Heart of Hythea by Suzanne Francis

Author:Suzanne Francis [Francis, Suzanne]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction, Fantasy, Science Fiction, Romance, Magical Realism
ISBN: 9781843196396
Publisher: Mushroom eBooks
Published: 2007-01-15T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter thirteen

Dylloriah, the green valley

(The Tollyn, Two)

The Autochthones find the Innocent, Geya. They, themselves, insure their own survival. She carries the sign of the Dawnmaid within her.

* * * *

One late spring day, as Katkin bent over to dislodge a stubborn weed from the ranks of the radish and carrot shoots in the vegetable plot, she heard a snatch of song and the sound of harness bells drifting through the branches of the oak trees. She glanced up briefly but did not bother to investigate further. Though a kindred of Firaithi traders must be passing close by, Katkin knew they would neither stop nor talk to her. The Firaithi kept very much to themselves on their journeys through Yr.

As the sound of their caravans faded into the distance she went back to the weeding. The sun beat down on her bare head, and she looked up to the sky for a moment to try and judge the time. Probably almost midday, but Jacq would not be home for the noon meal. He had left with Yannick in the morning, saying he might not be back until tomorrow. She sighed and wiped the sweat from her eyes with the back of her sleeve, wondering, as she always did, where he was and what he might be doing. Katkin suddenly felt very lonely, and decided she would visit Jacq’s mother once she finished her morning chores.

A cough close at hand caused her to look up sharply. A raggedly dressed woman, leaning on a twisted staff, stood at the edge of the garden plot. Her long gray hair hung in braids, adorned with many colored ribbons and shining glass beads. When she saw Katkin, her darkly wrinkled face broke into a toothless smile. Katkin stood, and brushed the dirt from her hands. Although the woman’s strange appearance made her feel a little nervous, still she asked politely, “Did you come here for healing, Old Mother? How may I help you?”

The old woman croaked, “How you have grown up, my little Kitty Kat! But where are your manners? Do you not remember your old Nurse?”

Katkin stared uncertainly and then stepped forward with a cry to gather the old woman into an embrace. “Nurse! I am sorry I did not recognize you. You must come in, and let me make you some tea.” She took the old woman’s arm and led her eagerly into the cottage. Her nurse wandered around the single room, examining everything, while Katkin put the kettle on the hob to boil. After a moment she settled in a kitchen chair. Katkin sat down at the table, and pushed a plate of apple cake towards her. She had so many questions she hardly knew where to start.

“Why have you come to see me now, after all these years? How did you get here anyway?”

The old woman laughed. “Second question first. I came with the Firaithi. We passed over the borders of Beaumarais three days ago.”

Katkin looked confused. “The Firaithi kindred that passed by just now? Why are you traveling with them?”

“They are my people.

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