Page 43 (1/1)

"I knoretcheds are not allowed," Lia whispered "But the Aldermaston said I could Is each roo past the archway mid-wall into the next square rooerness "There are farlines from Ovidius today A different translation than the one I read last year Though Colvin is impressed with Muirwood’s collection, and that is not easy, he chooses to study elsewhere" She frowned "Here coer I will speak with you later I am with Ellowyn at that table"

Lia dared not move past the threshold of the doorway, colitter of the aurichalcu the roo of the Mediu for hundreds of years

"There you are," the Alder the Queen Dowager that it was a foolish idea to hunt today, and here you arrive fitted to weather a stor in such foul weather Madness"

The Queen Dowager’s voice was silken "Your hunter is not afraid of a little wet, Alderis was dressed in black velvet still, another design than the gown she had arrived in, with silver trim and a wreath of jewels around her throat The bodice of her goas scandalously low-cut

Lia knew the Alderhts She could tell by his expression what he wanted "My lady, I caiven o if he commands me, but I would not trust horses in weather like this And with the et far afoot"

"In Dahomey, we ride in weather worse than this," she said, her voice hardening

"As I said, I will go if the Aldermaston commands liree, Lia I do not advise it It is not safe to venture far beyond the grounds now"

"Safe?" the Queen Dowager demanded "What do youthe woods behind the Abbey proper They may still be out there Obviously they could not be your er That would be in defiance of reat distance beyond the walls as you well know They extend out as far as the Bearden Muir I trust these hborn target such as yourself? It would be safer to remain in the Abbey until the rain clears"

Lia ale It was clear to her that he suspected the riders she and Colvin had discovered were Paregis’ men If she took responsibility for them, he could claim she was in defiance of his authority and expel her

Her nose flared and she studied hi her response carefully "It is surprising that you trust your defenses into the hands of a young girl, Alderrow bold, ould happen?"

The Alderly "You have not heard then, Queen Dowager, of the history of the Abbey’s defenses? There is a hill nearby as a reround"

"I have heard of that hill…and its stories," she replied charly "I do not believe them"

"You may believe what you will But I would not risk your safety or any of your rounds She does kno to use the bow, after all"

"I iine she was trained well by her master" The voice was silken but full of venom She turned to Lia "What wood do you use for a bow?"

"Ash," Lia replied

"You fletch your own arrows as well? Or does sois’ eyebrows lifted with adlanced at the Aldermaston, uncertain what to do He nodded subtly Slowly, she parted her cloak and withdrew a single arrow The Queen Dowager looked at it closely

"The best fletchers are Pry-rian," she said, turning the shaft slowly, exa ties like this, the way yours is Are you Pry-rian, girl?"

Before Lia could respond, the Aldermaston said, "The hunter who trained her is Why do you ask?"

The Queen Dowager’s eyes met the Aldermaston and an impish smile came across her mouth "My lord husband was killed by a Pry-rian arrow The fletching was like this"