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"I will not let her step foot on the grounds," the Alderravely

"You let her in before"

The Aldermaston stopped and faced Dieyre "I will not treat with her"

"Why ever not?"

Lia had rarely seen the Aldermaston so furious His expression blazed with contempt "Have a care how youthat has barely seen a score of years I have seen kings and princes and Aldermastons scheme and plot and kill before you finished your first wetnurse Do you think I am a simpleton? That your presence within the Abbey walls at this moment is not entirely convenient for her purposes? Have a care, Dieyre You are not on the king’s land This is er "You are actually threatening me, old man?" His hand dropped to his hilt Colvin stepped forward, his motion ti "Please, Forshee Do not embarrass yourself"

"Neither of you will draw your swords," the Alderrounds The Abbey will strike down any who lift their hand in wrath"

Dieyre snorted "I do not believe that"

"It does not matter whether you believe it," came the reply "I have warned you"

Dieyre did not release his grip on his weapon, as if debating whether he would test the Alderust "For how ray beards warned that some doom or other would happen if we did not listen to your words It is a web of lies This Abbey is no er If people believe a lie long enough, it becomes truth to them Let me be candid This Abbey is surrounded It is vulnerable There is no walled keep to lay siege against This is no fortress that will hold out until Deis wills it, the townfolk will be put to death and she will make you watch, Aldermaston You delude yourself if you think some mystical power that mastons alone control will save you or this Abbey If you thwart her, she will burst open the gates, round up everyone inside and set it afire as an example to others that they need not believe the Medium even cares which sides uses it Can your heart cope with that, old reat Abbey burned?"

Lia felt a swelling feeling of protectiveness surge inside her She wanted to strike Dieyre across theit, but she deferred to the Alderazed at him coldly

"You never earned the rank of maston," he said "So you do not understand that you are playing into her hands"

"I refuse to swear blindly to follow the whisperings of dead ghosts I do not believe in these little aze turned thoughtful "What are her terms?"