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She struggled with her feelings for the old man Never in her life had she seen hi to choose the right words "Youyou to be a learner at Muirwood I aned any nuness Youyour adventure to Winterrowd that I would allow you now" He leaned back even further in his chair and brought his hands together in front of hi "I have , I act for your own best good You must trust me, Lia You ood I have felt this preht you stole a ring froan to truly realize how strong you ith the Mediu "While I am Aldermaston at Muirwood, you will not be a learner"

A flood of disappoints, child Until I finish That s It does not mean that you will never learn to read I cannot foretell how long I will reer than I Those words were spoken to you through the Medium’s will at the time I feel them valid still You would make an excellent learner, Lia And that is one of the reasons why I cannot let you"

She subdued her disappointment in this I kno that I should have trusted you…earlier"

"Your trust is not easily earned Thank you"

She turned to leave then stopped Reaching down to the pouch at her waist, she loosened the strings and withdrew the Cruciger orb She was loathe to give it up "I a this froain"

As she was about to set it on his table, he held up his hand The look on his face – the gesture – confused her

"I must correct you You did not steal it, Lia You, of all people, cannot steal it For it is already rightfully yours"

She did not realize she had stopped breathing "What do you mean?"

His eyes penetrated hers His eyes, so deep and timeless, like the sea "We found it with you in the basket So you see, it did not surprise me that it worked for you or that it led you Since you have already htfully yours It is yours, Lia The Cruciger orb has always been yours"

"Through the will of the Medium, many devices and implements have been created for the use and benefit of those who believe and are willing to act Stones that give off light Shells of glass that fasten into breastplates which allow the wearer to translate languages Of these ier orbs are perhaps the most mysterious No artisan can craft such remarkable and so intricate a workmanship They are ancient devices All records which speak of theifts found by happenstance by coreat deeds and are usually handed down frouarded with the utmost secrecy The orbs only work for those they were intended to bless It is my personal belief that they are not of this world at all, but gifts from the world of Idumea"

- Cuthbert Renowden of Billerbeck Abbey