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"Well, it is aard, you see And well…it happened very fast The stranger – the one the sheriff was looking for – arrived thisI believe he is a squire But that does nota bit "First, the sheriff’s h the rear doors They waited until the squire’s horse was tied and he was inside before they arrested hiain "There was no way to warn hi us the whole time One of the soldiers even ith Brant to tie up the horse in the stables and unsaddle hi to hope "Where is he now?"

"The sheriff? As I said, he went to the…"

"No, the prisoner Where is he?"

He wiped sweat fro in the cellar "Well…it is hard to say…but they took hiuard"

Lia shut her eyes and clenched them

"What does the Aldermaston want us…what should we do? I did not think he would have had time to send anyone…you understand…to send someone so quickly Usually it is Jon Hunter, as I said This squire ates burst But can the Aldermaston save him outside the walls?"

"He isfuriously "Where is Aluer?"

"The sheriff…yes…well, after the arrest, he was alone with the prisoner for a time Then he came out and tookfrohtful affair They are saying the king’s ar today or toe?"

Lia’s heart lurched at the thought Shoving it aside, she pondered the ier There would not be much time to free Colvin She went to the ladder and started up "We must hurry" As she entered the kitchen, she saw the littlest with the spoon sitting by a cradle, teasing a baby inside with the gooey end The oldest daughter was rushing about, but she stopped when Lia eerly The boy was perched on a stool by the door, and he ca up his sleeves The cook, the li meats and cheeses and bread to the passersby, while Pasqua delighted the croith her fanized her?

She looked up froe expression came over her face

Lia chose to act "How orously "I will find out" And he flew from the kitchen like an arrow

"I need a pouch – or a linen – so the orb in her palm

The older sister rushed over to a coffer and knelt by it, sorting through the contents

Hoas she going to get Colvin out of the Pilgrinize her What could she do? She was only a wretched What could she possibly do to save hi she would be too late, she quickly searched the kitchen, casting her gaze at the cauldrons in the pits, the spoons and pans dangling froh her nose, she inhaled the familiar smells and suddenly tears threatened her After this, she would never be allowed back in Muirwood again Anger and longing wrestled inside her chest

"What can we do?" thewith fear "If there was a way…I a it My family – I cannot risk , they say What can we…really then what can we do?"

Lia turned away froht, a suggestion, a way to solve the dileht like a rope thron to someone trapped in a well What could a wretched do? What could sorown up in an Abbey kitchen all her life do? What knowledge did she have that could save Colvin?

She knew it instantly It would work The Mediu, she faced the cook and her husband "Soldiers are always hungry If they rode in early, as you say, they are probably starving Prepare a tray for thes, cheese, nuts, fruit, beans You have a fatling roasting on a spit Feed it to the at Lia, but she said in a hurried voice, "Bryn, start on it Hurry, girl, there is not much time Use the bread over there – it is fresher Don’t be sparing on the butter I will cut the meat"