Page 69 (2/2)

The Wretched of Pry-Ree

With a surge of relief and a half-choked sob, Lia rushed to Martin and hugged hied with dirt, his eyes puffy from lack of sleep but still alert Soed to shoo her back, scowling at her affection yet his gaze was gentle and war me You think I had died on er’s net Had to wait htfall, but it was dark and they are drenched The Alderh infrom me after all"

Lia took his dirty hands with hers and squeezed the from you Where have you been?"

"Roundabout," he replied "A hard journey There is much that has happened in the orld I have already told the Alderain soon, but at least you know your own strength now"

She gazed back at the Alder with the Earl of Forshee just now," the Alders Two Abbeys have fallen in the last fortnight Burned by fire"

Lia felt stricken "Which?" she whispered

"Dorset Abbey in Caspur’s dofall!" Lia gasped "That was Ellowyn’s…"

"Indeed," the Alder northwards with an army to confront the Earl of Caspur’s forces Which is why the Queen Dowager is co her allies here Martin will take Ellowyn and the others into the Bearden Muir tonight That will give the"

Lia was confused, but she still clutched at Martin’s hands as she stared at the Aldero You said I would be the one to take them"

He shook his head "I need you here, child"

"But I have the orb," she insisted "Where is Martin going to take them?"

"He has not told me, nor will he He is the only one who knows, and that is for the best right now I can claier that I do not knohere they are"

"It is for the best, lass," Martin said, freeing one of his hands and patting hers "The Alder the sudden weight of hopelessness at the thought of Colvin leaving Muirithout her She had to see him before he went Hoard it would be to part without bidding hioodbye As much as it tortured her to see hiether in the orchard, it would even more unendurable not to see him