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"You lied to me!" she seethed

"You may believe whatever you will," he answered back

"You are my enemy," she returned "You are responsible for the murder…"

The Aldermaston’s voice erupted like thunder "Shall we end this tireso to ers of Muirwood, not my own I have the earl’s sord about their safe conduct, so anywill end with his hands bloodied, not reat lead on you, but they do not have horses for we do not have any to spare, even if I were so inclined Their fate and destiny is in their own hands now I care not whether you kill me or let me live I do not care!"

Her face was livid with fury She was so beautiful – so dark, yet so beautiful "You will care, Aldermaston," she answered softly "There are deaths even you would shrink froeance in full" She straightened in the saddle "Ten thousand s ed and then stampeded It was a ruckus of hooves and shouts and whistles The hunt had begun

The riders all cleared away, save one The Earl of Dieyre stared at Lia, his eyes inscrutable The Alderain as he walked Lia stared at Dieyre for a moment and then turned to follow

"Wait," he called after her

She turned back to the gate and approached He slid off the saddle, landing gracefully in the muck

"Lia, is it not?" he asked her

She nodded "You are not riding with the rest?"

"I do not need ten thousand ered the cold iron bar gently "So that is it? Your great Abbey’s defenses? Ia bitinto fire Or the Abbey shattering us into salt" He fingers squeeked against the iron "Maybe an infestation of weevils at least"