Page 45 (1/1)

- Cuthbert Renowden of Billerbeck Abbey

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN:

Befallen

By the tier had scarcely calo to the common room, seize the thief by his hair, and claw his face with her nails, or bash a pot against his head Or ers with a mallet The commotion of the inn did not stop, but no one else ventured into the kitchen but the faathered around the abbey gates to watch the confrontation between the Alder how long it would last All eyes were fixed on that scene It was the perfect moment to rescue Colvin In her mind, she wished the Alderer The delay benefited her, if only he realized it

Bryn was too excited to sit She brushed back her hair as she talked quickly to the others "The squire…you know, the prisoner…he has a cross look His scowl is truly frightening He does not seery"

"You have described him well," Lia said "Where do they have him? TellI am so sad for him They have him chained at the wrists, they do His face is bloodied…"

"Did they ask for a healer?" Lia asked, pleading

"Yes, he said we should fetch one One of the corateful for the food and the cider I have seen hungry men before, but they were more like wolves"

The chains would be difficult Then an idea struck Lia, and she turned to the good wo slippery That will help with the chains" Brant was still gone, saddling up the horse, at the rear of the Pilgri into knots What if one of the sheriff’s nized her? She had to worry about that It would ruin everything She would have to pretend to be soood woman shook her head "Valarianum does not work that quickly Give them time to eat the meal first Do not be hasty"

Lia bit her lip, then shook her head "I must If the sheriff returns, we have lost our chance"

Her expression darkened "You should not have been sent," she o up there Silar – do not let her go She is a child"

Lia turned to the good awked at her and then at his wife "But what am I to do about it? If the Alder to send a child to do this sort of work" She looked at Lia fiercely "Sending up a tray of food will not arouse suspicion But you are a girl still Those soldiers are o instead"

The father gawked again "You cannot go, let alone h foolishness If the AlderHe should not have sent a child"

"It is not our choice that he did What you are asking ood wo"

Lia rose to her feet "No one has sentwill not show hiood woman whispered

Her husband took her shoulders "The Aldermaston will protect us, as he always has Have confidence in hiht way"

"She is only a child, Silar And so is our Bryn This is wrong!"

Standing tall, the good man confronted his wife "Should the Aldermaston ask me to wear a noose, I would do it" His voice trembled with emotion "For hiet that? We retcheds Noe are Family" He shook his head "Your heart is fearful for our children For this child But I tell you, the Aldermaston will shield us as he always has" He turned to Lia, tears in his eyes "Go now, child You show your courage this day The Aldermaston will shield you as well"

Lia stared at his towards the Alderood wo – woad, broth, linen, ater She crossed to the table where the tray was and carefully lifted it Glancing back at the family, she nodded to them, and then followed Bryn out into the hall