The Ciphers of Muirwood (Covenant of Muirwood #2)(5)

Maia looked at her in concern. “Where then?”

“You will stay in the Aldermaston’s manor, Maia. Your father may have disinherited you, but you are still a king’s daughter. I have asked the Aldermaston to choose one of the Ciphers to be your companion. She will stay at the manor with you.”

Maia nodded, biting her lip. Her emotions continued to bubble inside her—a strange brew of nervousness and anticipation. This was really happening. For years she had longed to come to Muirwood and see her mother. A pang of sadness stabbed her heart, which she concealed from the others.

As she gazed at those wandering the grounds, she could easily discern the difference between the wretcheds and the learners by the style of their clothing and bearing. Young men and young women walked the grounds, some wearing the finery of nobility, others wearing pale blue gowns and girdles or blue tunics and belts. She saw several—of both classes—look her way curiously. Some began whispering and pointing. Some looked very young.

“How many learners are here?” Maia asked, keeping her voice low.

“Forty or so. Many start when they are twelve or thirteen, but few make it to their fourth or fifth year. If someone has not passed the maston test by the end of their sixth year, they are sent away.”

“I am nearly nineteen,” Maia said, feeling the twist of anxiety in her stomach. “I have not had enough time to prepare.”

“Lia passed the maston test when she was younger than you, and she had never studied a tome in her life. Strength in the Medium comes from your Family. You already know how to read, and you speak multiple languages, which gives you an advantage over many of these learners. Some struggle to speak a sentence of Dahomeyjan, yet you are fluent. You have had more training than most of the learners. And your experience in the world . . .” Her voice trailed off.

Following her gaze, Maia saw a man and woman were approaching them from the Aldermaston’s manor. Then she recognized the pair’s gray ceremonial robes and realized it was the Aldermaston and his wife. She was not certain what she had been expecting, but she had not imagined that she would be taller than the Aldermaston. He was short and stocky, with wispy gray hair that receded far up his scalp. His ears were large and pronounced and his jowls slightly drooping. She had expected a beard, but he was clean-shaven. He did not look imposing, the kind of man who could call thunder out of the sky. His wife was bird-thin and frail, with silver hair that was short and bobbed.

As the distance separating them closed, what struck her next about the Aldermaston were his eyes. They were light brown in color, yet they were the most piercing, intense eyes she had ever encountered. As his gaze shifted from Sabine to her, she felt as if he was reaching inside her soul and examining her deepest secrets, her hidden shame. The eyes were full of wisdom. They were compassionate. They were deeper than the depths of the sea. She felt stripped of all concealment by the time he came to a stop in front of her.

The Aldermaston’s warm hand reached forward and found hers. He clasped her hands within his and brought her closer. “Welcome,” he said in a sincere, ponderous way. “Welcome to Muirwood. We are so pleased you have come. You are the daughter of mastons, and now you will become one yourself. You are most welcome, Marciana.”

“Thank you, Aldermaston,” Maia said, her voice trembling with emotion from the tenderness of his greeting. He looked at her as if she were his own daughter. She could feel the power of the Medium radiating from him like ripples of steam off a hot kettle.

As soon as the Aldermaston released her hands, his wife pulled her into a hug. Maia could feel the bones of the woman’s shoulder blades through the fabric of her cassock, and her nose was flooded with the welcome scent of purple mint. When the woman pulled away, she gazed at Maia with unmistakable warmth. “Hello, Maia,” she whispered. Then she patted her cheek.

“Come with us to the house,” the Aldermaston said, and then gestured to Jon Tayt to approach. “There is much we must discuss. You are Jon Tayt, our new hunter? Welcome, sir. Come with us.”

Maia did not understand the whirlwind of emotions inside her, but she nearly started weeping. There was a feeling in the air, something thick and tremulous and unidentifiable. It weighed almost painfully on her heart.

They reached the manor house and entered it, drawing the gaze and whispers of the learners and helpers all around the abbey grounds.

There was a very tall man with thick graying hair waiting for them in the Aldermaston’s private chamber. He wore simple yet dignified robes of office, and he greeted the Aldermaston as soon as they entered.

“I brought her, Aldermaston,” the man said, bowing respectfully. The difference in their heights was almost startling. “She awaits in the anteroom.”

“Thank you.” He motioned toward the man. “This is Tomas, my steward. We have served together for many years. He is a faithful counselor and taught engraving in the cloisters for many years. And Tomas”—this time he flourished an arm toward Maia—“this is our new guest.”

“Welcome, Lady Marciana,” Tomas said with a smile that flashed two large dimples in his cheeks. He had a large graying mustache to match his thick hair, and he stroked it absently. “Would you like anyone else to be here, Aldermaston? I can send for the healer?”

The Aldermaston gave a subtle shake of his head and only lifted his palm slightly. “No, Tomas. Thank you. We are enough.”