The Cursed Towers by Kate Forsyth

Author:Kate Forsyth
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi, pdf
Publisher: Random House Australia
Published: 1999-03-26T16:00:00+00:00

As the sun reached its apex in the sky, the forest faeries again assembled at the circle of stones. Again the long procession of Celestines gathered at the foot of the massive old tree. This time Cloudshadow led the procession, robed again in white silk, a child in her arms. There was a look of exhausted peace on her face, and her hair was bound back with the fragrant, white flowers of the Summer Tree. To the accompaniment of low, sonorous humming, she held the child aloft. The baby’s three eyes were wide open and wondering, and the crowd all round erupted into talk and laughter.

See my daughter, Cloudshadow said in Lilanthe’s mind. One day she too may have to murder her beloved so the Summer Tree shall continue to grow and blossom. Such is the heavy task laid upon us, and indeed my heart is burdened with sorrow.

Lilanthe’s heart swelled in sympathy, and she saw Niall the Bear was choking back tears. She took his hand and he gripped it tightly.

Come, bring me Elala, Cloudshadow said. Now I have eaten of the Summer Tree’s flowers, my powers are stronger than ever. This is the reward for the price I have paid.

Lilanthe carried the quivering little nisse through the crowd and across the lawn to where the Celestines were grouped. She saw many other faeries were following her, all with wounds or injuries they wished the Celestines to heal. Among them were cursehags and satyricorns, and Lilanthe was amazed that the gentle Celestines would extend their magic even to these malicious faenes.

All are welcome in the garden of the Celestine if they come with no thought of hatred in their hearts, Cloudshadow explained. What they do once they leave our garden is a matter for their own character and conscience.

When the Celestine laid her hands upon the little nisse’s forehead, the tattered remnants of her wing wove back together until it was again whole, as brittle and diaphanous as a dragonfly’s wing. Elala gave a piercing shriek and shot up into the air. High above their heads she soared and somersaulted, and all the other nisses darted up to join her, till the clearing resounded with their commotion.

It took some time to heal all the creatures of the forest, for squirrels, deer, woolly bears and wolves were among the many to crowd down into the clearing. Cloudshadow was not the only Celestine to heal by the laying on of hands, and she explained that all those who ate of the flowers were given restorative powers, as well as the gift of prophecy and clear-sight.

All Celestines carry the sap of the Summer Tree in their veins, for once swallowed it soaks deep into the very stuff of our bodies. Each generation that inherits the powers is less potent, however, and it is only those Celestines that have eaten of the flower itself who have the greatest powers, Cloudshadow said.

Lilanthe wondered at her ability to read her thoughts and the Celestine smiled wearily at her across the crowd.

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