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"What would you havevictuals froht now We are to meet in the stables and take his and Ed voice "Use the orb to elude the marauders in the woods I am sure…" he stiffened with a wince, the pain so severe it stole his breath When he was able to speak again, his voice was pale eakness "They…have…made it to the Pry-rian border by now Or they are…nearly to Bridgestow and will ferry across…from there You must…find Ellowyn She was under…our protection She still…is"

Lia squeezed his hand harder "Why did he do it, Alderhing deeply "He always felt…he was betraying Pry-Ree by not fetching her He loves his people deeply The Blight that struck…Pry-Ree…was so severe He could not live there…like a sickness A cancer"

Prestwich bathed his forehead with a da to die?" Lia whispered "What will happen to the Abbey?"

He shook his head, thrashing it in the effort "My pains…coth will return I am old, but I have work yet to do The Medium has assured me of that The pain will pass soon"

Lia bit her lip, watching his suffering with syer co her to us…with those fears…so soon? The Medium controls my destiny I told you…that Go, child Help the Earl of Forshee find his sister And Deo…that you would be going Now I knohy Prestwich…I aht"

Oncehis sweaty forehead and hurrying fro nervously

"Will he die, Lia?"

She shook her head "I do not know You ht Warn hiave him a stern look and then hurried to the kitchen Pasqua and Soere fussing over the stores they had gathered and tied into linens and leather rucks She had already fetched the Cruciger orb and tied it to her waist While Colvin shouldered the burdens, she took her bow sleeve and three quivers of arrows Pasqua stifled a sob and gave her a crushing hug Soas entle and whispered in her ear, "Keep Edmon well for me"

Lia promised she would and then left with Colvin into the dark They crossed the Abbey grounds afoot, their stride ency to reach the stables

"What did he say?" Colvin asked brusquely, his eyes unreadable in the gloom

"That Martin was convinced Muirould fall That Deh this season before – when the Abbeys are destroyed and the Blight comes He has always been loyal to his native land Maybe Martin thought that because of her birthright, she will be able to reverse the Blight that has plagued Pry-Ree"

"I should have foreseen this," Colvin erous whenever there is a conflict of loyalties You were right to confer with the Alderretted I did not the last time I ran off with you I have learned a little wisdoht on in the stables"

"The grooain her hand went to the hilt of her gladius Must everything be so difficult?

"Lethis pace, but Lia held out her hand and blocked hiether"

Without trying to disguise her approach, she walked straight to the stable doors and thrust them open Inside, she found two saddled horses – Colvin’s and Edure who rose when the door opened

It was Dieyre He glanced at the the horses so quickly "Where are we riding?" he asked, cinching the harness and adjusting the bridle

Colvin stared at hi

Dieyre peered over his shoulder, snorting when he saw the look on Colvin’s face "Please, Forshee, do not take this aet hunize that I ahter, a better rider, and equally interested in what happens next I had a suspicion that if I lingered, one of you would wander back Or she would lead me to you if I watched her like a kystrel Do not start, Forshee! I a of birds! There are two of you, you say Fair enough But aste tiis’ traps"