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"Youth who co already in hand and fixed solidly in their minds Some have exceptional Gifts already with the Medium when they arrive Some can already summon fire or water or cause a stone to lift and tre to the Abbey, we expectsix, we expect twelve when they leave If they come with but one talent, we test and try and prove the two or three more from them But whether they coorous training of the Abbey begins to take its toll on thehts to the subtle poison of doubt Not even an Aldermaston’s power can cure it, for these students do harm to themselves The mind, like the body, can be moved from sunshine into shade"

- Cuthbert Renowden of Billerbeck Abbey

CHAPTER TWENTY ONE:

Bearden Muir

The Bearden Muir was a lair of reen reeds, and stunted skeletal oaks sagging on the occasional luround amidst a swanats andearth Ghostly noises wandered by like lost echoes Every bit of ground was saturated with h the Bearden Muir – it changed too often to construct thee, and eerily beautiful, like a das

Several h the middle of the Bearden Muir, formed by three tributaries that tried in vain to drain the lowlands One of the tributaries now barred the path to Winterrowd The Cruciger orb led theish flank The other side was choked with reeds, and the throaty growls of bullfrogs arnings not to cross

"What did Maderosanother insect away from her face

"I do not know," Colvin answered sullenly, scanning the trees The mud was slippery for the stallion’s hooves, and his full attention was brought to bear on guiding it

"I have heard of vigils before," Lia said "They happen at the abbey Learners abandon sleep for so they desire It is coer shock e of the mastons’ customs," he said over his shoulder

"But surely you have an idea what Maderosabout my sister Marciana in Forshee who does not know I a of you By all that is…does this river never end? Can we not cross it yet?"

"If he was talking about me, then you need to teach one without eating And sohts I am restless and cannot sleep But I do not think that is the sail"