A Different Light by Elizabeth A. Lynn

Author:Elizabeth A. Lynn
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Open Road Media
Published: 1977-12-31T16:00:00+00:00

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She had no trouble comprehending Russell's explanation. "I have never heard of thieves working for any but themselves," she said, "but I suppose that this might be so. But you must come from a far country indeed, not to know. Our Masks are not things to be stolen and sold at a thieves' market like beads. They are the voices of the Gods to our people. You must know that. You spoke the name of Devala."

"We do not know," said Ysao. "Tell us."

"It was Devala who made the Masks, before he went to live among the stars." Her voice took on priestly authority. "He was our ruler, our king. That is why we have no kings, now. He was very great. When he grew weary of ruling over such children as we seemed to him to be, he left us, with wives and children and all his kin, to live among the stars. They flew away on roaring dragons, our history tells us. But before Devala left, he gave us Law, so that we might remain human, and not become as beasts, and he made for us the Masks, so that the Gods might speak to us through them. Devala, they say, spoke face to face with the Gods. But we cannot. The Speaker must wear a Mask and speak through it to the tribes when there is dispute. Without the Masks there can be no Judgment. If you take the Masks, then our Gods will no longer speak to us!"

Ysao asked, "Is there dispute now in the tribes?"

"Yes. There is dispute between Athou and Rahid. Rahid is chief. Athou disputes with him—but it is sham. He wishes Rahid's power, that is all. The Gods know his mind."

"Tell us about the ritual," Ysao said.

"They must walk across the desert to the temple— that is the first test. Then they fast for a day, and do not sleep for a night. The voice of the God then speaks to them through the mouth of the Speaker."

"That is you," Ysao said.

"I have been Speaker for three years. It is a hard thing to do, and I think this will be my last year; I have grown too old. Already there are children in the tribe who can hear minds more strongly than I can. I will choose one of them to succeed me, as I was chosen, and I will be a teacher, and live with the old women, and learn the healing arts from them. So our Law requires. You—you will go now, won't you? And say to your Masters that you could not find the Masks? Or that a greater magic than theirs kept you from stealing?"

"Who do you think our masters are?" Russell asked.

"I do not know. But they say that in the north live magicians, who can make rain at will, and imprison the winds in great caves, letting them out only when they choose. I think they must have sent you. Else how could you

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