Forgotten Truth by Dawn Cook

Author:Dawn Cook [Cook, Dawn]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: General, Fantasy, Fiction, Fantasy Fiction, Epic, Fantasy Fiction; American
ISBN: 9780441011179
Google: i_cvjq6S8c0C
Amazon: 0441011179
Publisher: Ace
Published: 2003-01-01T08:00:00+00:00

Face flaming, Alissa wiggled her way backward. Lodesh followed, and she kept her eyes lowered as the crowd cheered. The tune continued on without them, and she held the back of her hand to her cheek to try to cool it. She had always thought Taykell ought to have a companion on his journeys. Perhaps if her invented verse stuck, he would.

“I quite like your new song,” Lodesh said slyly as soon as they were far enough away to be heard over the music. She snuck a glance at him, her knot of anxiety easing as she saw only a relaxed good humor on him. His gaze was fixed across the field, and his smile suddenly widened. “There’s Marga,” he said. “Let’s sit with her before she gets a ring about her.”

Alissa’s new carefree state vanished. She stopped short, letting Lodesh go three steps alone. Drawing up sharply, he eyed her in question. She ran her gaze over her plain attire and bit her lip. Everyone was so nicely dressed. Her Keeper attire looked rather bland.

Lodesh waved a hand in dismissal. “It’s only Marga,” he cajoled, escorting her across the grove. Alissa’s unease tightened. Marga was young Trook’s mother. She had been nice but rather imposing when Alissa had met her: so many attendants, such a fine house. Alissa had felt positively primitive, though Marga was as free and honest with her smiles as Lodesh. And what if the woman had heard her singing?

Tonight, though, Marga’s attendants were gone. She sat alone on a blanket embroidered with mirth flowers. Her hair was piled upon her head with pins and ribbons, lending her a calm grace that denied she had a child. Dressed in three shades of cream, she looked as perfect as an uncut cake. As was proper, her hem had been pinned up to show her boots, blackened with soot in mourning for her father and uncle. Marga’s eyes widened in delight at Alissa’s daisy chain, and Alissa dropped her gaze. Marga had a length of polished silver.

“Marga!” Lodesh exclaimed. “You remember Alissa.”

“Don’t be silly. Of course I do.” Leaning eagerly forward, Marga offered Alissa her hand, palm up, and Alissa briefly covered it with her own. “You never did allow us to properly thank you for finding Trook.”

Alissa sat at Marga’s invitation, and Lodesh settled between them. “No need,” Alissa said. “I was just tagging along.” She hesitated, her gaze flicking to Marga’s darkened boots. “I’d like to extend my condolences,” she said. “It’s hard when Mistress Death comes suddenly.”

Marga turned to rummaging in a basket, avoiding everyone’s eyes. “Father always said the mirth trees are a better judge of character than most men. That they chose to flower for his wake is a great comfort.” She set a bowl holding cheese molded into the shape of flowers onto the blanket, and Alissa’s eyes widened. The bowl was made of glass! And Marga had it outside holding food as if it was common.

“I’ll never understand why Father, may

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.