The Void of Muirwood (Covenant of Muirwood Book 3)(88)
“Is there enough room for the entire kingdom?” Maia asked him thoughtfully, gazing at the Cider Orchard. She saw Collier’s smile as he had watched her bite into a Muirwood apple—a memory that pierced her soul.
“Yes, truly,” Richard replied. “There are settlements from here all the way to the Tor. We keep people working, and everyone is willing to help. You can imagine what it takes to feed such a mass. The kitchens we have are running night and day, and several larger ones are being constructed. You should know, my lady, that aid has come from our allies. Some of your people in the north are being sheltered by Pry-Ree. They have already welcomed many from the Hundreds that have fallen up north. We have received word from the Earl of Forshee.”
“Dodd!” Maia exclaimed. “Poor Suzenne. She went on ahead to make sure we would be settled.”
“I have already told her,” Joanna said. “She was grateful to learn he is well. His army was trampled by the Naestors, but they have since regrouped and are now joined by Pry-rian archers. They travel behind the northern army invading our land and harry them with raids and attacks on their supply wagons. Their efforts have slowed the Naestors down somewhat and forced them to increase the numbers of soldiers guarding the wagons. He sent a message to his wife, which I am certain she will share with you.” Joanna paused, her look wise and thoughtful. “His force is no more than a tenth of what the Naestors are bringing down from the north, but he is doing what he can to make them pay for their progress.”
Maia sighed with relief at the news that he was alive. “I am so grateful to hear that,” she said. “Not knowing what had become of him was the worst part of Suzenne’s torture. Thank you. What else have you heard?”
Richard pointed to men hoisting large crates and boxes full of vegetables and sacks of grain. “The men unloading the wagon. That food comes from Avinion. They have been sending ships to Bridgestow loaded with provisions under Lord Paget’s leadership. He controls our supply lines and is quite organized. They know we are gathering our people into one location and they want to make sure we do not go hungry. It is risky because the armada is blockading the sea, but the Avinions sail wide to avoid them. Bridgestow is crowded with ships right now. It will not be long before the Naestors realize this and blockade that port as well, so we are gathering as many supplies as we can. The armada’s ships will prove harmful to us still.”
Maia looked at him with concern. “Ships can navigate the river, I know that, but they cannot land here in force, can they?”
“Let me explain,” Richard said. “The rivers can be navigated by individual ships, as you well know, but not enough to bring in a fleet. Still, the Dochte Mandar know the history of this abbey. They know about its defenses. If blood is shed on the grounds, the Leerings can summon waters to flood the lowlands. When that happens, the rivers gorge with water and the sea comes in. Muirwood has become an island in the past. I believe that is the Naestors’ strategy, Maia. If they bring in their army close enough, they will attempt to massacre enough people to trigger the abbey’s defenses and provide a path for their ships.”
Maia stared at him in surprise. “I had not realized that, Richard. Flooding the valley will save us from the army, but it will make us vulnerable to their ships. That would hurt us both, I think.”
Richard looked at her sternly. “Remember, they seek to force the Medium to do their will. What they cannot comprehend is that the Medium will not harm us if we are faithful. Their efforts will only lead to their own destruction.” He put his hand on her shoulder. “I have no doubt the Medium will deliver us from the Naestors, Maia. The Covenant of Muirwood has been fulfilled. Yes, abbeys are being razed across these lands, but we have not been commanded to flee as we have been in the past. Sometimes the Medium gathers the wicked in one place to destroy them.” He frowned. “I only wish we could save everyone . . . including our foes. Before it is too late.”
Maia glanced at Joanna, and saw the same look of compassion in her eyes. The Tor was a witness to the Medium’s power to crush enemies that would not relent. Her heart grew heavy. She did not want to destroy all the Naestors.
She frowned, anguished by the knowledge of the violence that would come. “The Void is not about us,” she said softly. “If they press on, they will bring it on themselves.” She winced, feeling torn by conflicting emotions. Her people were being murdered by the Naestors and the Dochte Mandar. That made her angry. Yet they were being manipulated from within by the Victus, by years of ill-begotten convictions. “How can we prevent them from creating their own doom?”
Richard stared at her solemnly. He did not have the answer.
Maia needed time to think, but she was anxious to see Suzenne and hear the news. She found her friend unloading chests brought from the palace, and the two quickly embraced.
“I was relieved to hear that there has been word from Dodd at last!” Maia said, gripping Suzenne’s shoulders. She searched her friend’s face, trying to determine whether the news was hopeful or discouraging.
Suzenne squeezed her eyes shut, and then opened them and gave Maia a dazzling smile that sent relief rushing through her. “Oh, I am almost too overcome to speak.” She put a hand on her heart. “The news is good, Maia. I was so worried, and with good cause. Murer arrived under the cover of darkness, seeking Dodd’s help. He felt . . . wary when his steward told him she had arrived and asked to see him. The steward was excessively agitated, which gave Dodd a bad feeling. The Medium warned him to flee. He has always been sensitive to the Medium, Maia. He recognized the warning for what it was, even without knowing all the reasons. He left without even taking his cloak. Fetched his horse and rode to camp. Murer abandoned his manor and went to Billerbeck Abbey that night and burned it.”