Longeye by Sharon Lee & Steve Miller

Author:Sharon Lee & Steve Miller [Lee, Sharon]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: Fantasy
ISBN: 1-4165-9153-2
Publisher: Baen Books
Published: 2009-04-01T04:00:00+00:00

"What is this?" Violet unwrapped the cloth to reveal the gnomelike rootlings. "I don't think I've ever seen anything like."

"It's called duainfey," Becca said, from her seat on the bench. Violet had refused to allow her down in the dirt, and had claimed the planting as " 'prentice work." Becca tried not to let her disappointment show, while vowing that she would soon give herself the pleasure of working among Lucy Moore's plants.

"Those were given me by my mistress, on the other side of the keleigh, with her own 'prentice book. The entry there claims it a rare plant, even in its home land. I had planted some at—in my garden in Xandurana, and they took well to the soil there. It may be that they will flourish here, too. I would like to have a supply, for it has its uses."

Violet picked one of the rootlings up, turning it over curiously.

"Mind your fingers!" Becca cried. "They exude an oil, which will raise blisters." She held out her hand, showing fingers innocent of any mark, and Violet laughed.

"Yes, very good," Becca said, with a smile of her own. "But, truly, Violet, I was burned; my fingers would still show the scars from the blisters, if your superlative healing not reft them from me."

"Well." Violet put the rootling briskly on the ground, and studied her own fingers. "I don't appear to be burnt," she said, holding her hand out to Becca with a smile. "But I will be careful. How are these planted?"

"Roots down and spread, and buried only halfway," Becca said. Violet nodded and reached for the hand-spade.

"What are its uses?" she asked, her attention on her work.

Becca hesitated, which was, of course, ridiculous.

"It has several uses," Becca said slowly, wondering at her reluctance. Violet was learning the healing arts, and there were several plants hanging in Lucy Moore's workroom that gave surcease from pain.

"One leaf-tip, taken by mouth, is said to bestow clear sight. A tea made from dried leaves purifies the blood. The fresh leaves, taken by mouth, give release."

Violet looked up at her, brown eyes wide. "Release?"

"Surely you have been taught that healers have a duty to see that needless suffering not occur. Sometimes, release is all that we can give."

Violet nodded, looking down again, though she did not immediately continue with her work. "Gran did teach me," she said softly. "But, I don't, that is, I haven't—"

"Release is a gift," Becca said gently; "terrible, but a gift, nonetheless. It is not given often, and that is as it should be."

Violet finished planting the first rootling and reached for another.

"Have you," she asked, "ever given the gift, Miss Beauvelley?"

Becca closed her eyes, remembering the feel of the leaf in her mouth, the pleasant wash of warmth in her blood.

"No," she said softly, "I have not."

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