Mirror of Destiny by Andre Norton

Author:Andre Norton [Norton, Andre]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction, Fantasy, General, Science Fiction, Fantasy Fiction, Blind, Orphans, Romance, Voyages and Travels
ISBN: 9780380779765
Publisher: Eos
Published: 1995-01-02T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Seventeen

"OXYLE—" TWILLA POLISHED the mirror once more with her palm. Was the ancient trouble between these people and those of the forest so deep that answers could not be found? She had found Oxyle sympathic—but certainly there was old enmity here. However, one could not be sure until one tried.

"Chard, you will need someone to bear your message to those above. Will you let me go—with Wandi? I shall swear any oath you ask that I will do what I can to discover what happened to Catha and the others."

"Swear—by that—blood oath!" He pointed to the mirror.

Blood oath was powerful—it could unite old enemies, bind together strange allegiances. Such a swearing was a matter for warriors usually.

He was watching her intently, warily, as if expecting her to refuse— to assure him that his suspicions of all from above were correct.

Twilla laid the mirror flat on her knee, shining side up. She had the knife with which she had cut their meat and the point of that was sharp enough to serve. A pricking of her first finger was deep enough to bring a drop of blood. Holding her hand above the mirror she allowed that to drop. It hit and spattered a little.

"By the blood which is mine, by the power which answers to me, this do I swear—that once I am above again I shall carry to Oxyle, to those leaders among the forest clans your message. If you in turn will offer truce to hold council with them. Will you swear to that Chard?"

He reached for his standard, slipping the shaft around, until the boar's head faced her, was inclined a fraction to loom over the blood-spattered mirror. Twilla was certain she saw those eyes blaze gold and then red. On the mirror the blood faded, it might have been sinking into the metal.

"Well enough," Chard said. "Remind those proud upper ones that all metals answer to us. Not only their beloved silver, our gold—but— iron." He pronounced that last word with the emphasis of a threat. "Now, you and the child must abide until we discover the swiftest passage, one which will serve us best. Until then rest and wait in patience. A good blade cannot be forged in an instant's work."

To that Twilla was willing to agree. Though she had eaten and rested some in the fungi cavern she still found her strength lacking and the far seeing of Catha—or the rock which now stood for Catha, had taken its toll of her.

They were escorted by one of the little men up the stairs to the first of the galleries, onto which living quarters opened, and then ushered into a room where there was a pallet of fur and padded grass wide enough for the both of them. Thankfully Twilla allowed herself to trust and, with Wandi beside her, stretched out to sleep.

"Lady—"

Twilla wanted to twist away from that voice but now she was aware also of a hand on her shoulder shaking her a little.

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