Annis, First Daughter of the Stone
By
Teresa Howard
Annis
drew all but a little of her magic into herself like a
tightly coiled spring, safe there from prying minds. She
didn’t hide all of her magic. That would never do. The
teachers might report that she was Stone-blind, and it
was whispered among the students that Nelari children
with no magic were sent away.
Taking a deep breath, she made a few last-minute
adjustments to her test before sitting down. Annis had
expected the exam to be difficult, and it had been.
Sorting and assigning positions to the forty major herbs
required knowledge of their importance, functions, and
interactions. Still, she was fairly certain she had done
well enough to escape a reprimand, yet avoid being
singled out for praise.
Annis
strived to be just successful enough at her studies to
be unremarkable, avoiding notice of any kind. The
teachers who instructed the highborn Nelari children in
the wisdom of the Stones were highly skilled, and they
monitored the progress of the ten-year-old granddaughter
of their high priestess closely.
Annis
glanced nervously at a row of older students, while a
teacher inspected her test. Her friend Panya smiled and
gave her a wink.
"Annis
DaWakanda, can you explain why you have put the cumul
next to the salentra instead of in order by the cumalin?"
Han Belca’s voice carried, drawing attention to Annis’s
work and her status.
Annis
felt heat rising in her cheeks. Every eye and mind in
the room had suddenly focused on her. "Because cumalin
doesn’t like cumul?"
There
was a brief chorus of snickering, cut short by a stern
look from Han Belca. "That will do!"
She
looked down at Annis and nodded. "Quite correct, Annis.
Putting cumul and cumalin together is dangerous. Even
rubbing the leaves together can produce a deadly
poison."
Han
Belka’s disapproving gaze swept the room. The other
students were uncomfortably quiet. "I had hoped more of
my students would have discovered this fact in their
research. It is not a mystery revealed only in the
DaWakanda’s household."
She
returned her attention to Annis. "Now, please explain to
the class why you paired the cumul with salentra." Her
eyes narrowed. And
don’t pretend ignorance or sudden loss of memory
Han
Belka had tossed that last remark in focused mindspeak.
Annis’s head jerked upward and their eyes locked. Han
Belca smiled in satisfaction. She could now reliably
report that Annis DaWakanda, granddaughter of the high
priestess, DaWakanda Oma, had the ability to receive
mindspeak, and at an early age.
"Salentra
sweetens the cumul," Annis muttered through gritted
teeth.
"Very
aptly put. Salentra neutralizes the bitter acidic taste
of Cumul and makes it quite pleasant in a tea. This is
very important because one of the chief uses for cumul
is as a pain reliever for infants and children."
Annis
watched Han Belca’s forehead crease as she looked at her
test again, but she averted her eyes when the teacher
gave her another sharp look.
"Annis,
I am happy to say that you have your first perfect mark
in my class."
Annis
groaned, but kept her eyes downcast. She had made four
deliberate mistakes on that test. Han Belca wouldn’t
have missed them. Was this another trap or was the
teacher simply trying to curry favor with a member of
the DaWakanda’s family? She waited for some further
comment, but Han Belca simply moved on to the next
student.
###
"Congratulations on the test!" Panya pulled Annis’s arm,
bringing her back to reality. The class was over and
most of the students were already filing out of the
room. "Come on! I’ve got a surprise for you."
Annis
allowed herself to be pulled along until she stumbled
trying to keep pace with the taller girl’s stride.
"Ancestors! Slow down, Panya. Are you trying to kill
me?"
"Come
on, Annis, we’ll miss the Speaking of Leaette’s birth."
Panya’s sister, Leaette was due to give birth any time
and neither girl had been to a Speaking before.
Annis
stopped. Children, except for family members, weren’t
allowed at a Speaking. "I don’t think I should be
there."
Panya
gave her an annoyed look. "I’ve already asked. Your Aunt
Madera is the midwife and Leaette doesn’t mind."
The
mention of Aunt Madera brought a smile to Annis’s face.
It brought the warm taste of Madera’s magic to her mind.
Of all the adults in her world, Annis loved Madera best.
She grabbed Panya’s hand and the girls began to run.
They
were laughing and out of breath when they arrived at the
birthing room. Several family members were waiting with
Leaette’s husband for the Speaking to begin.
Madera smiled and nodded toward a corner where the girls
could view the ceremony without being in the way.
Panya’s sister, Leaette, lay on the table covered in
silver gauze. Her abdomen made the covering rise in a
small mound reminding Annis of the low hill sloping up
from the valley behind the village. Her face was rigid
in concentration as she blew out short puffs of air in
tempo to the cadence of Madera’s chant.
Annis
reached out and squeezed Panya’s hand. She breathed in
the heady aroma of the incense, trying to identify the
ingredients. Madera’s voice softened and she gently
placed her hand on the mound. It was time for the
speaking.
Annis
silently recited the teaching of the Stones about the
ceremony. Before
birth all people are one with the ancestors, free from
the confines of time and space, able to see the
beginning and end of their lives. A proper midwife can
speak to a baby just before it comes into this world and
forgets the world of the ancestors. She can give the
parents and the infant a message. Often this message
will give an insight into the child’s nature or some
important event in their life to come.
Annis
closed her eyes and felt a rush of wind engulf her. She
was there, on the other side, and she could hear Madera
and see the baby inside Leaette. There was pain, sorrow,
and fear. Annis wanted to pull herself back but
couldn’t. Madera’s magic was soothing, speaking to the
unborn child with gentle coaxing sounds. Madera spoke
the birth. "This one is much loved by the ancestors. Let
her name mean happiness."
The
words jerked Annis back from the other side. Annis
blinked back tears and stared at Madera. Then, confused,
she looked at Panya’s excited face. How could Madera say
such false things; how could Panya be happy? Then she
realized that Panya hadn’t been there on the other side.
Latté
gave a piercing scream and the baby came. Madera turned
aside and washed her hands while her assistants cleaned
and then restored the infant to her mother. Soon they
carried both from the birthing room. The family followed
until only Madera, Panya, and Annis remained.
Madera dried her hands and came over to speak to the
girls. She reached out to stroke Annis’s hair. Annis
pulled back. Madera saw the anger and fear on her face.
"What’s the matter, child?"
"You
lied!"
"Annis!"
Panya gasped. She grabbed Annis’s arm and started to
pull her away. "She didn’t mean it, Madera. She’s too
young to understand and it scared her. I shouldn’t have
brought her."
"Enough, Panya. You may go. I will talk to Annis in
private."
Panya
gave Annis a reproachful look and fled. For a while
Madera didn’t say a word, just looked at her. Annis
realized that she was waiting for some kind of
explanation.
Annis
tried to gather the multitude of thoughts and emotions
storming inside her. Finally she spoke, telling Madera
what she had seen and heard.
"She
didn’t want to come out. She’s going to die young and
there will be so much pain and sorrow in her life. She
was afraid. Why didn’t you speak the truth?"
"Why
didn’t I tell Leaette? Use your senses, girl. Would you
have me burden them on such a happy day? Would that
change what the Stones have spoken?"
Annis
looked down. Of course Madera was right, and didn’t
everyone say that when someone died young it was because
the ancestors were eager to be reunited with him or her?
Annis threw her arms around Madera’s ample waist, asking
for forgiveness.
"So,
you could hear," the old midwife said gently, returning
Annis’s hug.
"I
was there," Annis replied in a small voice.
Swiftly Madera took Annis’s face in her weathered hand
and tilted it upward. She peered into the pale lavender
eyes, searching.
Annis
froze, afraid she had made another mistake. Madera
studied her for a moment, but only said. "I see." She
might have said more, but they were interrupted by Panya
running back into the room.
"Come
quick, Madera! It’s the DaWakanda."
Madera was out the door in an instant, leaving Annis to
question Panya.
"What’s wrong with DaWakanda Oma?"
Panya
shook her head. "I don’t know. Han Golder came out of
the council room crying that the DaWakanda was dying.
Not that I would believe her report, but when I heard
Councilman Rhyd say that the DaWakanda was truly ill, I
ran back to get Madera."
"Stones!" Annis’s mind raced. Han Golder hated DaWakanda
Oma and was sure to spread an exaggerated account of her
illness everywhere. Then a more terrible thought came to
her. What if the DaWakanda was dying? What if her
grandmother was already dead? "Let’s go!"
When
the girls reached the council hall they could see
DaWakanda Oma being carried from the room, her face
ashen, with Madera’s strong magic around her, supporting
and guiding her exit. Annis stopped, unable to believe
what she was seeing.
The
DaWakanda lay on a stretcher, pain evident on her face,
the aura of her magic waning.
Annis
swallowed hard and glanced at the Stone worn around
DaWakanda Oma’s neck, the amulet of her power. The
normally brilliant Stone was pale and chalky looking,
even from this distance. Will Grandmother’s Stone
join the Stones of the Ancestor? Annis chided
herself for such childish fears. Madera’s medicine is
strong. The DaWakanda is sure to recover.
The
council members stayed inside the Hall after DaWakanda
Oma had been taken to her quarters. Word spread and
others joined them. They gathered in small groups,
talking in low voices, some in mindspeak. Annis made her
magic small, stood in an out of the way corner, and
listened shamelessly as the adults talked.
"What
will we do? The DaWakanda has not selected another to
bear a Stone," someone lamented. "If she dies without an
heir, what then?"
"Then
we must select an heir." Annis recognized Han Golder’s
voice. "The council has pleaded with the DaWakanda many
times to select someone to bear a Stone."
"If
only Aalyisan had lived. She could bear a Stone."
"Well, she’s among the ancestors and we have waited long
enough. There are several young women who carry the
DaWakanda blood. Our families go back together many
generations."
"What
about the child? She is Aalyisan’s daughter, isn’t she?
She is next in line."
Han
Golder was indignant. "Her! She’s not even pureblood."
The
aura around the speakers became jittery. "You can’t be
sure of that."
"Just
look at her standing over there. Have you ever seen
another Nelari with eyes that color? There was no mating
contract and no Nelari male has stepped forward and
claimed her."
"I’ve
only seen eyes that color once before and it wasn’t in
the homeland," conceded one of the speakers.
Annis
couldn’t bear to hear more. She bolted from the hall,
tears streaming down her face. She wanted to run all the
way out of the homeland, but she settled for home.
Madera was coming out of DaWakanda Oma’s chamber.
Annis
wiped her face quickly with her hands. "Is Grandmother
going to die?"
Madera hesitated. "Not today, but she’s very ill. I am
not sure there is much I can do."
"Can
I see her?"
"I
don’t know. I’ve given her some girten tea and she’s
finally sleeping."
"I
can be very quiet. I won’t wake her."
"Just
for a few minutes then."
Annis
slipped into the room, stopping just inside the door,
not approaching the bed at first. She didn’t know what
to do or say. She had never been comfortable around her
grandmother. The unseen wall separating them had always
felt as solid as the temple battlements, and Annis had
respected the wall. She had never tried to breach it.
Nor had she ever blamed her grandmother for putting the
wall between them. It was there because Aalyisan was
dead and she, Annis, was not.
Candles illuminated the four corners of the bed. Annis
walked toward the nearest corner. She could smell strong
magic here, and taste Madera’s medicine in the air. Her
eyes focused on the frail woman tossing fitfully on the
bed, barely recognizable as the powerful DaWakanda Oma.
Her grandmother looked so old. Beads of perspiration
glistened on the wrinkled face. Each rasping breath
threatened to be the body’s last.
"Help
me." The words
startled Annis. She didn’t recognize the voice. It
wasn’t her grandmother’s, not even her mindspeak.
"Help me".
Annis
inched forward. Grandmother’s Stone had spoken to her.
That’s impossible. The Stone only speaks to
Grandmother, Annis told herself sternly. I
imagine too much.
"Help
me, Annis." There
was no mistaking the source or the urgency of the words
now. Annis reached her hand out and gently brushed the
tips of her fingers against the smooth surface of the
amulet.
Time
stopped. Every organ in her body seemed to explode as
magic was pulled from her and siphoned into the body
lying on the bed. It lasted only a minute and then Annis
was released to stumble back against the wall spent. She
told herself to breathe and did, finally, in hard gasps.
"I’m
sorry. I needed some of your magic to keep Oma alive."
This
was the first time that Annis had ever heard anyone
refer to her grandmother as simply Oma. DaWakanda Oma,
yes, and officially as The DaWakanda, or Mother of the
Stone, but no one was ever that bold, not even Madera.
It implied too great an intimacy, an equality, or
perhaps superiority.
Annis
looked at the frail old woman lying on the bed.
DaWakanda Oma seemed to be resting more easily. Her
breathing wasn’t as labored. The Stone she had borne for
nearly fifty years had regained a little of its color
and luster. "You might have asked first. Will she be
well, now?"
"No,
there is evil magic here. You must go for help. Go to
the Shrine of Stones."
"I
can’t go there, it’s forbidden." Annis shook her head
vigorously. The Shrine of Stones was the burial place of
the Stones of all of the DaWakandas. It was a forbidden
place. Since the first DaWakanda led the people out of
the dark, the high priestesses’ stones had been placed
there after their death. She had been taught that it was
guarded by the strongest magic and that anyone who
entered there died. "I can tell Madera, she has strong
magic."
"Tell
no one. You must go alone. The stones of the ancestors
are our only hope. Go to the door and say my name and
you’ll be safe. Tell the ancestors that Eleasa has sent
you. They’ll be waiting."
Madera moved purposefully about the kitchen when Annis
came down. The smell of medicinal herbs filled the air.
She looked up when Annis came in. "How is she?"
"I
think she’s resting. Some of the color is back in the
Stone."
Madera leaned against the counter. "Thank the
ancestors." She drew the corner of her apron up and
wiped her eyes. She looked down at Annis. "You must be
hungry. I haven’t fixed a bite of supper, but there is
bread and some meat and cheese in the cold box. Help
yourself."
Annis
hadn’t thought of food, but now that Madera mentioned
supper, she felt her empty stomach complaining. She
fixed a plate of sandwiches and poured a couple of
glasses of milk, then opened the cold box again and
pulled out the last two fruit tarts. They had been in
there a few days but maybe they weren’t too stale. When
she was done, she tugged on Madera’s robe. "Come and
eat."
While
they ate in silence, Annis tried to remember the
quickest route to the Shrine of Stones. It was located
behind the temple, which wasn’t far, but there wasn’t an
entrance on the temple side. She would have to go
around. Heeding the Stone’s caution, Annis waited until
Medera had checked on the DaWakanda and gone to her own
bed before slipping out.
###
Two
hours later, she stood before the Shrine of Stones.
Looking at the entrance with her eyes, Annis thought it
looked like any other cave opening, but the magic she
sensed was beyond anything she had ever tasted. No
guards were posted here, and none needed. Annis almost
turned and ran home. Sternly she reminded herself that
she had been sent here on a mission and that Eleasa had
promised that she would be safe. Still, her voice
trembled as she spoke.
"Keeper of the Shrine, hear me. I am Annis. I am
DaWakanda. Eleasa sends me to you in time of trouble.
May I enter?"
"Enter, Annis, we have been waiting for you."
Annis
went in slowly. The darkness of the cave was deeper than
the night outside, which at least had light from the
moons and stars to see by. She waited for her eyes to
adjust and then she could see well enough.
The
Shrine of Stones was a large room, partially a natural
cave, and partially carved out by her early ancestors.
Throughout the cave, on little pillows, and on ornately
carved pedestals were the Stones. One Stone for each of
the DaWakanda’s who had ever lived and led the people.
When Grandmother
dies, they will remove the Stone from her amulet and
place it here. Eleasa will be home then.
"Very
good, Child of Aalysian. You are right."
Annis
looked at all the Stones. Each was unique in power and
appearance. They began to talk to Annis, telling her
their stories. Sometimes making her laugh. Sometimes
causing tears to flow.
After
a time the strongest voice interrupted.
"… I am Risha, keeper of the
Chamber and Speaker here. It’s time to tell you why you
have been called here."
"It’s
because Grandmother, I mean DaWakanda Oma, is sick."
Annis turned toward a Stone that sparkled like a blue
star in the night sky.
"She
is not sick. Her magic is being poisoned. Someone has
cut a false Stone and is using it to destroy her life
force. You must destroy that false Stone or she will
die, and whoever has done this will gain control of the
people."
"Me?
How can I destroy a Stone? I don’t have much magic at
all."
"You
have more magic than you know, Annis. Don’t be afraid.
You will take one of us with you and we will be your
power."
"Me,
bear a Stone? Everyone will see. I will be cast out."
"You
must keep the Stone hidden."
"Aunt
Madera has more power."
"She
can’t hide a Stone, you can. This is Pala, she will go
with you." A beautiful emerald Stone twinkled. "She is
old, and powerful, and was borne by one of the first,
and perhaps greatest DaWakandas. Hide her under your
robe. Take her magic and conceal it in your secret
place. Keep it there until it’s needed. She will guide
you."
"I
can’t." Annis’s voice trembled
"You
are the only one who can, Annis. Now, take up the Stone.
Go to the council chambers tomorrow and wait for Madera
to come in and say that the DaWakanda is dead. When that
happens, let Pala out quickly. She’ll only have a few
minutes to destroy the false Stone."
Annis
wore three simple chains of woven metal. She carefully
slid the longest chain through the latch on the emerald
Stone and returned it to her neck. She placed these
inside her gown. Annis closed her eyes and concentrated
on the hiding place. Little by little, she began pulling
Pala’s magic inside. "There’s too much."
"You
can do it, Annis, concentrate."
Annis
spun around in delight, holding up her hands, the sound
of her own laughter tinkling in her ears. The power of
Pala’s magic was beyond anything she had been taught in
school. It filled her up and bubbled over like the Holy
Springs of Aganar. That thought brought more laughter
and she began to sing a holy song.
"She’s drunk!"
"Annis!
You must control the power. Put it behind your shield,"
Risha commanded, a hint of laughter in her voice.
Pala
darkened her magic and the giddiness passed. Annis, back
in control, felt a sharp sense of loss. With this much
power in her hidden place, keeping the shield up
required a great deal of concentration. Pala’s magic
threatened to tear her apart in its desire for freedom.
She said goodbye to the Stones of her ancestors,
promising to follow their instructions, but not entirely
sure that she could.
###
Annis
was unable to sleep. She rested quietly in her room,
waiting for morning. Once she thought she heard Madera
arguing with someone. It sounded like Han Golder, but
she wasn’t sure. The disturbance only lasted a few
minutes and then the house was quiet again.
Before dawn, Annis gave up trying to sleep and dressed.
It was too early to leave for the
Council Chamber, but Annis was hungry again. The lights
and cooking fire were still going. Books, pots and pans,
and herbs and potions were strewn about the kitchen.
But, she saw no breakfast preparations. Madera must have
been up all night, searching every healing book she had.
Annis looked at the mess left behind. It can’t be
that hard to sort these out, and I’ve watched Madera
work so many times I know the way she likes things done.
That decided; she got to work.
When
Madera came down the steps, she still wore yesterday’s
clothes, and if she had slept at all it didn’t show on
her face. Her eyes widened when she saw that her kitchen
was in order and that there was a breakfast of toast,
fruit, ham, and cheese set out. The aroma of Pecale tea
filled the air, her special blend. Annis sat quietly
finishing the last of her own breakfast. Tears filled
the older woman’s eyes. "Stones bless you, child."
Annis
poured Madera a cup of the tea. "How stands the
DaWakanda?"
Madera’s knowing eyes acknowledged the request for
honesty in the formal question. She shook her head. "Not
well. I’ve never seen this illness before and it’s
beating me."
Annis
almost blurted out the truth.
"Don’t tell anyone!"
The warning pounded in Annis’s mind. She didn’t see what
harm telling Madera could do, but she obeyed the
command.
"I’m
going to the council chamber," Annis mentioned casually.
"Good, keep your ears open. Trouble’s probably brewing."
Annis
had never seen so many people in the Council Chamber. It
was hard to find an out-of-the-way place to stand. She
leaned against a wall, trying to make herself as
inconspicuous as possible.
"What
are you doing here?" demanded Han Golder. "This is no
place for children."
"I’m
not bothering you."
"Go
home and tell Madera that I’ve reported her little scene
last night." Han Golder raised her voice. "Madera
refused to let Gilla tend the DaWakanda last night.
She’ll be lucky if she isn’t banished."
"She
doesn’t take orders from you and neither do I."
"How
dare you speak that way to me! Leave before I call the
chamber guards."
"I
won’t."
"Leave the child alone," commanded a deep male voice.
Councilman Rhyd had walked over. He positioned himself
in front of Annis.
"The
council has important business today." Han Golder glared
up at him.
"Indeed, and our business is more important than
harassing children. Shall we get to it?"
Han
Golder stalked away.
"Try
to stay out of her way if you can," Councilman Rhyd said
softly.
Annis
nodded. Councilman Rhyd was a strong ally of the
DaWakanda. Annis remembered that he had always been kind
to her and had taken an interest in her schoolwork from
time to time. Are you my father?
No,
he was my friend.
The answer had been soft and he was gone before its
import sank in. Someone knew who her father was. Annis
looked to see where he had gone and would have followed.
"No,
Annis it’s almost time."
Pala’s magic jerked her to a stop.
Madera entered the Chamber and a hush fell on the room.
Her head was bowed. She slowly walked forward and
extinguished the Holy flame that was kept burning in the
Council chamber day and night. DaWakanda Oma was dead.
Han Golder moved toward the front of the room, Gilla
with her, a smile of triumph on her face.
"Let
down the shield, quickly. We don’t have much time."
Annis
let down the shield and felt herself taken over by
Pala’s magic. Everyone in the chamber could feel its
power. They stood aside as she walked forward holding
out the amulet.
"Where
is the false Stone?" Annis demanded. The
magic drew her toward Han Golder and Gilla. Gilla tried
to hide behind her mother.
Annis
continued toward them raising her voice for all to hear.
"I bear Pala. DaWakanda Annilie wore her proudly. You
will not defile the sacred line. Give me the false
stone."
"Use
the Stone and fight her." Han Golder pushed Gilla
forward. Gilla pulled out an unusual amulet from her
pocket and put it on, releasing the magic. There was no
time to wonder how she had concealed it.
A
stench like burning pitch filled the Council Chamber as
the Stones clashed. The taste of twisted magic filled
Annis’s mouth. She felt a wave of burning heat from the
wall of magic surrounding Gilla. This Stone’s power was
stronger than she or Pala had anticipated. Draining her
own magic and adding it to Pala’s, Annis pushed forward.
She felt the wall weaken.
Gilla
gasped and stumbled back. Han Golda steadied her and
hissed instructions, but it was not enough.
Annis
cut through the wall with a surge of magic and reached
out for Gilla. She grasped the Stone and jerked it from
Gilla’s neck. Gilla screamed and fell to the floor. The
false Stone began to smolder and then shattered with a
loud pop. The shards lay smoking at Annis’s feet.
Han
Golder bent over Gilla’s body. "Murderer!"
"We
heard the truth of the Stone." Councilman Rhyd and
Madera were quickly at Annis’s side.
"Lies! My Gilla was the chosen one. This girl isn’t even
pureblood. Her birth took Aalyisan from us. I say her
magic killed DaWakanda Oma and my daughter. I demand her
payment in blood."
Those
who sided with Han Golder would have taken Annis by
force. An exhausted Madera and Councilman Rhyd tried to
reason with them. It became a shouting match.
"Pala,
help me," Annis pleaded. Pala remained silent.
Destroying the false Stone had taken all of her power.
Annis’s legs were feeling decidedly unsteady. She sagged
against Madera.
Ever
eager to curry favor with the Han of his district,
Junior Councilman Roth spoke up, "The girl must stand
trial. Han Golder has a right to justice for Gilla’s
death if Annis is to blame. Stand out of the way,
Madera."
"Silence!" No one had noticed DaWakanda Oma enter the
chamber. She looked like a ghost, her face pale, and her
bedclothes dragging on the marble floor. The Stone she
bore burned brightly. Madera shifted Annis’s weight into
Councilman Rhyd’s arms then rushed to relight the flame.
She’s
alive, Pala. You did it.
Annis’s fingers caressed the Stone.
Those
who had been calling for Annis’s arrest were now
cheering the DaWakanda’s resurrection. As attention
turned toward DaWakanda Oma, Madera took Annis’s hand.
"We can go now."
Later, DaWakanda Oma carefully removed the Stone from
Annis’s chain while she was sleeping. The gentle tugging
woke Annis. "It’s time to return Pala to the Shrine of
Stones."
###
The
next day, Annis watched DaWakanda Oma enter the garden.
She waited a few minutes and followed. Pulling in all
her magic, anything that her grandmother could sense,
Annis silently slipped up behind the DaWakanda. She
inched closer, too close for the wall to come between
them. "Tell me about Aalyisan."
DaWakanda Oma showed no signs of surprise. She reached
out and drew Annis to the bench beside her. "She was my
daughter and I loved her more than anything in the
world."
"Except the Stones."
"Including the Stones."
"Isn’t that blasphemy?"
"You’ll be a mother one day, then you’ll understand.
Sometimes, Annis, you are so much like her that I can’t
bear to look at you."
"Because I caused her death."
"Because I couldn’t save her."
They
were quiet for a while. Annis remembered her visit to
the Chamber of the Stones. She thought of all the things
she had learned there. "It wasn’t your fault,
Grandmother. Aalyisan chose to go to the ancestors. She
was ready"
"I
wasn’t ready."
Annis
leaned forward and kissed the weathered cheeks. She had
never kissed her grandmother before, but with the wall
down it seemed right somehow. It was.
"It’s
time I began your training. Eleasa tells me you will
bear a Stone one day."
Annis
remembered the hatred on Han Golder’s face and the power
of the false Stone. "I don’t think I’m ready."
"The
Stones decide when we’re ready, Annis, and we must first
learn not to argue with their wisdom."
Annis
stifled a giggle.
"What
is it?" DaWakanda Oma demanded gently.
"Eleasa
says that you’ve yet to learn that lesson."
***
End ***