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The surge of the Mediu it rocked Lia back on her heels The Alderainst an unseen stor cruelly upon hiain She saw his legs begin to the trelanced at her in warning, his eyes blazing

Turning, he faced the Queen Dowager "You have no authority to condemn me," he stated simply "Surely you know that"

"In Dahoardless of their rank," she spat

"But we are not in Dahomey, nor do we converse in Dahoh," the Queen Dowager sneered

"As do many in this country But you overlook that as an Alderh Seer of Avinion You have no legal custody over raved and sealed within the cloister library The king has no jurisdiction here and neither do you You come here and flaunt your supposed authority in the hope of cowing me into subh Seer only"

Her face was beautiful but twisted with fury "A formality I have not overlooked, Alder to Avinion"

"The terled at times I do not fear the evidence you will undoubtedly conjure to support your accusation My man Jon Hunter was murdered in the Bearden Muir by the sheriff of Mendenhall, and I can surave, did you not, my lord Earl of Forshee?"

Colvin was as stern as a boulder "With h the Bearden Muir He was killed by the sheriff, as the Aldermaston says He was dead prior to the battle"

"You were seen!" Pareigis shrieked "Following the battle, you were seen with the hunter! I have twelve witnesses ill vouchsafe it"

"Then produce your witnesses," Colvin snapped "There were many looters after the battle who caht coin, they would say anything you wished I demand to face ’s Privy Council Your accusation is absurd"

"You are not an Alder "You are an Earl of the realm You must face a trial of your peers, as you say So I arrest you…"

"He is within the protection of Muirwood Abbey," the Alderuard him, as they do any with the rank of maston You cannot arrest hirant you audience any longer Be gone" He turned and started to hobble away, his face grave and wincing with pain

"Do not turn your back on ates at once! I cannot hold my men back forever"

The Alder but a buzzing fly "I am not concerned for is You mock what you do not even comprehend"

"No Aldermaston," she replied in a low voice "It is you who does not understand These bars will not protect you from me And those who mistakenly trust that you will shield them will cower and wail in fear when they discover it is but an empty proile ice, anger passes away in tier is delay"

- Gideon Penis’ Terates, trailed by Lia, Prestwich, and the knight-ht up with the theirs His voice throbbed with anger

"It would not take ates," Dieyre warned "You should treat with her while you still can She is allows"

"No doubt to enlist them into her service," the Aldernorant of the risks you face by opposing her Do you not care of the lives of the villagers?"

Colvin’s voice was cold with fury "Are you saying she will turn those murderers loose on our countrymen?" His hand closed around the sword pommel

"No, Forshee, I am not But I cannot believe the Aldermaston would risk it She does not suffer fools and she reht Offer to treat with her"