Page 135 (1/1)

Lia stared at him He looked even older and his eyes burned as if he had a fever Prestwich helped walk hied, obviously distressed about being dismissed from her own kitchen

But the Aldermaston did not speak further Slowly, step by step, he approached, his eyes fixed on Lia’s Prestwich helped him sit and then stood away

"Even you, old friend," the Aldermaston whispered Prestwich nodded with a surly look and left the kitchen, as did the others Pasqua grunantly but soon the door was shut and a hush fell over the kitchen, except for the snap and crack of the fire

Lia reached out and took the oldhim a look of warmth and respect Her throat choked with tears It was such a relief to see him awake, his dark eyebrows arched over his fiery eyes "What is it you would tell me?" she asked hoarsely

He looked at her intently "I have learned what happened three days ago I have learned of your injuries I know that Colvin has taken…her…to Dahoer orb Hoere you able to read it, child? What did it say?"

She sed, leaning back against the pillows, and told the story of their journey through Pry-Ree and the arrival at Tintern Abbey He listened carefully, waiting with great curiosity, great interest on his face She spoke of their return, Dieyre’s betrayal, and the flight through the Bearden Muir He listened carefully, saying nothing until she was finished

"The Alder down at the bed "He knew you? He…recognized you?"

"Yes, but he would not say who I ao back and speak to him I wish he had told me what he knew"

The Alderrunted "He cannot, child"

Lia looked at him, confused "What do you ue So they have gone to Dahoin That is where it will start"

"What?" Lia asked, her stoht?"

He nodded "I saw it in vision I sahat Alder We have all seen the colors of the leaves changing, predicting the passing of a season But I have seen the result I have seen the skeletal trees rereater than any other we have known A sickness and plague that will destroy everyone Everyone Not a man, woman, or child will survive it when it comes Its devastation will be codoms" His look burned into hers "I have seen it in my mind There is only one way to save ourselves and that is to abandon these shores The exodus has already begun The Aldermaston of Tintern told you of it"

"Yes," Lia said "There are boats They are building ships Soiven the warning first? Why is it that you did not see it co?"

He rocked slowly back and forth, his expression pained but thoughtful "Pry-Ree was a proud kingdom Too proud You have heard Martin speak of it That they succumbed swiftly to their fate and their princes all were killed I would disagree with part of his assess with the Mediu to happen The people did not heed their leaders, and so the leaders were taken away The people focused on earning coins through trade and bringing in the latest spices andfrom tomes So the Medium abandoned the defeat, they have learned hu broken were they able to see that their ai course The huave their Alderlory But in the end, it is the fall of Pry-Ree that will save us all"

Lia shivered with the thought "What must we do then?"

"We ret "But do you see the trouble, Lia? We are too proud ourselves We, the conquerors Can you i that forsaken people for help? Begging aid from a nation so humbled? They who hate us and we hate them? Some would rather die Most will not even believe the situation is so dire They will not believe because they do not want to believe Because it would alter their view of the world"

She re Ciana had told her once We are slow to believe that which if believed would hurt our feelings