The Blight of Muirwood

“I need to get closer to tell,” she said. “Wait for me here.”

His grip tightened. “Not this time. We go together. All of us,” he added before Dieyre could snort his objection.

She sighed. “You can follow me, but let me go on ahead of you in case there is a trap. We do not know how many there are and do not want to stumble in the midst of a fight.”

“Actually.” Dieyre said with a wicked grin. “I do. Let me go on ahead. If they are the Queen’s men looking for the girl, they would listen to me.”

“Which is why I will not let you do that,” Colvin rebuffed. “I am sworn to protect her.”

“That scream may have been your sister, Forshee. I am not going to stand around here arguing with you. My interest is Ciana’s safety. Ellowyn can be hanged for all I care. You have not trusted me this entire trip. It is time I earned it.”

“Lia goes first,” Colvin demanded.

“Very well, but she cannot have all the fun. Go, girl. Save some of them for me.” He jerked his sword loose in the scabbard, his face dotted with mosquito welts.

Lia darted ahead and they began to follow after securing the horses to some branches. She moved swiftly, low to the ground. There was a screen of bushy ferns everywhere, providing good concealment for her movements. She held her bow in front, ready to be used. The sound of voices grew louder and she could make out the Dahomeyjan accent.

“Search the house! Up in the rafters as well. Quit wailing, woman, or I will strike you! Move on. Go on then. Inside.”

The woods began to thin and Lia saw the first sentries, set back into the woods closer to her, watching. They were garbed in the black and silver tunics of the Queen Dowager. The two directly in front of her were looking at the scene with interest. Beyond them, she saw a small clearing and a thatch-roofed dwelling. There were at least a dozen or more soldiers tramping the grounds surrounding the wattle-and-daub abode. It had a single door and no windows. Beyond it, she saw the sun glimmering off the waters of the sea, interspersed with thick pine.

Not wanting to be heard, Lia went away from the sentries, moving towards the rear of the house. The fern was even thicker there, and taller, which made it easier to hide as she hunched low. There was enough of a breeze to sway the leafy boughs, helping to conceal her.

To her left, she heard a soft whimper, a child’s and then it was stifled. Changing her course, she headed towards the sound, gliding through the mess of fern towards a copse of witch hazel.

A gentle hushing sound.

“I hear them,” another girl’s voice murmured, throbbing with worry.

“Sshhh, it will be all right,” soothed another voice which Lia recognized at once.

She parted the first bough of green hazel leaves and found Marciana crouched with three small children, huddled tight together. She realized that the children had been speaking Pry-rian.

Marciana started when Lia appeared, her eyes wide with fear and then gaped with recognition. “You found us!” she gasped.

“The bad men!” one of the little children said, a girl, tugging at Marciana’s gown and pointing back towards the house. “The bad men are coming!”

Lia risked a look and it was confirmed. Two of the watch were heading towards them, following the trampled grass to their hiding spot. Lia noticed a huge chunk of thatch was missing from the roof, leaving a gaping hole on that side. Someone had obviously seen it.

“Where is Ellowyn?” Lia whispered, clutching Marciana’s shoulder and squeezing her firmly. “In the house?”

Marciana shook her head violently. “No, she left by boat this morning. Edmon is in the house! If they search the rafters, they will find him. Did Colvin find you?”

Lia smiled comfortingly. “Behind me. Take the children and flee deeper into the woods. Find a place to hide. I will come for you.”

“Lia, I am so grateful…”

“Go!” Lia said, cutting her off. The soldiers were so near, she did not want them hearing. She gripped Marciana’s gown and tugged her to get her moving. She clutched a small child, probably two years old in her arms, covering his mouth. The other two were little girls, probably five and eight and they looked at Lia with surprise and wonder.

“You will be safe,” Lia murmured to them in Pry-rian and their gapes turned into grins.

“Here he is!” bellowed a voice from inside the dwelling. “Up in the rafters, hiding in the thatch!”

“Bring him down!” ordered another voice. “Bring him out here. Where is the girl? Did you find the girl?”