Draakoa In Danger

Draakoa in Danger

Book 2

of

The Tales of Myldora

Susan Frances Edwards

Published by Susan Frances Edwards at Smashwords

Copyright Susan Frances Edwards 2013

Discover other titles by Susan Frances Edwards at http://www.Smashwords.com

Samples of Book 1 'The Great Gifts' and other work in progress can be found in her Author Pages at

http://susanfrancesedwards.me.uk

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. It may not be resold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person please purchase another copy for each recipient. If you are reading this book and you did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy.

Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

All characters and events in this book are purely fictitious,

and any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental

This book is dedicated with thanks to

Ruth, Gill, Pam, Doreen, Dorothy, David and Mike

Acknowledgements

Thanks to Jim Pojar and Andy MacKinnon, compilers and editors of 'Plants of Coastal British Columbia' 1994 BC Ministry of Forests, and Lone Pine Publishing

Also thanks to Margaret Orbell, for 'The Natural world of The Maori' 1996 David Bateman Ltd.

From their invaluable books I was able to learn what I needed for the lives of the Saauusoori.

Table of Contents

Introduction

Prologue Portrait of A Young Man

Chapter 1 Junior Master

Chapter 2 A Foursome

Chapter 3 A Cluster of Stars

Chapter 4 Torfun a Draake

Chapter 5 The Day of Days

Chapter 6 The Draake

Chapter 7 Expectations

Chapter 8 Judgement

Chapter 9 Willingness

Chapter 10 Decisions

Chapter 11 New Understanding

Chapter 12 Venturers

Chapter 13 Living With Fear

Chapter 14 Powers and Prophecies

Chapter 15 The Light

Chapter 16 Great Master Kirankilimo

Chapter 17 Stresses and Fears

Chapter 18 Sharing of Hearts

Chapter 19 Help and Advice

Chapter 20 Preparations

Chapter 21 The Offering

Chapter 22 To Saauusooroa

Chapter 23 First Meeting

Chapter 24 The Matriarchs

Chapter 25 The Guardians

Chapter 26 Adoption

Chapter 27 Listening and Learning

Chapter 28 First Plans

Chapter 29 Words and Signs

Chapter 30 Identities

Chapter 31 New Friends

Chapter 32 Facing Change

Chapter 33 The Great Powers Revealed

Chapter 34 Reconciliation

Chapter 35 Standing Guard

Chapter 36 Animals!

Chapter 37 Divisions

Chapter 38 Proper People

Chapter 39 Myldoran Interlude

Chapter 40 Time Runs Out

Main Characters in Order of Appearance

About the Author

Other Books By Susan Frances Edwards

Introduction

The archives of Draakoa hold many transcriptions of life stories provided by the Lore-Masters of Myldora, their sister world in a parallel dimension. From one such story their chief historian, in his later days, made a selection entitled 'The Great Gifts', which I have already shared.

It told us, in his own words, about Bruathimo, a young man of Myldora, who with his closest friend, Poelimo, proved to be more remarkable than anyone could have expected, and of great significance to Myldora and Draakoa.

This second volume tells, in the words of the several characters most closely involved, how Bru, Poeli and their friends discover what the danger is that threatens Draakoa, and together with other Myldorangi, use their Gifts in an attempt to unite its divided peoples and help them to survive an approaching cataclysm.

Since it was not possible for them to report the conversations they had with the wordless Saauusoori precisely, they represented them in the way that would be most easily understood by the Draakoa and their own people. You are asked to bear that in mind as you read.

This transcription occasionally uses words or names from our own world, where those of Myldora or Draakoa would be inexplicable to us. The King Tree, or King of the Forest is one example. There are no kings on those worlds but this is the best equivalent to their name for the tree.

Communications made entirely by thought or finger-signs are shown in italics. Where vocal communication is used on its own or with other forms it is shown normally. Susan Frances Edwards

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

For those who enjoy exploring such things, there is a wealth of information about Myldora and its people in the Appendices in http://susanfrancesedwards.me.uk but a very brief note on their calendar, and the pronunciation of various names are included here as you begin. A description of the main characters in the order of their first appearance may be found after the last chapter.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

i The Myldoran Calendar

The Long-Change consists of 360 orbits by Myldora of the Primary star or Near Sun.

The Year is called a Change. It has 320 days,10 months of 32 days, and 40 weeks.

The Seasons The year has five seasons, each two months long. The New Change begins in the middle of Chilling. The seasons are: Springing = Spring; Swelling = Summer; Fruiting = early Harvest; Burning = later Harvest / Autumn; Chilling = Winter

The Months (beginning from the second month of Chilling) are:

Freezing; Sprouting; Nesting; Blossoming; Shining; Ripening; Gathering; Storing; Firing; Darkening.

The Week is eight days long and is referred to as a Round-of-days or a Round.

The Days are: 1 Sun-Rising-Day, or Rising; 2 Star-Passing-Day, or Passing; 3 Blue-Companion-Day, or Blue; 4 Red-Companion-Day, or Red; 5 Water-of-Life-Day, or Water; 6 Breath-of-Life-Day, or Breath; 7 Glorious-Gifts-Day, or Gifts; 8 Remembrance-of-Names-Day

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

ii Pronunciation of Myldoran Names

C is always hard as in cat, not soft as in ceiling. G is always hard as in gun, not soft as in gin.

Myldora = Mill/door/ah; Myldorangi = Mill/door/ang/ee; Bruathimo = Broo/ah/thim/oh; Kirankilimo = Keer/an/kill/im/oh; Kearimo = Key/ah/rim/oh; Poelimo = Po/ell/im/oh; Ielenture = Ee/ell/en/toor/ay; Liathimo = Lee/ah/thim/oh; Momure = Mow/moor/ay; Tearimo = Tee/ah/rim/oh

iii Pronunciation of Draakoan Names

As on Myldora, C and G are hard. All vowels in Draakoan first names are short. If a long vowel is intended it is written as a double. Draakoa = Draah/koh/ah; Draakia = Draah/key/ah

iv Pronunciation of Saauusoori Names

There are no hard sounds in these names, which are approximations of the names 'thought' by the matriarchs to Bran and Kan.

Seeroo = See/roo; Saaree = Saah/ree; Haaresehaan = Hah/ress/eh/haan; Rosseraa = Ross/eh/raah

Prologue

Portrait of a Young Man

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Told by Senior Mistress Delure of the Guild of Creative Arts

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

I first painted Bruathimo, son of Tearimo, of the House of the Shathureon, when he was a Senior Scholar in the Guild of The Turning and preparing for his Great Test. I'd offered to do it because I knew our Master Portrait Painters would be uncomfortable working with a Sensitive. Not that they were prejudiced against them, but a good portrait requires a sense of ease and understanding between the subject and the Master, and few of them knew him at all well; whereas I'd been Training him in my branch of the Creative Arts for fifteen Changes and had known him as a founding member of the Constellation for ten.

In the event I found these different understandings of him rather confusing, and when I was preparing the studio I had to remind myself that what his family wanted was a portrait of their son and brother, not the Star-Crowned child of the Grace who often spoke with authority in our Constellation's Clusters. However, he solved the difficulty for me, because when he arrived he was wearing his everyday working clothes and had brought a number of items with him, each of which had an intimate connection with a family member or a friend. A carved panel of a Chilling Black tree was hung on the wall just behind his shoulder, and the other objects were arranged on an embroidered cloth which covered a small table. Lastly he found a tall stool to rest against comfortably, and settled himself at an angle, looking off into the distance, one foot down as if he were just going to walk away.

'That's good,' I said, 'It's well balanced, there's plenty of interest in it, and a sense of movement.'

He settled peacefully to his pose and I began to sketch and then to paint.

A hundred times and more I've wondered how you can know and work with someone for many Changes, but when you come to paint them find yourself face to face with a stranger you've never seen before.

He was wearing plain brown trousers with a splash of blue paint on the lower part of the left leg and a thigh-length tunic in a weave of forest greens and browns. The close fitting, stand-up collar of a dark green shirt could be seen at the neck of the unlaced tunic, and their sleeves had been turned up together twice, leaving his forearms bare. On his left wrist was a copper band stamped with the eagle feather of the Shathureon, and on the first finger of his right hand he wore a ring with a deep red stone.

I liked the look of his long, elegant, bare feet, the right on the bar of the stool, the left planted on the floor. They were shapely like his hands. Of course he was tall like his father, four inches above the average for a Myldoran, but well proportioned. I've known tall Myldorangi who were all legs, and others whose shoulders and chest were too broad, but Bruathimo was well balanced, and his shoulders and upper arms though strong retained the classical Myldoran slenderness, while the muscles in his bare forearms showed he was not averse to hard work.

By the end of the first day I'd finished his hands: the heel of the right pushing down on his knee as if he was just about to lift himself off the stool, and the left lying quite relaxed on his thigh, and I began work on his head and face the next morning. His neck was long, and his head a well-shaped oval with neat ears lying flat to the skull and half-hidden by his long, straight, silver hair, the side locks of which were caught in a loose plait down the centre of his back, the rest flowing free beneath it. His high forehead led to a slender, straight nose and a wide strong mouth, although his lips hinted at the Sensitivity which was so much a part of him. His eyebrows had the slightest upward slant toward the outside and his eyes were almond shaped and as dark as any I had seen. His skin was also a beautiful blue-black. In other words he had all the characteristics of one of the silver-haired Star-Crowned, those born under the influence of the Grace, and often Gifted with the extremely rare Sensitivity, or possibly one of the other Great Gifts. And indeed Bru had two Gifts, Sensitivity and The Turning.

Thinking about his looks I declared, 'If you weren't a Sensitive, Bru, I'd have you sitting for some of my Scholars so they could learn how a true Myldoran ought to look. Silver hair used to be a far more common colour in the days when everyone was a believer.'

'Perhaps things will change,' he replied and smiled. 'They're beginning to already, Del. All we need is trust and hope, together with a large portion of patience.'

I took a full Round of days to complete the portrait, and it was one of the best I've ever done. He told me his family and friends were delighted with it. But it wasn't the last I made of him. This young Star-Crowned, who, for widely differing reasons, had long been of interest to many people, was going to become notable throughout Myldora in a completely new way before too many Changes had passed.

1

Junior Master

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Told by Bruathimo, Child of the Grace, the Star Crowned, & Junior Master of The Turning

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

'It's nearly sunrise. It's time to be going,' I said. 'If we don't make a move soon we'll be late for the Fellowship Feast.'

'I don't think there's any danger of being late,' Keari said, 'but I agree there's not much point in waiting about, so if you go and find Arostimo, I'll take your packs and boxes outside.'

Having come the day before to give a talk to the Scholars of the Western Guild Halls, he'd little baggage of his own, which was extremely convenient since I'd been away from home for two Changes and had more than enough for one.

I found Arosti in the general dining room of the Guild Hall deep in argument with three other young men and dragged him away saying, 'You can finish that when you come back, Arosti. We've got to go.'

Ten minutes later we were outside at the Reference Point. My hair blew in the sea wind as I took a last look at the waves surging inexorably across the dark vastness of the ocean to crash on the shore below us. The Guild Halls, built of local stone, stood sturdily a little way back from the cliff edge, lights shining out from their windows. The Turning Point was on a rise not far from a stand of sea oaks.

Now the moment had come I was inexplicably sorry to be leaving, I'd made some good friends here, and had many good times. However, at the thought of returning home, of being reunited with my heartfriend, Poelimo, of our unknown future, and what might lie waiting for us out in the vastnesses beyond Myldora, my heart lifted and a familiar hunger awoke in my spirit, while the pain which had troubled me all this Change eased a little. Surely, our destiny must be almost within reach.

I smiled at my companions; Kearimo, a Master of Turning and fellow Sensitive, my Mentor, friend and adimo-of-the-heart; and Apprentice Arostimo with whom I'd Trained for many Changes; I joined them in the circle, we prepared our Turn and released the power. A moment of blackness and we were standing on the brow of a hill halfway round the world. In the thin afternoon sunshine, clusters of Halls and Homes were scattered among trees and gardens in the valley below, and over to my right, tucked into a bay in the hillside, was the small village where Keari lived. Sensitives like us find it hard to live in crowded places.

We stepped away from the Reference Point just as three Junior Masters pulling handcarts approached from the Halls.

'Do you need any help, Master Kearimo?' they asked.

'We'll take one handcart if we may,' he replied, and we piled my belongings onto it.

'It's good to be back,' I said. 'Every time I return I realise how much I miss this place.'

'I've been kept too busy to miss anything,' laughed Arosti. 'I thought we worked hard as Senior Scholars, but the last two Changes have been exhausting. I'll see you at the Feast, Bru,' and he shouldered his light pack and set off down the hill. He would find a bed in the Guest Home, but I was moving into Keari's house on the edge of the village.

As I hauled the cart along the lane, I wondered what my immediate future might hold. I knew I mustn't set my heart on any particular work, the Guild Council decided when we were ready to be Junior Masters, and for several Rounds of Days they'd have been discussing where each of us would be of most use to our people.

But I was sure of one thing, next Change I'd be busy in the group we called the Constellation. All its members were believers in the Grace, and ranged from Apprentices to Senior Masters, and even Elders of Guilds. Although opposition to us was strong in some quarters, we were determined to revive belief in the present power of the Grace, and to discover the true purposes behind the giving of the Great Gifts. I recalled the excitement when, through our invocation of the Grace, a new world had been found which had need of our Gifts. I hadn't been there yet, but the thought of what Poeli and I might soon be doing on Draakoa was both thrilling and daunting at the same time.

'You're very quiet, Bru,' Keari commented, 'is it the pain?'

'I'm sorry! No, that's no worse than usual. I was thinking about the Constellation.' Then I looked across at him, 'Keari, have I done enough to be named a Junior Master?'

'I'm sure you have. From all I've heard from the Council there's no need to worry about it.'

'Well that's a relief. Ah, here we are. When we've unloaded I'll return the cart and send a message to Poeli, then I'll come back and unpack my stuff.'

An hour later we were sitting beside the fire in the big room of the simple, one storey, wooden house provided for their Masters by our Guild, where Keari had everything he needed for his work. His true home was in the small forest hamlet where our family lived.

I looked more closely at him, he seemed fit and, most importantly, at peace with himself; altogether very different from the troubled, grief-ridden man who'd helped me when I was a Four, and I was glad for him.

'You look well,' I said with a grin. 'I think you've been having an easy time of it while I've been slaving away as an Apprentice.'

'Oh, that's what you think is it? I can't remember when I've been busier than this last Change. I've been giving regular advice and support to the families of newly identified Sensitives; I've talked endlessly to the Guilds which are returning to belief in the Grace and the Gifts; they're keen to identify Sensitives at the Choosing, and as you can imagine it's causing an uproar; and I've spent Rounds and Rounds at the Great Lake, training our older Sensitives and guiding those who've offered to mentor the Junior Scholars. Ielen and I are doing the work of ten at the moment.'

'You have been busy – I hadn't heard that about the Guilds, and I'm not surprised it's making trouble – but I hope you'll have time to travel with me now I'm back. I've not been to the inhabited worlds yet, and I must be judged on Draakoa, if they still haven't found the One they're looking for.'

'They haven't, and don't worry, it isn't a requirement for Junior Mastership .'

'The Grace be thanked. I thought it might be.'

'The Council knows you've been too busy. We'll go to Draakoa this next Change.'

'Good. Then I'll polish up my language studies.'

'Now,' he said, 'we'd better get ready for the Feast you were so anxious about,' and he hauled himself to his feet and went to change into his feast-day gown and robe.

We walked down to the Great Dining Hall early, so we could greet our friends before we were seated. I was in a fidget of nervousness about meeting Momure; we'd become intimate Companions when we were Eighteens, but in the last two Changes I'd only seen her briefly almost ten Months ago, and I was all too aware that many such relationships faded away when their Apprenticeships took Scholars off to distant parts of Myldora. In two whole Changes she was bound to have changed, and she might have met someone she liked better than me – someone easier to be with – we'd had our disagreements and misunderstandings. I knew that living on the other continents and mixing with new people had changed me, but had I changed too much? Would she still like me? What should I say when we met?

I was already tense with anxiety when I saw her coming up from the Guest Home with Tirenimo. My heart lurched as I was struck afresh by her strength and beauty, her graceful movements, the rich smoothness of her hair, her powerful, clear, direct look. Tire had his arm round her waist and they were talking and laughing animatedly, and watching them my heart sank; but when he saw me he lifted his hand in greeting, turned her towards me, and strode on into the Hall alone.

She hesitated, looking up the slope to where I stood, frozen and helpless. (Keari had gone ahead.) What an idiot, I was!

She strode up the path and turned her piercing look on me. Her dark eyes had always seen straight to my heart as if she were the Sensitive; and in return they always told me without ambiguity or pretence what she was feeling, and I wondered what she saw in me now. Her eyes shone with delight, she laughed quietly, and it was as if we'd parted just the other day. My fear melted away, we walked into each other's arms and she drew my head down and kissed me. The Western Lands and all the long, lonely Months we'd been apart vanished as I held her warmth and strength. I laid my cheek against her hair, and stroked its glossy smoothness, before smiling down at her and saying, 'Now I know I'm home.'

'Keari's waiting,' she said quietly. 'We'd better go in,' and she tucked her arm through mine as we went to join him. He kissed her cheek, saying, 'Welcome home, Mo. Now you both look complete.'

As we went in Tire came over to greet me and clapped me on the back saying, 'I wouldn't dare steal her from you, Bru!' and with a laugh returned to his table, while Mo and I greeted others of our friends, Reoshi almost breaking my ribs with his hug. When we were finally seated she looked at me again and frowned. 'Bru, are you alright?'

'Yes, and not quite, but I'll tell you later. Kira's about to speak.'

All the World-Travellers in our Guild of The Turning had gathered for this end of Change Feast at which the achievements of its Senior Scholars, Apprentices and Masters were celebrated. A large number of promotions and some retirements were announced before Great Master Kirankilimo finally asked the Second Change Apprentices to stand. Mo and I and fifteen others rose to our feet.

'These Apprentices have continued to work as hard as they ever did when they were Scholars,' he said. 'They have made excellent progress and are a credit to the Guild, so I'm delighted to name them all Junior Masters and Mistresses.'

After the applause had died down and we had bowed to him, he continued, 'The Council would like to see you at the Great Lake next Rising Day. In the meantime, congratulations!'

We sat down again, and while Mo and Keari were talking together, I thought back over my life, to the Childling torments, and later the discrimination and prejudice which my silver hair had provoked, the attack once made on me because I was a Sensitive, the difficulties placed in my way because of my beliefs, and my grief at the Loss in death of my first love. I balanced them against Poeli's loyal heartfriendship, our growing knowledge of the Grace, the faithful love we'd had from our parents, sister and brother, the forming of the Cosmic Constellation of Conspirators (I grinned at the light-hearted name we'd given ourselves), and the loving intimacy I'd received from Mo. The good far outweighed the bad, and each new Change had strengthened me and deepened my understanding of myself.

Though I hadn't enjoyed everything about my Apprenticeship, it had opened wider horizons and taught me more about how the Great Gifts should be used to serve the people of Myldora – and people on worlds yet to be discovered, and I was better prepared for the future because I'd learned that though it was incredibly hard it was possible to live without Poeli and Mo.

After the Feast Mo fetched her bag from the Guest Home and came back to the village with us. Once we were alone in my room she put her arms round me and asked, 'Bru, what's wrong? You're as thin as you were after Prethe died, and you're looking exhausted. I'd almost say you were ill. What is it?'

I swallowed, took a long breath and said, 'Ever since the New Change I've been in pain.' I put a finger on her lips to forestall her questions, 'The Halls of Healing found nothing wrong. I'm not ill, I'm just in pain.'

'But that's a whole Change! What kind of pain? Have you invoked the Grace?'

'I know, it's worn me down a bit. It's a pulling ache, and yes, we invoked the Grace, but it didn't help. I know what it is, but I'm not free to tell you yet. Please trust me, Mo. By the New Change it should be gone, and then I'll explain it.'

'Alright, I won't pester you. I've got my own idea of what it's about, and I'll wait to see if I'm right. Now, how comfortable is this bed?'

'Very, do you want to try it?' We spent most of the night comfortably entwined and talking quietly together, and in the morning, having made the decision to renew our commitment to each other, we asked the Grace to give us the strength to live it out, and in doing that a little of the pain was eased.

We sent a Guarded Message to Poeli and Shan to let them know our news, before going to the Halls to celebrate our promotion with our fellow Juniors, to hear their stories and speculate on where we might be placed by the Council.

In the evening we parted, and Keari and I Turned home to be warmly greeted by our family and friends. 'Not that we expected anything other than your Junior Mastership, Bru,' Adi said after he'd embraced me.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

On Rising Day Mo and I met with our friends at the Great Lake to hear the news of our future work. The Council confirmed that I would live with Kearimo and assist the Junior Scholars at the Guild Halls with their Turning; while also helping the Sensitives who were there.

'Do you have any questions?' Master Kirankilimo asked.

'I have one. Can I go to Draakoa soon? I haven't been yet, and I'm anxious to fulfil my obligation there.'

'Of course, I was going to mention it. We've arranged for someone to take over your Turning duties in the second Round of Shining. That will give you time to prepare, and you can hand the Sensitives over to Great Mistress Ielenture at a time when she's slightly less busy.'

I was pleased, and Ielen took the opportunity in the Chilling Restingdays to come over to the hamlet and show me the new defences I would need when mingling with the Draakea.

'There's one other matter about which we have waited to make a decision,' Master Kirankilimo said, with a smile, 'and that is Momure's placement. We know you were Companions before your Apprenticeship, so if you both wish it, we will also place her at the Guild Halls.'

'I'd be very glad if you could,' I said, 'but it must be her decision. I wouldn't want her to know I'd been asked first, or feel any pressure from knowing what I'd said.'

'We'll ask her quite independently,' Senior Mistress Tulure said, 'and if she agrees we'll give her an apartment in the Guild Halls.'

'Thank you.'

When she was asked, Mo said she wanted to be with me, so her work was arranged accordingly.

Everything was falling neatly into place, but despite that I was still in pain, and I couldn't be properly at ease till I was reunited with Poeli, so I waited impatiently for the day of our meeting.

2

A Foursome

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Told by Poelimo, Child of the Grace, Story-Singer, and Junior Master of the Mind Libraries,

Shanure Ystureon, Poelimo's Companion, and Junior Mistress of the Mind Libraries,

and Momure Hearimoreon, Bruathimo's Companion and Junior Mistress of The Turning

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Poelimo

As soon as he was back from the Western Halls, Bru arranged for us to have two days away together at the end of Darkening (without asking me, of course! He sent a message, knowing I'd come running). I was glad he'd thought of me and wasted no time, but I'd choked on my laughter, my relief only just stronger than my irritation when I read his message. We need to reconnect, he'd said, and to test how well our heartfriendship has survived two Changes of separation while I served my Apprenticeship.

'Oh Bru,' I muttered, 'What a bag of nonsense. Why can't you just say, I need to see you,?'

I was tired in body and spirit. I'd hidden it from most people, but Months of pain had worn me down; and although I hoped our reunion would end it, I wasn't certain it would. I stared out of the window and thought, 'I must talk to someone before we meet. Liathi's known us both since we were Fours, he'll listen to me.'

'It's complicated,' I said to Senior Master Liathimo next evening. 'I want to be with Bru, I need to, but his message made me angry, and the more I think about it the crosser I get. I don't need to test my love for him, because it doesn't matter how often we've been apart, it doesn't matter how long for, and it doesn't matter whether or not I've pretended I'm used to it; when I'm with him again he fills the aching hole somewhere inside that no-one else can fill.' I looked at him anxiously, 'Is that how heartfriendships always are?'

'Yes,' he said, 'and no. Yes, I found my separations from Keari almost impossible, but I survived them, our heartfriendship survived them, and as time went on our relationship grew deeper but also less intense.

'I sympathise with your irritation at Bru's manner, his tone is often rather high-and-mighty. It was Keari's obstinacy which irritated me, there were lots of times when he was downright stubborn, and I had one or two dreadful quarrels with him when I thought he was being particularly stupid.

'But just now your situation's rather complicated. Firstly, you've not been well, and tiredness always exaggerates our emotions, so at the moment your love and your annoyance are both stronger than usual. Secondly, you're at that age when emotions run strongly and all attachments tend to be extreme, and you're trying to handle two at once, something I never tried to do.'

'You're right, when we were Younglings our heartfriendship was simple, but the older we get the more difficult and confusing it becomes; when we meet I'm pleased and irritated at the same time, which makes me want to hurt him, so I make a stupid joke and turn his hug into a wrestling match. But the love always wins, and when it does the world comes right again, and I thank the Grace for him.

'But I don't need to test my love! He couldn't destroy it, no-one could. It's me and I'm it, and it'll last longer than Myldora, or the power of the Grace.'

He laughed sympathetically, 'Poor Poeli, I'm so glad I'm not young any more.' Then he spoke more seriously. 'It might help if you look at your relationship as if you were researching a Story-song. Ask yourself what makes it work, and why it is the way it is. Raw emotions are unreasonable, but if you apply some objectivity to them you can sometimes find the sense in them.'

I nodded, and we sat in thoughtful silence while I tried to do as he suggested, thinking it out bit by bit.

'Why do I love him so much, when he drives me crazy?. . .It must be because our spirits and Gifts are in tune with each other. . .because we've shared so much. . .because I understand what the tormenting and the attack did to him. I'm not a Sensitive – thank the Grace – but I felt his grief when Prethe died. . .and his fear of more deaths.' I frowned, and tried to make that clearer. 'I don't pity him when things go wrong. . .I feel them with him. . . it's a sort of echo of his Sensitivity. . .and it's been a sad joy to be able to help him.'

Liathi nodded, and I smiled as I went on. 'Of course the echoing works for the good things as well, the comfort of his concern over my bad memories, the start of the Constellation, him being our Star-Crowned, then my success as a Story-Singer; and all the fun and jokes we've shared.'

Liathi nodded again, 'So, he shouldn't need to test your heartfriendship; you think he's being unreasonable, but you understand why. So if he asks you to do it, you will do it because you can't refuse him.'

'Yes, I think it's my task under the Grace, and knowing that makes it easier. I don't doubt him. We were bound together long before we made that promise as Fours, and when he quarrelled with me it was because he loved me. The Constellation are right – we're heartfriends born of heartfriends, Children of the Grace; – and like it or not, our future lies together.'

Then I stopped and shook my head. 'No, wait a minute. . .that's not right, I've still got a choice haven't I? Everyone says we're free to choose. . .but are we, really?. . .Liathi, if I decide I've had enough what will the Grace do? Can I choose to to say 'no!' ?'

The idea was shocking, but I had to ask it and I had to know the answer.

Liathi looked at me but he didn't speak, and I was afraid to go on. Eventually he said, 'I can tell you what everyone believes, but that isn't what you want to hear is it?' Now his smile was sad, 'I think you've reached the heart of your problem, Poeli, and it sounds frighteningly familiar.'

I stared at him while my mind raced, and a cold sweat ran down my back. I knew what he meant, and I was appalled. 'The question is, Am I trapped? and it was Keari's question wasn't it? He wanted to love his twin, but still be free; and I want to love Bru, but still be free.' I took a long, shaky breath. 'Oh, help!'

'Don't panic,' he said, putting a hand on my arm. 'There's an answer somewhere. As long as you're not being selfish, and you're not, there is an answer. You've recognised the problem, and that's hugely important. You want two contradictory things, and it feels as if you can't have them both, but there may be a way. You want to love Bru because you do love him; you want to be free, or at least to have a free choice, because freedom's natural to us. What else do you want, Poeli?'

'I want to obey the Grace; I want to Join-for-Life with Shan; I want to be a known Story-Singer.'

'In that order?'

'Yeess. . .Yes, definitely.'

'Now I've a different question for you: you knew when Bru was coming home, so why didn't you arrange the days away? Why did you wait for him to do it, and then get annoyed because he didn't consult you?'

I was astonished, and had no answer; my mind was a blank. Eventually, feeling thoroughly ashamed of myself I said, 'Most of the time I like following him, I want him to be the leader, but just sometimes I wish things could be different. I wish it, but I don't do it. I've never thought of making the big decisions! When he quarrelled with me, it was because it'd never occurred to me that I could change Noaste's mind, so I hadn't even tried, and that's what hurt him. He thought I didn't want to fight for him.'

We talked on for another couple of hours, and slowly everything began to make sense, and I saw our relationship more clearly than I'd ever done before. As I walked back to my rooms, despite knowing it would be difficult to share what I'd learned with Bru, I felt much happier.

Next morning I went to the Great Lake Turning circle. The Junior Master who should've been Turning me to the beach cottage was late, so I went on with my thinking, but today it was hopeful thinking.

'Bru and I lived apart when we were Scholars, but it was never for long; and our reunions were always good and easy, but this one might be different. It might be harder. As Teari says, Changes bring changes, and in my Guild I've seen how Apprenticeships can change people. Our lives with Shan and Mo will change us again, though we can't know how yet, but we can trust each other about that. Yes, things'll change, they'll be different, but still as good as before.'

The Junior finally arrived, apologising for his lateness, and when he'd Turned me to the Eastern Shore Bru was waiting for me, and the moment of delight was the same as always, beyond words.

I left the circle, stepped into Bru's embrace and held him fiercely, trying to control myself and failing miserably.

'What? No wrestling?' he asked, his tone teasing, though his hold was as desperate as mine.

I shook my head, and held him even more tightly, while tears of joy and relief soaked his jacket and the Change-long pain slowly disappeared.

'I know, it's been too long, Poeli,' and I felt his tears against my cheek.

When at last the pain had gone, I let him go, drew a long breath and looked into his eyes. Our love and delight were as strong as they'd always been, and we smiled.

'Now I'm whole again,' he said, taking my pack and laying an arm across my shoulders as we strode towards the cottage. 'At the Fellowship Feast Keari said I was complete, but it wasn't entirely true. When Mo welcomed me back I knew I was home, but only you make me whole.' He squeezed my shoulder and said, 'I've missed you badly.'

'In spite of being with Shan I've missed you dreadfully, Bru, and I'm sorry if my feelings were too strong for you, but I couldn't control them.'

'It wasn't a problem, Poeli, mine were just as strong. You're a model of restraint my friend.'

'Bru, there's something I need to tell you – I was going to wait, but I can't – for most of this Change I've been in pain. Sometimes it's been quite dreadful, unbearable, as if something was pulling and tearing at me.'

He stopped walking and considered me carefully, 'You do look tired and worn down. I'm sorry, I should've noticed.'

'But you've had it as well, haven't you. . .the pain? You're tired too, and terribly thin.'

'Yes, I have.'

'I thought you would, and I'm so sorry. Come on, let's get out of this cold wind, then we can talk properly.' Irritated again, I said, 'I do think you could've chosen somewhere warmer for the last two days of Darkening.'

'I could,' he said, with his most infuriating calmness, as we arrived at the cottage, 'but it wouldn't be as private. No-one will disturb us here at this time of the Change, and it's perfectly warm inside.' We went in and he showed to me my room. 'While you settle in I'll put some more wood on the fire, heat up our food and make some bacho. It'll be ready whenever you are.'

After we'd eaten we sat for a while gazing at the flickering blue-green flames until Bru broke the silence. 'Mo was glad we'd be alone together these two days. Undisturbed by women's stuff, she said; by which she meant she's determined not to disrupt our heartfriendship. She knows that Shan being your Companion is easy for us because we've known her for so long, while Mo's only been close to me for seven Changes.' He laughed in amazement, 'It's hard to believe we met Shan twenty Changes ago, Poeli. Mo realises our group's going to change again now we've committed ourselves to each other, but she wants to make it easy for all of us if she can. So she made me promise to explain it to you.'

'She's always been understanding, and I'm grateful.'

'She is,' and he smiled. 'So, what has Oreshi said about your pain? It must've been him – he's wise in the ways of the Grace, and when he says something it's always to the point. So, tell me.'

'Yes, it was Adi. I don't know how long you've had it, but my pain began at the New Change. Sometimes it got better, then it got worse again, but it never went away completely and we couldn't understand it. Ami was frightened I was ill, and to be honest I was as well; then in Ripening Adi began to wonder if the pain had something to do with our separation. We hadn't thought of that; but as soon as he said it it made sense, so we asked the Grace to make the separation easier for me.'

I looked at him questioningly, and he nodded and said, 'It got worse. Asking for healing made it worse. In the end I just guessed that I had to accept it, and it eased a bit.'

I shook my head, 'I wish we'd thought of that. No-one here knew what to do. Adi said we had to get back together. It's gone now, hasn't it? It disappeared when we met.' With a smile of relief he nodded, and I went on, 'I knew that was the answer, and it's why I didn't wrestle you. Or. . .it's one reason I didn't wrestle you. Adi's right, for Months the Grace has been trying to get us together.'

'But why didn't it happen during your Apprenticeship?'

'Perhaps because we saw each other more often, but perhaps because it was before Niethi was carried to Draakoa. I think there's something we were meant to do together. We must tell the Constellation about it, because I'm sure it's all connected somehow. And Bru, I think the Grace only gave us that awful pain because we hadn't realised what we should be doing. . .so we need to listen in different ways. I know one thing, when you go to Draakoa I'm going to be there with you.'

After that we spent the rest of the day Remembering the past, laughing over our Youngling escapades and pondering our more serious moments.

Next day, after the morning meal, I told him about my talk with Liathi. At first he was surprised and upset, but he heard me out, and we talked it through. By now I'd accepted I was the follower, but he soon understood how sometimes I wanted things to be different, and said, 'We understand each other better now, and we can work at making changes bit by bit. We did something like this in my Great Test Change,' and he told me about their sessions on leadership.

We also talked about Shan and Mo and what they meant to us. Because we were growing into two adult relationships it was more important than ever to be open and honest whenever problems came up. Finally Bru reminded me of what Ielen had said to us after he'd quarrelled with me: "All your lives you've lived at the centre of a strong circle made from a heartfriendship existing alongside and within two loving, Joined-for-Life couples. In such a foursome there can