The Ciphers of Muirwood (Covenant of Muirwood #2)(71)

Collier’s eyes reflected his confusion. What was the purpose of this tale?

“Gideon,” Sabine said, holding forth the orb regally. “When Maia and I came to Muirwood, I knew that you were being held hostage by the Naestors. A king’s ransom was the cost. Maia was sick with worry about you. So was I, for you are part of my Family now. I sought the Medium’s will, trying to seek a way to save you from bondage.” Her voice thickened with emotion. “I had a dream . . . a vision . . . and I saw King Jonas’s wagons sinking into the bog. I had a clear vision of where this happened.” She stepped forward. “So I asked the Aldermaston of Muirwood to lend me workers. I used my ship, the Holk, to take us where the Cruciger orb led. We were successful, Gideon. We unearthed the treasure of King Jonas.”

Maia stared at her grandmother, her heart nearly bursting with gratitude. Her grandmother had used her resources and Gift to save Collier from the dungeon. And she had done it in secret. Tears stung Maia’s eyes and trickled down her cheeks. The feeling of gratitude was so immense she could hardly breathe.

“And with his fortune and other treasure gathered from abbeys across the kingdoms, I secured your release from the Naestors. So you see, my grandson . . . your treasury has not been touched. You are not bereft of funds or means, as you have believed.” She swallowed and reached her hand out to clasp his kindly, lowering the Cruciger orb as she did so. “What are gold and silver but heavy burdens? What are jewels but pieces of rock? They will not bring happiness to you or anyone. They never have. I sought you to tell you this truth when you were released. I was waiting for you in Dahomey with your steward to explain, but you came to Comoros directly. The Cruciger orb led me here to find you. You have no debt. You have no obligation to any man or even to me. I do this freely, of my own will, because you are my granddaughter’s husband. You are my Family! We must stand together in this, Gideon. You must stand with us. I cannot force you to become a maston. I can only ask you to choose it freely. Whether you do or not, you are still a free man. I have bought your freedom. Can you see that I could not have done this without the Medium? Gideon, you know the Medium is real. Feel the gentle whispers of your honored parents. The mastons need you to stand with us at this crossroads. We must stand up to a king.”

Another knock sounded on the door, and the Aldermaston’s steward, Tomas, hurried inside. He blocked the door with his body, holding it shut. His face was drawn with concern. “High Seer, he has just arrived. Aldermaston Kranmir. The Aldermaston is showing him the manor first, then the grounds of Muirwood. They will arrive here shortly.”

Sabine turned, her posture rigid with resolve. “Show them in.”





In the tome called the Hodoeporicon, there is a great proverb on anger that has always impressed me. In a controversy, the instant we feel anger we have already ceased striving for truth, and have begun striving for ourselves.

—Richard Syon, Aldermaston of Muirwood Abbey





CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE




Apples



The Aldermaston of Augustin Abbey wore the pale gray cassock of the order, but he also had on a fur-lined stole that was all black and a strange-looking three-pointed velvet cap, also black, that looked almost like a mushroom top. He had a solemn face, clean shaven, with a long thick nose and brooding eyes, his expression stern and unimpressed. As he entered the chamber and caught sight of the High Seer, those dark eyes flashed with suppressed anger, but his expression did not change. Richard Syon, the Aldermaston of Muirwood, walked alongside him.

“Sabine,” said Kranmir with a flat voice. “I did not know you would be here.”

Maia bristled at his informal use of her grandmother’s name. He was a master of controlling his expressions, but that look in his eyes sent a shiver through her. Her emotions were still reeling from learning about the treasure and Collier’s freedom from debt. She glanced at her husband and could tell he was struggling to control his emotions—his jaw was tense, his eyes were narrowed on Kranmir.

“Hello, Ely,” her grandmother replied, nodding respectfully. “You just arrived?”

“It would have been sooner, but the condition of the roads into Muirwood is absolutely deplorable. That is the first of many remedies I will mention to the king. It should be a priority.” He cocked his head slightly. “I am altogether astonished to find you here, Sabine. How did you arrive ahead of me? What port did you use? Bridgestow?”

He was deftly trying to ply her for information, and Maia cast a warning look at her grandmother.

“Thank you for your concern. I understand from my travels that the king is appointing you as the Aldermaston of Muirwood. Is that so?” She gave him a hard look, her eyes piercing.

Kranmir suppressed a small smile, almost as if it were a little joke. “Matters such as these are always inflated around a mere kernel of truth.”

“How would you then convey the truth?” Sabine countered. “There can be no doubt as to how this appears on the surface.”

He raised a placating hand. “Sabine, I attempted to explain this all rather concisely in a missive I sent you. By your question, I infer that you have not received it. My servants tell me that you are seldom in one place for very long. I had believed you were still in Naess, so my message may be lingering there unopened.”

There was a tone of rebuke in his voice and Maia felt her blood simmering with heat. His fancy words and haughty demeanor rankled her. Aldermaston Syon was stoic, his expression grave but not confrontational, even though it was his domain and position that were in jeopardy. His eyes were fixed on the High Seer, his support for her conveyed in his stare.