“You have until the morrow,” Dieyre replied. “I do not care how many horses Demont has. He is already being lured north to face the Earl of Caspur. Even if you could get a message to him, there is no way he could get here in time. You must see that she has the upper hand. If you believe the Abbey will save you, that your will in controlling the Medium is stronger than hers, then defy her. At dawn, the Abbey will fall and the villagers will all be killed. It is within your power to protect them. Release the girl. Do not be a fool.”

The Aldermaston looked wary. “I ask for one term.”

“What is that?” The Earl had a smug look on his face.

“A safe conduct. To anyone who wishes to leave the Abbey. Anyone – learner or wretched. If the Queen Dowager seeks to make an example, let her limit it of those who do defy her. But if I am right, the Abbey will defend us as it did when the kishion struck. Even if there are only a handful of us remaining, let that be your witness that the Medium is on our side.”

The Earl of Dieyre shrugged. “I will personally vouchsafe their safety, upon my honor. The gates are made of iron. The walls are made of simple stone. It is beautiful and impressive. But it is not sacred or guarded by anything more mysterious than generations of lies. I have given you a chance to see reason.”

“Very well. Please present my terms to the Queen Dowager straight away. Any who leave the Abbey grounds are no longer under my protection. But I will hold you accountable, personally, for their safety.”

“You are a fool, Aldermaston. But I think you are bluffing. At dawn we will see who is right.”

“We will indeed. My hunter will escort you to the postern gate.”

* * *

Lia said nothing to the Earl of Dieyre as they walked, and he said nothing to her until they reached the gate. The postern was away from the main gate, one of the few other walled entrances to the grounds, a small iron door that provided another means of exiting the grounds.

“If you killed the kishion, as I think you did, then I am amazed at your resourcefulness.” He gave her a nod of respect. “My offer still stands, even though the bruises on your cheek have not fully faded.” With a finger, he caressed the skin of her cheekbone. “Come with me and you will not want for opportunities.”

Lia nodded to the door man to unlock it. “I believe we already had that conversation,” she replied.

“Very well, then do me the honor of passing on a word to Marciana.”

Lia breathed heavily. “It is time for you go, my lord.”

“You are a harsh strumpet, but I like you.” He looked her sharply in the eyes. “Tell her that she owes me a dance around the maypole tonight. I will be waiting for her. If she comes, her brother lives. If she does not, I cannot keep that promise. I do it for her sake, not for his. You can tell I despise him. Send her my message.” He reached into a pouch at his waist and withdrew a fistful of gleaming coins to give her. Once, long ago, a man had offered her coins for her help.

She refused to take it. “Goodbye, my lord.”

He looked at her warily, a confused smile on his mouth. He shrugged and followed the doorman into the inner wall. Then he paused and without looking back, he said, “We know of the tunnels beneath the Abbey.” And then he was gone and the doorman shut and locked the gate behind him.

There was an oppressive pall in her heart that contrasted with the gleaming blue sky and the smell of fresh flowers on the grounds. As she walked back towards the manor house, she fished the ring out of her bodice and squeezed its edges until it hurt. Every word the Queen Dowager and Dieyre said was sopping with doubt and menace. They rattled her soul, yet still she believed in the Medium’s power. She had experienced it so vividly throughout her life, that she could not deny its reality. Yet Dieyre’s warning cast little shards of doubt into her heart. She tried to crush them, but still they poked and stabbed her.

When Colvin and Ellowyn had first arrived, the Aldermaston told her that the time would come when she would need to use the Cruciger orb to find a safehaven for them. She knew that they would leave that night, under the cover of darkness. Only in the dark would they be able to find their way past the wall of Pareigis’ men. That was the only thing she could think of. But what if Dieyre was right? What if they had a way to release the Blight on Muirwood and it would no longer be able to defend itself? There was so much she did not know. There was so much confusion. Glancing around herself as she walked, she saw the frantic scurrying of wretcheds and learners alike. So many had overheard the altercation at the gates. Rumors would be flying to every corner of the Abbey. Doubts and more doubts.