Page 89 (1/2)

"You found hts spun with surprise and shock She turned on her heel, staring as he eed from around the trunk His face was ers stained with mud Bits of bark and nettles stuck in his clothes He looked like she usually did after a foray into the Bearden Muir

"What are you doing here?" she de? Are you hurt?"

"You seem surprised to see er

"Of course I am surprised Why are you here?"

"You truly do not know?" his voice was thick with disbelief

"I would never lie to you You know that I never have Where are Marciana and Ellowyn? Are they nearby? I only saw one set of steps to follow"

"I was hoping, Lia, that you would tell e "The Aldermaston betrayed us Martin led us into a trap"

He may have well punched her in the stomach She shook her head "No, that cannot be true"

"Would I lie about this?" he snapped impatiently His eyes burned with fury and another look – desperation "Please I need your help I did not knohere else to go You can help me, Lia You are the only one who can"

She shook her head, still a before her "I do not understand The Alder you It breaks a ed as she said it "Do not speak of things you know nothing about I believed him, but would Martin have betrayed him? I was assured of his loyalty, and he led us into a trap But you can help er orb, you can show me the way to them I must find them" His face looked even more desperate "They have my sister too," he choked out

"What?" Lia deer has them?"