Dance of the Dead (Ravenloft The Covenant Book 3) by Christie Golden

Author:Christie Golden [Golden, Christie]
Language: eng
Format: azw3
ISBN: 9780786961993
Publisher: Wizards of the Coast Publishing
Published: 2012-01-03T00:00:00+00:00

THIRTEEN

“First of all, you cannot dance in that,” the Maiden stated flatly, indicating Larissa’s dress.

The dancer glanced down at herself. Her clothing was typical of the garb she wore aboard the boat: full skirts, a bodice that laced up the front, and a chemise underneath.

“What’s wrong with it, apart from it being filthy?”

“It binds you too much. You cannot wear anything that restricts movement.”

To Larissa’s annoyance, the Maiden made the dancer remove her clothes and tear them into pieces for new garments. Larissa bound her breasts with a halter made of the skirt’s material and fashioned a skirt of the lighter-weight chemise. She fastened the skirt about her slender waist and glanced at the Maiden for approval.

“No,” the Maiden chided. She tugged the skirt from Larissa’s waist and retied it so that it hugged her hips.

“The only time I’ve ever worn this little is when I was bathing,” Larissa muttered, though she accepted the strange costume.

“There is a reason for this. Each part of your body corresponds with an element,” the Maiden explained. “Your hair is air. How you toss your head, play with your hair—that is all for air magic. You can command the wind, conjure beings from the element of air, work with the weather.”

“All with this?” she grinned, running her fingers through her still-grimy hair. The Maiden, however, remained serious as she nodded.

“Arms are for fire,” she said, making fluttery, flamelike motions with her tendriled fingers and slim green arms. Larissa imitated her. “Fire, fire elementals, electricity, light, and heat come from their movements.

“Water,” she said, swaying her hips, “is from your center.” She began to undulate her stomach, causing it to roll. “This is why your middle must be free to move. Here in the swamp, it is vital that you know how to command water. And earth,” she said, pulling her rooted feet from the soil and leaping, “is the feet, where you make contact with the mother of us all. Now, it is time for your first lesson.”

Larissa’s heart began to beat faster with anticipation.

“Lie down on the ground.”

“What?” Larissa was stunned and disappointed.

The Maiden laughed at her impatience. “The dancing comes last,” she told the young woman. “A wizard does not begin to work his magic until he knows the danger he faces and how best to attack it. Nor does he cast a spell without gathering the proper ingredients.”

“But this is dancing, not spell casting,” Larissa protested. The Maiden touched her cheek softly.

“How much you have to learn, child. First, you must learn to root yourself.” At Larissa’s baffled look, the Maiden explained. “Your strength comes from where your feet touch, be it soil, or water, or the wood of a boat. I will take you on your first trip. Lie down and close your eyes.”

Larissa did as the Maiden requested. The soil was damp, but not muddy, and when Larissa permitted herself to relax she found it quite comfortable.

And then she began to sink into the ground.

With a cry, she bolted upright, but the Maiden shook her head.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.