The Scourge of Muirwood Read Online Free Page B

again.
    Sowe leaned down and kissed Lia’s cheek. “I worry for you without Colvin to protect you. Even though I know you can care for yourself better than the knight-mastons can. Pasqua is grateful Martin is still alive. She cried when you told her the news. Do you think the Aldermaston will forgive him?”
    “I do not know. He forgave Seth, though, even after his betrayal. Well, the voyage on the ships will be a long one, I imagine. We will all need to learn forgiveness before we reach the destination.” Lia took a spoonful of the porridge and savored the mix of spices and treacle with the oats.
    Pasqua rubbed her hands together, looking forlorn. “I am not sure I want to leave,” she said with a sigh, glancing up at the tall beams supporting the huge roof. The fires in each corner of the kitchen were glowing, cooking the bread and sending the heat upwards and then swirling back down to warm them. “Maybe I will stay with the Aldermaston. I do not relish the thought of a long sea journey. My knees have been aching and I do not like walking.” She glanced around at the kitchen again, her eyes brimming with tears. “But then I have the thought that if I do not go, I will never meet your little ones.”
    “Pasqua,” Lia said archly, “there are no promises made to either one of us. Please do not speak of children before any man has even plighted his troth.”
    Pasqua gave her a smile with a glint of teasing in it. “Many of the noble born marry at your age, child. Some even younger are married as children. Since two young nobles are interested in you both, do not dismiss my words too hastily. I should have shooed them both away with a broom instead of encouraging them with Gooseberry Fool. I love Muirwood. There is no other place that is home to me…save where you two are. You are my daughters, after all, in every way except birth. But considering the pain and trouble you have both put me through so often, would a true mother have suffered more than I?” She grinned at them, tears dropping from her lashes. She hugged them both, so fiercely it stole Lia’s breath for a moment.
    “Have a care,” Pasqua whispered, and kissed Lia soundly. “Did you remember the orb?”
    Lia had forgotten it. “Thank you,” she said gratefully and took another bite while she fetched the orb from behind the secret stone where she hid it. Then fetching and donning her cloak, she took one last Muirwood apple from the basket and wrapped it in oilcloth to protect it. She intended it as a gift for Colvin. She finished the meal and then bid Pasqua and Sowe farewell and took her leave of the kitchen.
    Kieran Ven waited in the shadows outside. The grounds were thick with morning mist which would help hide their departure.
    “You dawdle,” he said stiffly, walking briskly towards the Abbey. “Most ships begin to leave at dawn. There is an Abbey on the eastern side of Comoros that is near the docks. Hurry lass or we lose another day.”
    “The hunter is patient,” Lia reminded him.
    “I have patiently limited my scolding to your punctuality. We will discuss your other failings later.”
    Lia chuckled to herself and thought he was a rather petulant man. “Please, do not spare my feelings. I am quite used to my faults being pointed out by complete strangers.”
    “I am not trying to insult you.”
    “Nor are you complimenting me.” Lia stopped and stared at him. “My leg is throbbing already. I understand the urgency, Kieran. But I cannot walk as quickly as you right now.”
    “My apologies,” he said, bowing his head deftly. “At your pace then.”
    Lia continued walking and approached the Abbey which rose before them like a mountain of stone. The flowers from the grounds were a gentle reminder that she had packed a bunch of purple mint in her rucksack as well. She craved seeing Colvin again and wondered how long it would take to reach Dochte Abbey.
    “Where is the Queen Dowager being kept?” Kieran asked softly. His gaze