“I do not know how many ships will be sailing in the morning,” Marciana said. “There is so much damage by the fire. But consider this. There is another port eastward. Doviur is the major port on our eastern shore. The straits there are the nearest point to Dahomey. I could send a mounted escort. If you rode hard, you could be there in the morning.”

“Does Doviur have any Abbeys?”

“There is one Abbey in that hundred. It is called Augustin Abbey.”

A feeling of peace came through her. “Then that is my road to Doviur. I will leave tonight.”

“Let me send an escort with you,” Marciana pleaded.

“They are needed here, Ciana. Those who will flee must go. They must warn others before the Blight comes. This is our last chance to warn them.”

She looked over at Kieran and took his hand in hers, gripping it firmly. “There is something about the Leerings in Muirwood. They will heal you faster than you think. And you will walk, Kieran Ven.” She squeezed his hand. “I know it.”

“You are not what you seem,” he answered softly, his face enigmatic.

She looked him in the eye, wishing she could tell him. Something passed between them, a spark of recognition. “Do I remind you of someone?” she asked simply.

He studied her face, her eyes. He looked as if he would speak, but his jaw clenched shut. Then he opened his mouth and said, “Yes.”

She patted his hand, thanking him with her eyes. You did me service this day, Kieran Ven. I will not forget it. She was about to withdraw her hand, but he clenched it tightly, making her wince.

“I was trained in the city. You were trained in the woods. Let me teach you what I know. Maybe some of it will help you.” He shifted slowly, wincing. “Dahomey is a land of great wealth. It sits in the center of many kingdoms. Just as Muirwood is the oldest in your realm, Dochte is the oldest Abbey in Dahomey. It is the richest Abbey in Dahomey. It is situated on an island, off the northwestern shore. When the tide leaves, it opens a land bridge to the island. It is dangerous to time it, for if the tide comes in during the journey, you will drown in quicksand. The orb will help you. When the tide comes in, sometimes there are fishing boats that will row you to the Abbey. Where there is great wealth, you will find corruption. The Abbey is built on top of the island. It is surrounded by the village of Dochte. There are huge walls separating the village from the Abbey proper on the dome of the hill. The walls are enormous. It is actually a giant castle, five or six stories high, that surrounds the sanctuary. The Abbey itself rises like a spike in the center of the island. It must have required two hundred years to build it, stone by stone. It is impressive. The village houses are lower down and are not as imposing. The only way in or out of the Abbey is through the main gate in the wall. I was able to enter because I was a maston, but I recall the disdain with which I was treated because of my clothing. Even though I was an ambassador from Pry-Ree, I was treated with contempt because I did not look like one. This is important, Lia. You may be allowed in because you know the maston signs, but you will stand out because of the way you dress. The women of Dahomey are very particular in their appearance.”

Lia understood and looked down at the soot stains on her shirt. “Are you afraid I will barge into Dochte the way I did at Lambeth?”

“It had crossed my mind,” Kieran said pointedly.

“I would give you this gown I am wearing,” Marciana offered. “Except I have no other gowns. They were all burned in the fire.”

“I cannot wear it,” Lia said, shaking her head. “I appreciate the warning, but the orb will show me another way. I think…perhaps…it is the reason I have had it all these years.”

Another pulse of warmth in her heart confirmed it.

Lia patted Kieran’s hand again. “I will see you again in Muirwood. Thank you. I am…proud of you, Kieran Ven.”

There was a voice, a whisper in her mind so faint she barely heard it. I wish I could serve you in Dahomey, my lady. Daughter of my Prince.

You will serve me again, she answered in her mind, pushing the thought at him. In a far country where there is no Blight.

A small smile crept on his mouth and he nodded at her.

It was the first spark of hope Lia had since learning of the binding sigil. If she could not tell Colvin the truth with her words, perhaps she could tell him with her thoughts.

CHAPTER NINE:

Augustin Abbey

It was the first time Lia had tried to cross the Apse Veil on her own. Summoning her courage, she focused her thoughts on Augustin Abbey, repeating it over and over in her mind. The Medium swirled around her, sending a pricking feeling of dread deep inside her heart. There was something terrifying about the possibility of going so far with one footstep. It was even more terrifying to think that if she focused hard enough, she could step over to Idumea itself where the power of the Medium would probably devour her. Reining in those thoughts, she took several deep breaths and then walked forward through the shimmering curtain. The wrench of time and distance made her dizzy and nauseous. For a moment, she tottered, nearly falling. Her balance returned gradually, so she leaned against the side of the pillar and struggled to calm her heart.