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"Lia Cook," he said in his deep, raspy voice "By Iduift you with the ability to speak in any foreign tongue To be understood and to speak freely I give unto you the Gift of xenoglossia May it serve you well in your purpose in life I also gift you peace and protection that you will live to fulfill the Mediued within her She felt it singing in her blood, filling every nook within her Tears stung her eyes at its familiar, tender presence The peace of Muirwood descended on her He finished the benediction and lifted his hand

Gratefully, she stood and looked at hi in her heart "Thank you, Alder that…ill be parted soon"

He s you for thatdown, he coughed to clear his throat "I pray you will forgive me, but I nearly refused another attempt to purchase your freedoive you the opportunity to choose for yourself, and so I have"

She paused, looking at him sternly "I would never serve the Earl of Dieyre," she said

"No I would counsel you against that The Fesit fa to celebrate Whitsunday in the hopes of procuring your release so you can marry their son Apparently you made an impression on the at week’s end"

Lia’s eyes widened with horror "Duerden?"

The Aldermaston nodded "It is your decision, Lia My only request is that when the time comes, you escort Ellowyn Demont to a safe haven But I will not forbid your happiness He is a good young man, will make an excellent mastonYou could do much worse than hi with shock as she left

Sowe and Bryn were asleep, the door to the kitchen secured tight, so Lia slept on a pallet on the rush- in Pasqua’s rooht Her hts Duerden wanted tobefore He had never intimated that it was his desire Awake before the dawn, she washed her face ater froles out of her wild hair and then joined the commotion of the er was not to be deterred by the rain and snapped orders to her servants to athered outside the gates in a light drizzle In a black velvet riding cloak, the Queen Dowager mounted astride a white stallion with leather harness studded with silver stars She stared at the Abbey, studying it with an expression of loathing Lia wanted to spook her stallion and make it bolt She walked a to each other in Dahomeyjan

"Will the Abbey burn with so ely, his dark face twisted into a scowl

"Hush, you fool," another snapped, glaring at Lia as she passed

"She is a wretched," the man said with a snort "She cannot understand"

The Earl of Dieyre was not aht out Prestwich "Where is Dieyre?" she asked hi of a sto to him, but he says the cra the Alder him"

Lia smirked "It is a pretext He has another er Tell the Alder the Abbey"

"I should like to see theer

In due order, the retinue exited Muirwood’s gates and rode towards the Tor where Lia iined they would meet up with the other men and possibly even the kishion If what Dieyre said was true, he would linger after the retinue left She wondered what sort of rounds, looking for signs of Dieyre or any stragglers from the retinue She missed the rateful Pasqua had finished frying some crispels on a skillet They arm and sweet

"Where were you yesterday?" Brynn asked Lia, twirling around "It was raining so hard, there was nothing else to do but wait inside Edmon danced with us"

Lia raised her eyebrows at the "He said he wanted to be sure he knew the maypole dance done in this Hundred He asked Sowe if she would teach him When she did, he then danced with ood dancer, Lia He said he wished you were there so he could dance with you as well"