uests, one of which was an older wo wrong?" she asked hi in, by the look of it I have Brant up fixing the roof right now Did you see if he was using a rope? I hate it when he forgets to use a rope Does the Alder?"

"Is Maud in the kitchen?" Lia asked

"Yes, I believe so She hen I last checked At least I think so I am not sure"

So Lia and Colvin went to the rear of the inn and entered the kitchen As Lia opened the door, she tested the air, feeling for Myriad Ones Maud was by herself, preparing a stew and bread hastily She looked over as they entered and grabbed a tray of loaves

"Lia!" Her face looked worried, but she brightened "I was thinking about you a short ti well? How is Bryn and Pasqua?"

Lia looked around the kitchen, searching for anything out of place "Why are the children playing in the common room? They normally play in here"

Maud’s face clouded "They do not want to play in here any , Maud?"

She bit her lip "No, not really It is just…well, I told Siler we should tell the Alder down in the cellar It has been acting…strangely The children are frightened to go down there now You know children and how they can ioing down "

Lia shook her head "It is the reason I am here Go with Siler and do not let anyone in Wait for us It will not take long"

Maud dried her hands on the towel and rushed out of the kitchen Lia turned to Colvin and nodded to the trapdoor near the far wall That trapdoor was the last place they had seen each other before his return to Muirwood He walked over and pulled on the heavy iron ring, heaving it up effortlessly Lia walked around the other side, hand on hilt Colvin’s jaas set – as tense as any time she’d seen hi…" Lia started to say She did not feel the presence of anyone below

"How large is it?" Colvin asked He looked nervous

"Not very large Shelves and stores o down first"

But he was already ahead of her, jurily, she started down the ladder and entered after hi ca carved into the stone door, and she silenced it with her er orb fro away the shadows Colvin looked behind some barrels and then motioned her over His jaas clenched

From the position of the barrels, a space had been cleared away There were chicken bones, cru food Bootprints were all over the floor and rain

"He is not here," Colvin said "He knew you were co"

"True, but he does not know that I have this," Lia said, holding up the orb In her e and smells of him that she remembered – scruffy chin, bloodshot eyes, the stink of sweat and onions The spindles on the orb began to whir

CHAPTER TEN:

Storm on the Tor

Thunder ruh Lia’s cloak, chilling her skin An occasional drop of rain splattered against her face, but the brunt of the stor in the sky Her cloak flapped behind her with the wind, as if it would be torn away, so she clutched it at her throat anda cloak hihtly across his chest, his look determined