The Tenth Power by Kate Constable

Author:Kate Constable
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: JUV000000
ISBN: 9781741156539
Publisher: Allen & Unwin Pty Ltd
Published: 2005-03-01T05:00:00+00:00

nine

The Arrival of the Voiced Ones

IN SILENCE, THEY followed Briaali through the steep tunnel. The passage was so narrow and twisted that it blocked every particle of sunlight, but after a surprisingly short time they emerged into a cave that opened wide onto the snowy forest.

In the daylight, Calwyn saw that Darrow’s face was grey, and his hands shook. His eyes met hers.

‘I tried to sing you out of the water,’ he said in a low voice. ‘I tried, but I – ’ His voice cracked, and Calwyn moved to him, but he held up his hand.

Tonno laid Keela down beside one of several crackling fires, sheltered behind a screen of branches. There were about forty Tree People in the camp; they stared at the voiced strangers warily, but without hostility. All the travellers recognised on their faces the intent, preoccupied look that Calwyn and Halasaa wore when they spoke silently together.

Brother and sister knelt by Keela; she was breathing, but she was very cold. Halasaa turned her head and helped her to cough up the last of the water she’d swallowed. Together he and Calwyn restored the blood to her limbs, and made sure she was wrapped up warmly. Halasaa’s words were sober. I do not know if she will survive.

Calwyn smoothed the damp golden hair from Keela’s brow. She has come close to death. Perhaps too close to return.

You saved her, my sister. Even though she tried to kill you.

Is that what she intended? Calwyn stared down at Keela’s pale, beautiful face. I don’t know.

Briaali watched closely as their hands moved over Keela. She was as old as Marna, perhaps even older. But where Marna had been soft and gentle, everything about Briaali was sharp-edged and glittering. Her small face was deeply lined, but her hair shone dark and glossy, barely shot through with silver, and her small black eyes were bright and shrewd. You are healers?

Halasaa stood, his body taut as he braced for rejection or abuse. Yes.

We are both healers. Calwyn stood too, shoulder to shoulder with her brother, ready to spring to his defence.

You are welcome here. Briaali wrinkled her eyes in an unexpected smile. We have much to discuss.

By the big fire, Tonno pulled Calwyn into a bear hug. ‘Is it true, lass, what Darrow says?You’ve got your chantment back?’

‘Yes!’ Calwyn laughed as she returned his hug. ‘There was a deep magic in that pool, deeper than I can understand.’

When she heard Calwyn speak aloud, Briaali’s eyes screwed up sharply. You are a Voiced One, my sister? But the Voiced Ones do not have the gift of healing.

We were born together. Halasaa answered for them both. Our mother was a chanter of the Voiced Ones, our father a healer of the Spiridrelleen. Calwyn has inherited the gifts of both our parents.

Briaali nodded slowly. Then you are blessed indeed.

‘Yes,’ said Calwyn simply. In the past, it had seemed a fearful burden to be able to sing so many kinds of chantment. But now, glowing from her immersion in theWaters, she was sure that she could carry that burden with grace.

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