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There was one giant where the exposed roots were so deep, it was like a cave Using the orb for light, she explored the depth and discovered that it was not the den of any animal The burnt insides of the tree was probably not a place anih to stand in until the very end

"It will be twilight soon," Lia said, rubbing her hand against the charcoal interior "If we go down the ht We will probably be seen by anyone lower down To be honest, I around today, most of it uphill" The little den was about as comfortable a shelter as she could have hoped for

"I a it down He stared at the tangle of exposed roots, his expression curious "This is truly an ancient land I have never seen the like and probably never will again" He looked at her "I have never slept inside a dead tree before I suppose they would reed and withdew the orb and su appeared when it was trying to warn her None appeared now The orb had not changed directions for a while "Weather in the h it is suhlands At least we have this as shelter if that happens"

Colvin agreed and they set abouta small camp in the hollow of the roots They did not want to risk a fire, but just in case the teht, it would be ss, so they were gathered in before the darkness sed the in the pit of the tree, they shared their iant tree carcass still clinged to the sun’s waruessed, acutely aware of how quiet Colvin was "I do not knoide this range is, but if they are traveling around it, we ht Or if they stopped for shelter at an inn"

Colvin said nothing and she wondered if he was asleep It was strange being in Pry-Ree, even stranger being with him The land was e as the Bearden Muir, but harsh and alien There were plants she did not recognize and the air had a different smell to it, a musk from the redwoods that was different from the oaks she was used to She settled on top of her blanket and pulled her cloak over her shoulders, sitting up and leaning back against the ridged inside of the trunk, not sure how she should feel about her homeland It was not fahter of the land, even though she had no lanced down at the shadow of Colvin’s body and decided she would take the first watch while he slept The wind rustled the air and the towering liiant trees creaked as they swayed

"Lia?" His voice was soft, almost a whisper

"Yes?"

Another silence

"There is so I must tell you A confession Iand pray for another, not telling the truth even to ourselves"

- Gideon Penman of Muirwood Abbey

CHAPTER THIRTY SIX:

Fallen Giants

"What is it?" Lia asked, turning around to face hiht the orb please"

She withdrew it fro theround in front of her The air wascolder with eachas she breathed Shehis serious face His expression was restless and eager to say so one of his so down at the orb and then at her She noticed a slight tre to escape hts in the dark But I cannot escape them Not any more I have been inUp to that moment, I had persuaded myself that you were fond of that boy Duerden, that only s were at risk I was determined to master them To control them" He looked down at his hands and then up at her "For the life of ht them I have tried to burn therets Every verse in every toainst what I a Ovidius comes the nearest, but his words only torture me They do not comfort I have lied to er I must tell you the truth"