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He squeezed her so hard it hurt Tears trickled down his cheek "You o then I cannot keep you here"

In the distance, a door opened and shut Voices ca Pry-rian She would have recognized Martin’s voice, but the men were not him The Aldermaston looked back and then at her He pulled her down amidst the vineyard With his other hand, he pulled Ellowyn down too He took their hands and clasped thee next "I will delay theo at once They will not listen to reason They will try and follow you Hasten to the uidance If the Mediuain You o with all haste"

Lia looked at Ellowyn and then back at him "Do you knoho I am?" she whispered

The Aldermaston blinked back tears "Yes I know you, child I know you When your task is corabbed Lia’s cheeks with both hands and kissed her forehead Then he kissed Ellowyn’s as well He clutched the surprised girl’s hands with hers "I Gift you with courage," he said to Ellowyn "You will need it in the o Go!"

Lia hooked her ar low so that the vines would shield them They moved quickly down the row, their footfalls softened by the earth Voices carried as they approached, the warbling tongue of that country They were easy in their banter, comfortable

"Did you see which way they went, Kieran?" one asked

"Nathen said they were going to the vineyard I think it is over there"

"No, that is the garden"

"Let us check there first I want soarden She was not sure what to do The end of the row of vines led up to the woods at the base of the arden was off to their left, past the low stone wall

As Lia poked her head above the hedge of gravepines, she saw the two Pry-rians enter the garden They wore leather hoods and vests and each had a gladius at their belt They approached the cropping of brush where she had left Colvin hiding

CHAPTER THIRTY NINE:

Fear Liath

Lia bit her lip and held her breath Sidling up behind a thick pine, she glanced through the arden at the two Pry-rians Both earing woodsladius’ belted to their waists and leather tunics with hoods She stared at theht at the