“I thought you were killed,” she whispered sorrowfully.

He snorted. “It would take a greater brute than that to kill me, child. By Cheshu. Am I your first visit in Dochte? Or have you found your way inside the lair of serpents yet?”

She looked at him in shock. “How did you…?”

He struck the rake hard against the ground, dislodging cakes of dung. The look he gave her was full of inner meanings. “I know where you are bound. My duty is to help you accomplish yours. That is why I am here. And to clean the stables. They are filthy, as you can see. Do you know where the garden lair is?”

Lia walked to his other side. “I have been to Colvin, that is all.”

“Pah! That is not why you are here. Forget the lad. Put him out of your mind.”

She glowered at him. “How can I put him out of my mind, Martin?”

His expression was full of angst and smoldering anger. “The same way that I must. There is a duty to be done here. The Medium has brought you to see it done.”

“To warn the city?”

“Yes!” he answered fiercely. “To warn them even though they will not listen. The Medium is just. There must be a warning before the scourging begins. Who better to give it than a wretched?”

Lia licked her lips. “Who must I warn?”

He snorted again. “Who do you think, lass? How can you ask such a question? Is your mind muddled? Who, you ask?”

“The Aldermaston of Dochte Abbey.”

“By Cheshu, I almost took you for a simpleton. Well done. Do you know where the garden lair is?”

“Yes, I believe so. It is behind the Abbey, hidden in the trees. There was a plum orchard there.”

Martin nodded and jabbed his finger at her. “The very one. I have seen it myself. I work in the morning, very hard, so that I might snoop and sneak while everyone gets drunk on the cider. How did you get through the wall?”

“There are Leerings guarding the portals. The orb opened them.”

Martin nodded again, looking triumphant. “Well done. I must climb the walls. There had to be an easier way. The Prince…he told me of the Queen Dowager and her ilk.” He looked surreptitiously then nudged closer to her. “We must speak cautiously. These walls can hear even whispers. I dare not forget that. There is more I must tell you. Judging by your haggard eyes, you have not slept all night. Do you see the ladder and the loft over there? That is where I sleep. There are some scraps of food and I will fetch you a meat pie from the market.” He started raking again. “I told the stablemaster that my granddaughter was coming to live with me. I will bark and rave at you. That is my disguise. When my chores are finished and you have slept, we will visit the Abbey again through the secret ways. Go rest, child. Clear your head. There is much to do before you face the Aldermaston.”

Lia swallowed and was about to turn away. She was so grateful to have him nearby. His presence filled her with determination to face the horrors ahead of her. The thought of descending into a pit of snakes made her soul cower with dread. But the look of iron in Martin’s eyes offered a bit of courage.

Lia gave him a fierce hug, ignoring the dirt and the smell that came from him. He trembled slightly, not soiling her with his hands. As she pulled away, she caught the glimpse of a tear in his hard blue eyes. He fought against his feelings, his bearded face jutting and scowling.

“Well met, lass. By Cheshu, well met.” His eyes turned deadly serious. “I will not forsake you. You know that, lass. Not for all the coin or all the glory in all the world. I am faithful to you. I am yours to command.”

“Then we understand one another, Martin Evnissyen. I would have you advise me how to free Colvin and…and…Ellowyn. I want them free from their prison before I face the Aldermaston.”

There was a half-smirk on Martin’s face. “A prison of velvet and gold. A prison of cider and dancing. But a prison, indeed. The Myriad Ones rule this place. The people are all under their thrall. They are blinded to the death that awaits them.”

Lia nodded. “It blinds them slowly.”

A wooden door banged somewhere nearby and Martin nodded for her to flee up the ladder while he began mucking another stall.

* * *

“I do not know what to think. The entire Abbey is fluttering with the news. The Earl of Dieyre arrived. He was set free from Pent Tower under my uncle’s orders. He brought parchment stamped with the privy seal giving him wardship custody over me. This means my uncle took the wardship away from Colvin and gave it to Dieyre. I do not understand how that could happen. I am dismayed. Dieyre said that my uncle has given his consent for me to marry the king, that it will heal the rift between our warring factions and has ordered it to be performed here at Dochte Abbey. If it is done, Demont promises to release the Queen Dowager and we all can return home in peace. I have never seen Colvin so angry. He challenged the seal and said it was a forgery. The whole Abbey is in an uproar. Dieyre promised that my uncle was coming in person and would vouchsafe for his instructions. There was a truce agreed upon after we left the kingdom. I do not want to marry the king. I do not wish it. Colvin took me aside and asked if I desired the marriage. I could not stop trembling for he was touching my hands. I do not wish it. I wish Colvin to take me from this place. I would go anywhere with him. This is not my country. I belong in Pry-Ree. That is where we will hide until the ships take us away if the Blight comes.”