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Lia’s heart spasmed with joy "I can come back? Even after what I did?"

A half-smile and a nod was his answer He was never very talkative Her heart was so full, she nearly started crying again She clasped her hands in front of her, thinking of it – savoring it She could return to Muirwood instead of being banished forever

Colvin’s voice was dark "Why?"

"Hed a tuft of grass froive her?"

Jon stowed the waterskin and cinched the pack shut again "I do not begin to understand the Aldermaston’s reasons He is far wiser than I will ever be He sent me to find you I found you Lucky for you both Your first day in the Bearden Muir ell You went straight towards Winterrowd as if the Mediu your steps Then yesterday, your trail wandered to and fro like a pig drunken on spoiled cider until you reached the road If you had stayed on the road ht you His horses are faster and hisa ht they had you, but you caht your trail before they did Now they have to double-back and see where you caht you first What happened? Did you lose the orb?"

"I failed," Lia said, asha you?"

Lia pulled her cloak htly around her shoulders "It is my fault I have been too fearful"

He was silent for a moment as he considered "I can tell you this We will not h the Bearden Muir without it We h the day I, for one, do not want to risk being caught by the to you" He looked down at Colvin "You are a h Why did you not cure her fear?"

Colvin looked up, his jaw set "Only she can do that I have been…I have been teaching her about the Medium…"

Jon waved his hand "She is not a learner! She cannot be a learner But you are a ?"

Colvin looked shocked "I have never done one before I…I…it is not that…"

"You are a ht to call on the Medium to lay a Gift on soht words…they are written in my tome I do not have it…"

"It is not exactly a riddle, lad I have heard the Aldermaston do it He Gifted e"