The Void of Muirwood (Covenant of Muirwood Book 3)(106)

Her heart dreaded the conflict, but she steeled herself. “I do not want to destroy the Naestors, Maderos.”

He gave her another slightly crooked smile. “Of course, child. Why do you think the Medium has chosen you?” He patted her hand. “You will be remembered long after this second life has ended. Your memory will give others courage to live, to be what the Medium wishes them to become. Go now, sister. Return to your kingdom.”

Maia started toward the billowing veil, but she hesitated before walking through it. “But what must I do, Maderos?”

He rested his arms on the mushroom-shaped top of the staff. “Is it really so difficult? Open your mind, child. Open your heart. The answer is there, if you will only believe it is possible. Do not doubt. Believe.”

Maia looked into the aging man’s eyes for a moment. Behind him, she saw the sun sinking low—a reminder that time was passing. It was going to be a glorious sunset, like the many she had enjoyed while walking the grounds of Muirwood.

The answer came to her in a thought, so small it almost passed without notice. She stared at the rays of sunlight, felt its warmth bathing her face.

It was so simple.

All she needed to do was stop the sun from setting.





Carved into the walls of every abbey there were Leerings with faces. The Leerings on the outer walls typically bore the faces of the sun, the moon, and the stars. These were light Leerings, enabling the abbey to glow at night and provide light to the grounds. But they could do so much more than that . . .

With her mind fixed on those Leerings, Maia stepped through the Apse Veil in the ruins of the lost abbey and emerged in Muirwood. She instantly felt the stains of her wounds and the filth and dirt she had carried with her, but she did not allow her thoughts to linger on them. There were mastons inside the temple—the entire place seemed full of people speaking in low voices, wearing maston robes. Many she did not recognize. Towering above those around him because of his height, she recognized Tomas, who had been Richard Syon’s steward and now served Aldermaston Wyrich. When he saw her rush out from beyond the Rood Screen, his eyes widened with complete surprise and twin dimples appeared on his cheeks.

“Lady Maia!” he gasped, maneuvering through the crowd to reach her. “My lady! You came!” His look of cheer turned in an instant to worry and concern. “They have the Aldermaston . . . they have Richard Syon! He surrendered to them this morning so he could offer them a truce. He is to be put to death. Everyone has gathered outside, my lady. This way!”

His face pinched with concern as he took in her appearance. “You are wounded!”

“I am well enough, Tomas. Take me!”

She marched with him, passing dozens and hundreds of onlookers. A crowd began to follow behind her as she hurried to the abbey doors, which were opened for her before she reached them.

“Where is Aldermaston Wyrich?” Maia pressed.

“He returned with the warriors he led and has gathered the choir outside the abbey,” Tomas answered. “They were going to start singing at sunset, to calm our people’s fear.”

The inner grounds of the abbey were packed with people of all ages and ranks. The choir from Assinica had gathered along a few rows of benches lining the abbey wall. Standing before them, she saw Aldermaston Wyrich. He was staring at the horizon, where the sun was just touching the border between land and sky. Long shadows were painted across the ground. The people were sitting together in a mass, waiting for the music to start.

“Aldermaston!” Tomas called, gesturing with his long arms.

Aldermaston Wyrich turned, his gray hair gleaming in the sunlight. He saw Maia, and his serious frown broke into a brilliant smile. He rushed forward to take her hands. “The Medium whispered that you were coming,” he said smiling. “I had almost given up hope.”

“Where is King Gideon?” Maia asked.

“Walking toward us now,” the Aldermaston replied, gesturing.

Maia whirled and saw Collier striding through the dense crowd, his eyes wide with delight. He was walking! She had not dared to hope she would see him this improved.

“My lady, Richard Syon is with the Naestors,” Wyrich said gravely. “They plan to execute him at sunset. I had hoped your coming would prevent it . . . but I do not see how.”

“It will, Aldermaston. Cling to that hope,” she told him.

She left the two men and rushed to Collier, who scooped her into his arms. She reveled in how strong and hale he looked—how alive. His eyes were bright as the blue sky, and in their reflection she could see the fading sunlight. She touched his face, her heart thrilling.

“Maia,” he breathed, holding her close, hugging her fiercely.

She squeezed him as hard as she could, reveling in his continued life, ignoring for just a moment the vast crowds staring at them, then she pulled away and took his hands.

“The Naestors,” he said. “They will attack tonight. We have tried to hold them back. To hold off killing them. But if they attack the abbey, we are certain they will be destroyed.” He took her hands in his and clenched them hard. She could see the raw emotion in his eyes, the worry for so many lives that would be lost. “They do not know what they are doing!”

“And so we must teach them,” Maia said. Still clinging to his hand, she turned and faced Muirwood Abbey. The light Leerings from the abbey were starting to glow, the eyes already brightening. She sensed the Leerings, felt their awareness of her, their eagerness to respond to her thoughts. The Medium swelled inside her breast and tingled down to her fingers, entwined with Collier’s.