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Lia wondered as being the bigger fool, but she said nothing and finished the porridge before joining Sowe and Brynn in the loft
"Has anyone toppled the old man off the pole yet?" asked Lia mischievously
Brynn answered first "No, but they have tried This is my first year to dance They better not knock hiently "There are more people out this year than normal They must be very excited You look tired"
"I feel it," Lia replied, drawing near, hovering above both of the sitting girls, and stared out the panes into the village Sowe’s hair was freshly combed and she smelled of purple mint Over the year, she had blossomed even more Lia could see it now, see how her shyness and soft-spoken de quality The other wretcheds of the Abbey adored her, except the laundry girls
Areen, there appeared horses with poles fixed with standards bearing the Queen Dowager’s eh the croards the ates of the Abbey
"Look at all the horses," BrynnHer sleeplessness was gone as her heart began pounding in fear Snatching her bow sleeve and quiver, she hurried out the kitchen and sprinted towards the gate
Pareigis sat astride her foaown as well as a black headdress and gauzy veil that shielded her face from the warm midsummer sun The late season storreen, and the starkness of the contrast between the Queen Dowager and her hts, also astride, their hands resting ly on sword hilts or the doates just behind the Aldermaston, in his wake but close to hiates ahead of them were much of the Abbey helpers and teachers, as well as Colvin, Edirl in the company
When they advanced within earshot, the Queen Dowager stiffened in her saddle "Your gatekeeper forbids uest but a few days ago I told youwas to be expected, yet I a with fury
The Alder the pain she had noticed earlier Anger brooded in his eyes "You may celebrate Whitsunday in any quarter of the realer But you have violated the oath of hospitality and so are refused adrounds There are e to choose froe from the Medium at her words
The Alder He kept his focus on her, but Lia searched the faces of the soldiers surrounding her One of thelowed silver It was Scarseth, wearing the Queen Dowager’s livery His hand clutched the fabric near his heart, and she kneas fondling the kystrel Lia felt the Medium quicken within her
"I forbid it," the Aldermaston replied
The white stallion pranced and twirled and the Queen Dowager adjusted her view of theates, Alder fields of Winterrowd Do you wish me to accuse you so publicly?"
It was a taunt, one spoken with malice intended Lia stiffened her hold on the bow stave
"As this was your intent all along, why ruin it? Say what you er’s teeth She rose higher in the saddle, her back stiff and straight With a black glove, she pointed directly at the Alderh treason by the name of Gideon Penman, Aldermaston of Muirwood Abbey For you did willfully and unlawfully bring about the death of e that you did aid and abet fugitives of the king’s justice, even the earls of Forshee and Norris-York That you sent your oorn h this Hundred to plot my husband’s death at Winterrowd That your swornwith this bloodied arrow!" Her voice had built to a fevered pitch and she thrust the arrow into the air within the sight of everyone assembled
"Therefore I arrest you, Gideon Penman, for the murder of my lord husband You will stand trial for your crie the Earl of Forshee with high treason I grant amnesty to the newly made Earl of Norris-York, for he was not a party to the plot Now in the naates!"