Tales from Earthsea · Le Guin, Ursula K., 1929-Tales from Earthsea / Ursula K. Le Guin.-1st ed. p....
Transcript of Tales from Earthsea · Le Guin, Ursula K., 1929-Tales from Earthsea / Ursula K. Le Guin.-1st ed. p....
TALESFROMEARTHSEA
UrsulaK.LeGuin
“DarkroseandDiamond”firstappearedin
TheMagazineofFantasyandScienceFiction.
Copyright©1999byUrsulaK.LeGuin.
“Dragonfly”firstappearedinLegends.
Copyright©1997byUrsulaK.LeGuin.
LibraryofCongressCataloging-in-PublicationData
LeGuin,UrsulaK.,1929-
TalesfromEarthsea/UrsulaK.LeGuin.-
1sted.p.cm.
Contents:
Thefinder-
DarkroseandDiamond-
Thebonesoftheearth-
Onthehighmarsh-
Dragonfly-
AdescriptionofEarthsea.
Summary:ExploresfurtherthemagicalworldofEarthseathroughfivetalesofeventswhichoccurbeforeorafterthetimeoftheoriginalnovels,aswell
asanessayonthepeople,languages,historyandmagicoftheplace.
ISBN0-15-100561-3I.Fantasyfiction,American,[I.Fantasy.2.Shortstories.]I.Title.
PZ7.L52I5Tal2001[Fic]-dc212001016554
DesignedbyLindaLockowitz
Contents
Foreword
TheFinder
DarkroseAndDiamond
TheBonesoftheEarth
OntheHighMarsh
Dragonfly
ADescriptionofEarthsea
ForewordATTHEENDOFTHEfourthbookofEarthsea,Tehanu,thestoryhadarrivedatwhatIfelttobenow.And,justasinthenowoftheso-calledrealworld,Ididn’tknowwhatwouldhappennext.Icouldguess,foretell,fear,hope,butIdidn’tknow.
UnabletocontinueTehanu’sstory(becauseithadn’thappenedyet)andfoolishlyassumingthatthestoryofGedandTenarhadreacheditshappily-ever-after,Igavethebookasubtitle:“TheLastBookofEarthsea.”
Ofoolishwriter.Nowmoves.Eveninstorytime,dreamtime,once-upon-atime,nowisn’tthen.
SevenoreightyearsafterTehanuwaspublished,IwasaskedtowriteastorysetinEarthsea.AmereglimpseattheplacetoldmethatthingshadbeenhappeningtherewhileIwasn’tlooking.Itwashightimetogobackandfindoutwhatwasgoingonnow.
Ialsowantedinformationonvariousthingsthathadhappenedbackthen,beforeGedandTenarwereborn.AgooddealaboutEarthsea,aboutwizards,aboutRokeIsland,aboutdragons,hadbeguntopuzzleme.Inordertounderstandcurrentevents,Ineededtodosomehistoricalresearch,tospendsometimeintheArchivesoftheArchipelago.
Thewayonedoesresearchintononexistenthistoryistotellthestoryandfindoutwhathappened.Ibelievethisisn’tverydifferentfromwhathistoriansoftheso-calledrealworlddo.Evenifwearepresentatsomehistoricevent,dowecomprehendit-canweevenrememberit-untilwecantellitasastory?Andforeventsintimesorplacesoutsideourownexperience,wehave
nothingtogoonbutthestoriesotherpeopletellus.Pasteventsexist,afterall,onlyinmemory,whichisaformofimagination.Theeventisrealnow,butonceit’sthen,itscontinuingrealityisentirelyuptous,dependentonourenergyandhonesty.Ifweletitdropfrommemory,onlyimaginationcanrestoretheleastglimmerofit.Ifwelieaboutthepast,forcingittotellastorywewantittotell,tomeanwhatwewantittomean,itlosesitsreality,becomesafake.Tobringthepastalongwithusthroughtimeinthehold-allsofmythandhistoryisaheavyundertaking;butasLaoTzusays,wisepeoplemarchalongwiththebaggagewagons.
Whenyouconstructorreconstructaworldthatneverexisted,awhollyfictionalhistory,theresearchisofasomewhatdifferentorder,butthebasicimpulseandtechniquesaremuchthesame.Youlookatwhathappensandtrytoseewhyithappens,youlistentowhatthepeopletheretellyouandwatchwhattheydo,youthinkaboutitseriously,andyoutrytotellithonestly,sothatthestorywillhaveweightandmakesense.
ThefivetalesinthisbookexploreorextendtheworldestablishedbythefirstfourEarthseanovels.Eachisastoryinitsownright,buttheywillprofitbybeingreadafter,notbefore,thenovels.
“TheFinder”takesplaceaboutthreehundredyearsbeforethetimeofthenovels,inadarkandtroubledtime;itsstorycastslightonhowsomeofthecustomsandinstitutionsoftheArchipelagocametobe.“TheBonesoftheEarth”isaboutthewizardswhotaughtthewizardwhofirsttaughtGed,andshowsthatittakesmorethanonemagetostopanearthquake.“DarkroseandDiamond”mighttakeplaceatanytimeduringthelastcoupleofhundredyearsinEarthsea;afterall,alovestorycanhappenatanytime,anywhere.“OntheHighMarsh”isastoryfromthebriefbuteventfulsixyearsthatGedwasArchmageofEarthsea.Andthelaststory,“Dragonfly,”whichtakesplaceafewyearsaftertheendofTehanu,isthebridgebetweenthatbookandthenextone,TheOtherWind(tobepublishedsoon).Adragonbridge.
Sothatmymindcouldmoveaboutamongtheyearsandcenturieswithoutgettingthingsalloutoforder,andtokeepcontradictionsanddiscrepanciesataminimumwhileIwaswritingthesestories,Ibecame(somewhat)moresystematicandmethodical,andputmyknowledgeofthepeoplesandtheirhistorytogetherinto“ADescriptionofEarthsea.”ItsfunctionislikethatofthefirstbigmapIdrewofalltheArchipelagoandtheReaches,whenIbegantoworkonAWizardofEarthseaoverthirtyyearsago:Ineededtoknowwherethingsare,andhowtogetfromheretothere-intimeaswellasinspace.
Becausethiskindoffictionalfact,likemapsofimaginaryrealms,isofrealinteresttosomereaders,Iincludethedescriptionafterthestories.Ialso
redrewthegeographicalmapsforthisbook,andwhiledoingso,happilydiscoveredaveryoldoneintheArchivesinHavnor.
IntheyearssinceIbegantowriteaboutEarthseaI’vechanged,ofcourse,andsohavethepeoplewhoreadthebooks.Alltimesarechangingtimes,butoursisoneofmassive,rapidmoralandmentaltransformation.Archetypesturnintomillstones,largesimplicitiesgetcomplicated,chaosbecomeselegant,andwhateverybodyknowsistrueturnsouttobewhatsomepeopleusedtothink.
It’sunsettling.Forallourdelightintheimpermanent,theentrancingflickerofelectronics,wealsolongfortheunalterable.
Wecherishtheoldstoriesfortheirchangelessness.ArthurdreamseternallyinAvalon.Bilbocango“thereandbackagain,”and“there”isalwaysthebelovedfamiliarShire.DonQuixotesetsoutforevertokillawindmill…Sopeopleturntotherealmsoffantasyforstability,ancienttruths,immutablesimplicities.
Andthemillsofcapitalismprovidethem.Supplymeetsdemand.Fantasybecomesacommodity,anindustry.
Commodifiedfantasytakesnorisks:itinventsnothing,butimitatesandtrivializes.Itproceedsbydeprivingtheoldstoriesoftheirintellectualandethicalcomplexity,turningtheiractiontoviolence,theiractorstodolls,andtheirtruth-tellingtosentimentalplatitude.Heroesbrandishtheirswords,lasers,wands,asmechanicallyascombineharvesters,reapingprofits.Profoundlydisturbingmoralchoicesaresanitized,madecute,madesafe.Thepassionatelyconceivedideasofthegreatstory-tellersarecopied,stereotyped,reducedtotoys,moldedinbright-coloredplastic,advertised,sold,broken,junked,replaceable,interchangeable.
Whatthecommodifiersoffantasycountonandexploitistheinsuperableimaginationofthereader,childoradult,whichgiveseventhesedeadthingslife-ofasort,forawhile.
Imaginationlikealllivingthingslivesnow,anditliveswith,from,ontruechange.Likeallwedoandhave,itcanbeco-optedanddegraded;butitsurvivescommercialanddidacticexploitation.Thelandoutlaststheempires.Theconquerorsmayleavedesertwheretherewasforestandmeadow,buttherainwillfall,theriverswillruntothesea.Theunstable,mutable,untruthfulrealmsofOnce-upon-a-timeareasmuchapartofhumanhistoryandthoughtasthenationsinourkaleidoscopicatlases,andsomearemoreenduring.
Wehaveinhabitedboththeactualandtheimaginaryrealmsforalongtime.Butwedon’tliveineitherplacethewayourparentsorancestorsdid.
Enchantmentalterswithage,andwiththeage.
WeknowadozendifferentArthursnow,allofthemtrue.TheShirechangedirrevocablyeveninBilboslifetime.DonQuixotewentridingouttoArgentinaandmetJorgeLuisBorgesthere.Plusc’estlamemechose,plusfachange.
It’sbeenajoytometogobacktoEarthseaandfinditstillthere,entirelyfamiliar,andyetchangedandstillchanging.WhatIthoughtwasgoingtohappenisn’twhat’shappening,peoplearen’twho-orwhat-Ithoughttheywere,andIlosemywayonislandsIthoughtIknewbyheart.
Sothesearereportsofmyexplorationsanddiscoveries:talesfromEarthseaforthosewhohavelikedorthinktheymightliketheplace,andwhoarewillingtoacceptthesehypotheses:thingschange:authorsandwizardsarenotalwaystobetrusted:nobodycanexplainadragon.
TheFinderI.IntheDarkTime
THISISTHEFIRSTPAGEoftheBookoftheDark,writtensomesixhundredyearsagoinBerila,onEnlad:
“AfterElfarranandMorredperishedandtheIsleofSoleasankbeneaththesea,theCounciloftheWisegovernedforthechildSerriadhuntilhetookthethrone.Hisreignwasbrightbutbrief.ThekingswhofollowedhiminEnladwereseven,andtheirrealmincreasedinpeaceandwealth.Thenthedragonscametoraidamongthewesternlands,andwizardswentoutinvainagainstthem.KingAkambarmovedthecourtfromBerilainEnladtotheCityofHavnor,whencehesentouthisfleetagainstinvadersfromtheKargadLandsanddrovethembackintotheEast.ButstilltheysentraidingshipsevenasfarastheInmostSea.OfthefourteenKingsofHavnorthelastwasMaharion,whomadepeacebothwiththedragonsandtheKargs,butatgreatcost.AndaftertheRingoftheRuneswasbroken,andErreth-Akbediedwiththegreatdragon,andMahariontheBravewaskilledbytreachery,itseemedthatnogoodthinghappenedintheArchipelago.
“ManyclaimedMaharion’sthrone,butnonecouldkeepit,andthequarrelsoftheclaimantsdividedallloyalties.Nocommonwealthwasleftandnojustice,onlythewillofthewealthy.Menofnoblehouses,merchants,andpirates,anywhocouldhiresoldiersandwizardscalledhimselfalord,claiminglandsandcitiesashisproperty.Thewarlordsmadethosetheyconqueredslaves,andthosetheyhiredwereintruthslaves,havingonlytheirmasterstosafeguardthemfromrivalwarlordsseizingthelands,andsea-piratesraidingtheports,andbandsandhordesoflawless,miserablemendispossessedoftheirliving,drivenbyhungertoraidandrob.”
TheBookoftheDark,writtenlateinthetimeittellsof,isacompilationofself-contradictoryhistories,partialbiographies,andgarbledlegends.Butit’sthebestoftherecordsthatsurvivedthedarkyears.Wantingpraise,nothistory,thewarlordsburntthebooksinwhichthepoorandpowerlessmightlearnwhatpoweris.
Butwhenthelore-booksofawizardcameintoawarlord’shandshewaslikelytotreatthemwithcaution,lockingthemawaytokeepthemharmlessorgivingthemtoawizardinhishiretodowithashewished.Inthemarginsofthespellsandwordlistsandintheendpapersofthesebooksofloreawizardorhisprenticemightrecordaplague,afamine,araid,achangeofmasters,
alongwiththespellsworkedinsucheventsandtheirsuccessorunsuccess.Suchrandomrecordsrevealaclearmomenthereandthere,thoughallbetweenthosemomentsisdarkness.Theyarelikeglimpsesofalightedshipfaroutatsea,indarkness,intherain.
Andtherearesongs,oldlaysandballadsfromsmallislandsandfromthequietuplandsofHavnor,thattellthestoryofthoseyears.
HavnorGreatPortisthecityattheheartoftheworld,white-toweredaboveitsbay;onthetallesttowertheswordofErreth-Akbecatchesthefirstandlastofdaylight.ThroughthatcitypassesallthetradeandcommerceandlearningandcraftofEarthsea,awealthnothoarded.TheretheKingsits,havingreturnedafterthehealingoftheRing,insignofhealing.Andinthatcity,intheselatterdays,menandwomenoftheislandsspeakwithdragons,insignofchange.
ButHavnorisalsotheGreatIsle,abroad,richland;andinthevillagesinlandfromtheport,thefarmlandsoftheslopesofMountOnn,nothingeverchangesmuch.Thereasongworthsingingislikelytobesungagain.ThereoldmenatthetaverntalkofMorredasiftheyhadknownhimwhentheytoowereyoungandheroes.TheregirlswalkingouttofetchthecowshometellstoriesofthewomenoftheHand,whoareforgotteneverywhereelseintheworld,evenonRoke,butrememberedamongthosesilent,sunlitroadsandfieldsandinthekitchensbythehearthswherehousewivesworkandtalk.
Inthetimeofthekings,magesgatheredinthecourtofEnladandlaterinthecourtofHavnortocounselthekingandtakecounseltogether,usingtheirartstopursuegoalstheyagreedweregood.Butinthedarkyears,wizardssoldtheirskillstothehighestbidder,pittingtheirpowersoneagainsttheotherinduelsandcombatsofsorcery,carelessoftheevilstheydid,orworsethancareless.Plaguesandfamines,thefailureofspringsofwater,summerswithnorainandyearswithnosummer,thebirthofsicklyandmonstrousyoungtosheepandcattle,thebirthofsicklyandmonstrouschildrentothepeopleoftheisles-allthesethingswerechargedtothepracticesofwizardsandwitches,andalltoooftenrightlyso.
Soitbecamedangeroustopracticesorcery,exceptundertheprotectionofastrongwarlord;andeventhen,ifawizardmetupwithonewhosepowersweregreaterthanhisown,hemightbedestroyed.Andifawizardletdownhisguardamongthecommonfolk,theytoomightdestroyhimiftheycould,seeinghimasthesourceoftheworstevilstheysuffered,amalignbeing.Inthoseyears,inthemindsofmostpeople,allmagicwasblack.
Itwasthenthatvillagesorcery,andaboveallwomen’switchery,cameintotheillreputethathasclungtoitsince.Witchespaiddearlyforpracticingthe
artstheythoughtofastheirown.Thecareofpregnantbeastsandwomen,birthing,teachingthesongsandrites,thefertilityandorderoffieldandgarden,thebuildingandcareofthehouseanditsfurniture,theminingoforesandmetals-thesegreatthingshadalwaysbeeninthechargeofwomen.Arichloreofspellsandcharmstoensurethegoodoutcomeofsuchundertakingswassharedamongthewitches.Butwhenthingswentwrongatthebirth,orinthefield,thatwouldbethewitches’fault.Andthingswentwrongmoreoftenthanright,withthewizardswarring,usingpoisonsandcursesrecklesslytogainimmediateadvantagewithoutthoughtforwhatfollowedafter.Theybroughtdroughtandstorm,blightsandfiresandsicknessesacrosstheland,andthevillagewitchwaspunishedforthem.Shedidn’tknowwhyhercharmofhealingcausedthewoundtogangrene,whythechildshebroughtintotheworldwasimbecile,whyherblessingseemedtoburntheseedinthefurrowsandblighttheappleonthetree.Butfortheseills,somebodyhadtobetoblame:andthewitchorsorcererwasthere,rightthereinthevillageorthetown,notoffinthewarlord’scastleorfort,notprotectedbyarmedmenandspellsofdefense.Sorcerersandwitchesweredrownedinthepoisonedwells,burnedinthewitheredfields,buriedalivetomakethedeadearthrichagain.
Sothepracticeoftheirloreandtheteachingofithadbecomeperilous.Thosewhoundertookitwereoftenthosealreadyoutcast,crippled,deranged,withoutfamily,old-womenandmenwhohadlittletolose.Thewisemanandwisewoman,trustedandheldinreverence,gavewaytothestockfiguresoftheshuffling,impotentvillagesorcererwithhistrickeries,thehag-witchwithherpotionsusedinaidoflust,jealousy,andmalice.Andachild’sgiftformagicbecameathingtodreadandhide.
Thisisataleofthosetimes.SomeofitistakenfromtheBookoftheDark,andsomecomesfromHavnor,fromtheuplandfarmsofOnnandthewoodlandsofFaliern.Astorymaybepiecedtogetherfromsuchscrapsandfragments,andthoughitwillbeanairyquilt,halfmadeofhearsayandhalfofguesswork,yetitmaybetrueenough.It’sataleoftheFoundingofRoke,andiftheMastersofRokesayitdidn’thappenso,letthemtellushowithappenedotherwise.ForacloudhangsoverthetimewhenRokefirstbecametheIsleoftheWise,anditmaybethatthewisemenputitthere.
II.Otter
Therewasanotterinourbrook
Thateverymortalsemblancetook,
Couldanyspellofmagicmake,
Andspeakthetonguesofmananddrake.
Sorunsthewateraway,away,
Sorunsthewateraway.
OTTERWASTHESONofaboatwrightwhoworkedintheshipyardsofHavnorGreatPort.Hismothergavehimhiscountryname;shewasafarmwomanfromEndlanevillage,aroundnorthwestofMountOnn.Shehadcometothecityseekingwork,asmanycame.Decentfolkinadecenttradeintroubledtimes,theboatwrightandhisfamilywereanxiousnottocometonoticelesttheycometogrief.Andso,whenitbecameclearthattheboyhadagiftofmagery,hisfathertriedtobeatitoutofhim.
“Youmightaswellbeatacloudforraining,”saidOtter’smother.
“Takecareyoudon’tbeatevilintohim,”saidhisaunt.
“Takecarehedoesn’tturnyourbeltonyouwithaspell!”saidhisuncle.
Buttheboyplayednotricksagainsthisfather.Hetookhisbeatingsinsilenceandlearnedtohidehisgift.
Itdidn’tseemtohimtoamounttomuch.Itwassuchaneasymattertohimtomakeasilverylightshineinadarkroom,orfindalostpinbythinkingaboutit,ortrueupawarpedjointbyrunninghishandsoverthewoodandtalkingtoit,thathecouldn’tseewhytheymadeafussoversuchthings.Buthisfatherragedathimforhis“shortcuts,”evenstruckhimonceonthemouthwhenhewastalkingtothework,andinsistedthathedohiscarpentrywithtools,insilence.
Hismothertriedtoexplain.“It’sasifyou’dfoundsomegreatjewel,”shesaid,“andwhat’soneofustodowithadiamondbuthideit?Anybodyrichenoughtobuyitfromyouisstrongenoughtokillyouforit.Keepithid.Andkeepawayfromgreatpeopleandtheircraftymen!”
“Craftymen”iswhattheycalledwizardsinthosedays.
Oneofthegiftsofpoweristoknowpower.Wizardknowswizard,unlesstheconcealmentisveryskillful.Andtheboyhadnoskillsatallexceptinboat-building,ofwhichhewasapromisingscholarbytheageoftwelve.Aboutthattimethemidwifewhohadhelpedhismotherathisbirthcamebyandsaidtohisparents,“LetOttercometomeintheeveningsafterwork.Heshouldlearnthesongsandbepreparedforhisnamingday.”
Thatwasallright,forshehaddonethesameforOtter’seldersister,andsohisparentssenthimtoherintheevenings.ButshetaughtOttermorethanthe
songoftheCreation.Sheknewhisgift.Sheandsomemenandwomenlikeher,peopleofnofameandsomeofquestionablereputation,hadallinsomedegreethatgift;andtheyshared,insecret,whatloreandcrafttheyhad.“Agiftuntaughtisashipunguided,”theysaidtoOtter,andtheytaughthimalltheyknew.Itwasn’tmuch,butthereweresomebeginningsofthegreatartsinit;andthoughhefeltuneasyatdeceivinghisparents,hecouldn’tresistthisknowledge,andthekindnessandpraiseofhispoorteachers.“Itwilldoyounoharmifyouneveruseitforharm,”theytoldhim,andthatwaseasyforhimtopromisethem.
AtthestreamSerrenen,whereitrunswithinthenorthwallofthecity,themidwifegaveOtterhistruename,bywhichheisrememberedinislandsfarfromHavnor.
Amongthesepeoplewasanoldmanwhomtheycalled,amongthemselves,theChanger.HeshowedOtterafewspellsofillusion;andwhentheboywasfifteenorso,theoldmantookhimoutintothefieldsbySerrenentoshowhimtheonespelloftruechangeheknew.“Firstlet’sseeyouturnthatbushintotheseemingofatree,”hesaid,andpromptlyOtterdidso.Illusioncamesoeasytotheboythattheoldmantookalarm.Otterhadtobegandwheedlehimforanyfurtherteachingandfinallytopromisehim,swearingonhisowntrueandsecretname,thatifhelearnedtheChanger’sgreatspellhewouldneveruseitbuttosavealife,hisownoranother’s.
Thentheoldmantaughtittohim.Butitwasn’tmuchuse,Otterthought,sincehehadtohideit.
Whathelearnedworkingwithhisfatheranduncleintheshipyardhecoulduse,atleast;andhewasbecomingagoodcraftsman,evenhisfatherwouldadmitthat.
Losen,asea-piratewhocalledhimselfKingoftheInmostSea,wasthenthechiefwarlordinthecityandalltheeastandsouthofHavnor.Exactingtributefromthatrichdomain,hespentittoincreasehissoldieryandthefleetshesentouttotakeslavesandplunderfromotherlands.AsOttersunclesaid,hekepttheshipwrightsbusy.Theyweregratefultohaveworkinatimewhenmenseekingworkfoundonlybeggary,andratsraninthecourtsofMaharion.Theydidanhonestjob,Otter’sfathersaid,andwhattheworkwasusedforwasnoneoftheirconcern.
ButtheotherlearninghehadbeengivenhadmadeOttertouchyinthesematters,delicateofconscience.ThebiggalleytheywerebuildingnowwouldberowedtowarbyLosen’sslavesandwouldbringbackslavesascargo.Itgalledhimtothinkofthegoodshipinthatvicioususage.“Whycan’twebuildfishingboats,thewayweusedto?”heasked,andhisfathersaid,
“Becausethefishermencan’tpayus.”
“Can’tpayusaswellasLosendoes.Butwecouldlive,”Otterargued.
“YouthinkIcanturntheKing’sorderdown?Youwanttoseemesenttorowwiththeslavesinthegalleywe’rebuilding?Useyourhead,boy!”
SoOtterworkedalongwiththemwithaclearheadandanangryheart.Theywereinatrap.What’stheuseofagiftofpower,hethought,ifnottogetoutofatrap?
Hisconscienceasacraftsmanwouldnotlethimfaultthecarpentryoftheshipinanyway;buthisconscienceasawizardtoldhimhecouldputahexonher,acursewovenrightintoherbeamsandhull.Surelythatwasusingthesecretarttoagoodend?Forharm,yes,butonlytoharmtheharmful.Hedidnottalktohisteachersaboutit.Ifhewasdoingwrong,itwasnoneoftheirfaultandtheywouldknownothingaboutit.Hethoughtaboutitforalongtime,workingouthowtodoit,makingthespellverycarefully.Itwasthereversalofafindingcharm:alosingcharm,hecalledittohimself.Theshipwouldfloat,andhandlewell,andsteer,butshewouldneversteerquitetrue.
Itwasthebesthecoulddoinprotestagainstthemisuseofgoodworkandagoodship.Hewaspleasedwithhimself.Whentheshipwaslaunched(andallseemedwellwithher,forherfaultwouldnotshowupuntilshewasoutontheopensea)hecouldnotkeepfromhisteacherswhathehaddone,thelittlecircleofoldmenandmidwives,theyounghunchbackwhocouldspeakwiththedead,theblindgirlwhoknewthenamesofthings.Hetoldthemhistrick,andtheblindgirllaughed,buttheoldpeoplesaid,“Lookout.Takecare.Keephidden.”
InLosen’sservicewasamanwhocalledhimselfHound,because,ashesaid,hehadanoseforwitchery.HisemploymentwastosniffLosen’sfoodanddrinkandgarmentsandwomen,anythingthatmightbeusedbyenemywizardsagainsthim;andalsotoinspecthiswarships.Ashipisafragilethinginadangerouselement,vulnerabletospellsandhexes.AssoonasHoundcameaboardthenewgalleyhescentedsomething.“Well,well,”hesaid,“who’sthis?”Hewalkedtothehelmandputhishandonit.“Thisisclever,”hesaid.“Butwhoisit?Anewcomer,Ithink.”Hesniffedappreciatively.“Veryclever,”hesaid.
TheycametothehouseinBoatwrightStreetafterdark.Theykickedthedoorin,andHound,standingamongthearmedandarmoredmen,said,“Him.Lettheothersbe.”AndtoOtterhesaid,“Don’tmove,”inalow,amicablevoice.Hesensedgreatpowerintheyoungman,enoughthathewasalittleafraidofhim.ButOtter’sdistresswastoogreatandhistrainingtooslightforhimtothinkofusingmagictofreehimselforstopthemen’sbrutality.Heflung
himselfatthemandfoughtthemlikeananimaltilltheyknockedhimonthehead.TheybrokeOtter’sfather’sjawandbeathisauntandmothersenselesstoteachthemnottobringupcraftymen.ThentheycarriedOtteraway.
Notadooropenedinthenarrowstreet.Nobodylookedouttoseewhatthenoisewas.NottilllongafterthemenweregonedidsomeneighborscreepouttocomfortOtter’speopleasbesttheycould.“Oh,it’sacurse,acurse,thiswizardry!”theysaid.
Houndtoldhismasterthattheyhadthehexerinasafeplace,andLosensaid,“Whowasheworkingfor?”
“Heworkedinyourshipyard,yourhighness.”Losenlikedtobecalledbykinglytitles.
“Whohiredhimtohextheship,fool?”
“Itseemsitwashisownidea,yourmajesty.”
“Why?Whatwashegoingtogetoutofit?”
Houndshrugged.Hedidn’tchoosetotellLosenthatpeoplehatedhimdisinterestedly.
“He’scrafty,yousay.Canyouusehim?”
“Icantry,yourhighness.”
“Tamehimorburyhim,”saidLosen,andturnedtomoreimportantmatters.
Otter’shumbleteachershadtaughthimpride.TheyhadtrainedintohimadeepcontemptforwizardswhoworkedforsuchmenasLosen,lettingfearorgreedpervertmagictoevilends.Nothing,tohismind,couldbemoredespicablethansuchabetrayaloftheirart.Soittroubledhimthathecouldn’tdespiseHound.
HehadbeenstowedinastoreroomofoneoftheoldpalacesthatLosenhadappropriated.Ithadnowindow,itsdoorwascross-grainedoakbarredwithiron,andspellshadbeenlaidonthatdoorthatwouldhavekeptafarmoreexperiencedwizardcaptive.ThereweremenofgreatskillandpowerinLosen’spay.Hounddidnotconsiderhimselftobeoneofthem.“AllIhaveisanose,”hesaid.HecamedailytoseethatOtterwasrecoveringfromhisconcussionanddislocatedshoulder,andtotalkwithhim.Hewas,asfarasOttercouldsee,well-meaningandhonest.“Ifyouwon’tworkforusthey’llkillyou,”hesaid.“Losencan’thavefellowslikeyouontheloose.You’dbetterhireonwhilehe’lltakeyou.”
“Ican’t.”
Otterstateditasanunfortunatefact,notasamoralassertion.Houndlookedathimwithappreciation.Livingwiththepirateking,hewassickofboastsandthreats,ofboastersandthreateners.
“Whatareyoustrongestin?”
Otterwasreluctanttoanswer.HehadtolikeHound,butdidn’thavetotrusthim.“Shape-changing,”hemumbledatlast.
“Shape-taking?”
“No.Justtricks.Turnaleaftoagoldpiece.Seemingly.”
Inthosedaystheyhadnofixednamesforthevariouskindsandartsofmagic,norweretheconnectionsamongthoseartsclear.Therewas-asthewisemenofRokewouldsaylater-noscienceinwhattheyknew.ButHoundknewprettysurelythathisprisonerwasconcealinghistalents.
“Can’tchangeyourownform,evenseemingly?”
Ottershrugged.
Itwashardforhimtolie.Hethoughthewasawkwardatitbecausehehadnopractice.Houndknewbetter.Heknewthatmagicitselfresistsuntruth.Conjuring,sleightofhand,andfalsecommercewiththedeadarecounterfeitsofmagic,glasstothediamond,brasstothegold.Theyarefraud,andliesflourishinthatsoil.Buttheartofmagic,thoughitmaybeusedforfalseends,dealswithwhatisreal,andthewordsitworkswitharethetruewords.Sotruewizardsfindithardtolieabouttheirart.Intheirhearttheyknowthattheirlie,spoken,maychangetheworld.
Houndwassorryforhim.“Youknow,ifitwasGellukquestioningyou,he’dhaveeverythingyouknowoutofyoujustwithawordortwo,andyourwitswithit.I’veseenwhatoldWhitefaceleavesbehindwhenheasksquestions.Listen,canyouworkwiththewindatall?”
Otterhesitatedandsaid,“Yes.”
“D’youhaveabag?”
Weatherworkersusedtocarryaleathersackinwhichtheysaidtheykeptthewinds,untyingittoletafairwindlooseortocaptureacontraryone.Maybeitwasonlyforshow,buteveryweatherworkerhadabag,agreatlongsackoralittlepouch.
“Athome,”Ottersaid.Itwasn’talie.Hedidhaveapouchathome.Hekepthisfine-worktoolsandhisbubblelevelinit.Andhewasn’taltogetherlyingaboutthewind.Severaltimeshehadmanagedtobringabitofmagewindintothesailofaboat,thoughhehadnoideahowtocombatorcontrolastorm,as
aship’sweatherworkermustdo.Buthethoughthe’dratherdrowninagalethanbemurderedinthishole.
“Butyouwouldn’tbewillingtousethatskillintheKing’sservice?”
“ThereisnokinginEarthsea,”theyoungmansaid,sternandrighteous,“Inmymaster’sservice,then,”Houndamended,patient.
“No,”Ottersaid,andhesitated.Hefeltheowedthismananexplanation.“See,it’snotsomuchwon’tascan’t.Ithoughtofmakingplugsintheplankingofthatgalley,nearthekeel-youknowwhatImeanbyplugs?They’dworkoutasthetimbersworkwhenshegetsinaheavysea.”Houndnodded.“ButIcouldn’tdoit.I’mashipbuilder.Ican’tbuildashiptosink.Withthemenaboardher.Myhandswouldn’tdoit.SoIdidwhatIcould.Imadehergoherownway.Nothisway.”
Houndsmiled.“Theyhaven’tundonewhatyoudidyet,either,”hesaid.“OldWhitefacewascrawlingalloverheryesterday,growlingandmuttering.Orderedthehelmreplaced.”HemeantLosen’schiefmage,apalemanfromtheNorthnamedGelluk,whowasmuchfearedinHavnor.
“Thatwon’tdoit.”
“Couldyouundothespellyouputonher?”
AflickerofcomplacencyshowedinOtterstired,batteredyoungface.“No,”hesaid.“Idon’tthinkanybodycan.”
“Toobad.Youmighthaveusedthattobargainwith.”
Ottersaidnothing.
“Anose,now,isausefulthing,asalablething,”Houndwenton.“NotthatI’mlookingforcompetition.Butafindercanalwaysfindwork,astheysay…Youeverbeeninamine?”
Theguessworkofawizardisclosetoknowledge,thoughhemaynotknowwhatitisheknows.ThefirstsignofOtter’sgift,whenhewastwoorthreeyearsold,washisabilitytogostraighttoanythinglost,adroppednail,amislaidtool,assoonasheunderstoodthewordforit.Andasaboyoneofhisdearestpleasureshadbeentogoaloneoutintothecountrysideandwanderalongthelanesoroverthehills,feelingthroughthesolesofhisbarefeetandthroughouthisbodytheveinsofwaterunderground,thelodesandknotsofore,thelayandinterfoldingofthekindsofrockandearth.Itwasasifhewalkedinagreatbuilding,seeingitspassagesandrooms,thedescentstoairycaverns,theglimmerofbranchedsilverinthewalls;andashewenton,itwasasifhisbodybecamethebodyofearth,andheknewitsarteriesandorgansandmusclesashisown.Thispowerhadbeenadelighttohimasaboy.He
hadneversoughtanyuseforit.Ithadbeenhissecret.
HedidnotanswerHound’squestion.
“What’sbelowus?”Houndpointedtothefloor,pavedwithroughslateflags.
Otterwassilentawhile.Thenhesaidinalowvoice,“Clay,andgravel,andunderthattherockthatbearsgarnets.Allunderthispartofthecityisthatrock.Idon’tknowthenames.”
“Youcanlearnem.”
“Iknowhowtobuildboats,howtosailboats.”
“You’lldobetterawayfromtheships,allthefightingandraiding.TheKing’sworkingtheoldminesatSamory,roundthemountain.Thereyou’dbeoutofhisway.Workforhimyoumust,ifyouwanttostayalive.I’llseethatyou’resentthere.Ifyou’llgo.”
AfteralittlesilenceOttersaid,“Thanks.”AndhelookedupatHound,onebrief,questioning,judgingglance.
Houndhadtakenhim,hadstoodandseenhispeoplebeatensenseless,hadnotstoppedthebeating.Yethespokeasafriend.Why?saidOtter’slook.Houndansweredit.
“Craftymenneedtosticktogether,”hesaid.“Menwhohavenoartatall,nothingbutwealth-theypitusoneagainsttheother,fortheirgainnotours.Wesellemourpower.Whydowe?Ifwewentourownwaytogether,we’ddobetter,maybe.”
HoundmeantwellinsendingtheyoungmantoSamory,buthedidnotunderstandthequalityofOtter’swill.NordidOtterhimself.Hewastoousedtoobeyingotherstoseethatinfacthehadalwaysfollowedhisownbent,andtooyoungtobelievethatanythinghedidcouldkillhim.
Heplanned,assoonastheytookhimoutofhiscell,tousetheoldChangersspellofself-transformationandsoescape.Surelyhislifewasindanger,anditwouldbeallrighttousethespell?Onlyhecouldn’tdecidewhattoturnhimselfinto-abird,orawispofsmoke,whatwouldbesafest?Butwhilehewasthinkingaboutit,Losen’smen,usedtowizard’stricks,druggedhisfoodandheceasedtothinkofanythingatall.Theydumpedhimintoamule-cartlikeasackofoats.Whenheshowedsignsofrevivingduringthejourney,oneofthembashedhimonthehead,remarkingthathewantedtomakesurehegothisrest.
Whenhecametohimself,sickandweakfromthepoisonandwithanachingskull,hewasinaroomwithbrickwallsandbricked-upwindows.Thedoorhadnobarsandnovisiblelock.Butwhenhetriedtogettohisfeethefelt
bondsofsorceryholdinghisbodyandmind,resilient,clinging,tighteningashemoved.Hecouldstand,butcouldnottakeasteptowardsthedoor.Hecouldnotevenreachhishandout.Itwasahorriblesensation,asifhismuscleswerenothisown.Hesatdownagainandtriedtoholdstill.Thespellbondsaroundhischestkepthimfrombreathingdeeply,andhismindfeltstifledtoo,asifhisthoughtswerecrowdedintoaspacetoosmallforthem.
Afteralongtimethedooropenedandseveralmencamein.Hecoulddonothingagainstthemastheygaggedhimandboundhisarmsbehindhim.“Nowyouwon’tweavecharmsnorspeakspells,young’un,”saidabroad,strongmanwithafurrowedface,“butyoucannodyourheadwellenough,right?Theysentyouhereasadowser.Ifyou’reagooddowseryou’llfeedwellandsleepeasy.Cinnabar,that’swhatyou’retonodfor.TheKing’swizardsaysit’sstillheresomewhereabouttheseoldmines.Andhewantsit.Soit’sbestforusthatwefindit.NowI’llwalkyouout.It’slikeI’mthewaterfinderandyou’remywand,see?Youleadon.Andifyouwanttogothiswayorthatwayyoudipyourhead,so.Andwhenyouknowthere’soreunderfoot,youstampontheplace,so.Nowthat’sthebargain,right?AndifyouplayfairIwill.”
HewaitedforOttertonod,butOtterstoodmotionless.
“Sulkaway,”themansaid.“Ifyoudon’tlikethiswork,there’salwaystheroaster.”
Theman,whomtheotherscalledLicky,ledhimoutintoahot,brightmorningthatdazzledhiseyes.Leavinghiscellhehadfeltthespellbondsloosenandfallaway,buttherewereotherspellswovenaboutotherbuildingsoftheplace,especiallyaroundatallstonetower,fillingtheairwithstickylinesofresistanceandrepulsion.Ifhetriedtopushforwardintothemhisfaceandbellystungwithjabsofagony,sothathelookedathisbodyinhorrorforthewound;buttherewasnowound.Gaggedandbound,withouthisvoiceandhandstoworkmagic,hecoulddonothingagainstthesespells.Lickyhadtiedoneendofabraidedleathercordaroundhisneckandheldtheotherend,followinghim.HeletOtterwalkintoacoupleofthespells,andafterthatOtteravoidedthem.Wheretheywerewasplainenough:thedustypathwaysbenttomissthem.
Leashedlikeadog,hewalkedalong,sullenandshiveringwithsicknessandrage.Hestaredaroundhim,seeingthestonetower,stacksofwoodbyitswidedoorway,rustywheelsandmachinesbyapit,greatheapsofgravelandclay.Turninghissoreheadmadehimdizzy.
“Ifyou’readowser,betterdowse,”saidLicky,comingupalongsidehimandlookingsidelongintohisface.“Andifyou’renot,you’dbetterdowseallthe
same.Thatwayyou’llstayabovegroundlonger.”
Amancameoutofthestonetower.Hepassedthem,walkinghurriedlywithaqueershamblinggait,staringstraightahead.Hischinshoneandhischestwaswetwithspittleleakingfromhislips.
“That’stheroastertower,”saidLicky.“Wheretheycookthecinnabartogetthemetalfromit.Roastersdieinayearortwo.Whereto,dowser?”
AfterabitOtternoddedleft,awayfromthegreystonetower.Theywalkedontowardsalong,treelessvalley,pastgrass-growndumpsandtailings.
“Allunderhere’sworkedoutlongsince”Lickysaid.AndOtterhadbeguntobeawareofthestrangecountryunderhisfeet:emptyshaftsandroomsofdarkairinthedarkearth,averticallabyrinth,thedeepestpitsfilledwithunmovingwater.“Neverwasmuchsilver,andthewatermetal’slonggone.Listen,young’un,doyouevenknowwhatcinnabaris?”
Ottershookhishead.
“I’llshowyousome.That’swhatGelluk’safter.Theoreofwatermetal.Watermetaleatsalltheothermetals,evengold,see.
.SohecallsittheKing.IfyoufindhimhisKing,he’lltreatyouwell.He’softenhere.Comeon,I’llshowyou.Dogcan’ttracktillhe’shadthescent.”
Lickytookhimdownintotheminestoshowhimthegangues,thekindsofearththeorewaslikelytooccurin.Afewminerswereworkingattheendofalonglevel.
Becausetheyweresmallerthanmenandcouldmovemoreeasilyinnarrowplaces,orbecausetheywereathomewiththeearth,ormostlikelybecauseitwasthecustom,womenhadalwaysworkedtheminesofEarthsea.Theseminerswerefreewomen,notslavesliketheworkersintheroastertower.Gellukhadmadehimforemanovertheminers,Lickysaid,buthedidnoworkinthemine;theminersforbadeit,earnestlybelievingitwastheworstofbadluckforamantopickupashovelorshoreatimber.“Suitsme,”Lickysaid.
Ashock-haired,bright-eyedwomanwithacandleboundtoherforeheadsetdownherpicktoshowOtteralittlecinnabarinabucket,brownishredclotsandcrumbs.Shadowsleaptacrosstheearthfaceatwhichtheminersworked.Oldtimberscreaked,dirtsifteddown.Thoughtheairrancoolthroughthedarkness,thedriftsandlevelsweresolowandnarrowtheminershadtostoopandsqueezetheirway.Inplacestheceilingshadcollapsed.Ladderswereshaky.Theminewasaterrifyingplace;yetOtterfeltasenseofshelterinit.Hewashalfsorrytogobackupintotheburningday.
Lickydidnottakehimintotheroastertower,butbacktothebarracks.Fromalockedroomhebroughtoutasmall,soft,thick,leatherbagthatweighedheavyinhishands.HeopenedittoshowOtterthelittlepoolofdustybrilliancelyinginit.Whenheclosedthebagthemetalmovedinit,bulging,pressing,likeananimaltryingtogetfree.
“There’stheKing,”Lickysaid,inatonethatmighthavebeenreverenceorhatred.
Thoughnotasorcerer,LickywasamuchmoreformidablemanthanHound.YetlikeHoundhewasbrutalnotcruel.Hedemandedobedience,butnothingelse.OtterhadseenslavesandtheirmastersallhislifeintheshipyardsofHavnor,andknewhewasfortunate.Atleastindaylight,whenLickywashismaster.
Hecouldeatonlyinthecell,wheretheytookhisgagoff.Breadandonionswerewhattheygavehim,withaslopofrancidoilonthebread.Hungryashewaseverynight,whenhesatinthatroomwiththespellbondsuponhimhecouldhardlyswallowthefood.Ittastedofmetal,ofash.Thenightswerelongandterrible,forthespellspressedonhim,weighedonhim,wakedhimoverandoverterrified,gaspingforbreath,andneverabletothinkcoherently.Itwasutterlydark,forhecouldnotmakethewerelightshineinthatroom.Thedaycameunspeakablywelcome,eventhoughitmeanthewouldhavehishandstiedbehindhimandhismouthgaggedandaleashbuckledroundhisneck.
Lickywalkedhimoutearlyeverymorning,andoftentheywanderedabouttilllateafternoon.Lickywassilentandpatient.
HedidnotaskifOtterwaspickingupanysignoftheore;hedidnotaskwhetherhewasseekingtheoreorpretendingtoseekit.Otterhimselfcouldnothaveansweredthequestion.Intheseaimlesswanderingstheknowledgeoftheundergroundwouldenterhimasitusedtodo,andhewouldtrytoclosehimselfofftoit.“Iwillnotworkintheserviceofevil!”hetoldhimself.Thenthesummerairandlightwouldsoftenhim,andhistough,baresoleswouldfeelthedrygrassunderthem,andhewouldknowthatundertherootsofthegrassastreamcreptthroughdarkearth,seepingoverawideledgeofrocklayeredwithsheetsofmica,andunderthatledgewasacavern,andinitswallswerethin,crimson,crumblingbedsofcinnabar…Hemadenosign.Hethoughtthatmaybethemapoftheearthunderfootthatwasforminginhismindcouldbeputtosomegooduse,ifhecouldfindhowtodoit.
Butaftertendaysorso,Lickysaid,“MasterGelluk’scominghere.Ifthere’snooreforhim,he’lllikelyfindanotherdowser.”
Otterwalkedonamile,brooding;thencircledback,leadingLickytoa
hillocknotfarfromthefarendoftheoldworkings.Therehenoddeddownwardandstampedhisfoot.
Backinthecellroom,whenLickyhadunleashedhimanduntiedhisgag,hesaid,“There’ssomeorethere.Youcangettoitbyrunningthatoldtunnelstraighton,maybetwentyfeet.”
“Agoodbitofit?”
Ottershrugged.
“Justenoughtokeepgoingon,eh?”
Ottersaidnothing.
“Suitsme,”saidLicky.
Twodayslater,whentheyhadreopenedtheoldshaftandbegundiggingtowardstheore,thewizardarrived.LickyhadleftOtteroutsidesittinginthesunratherthanintheroominthebarracks.Otterwasgratefultohim.Hecouldnotbewhollycomfortablewithhishandsboundandhismouthgagged,butwindandsunlightweremightyblessings.Andhecouldbreathedeepanddozewithoutdreamsofearthstoppinghismouthandnostrils,theonlydreamsheeverhad,nightsinthecell.
Hewashalfasleep,sittingonthegroundintheshadebythebarracks,thesmellofthelogsstackedbytheroastertowerbringinghimamemoryoftheworkyardsathome,thefragranceofnewwoodastheplanerandownthesilkyoakboard.Somenoiseormovementrousedhim.Helookedupandsawthewizardstandingbeforehim,loomingabovehim.
Gellukworefantasticclothes,asmanyofhiskinddidinthosedays.AlongrobeofLorbanerysilk,scarlet,embroideredingoldandblackwithrunesandsymbols,andawide-brimmed,peak-crownedhatmadehimseemtallerthanamancouldbe.Otterdidnotneedtoseehisclothestoknowhim.Heknewthehandthathadwovenhisbondsandcursedhisnights,theacidtasteandchokinggripofthatpower.
“IthinkI’vefoundmylittlefinder,”saidGelluk.Hisvoicewasdeepandsoft,likethenotesofaviol.“Sleepinginthesunshine,likeonewhoseworkhasbeenwelldone.Soyou’vesentthemdiggingfortheRedMother,haveyou?DidyouknowtheRedMotherbeforeyoucamehere?AreyouacourtieroftheKing?Here,now,there’snoneedforropesandknots.”Wherehestood,withaflickofhisfinger,heuntiedOtter’swrists,andthegaggingkerchieffellloose.
“Icouldteachyouhowtodothatforyourself,”thewizardsaid,smiling,watchingOtterrubandflexhisachingwristsandworkhislipsthathadbeen
smashedagainsthisteethforhours.“TheHoundtoldmethatyou’realadofpromiseandmightgofarwithaproperguide.Ifyou’dliketovisittheCourtoftheKing,Icantakeyouthere.Butmaybeyoudon’tknowtheKingI’mtalkingof?”
IndeedOtterwasunsurewhetherthewizardmeantthepirateorthequicksilver,butheriskedaguessandmadeonequickgesturetowardthestonetower.
Thewizard’seyesnarrowedandhissmilebroadened.
“Doyouknowhisname?”
“Thewatermetal,”Ottersaid.
“Sothevulgarcallit,orquicksilver,orthewaterofweight.ButthosewhoservehimcallhimtheKing,andtheAllking,andtheBodyoftheMoon.”Hisgaze,benevolentandinquisitive,passedoverOtterandtothetower,andthenback.Hisfacewaslargeandlong,whiterthananyfaceOtterhadseen,withbluisheyes.Greyandblackhairscurledhereandthereonhischinandcheeks.Hiscalm,opensmileshowedsmallteeth,severalofthemmissing.“Thosewhohavelearnedtoseetrulycanseehimasheis,thelordofallsubstances.Therootofpowerliesinhim.Doyouknowwhatwecallhiminthesecrecyofhispalace?”
ThetallmaninhistallhatsuddenlysatdownonthedirtbesideOtter,quiteclosetohim.Hisbreathsmelledearthy.HislighteyesgazeddirectlyintoOtter’seyes.“Wouldyouliketoknow?Youcanknowanythingyoulike.Ineedhavenosecretsfromyou.Noryoufromme,”andhelaughed,notthreateningly,butwithpleasure.HegazedatOtteragain,hislarge,whitefacesmoothandthoughtful.“Powersyouhave,yes,allkindsoflittletraitsandtricks.Acleverlad.Butnottooclever;that’sgood.Nottooclevertolearn,likesome…I’llteachyou,ifyoulike.Doyoulikelearning?Doyoulikeknowledge?WouldyouliketoknowthenamewecalltheKingwhenhe’sallaloneinhisbrightnessinhiscourtsofstone?HisnameisTurres.Doyouknowthatname?It’sawordinthelanguageoftheAllking.Hisownnameinhisownlanguage.InourbasetonguewewouldsaySemen.”HesmiledagainandpattedOtter’shand.“Forheistheseedandfructifier.Theseedandsourceofmightandright.You’llsee.You’llsee.Comealong!Comealong!Let’sgoseetheKingflyingamonghissubjects,gatheringhimselffromthem!”Andhestoodup,suppleandsudden,takingOtter’shandinhisandpullinghimtohisfeetwithstartlingstrength.Hewaslaughingwithexcitement.
Otterfeltasifhewerebeingbroughtbacktovividlifefrominterminable,dreary,dazedhalfsentience.Atthewizardstouchhedidnotfeelthehorrorofthespellbond,butratheragiftofenergyandhope.Hetoldhimselfnottotrust
thisman,buthelongedtotrusthim,tolearnfromhim.Gellukwaspowerful,masterful,strange,yethehadsethimfree.ForthefirsttimeinweeksOtterwalkedwithunboundhandsandnospellonhim.
“Thisway,thisway,”Gellukmurmured.“Noharmwillcometoyou.”Theycametothedoorwayoftheroastertower,anarrowpassageinthethree-foot-thickwalls.HetookOtter’sarm,fortheyoungmanhesitated.
Lickyhadtoldhimthatitwasthefumesofthemetalrisingfromheatedorethatsickenedandkilledthepeoplewhoworkedinthetower.OtterhadneverentereditnorseenLickyenterit.Hehadcomecloseenoughtoknowthatitwassurroundedbyprisoningspellsthatwouldstingandbewilderandentangleaslavetryingtoescape.Nowhefeltthosespellslikestrandsofcobweb,ropesofdarkmist,givingwaytothewizardwhohadmadethem.
“Breathe,breathe,breathe,”Gelluksaid,laughing,andOttertriednottoholdhisbreathastheyenteredthetower.
Theroastingpittookupthecenterofahugedomedchamber.Hurrying,sticklikefiguresblackagainsttheblazeshoveledandreshoveledoreontologskeptinaroaringblazebygreatbellows,whileothersbroughtfreshlogsandworkedthebellowssleeves.Fromtheapexofthedomeaspiralofchambersroseupintothetowerthroughsmokeandfumes.Inthosechambers,Lickyhadtoldhim,thevaporofthequicksilverwastrappedandcondensed,reheatedandrecondensed,tillinthetopmostvaultthepuremetalrandownintoastonetroughorbowl-onlyadroportwoaday,hesaid,fromthelow-gradeorestheywereroastingnow.
“Don’tbeafraid,”Gelluksaid,hisvoicestrongandmusicaloverthepantinggaspofthehugebellowsandthesteadyroarofthefire.“Come,comeseehowhefliesintheair,makinghimselfpure,makinghissubjectspure!”HedrewOttertotheedgeoftheroastingpit.Hiseyesshoneintheflareanddazzleoftheflames.“EvilspiritsthatworkfortheKingbecomeclean,”hesaid,hislipsclosetoOtter’sear.“Astheyslaver,thedrossandstainsflowoutofthem.Illnessandimpuritiesfesterandrunfreefromtheirsores.Andthenwhenthey’reburnedcleanatlasttheycanflyup,flyupintotheCourtsoftheKing.Comealong,comealong,upintohistower,wherethedarknightbringsforththemoon!”
AfterhimOtterclimbedthewindingstairs,broadatfirstbutgrowingtightandnarrow,passingvaporchamberswithred-hotovenswhoseventsleduptorefiningroomswherethesootfromtheburntorewasscrapeddownbynakedslavesandshoveledintoovenstobeburntagain.Theycametothetopmostroom.Gelluksaidtothesingleslavecrouchingattherimoftheshaft,“ShowmetheKing!”
Theslave,shortandthin,hairless,withrunningsoresonhishandsandarms,uncappedastonecupbytherimofthecondensingshaft.Gellukpeeredin,eagerasachild.“Sotiny,”hemurmured.“Soyoung.ThetinyPrince,thebabyLord,LordTurres.Seedoftheworld!Soul-jewel!”
Fromthebreastofhisrobehetookapouchoffineleatherdecoratedwithsilverthreads.Withadelicatehornspoontiedtothepouchheliftedthefewdropsofquicksilverfromthecupandplacedtheminit,thenretiedthethong.
Theslavestoodby,motionless.Allthepeoplewhoworkedintheheatandfumesoftheroastertowerwerenakedorworeonlybreechcloutandmoccasins.Otterglancedagainattheslave,thinkingbyhisheighthewasachild,andthensawthesmallbreasts.Itwasawoman.Shewasbald.Herjointswereswollenknobsinherbone-thinlimbs.ShelookeduponceatOtter,movinghereyesonly.Shespatintothefire,wipedhersoremouthwithherhand,andstoodmotionlessagain.
“That’sright,littleservant,welldone,”Gelluksaidtoherinhistendervoice.“Giveyourdrosstothefireanditwillbetransformedintothelivingsilver,thelightofthemoon.Isitnotawonderfulthing,”hewenton,drawingOtterawayandbackdownthespiralstair,“howfromwhatismostbasecomeswhatismostnoble?Thatisagreatprincipleoftheart!FromthevileRedMotherisborntheAllking.FromthespittleofadyingslaveismadethesilverSeedofPower.”
Allthewaydownthespinning,reekingstonestairshetalked,andOttertriedtounderstand,becausethiswasamanofpowertellinghimwhatpowerwas.
Butwhentheycameoutintothedaylightagainhisheadkeptonspinninginthedark,andafterafewstepshedoubledoverandvomitedontheground.
Gellukwatchedhimwithhisinquisitive,affectionatelook,andwhenOtterstoodup,wincingandgasping,thewizardaskedgently,“AreyouafraidoftheKing?”
Otternodded.
“Ifyousharehispowerhewon’tharmyou.Tofearapower,tofightapower,isverydangerous.Tolovepowerandtoshareitistheroyalway.Look.WatchwhatIdo.”Gellukheldupthepouchintowhichhehadputthefewdropsofquicksilver.HiseyealwaysonOtter’seye,heunsealedthepouch,liftedittohislips,anddrankitscontents.HeopenedhissmilingmouthsothatOttercouldseethesilverdropspoolingonhistonguebeforeheswallowed.
“NowtheKingisinmybody,thenobleguestofmyhouse.Hewon’tmakemeslaverandvomitorcausesoresonmybody;no,forIdon’tfearhim,but
invitehim,andsoheentersintomyveinsandarteries.Noharmcomestome.Mybloodrunssilver.Iseethingsunknowntoothermen.IsharethesecretsoftheKing.Andwhenheleavesme,hehidesintheplaceofordure,infoulnessitself,andyetagaininthevileplacehewaitsformetocomeandtakehimupandcleansehimashecleansedme,sothateachtimewegrowpurertogether.”ThewizardtookOtter’sarmandwalkedalongwithhim.Hesaid,smilingandconfidential,“Iamonewhoshitsmoonlight.Youwillnotknowanothersuch.Andmorethanthat,morethanthat,theKingentersintomyseed.Heismysemen.IamTurresandheisme…”
IntheconfusionofOtter’smind,hewasonlydimlyawarethattheyweregoingnowtowardstheentranceofthemine.Theywentunderground.Thepassagesoftheminewereadarkmazelikethewizard’swords.Otterstumbledon,tryingtounderstand.Hesawtheslaveinthetower,thewomanwhohadlookedathim.Hesawhereyes.
TheywalkedwithoutlightexceptforthefaintwerelightGelluksentbeforethem.Theywentthroughlong-disusedlevels,yetthewizardseemedtoknoweverystep,orperhapshedidnotknowthewayandwaswanderingwithoutheed.Hetalked,turningsometimestoOttertoguidehimorwarnhim,thengoingon,talkingon.
Theycametowheretheminerswereextendingtheoldtunnel.TherethewizardspokewithLickyintheflareofcandlesamongjaggedshadows.Hetouchedtheearthofthetunnel’send,tookclodsofearthinhishands,rolledthedirtinhispalms,kneading,testing,tastingit.Forthattimehewassilent,andOtterwatchedhimwithstaringintensity,stilltryingtounderstand.
Lickycamebacktothebarrackswiththem.GellukbadeOttergoodnightinhissoftvoice.Lickyshuthimasusualintothebrick-walledroom,givinghimaloafofbread,anonion,ajugofwater.
Ottercrouchedasalwaysintheuneasyoppressionofthespellbond.Hedrankthirstily.Thesharpearthytasteoftheonionwasgood,andheateitall.
Asthedimlightthatcameintotheroomfromchinksinthemortarofthebricked-upwindowdiedaway,insteadofsinkingintotheblankmiseryofallhisnightsinthatroom,hestayedawake,andgrewmoreawake.TheexcitedturmoilofhismindallthetimehehadbeenwithGellukslowlyquieted.Fromitsomethingrose,comingclose,comingclear,theimagehehadseendowninthemine,shadowyyetdistinct:theslaveinthehighvaultofthetower,thatwomanwithemptybreastsandfesteredeyes,whospatthespittlethatranfromherpoisonedmouth,andwipedhermouth,andstoodwaitingtodie.Shehadlookedathim.
Hesawhernowmoreclearlythanhehadseenherinthetower.Hesawher
moreclearlythanhehadeverseenanyone.Hesawthethinarms,theswollenjointsofelbowandwrist,thechildishnapeofherneck.Itwasasifshewaswithhimintheroom.Itwasasifshewasinhim,asifshewashim.Shelookedathim.Hesawherlookathim.Hesawhimselfthroughhereyes.
Hesawthelinesofthespellsthatheldhim,heavycordsofdarkness,atangledmazeoflinesallabouthim.Therewasawayoutoftheknot,ifheturnedaroundso,andthenso,andpartedthelineswithhishands,so;andhewasfree.
Hecouldnotseethewomananymore.Hewasaloneintheroom,standingfree.
Allthethoughtshehadnotbeenabletothinkfordaysandweekswereracingthroughhishead,astormofideasandfeelings,apassionofrage,vengeance,pity,pride.
Atfirsthewasoverwhelmedwithfiercefantasiesofpowerandrevenge:hewouldfreetheslaves,hewouldspellbindGellukandhurlhimintotherefiningfire,hewouldbindhimandblindhimandleavehimtobreathethefumesofquicksilverinthathighestvaulttillhedied…Butwhenhisthoughtssettleddownandbegantorunclearer,heknewthathecouldnotdefeatawizardofgreatcraftandpower,evenifthatwizardwasmad.Ifhehadanyhopeitwastoplayonhismadness,andleadthewizardtodefeathimself.
Hepondered.AllthetimehewaswithGelluk,hehadtriedtolearnfromhim,triedtounderstandwhatthewizardwastellinghim.Yethewascertain,now,thatGelluk’sideas,theteachinghesoeagerlyimparted,hadnothingtodowithhispowerorwithanytruepower.Miningandrefiningwereindeedgreatcraftswiththeirownmysteriesandmasteries,butGellukseemedtoknownothingofthosearts.HistalkoftheAllkingandtheRedMotherwasmerewords.Andnottherightwords.ButhowdidOtterknowthat?
InallhisfloodoftalktheonlywordGellukhadspokenintheOldTongue,thelanguageofwhichwizards’spellsweremade,wasthewordturres.Hehadsaiditmeantsemen.Otter’sowngiftofmageryhadrecognizedthatmeaningasthetrueone.Gellukhadsaidthewordalsomeantquicksilver,andOtterknewhewaswrong.
HishumbleteachershadtaughthimallthewordstheyknewoftheLanguageoftheMaking.Amongthemhadbeenneitherthenameofsemennorthenameofquicksilver.Buthislipsparted,histonguemoved.“Ayezur”hesaid.
Hisvoicewasthevoiceoftheslaveinthestonetower.Itwasshewhoknewthetruenameofquicksilverandspokeitthroughhim.
Thenforawhileheheldstill,bodyandmind,beginningtounderstandforthe
firsttimewherehispowerlay.
Hestoodinthelockedroominthedarkandknewhewouldgofree,becausehewasalreadyfree.Astormofpraiseranthroughhim.
Afterawhile,deliberately,here-enteredthetrapofspell-bonds,wentbacktohisoldplace,satdownonthepallet,andwentonthinking.Theprisoningspellwasstillthere,yetithadnopoweroverhimnow.Hecouldwalkintoitandoutofitasifitweremerelinespaintedonthefloor.Gratitudeforthisfreedombeatinhimassteadyashisheartbeat.
Hethoughtwhathemustdo,andhowhemustdoit.Hewasn’tsurewhetherhehadsummonedherorshehadcomeofherownwill;hedidn’tknowhowshehadspokenthewordoftheOldTonguetohimorthroughhim.Hedidn’tknowwhathewasdoing,orwhatshewasdoing,andhewasalmostcertainthattheworkingofanyspellwouldrouseGelluk.Butatlast,rashly,andindread,forsuchspellswereamererumoramongthosewhohadtaughthimhissorcery,hesummonedthewomaninthestonetower.
Hebroughtherintohismindandsawherashehadseenher,there,inthatroom,andcalledouttoher;andshecame.
Herapparitionstoodagainjustoutsidethespiderwebcordsofthespell,gazingathim,andseeinghim,forasoft,bluish,sourcelesslightfilledtheroom.Hersore,rawlipsquiveredbutshedidnotspeak.
Hespoke,givingherhistruename:“IamMedra.”
“IamAnieb,”shewhispered.
“Howcanwegetfree?”
“Hisname.”
“EvenifIknewit…WhenI’mwithhimIcan’tspeak.”
“IfIwaswithyou,Icoulduseit.”
“Ican’tcallyou.”
“ButIcancome,”shesaid.
Shelookedround,andhelookedup.BothknewthatGellukhadsensedsomething,hadwakened.Otterfeltthebondscloseandtighten,andtheoldshadowfall.
“Iwillcome,Medra,”shesaid.Sheheldoutherthinhandinafist,thenopeneditpalmupasifofferinghimsomething.Thenshewasgone.
Thelightwentwithher.Hewasaloneinthedark.Thecoldgripofthespellstookhimbythethroatandchokedhim,boundhishands,pressedonhis
lungs.Hecrouched,gasping.Hecouldnotthink;hecouldnotremember.“Staywithme,”hesaid,anddidnotknowwhohespoketo.Hewasfrightened,anddidnotknowwhathewasfrightenedof.Thewizard,thepower,thespell…Itwasalldarkness.Butinhisbody,notinhismind,burnedaknowledgehecouldnotnameanymore,acertaintythatwaslikeatinylampheldinhishandsinamazeofcavernsunderground.Hekepthiseyesonthatseedoflight.
Weary,evildreamsofsuffocationcametohim,buttooknoholdonhim.Hebreatheddeep.Hesleptatlast.Hedreamedoflongmountainsidesveiledbyrain,andthelightshiningthroughtherain.Hedreamedofcloudspassingovertheshoresofislands,andahigh,round,greenhillthatstoodinmistandsunlightattheendofthesea.
ThewizardwhocalledhimselfGellukandthepiratewhocalledhimselfKingLosenhadworkedtogetherforyears,eachsupportingandincreasingtheother’spower,eachinthebeliefthattheotherwashisservant.
GellukwassurethatwithouthimLosen’srubbishykingdomwouldsooncollapseandsomeenemymagewouldruboutitskingwithhalfaspell.ButheletLosenactthemaster.Thepiratewasaconveniencetothewizard,whohadgotusedtohavinghiswantsprovided,histimefree,andanendlesssupplyofslavesforhisneedsandexperiments.ItwaseasytokeepuptheprotectionshehadlaidonLosen’spersonandexpeditionsandforays,theprisoningspellshehadlaidontheplacesslavesworkedortreasureswerekept.Makingthosespellshadbeenadifferentmatter,alonghardwork.Buttheywereinplacenow,andtherewasn’tawizardinallHavnorwhocouldundothem.
Gellukhadnevermetamanhefeared.Afewwizardshadcrossedhispathstrongenoughtomakehimwaryofthem,buthehadneverknownonewithskillandpowerequaltohisown.
Oflate,enteringalwaysdeeperintothemysteriesofacertainlore-bookbroughtbackfromtheIsleofWaybyoneofLosen’sraiders,Gellukhadbecomeindifferenttomostoftheartshehadlearnedorhaddiscoveredforhimself.Thebookconvincedhimthatallofthemwereonlyshadowsorhintsofagreatermastery.Asonetrueelementcontrolledallsubstances,onetrueknowledgecontainedallothers.Approachingeverclosertothatmastery,heunderstoodthatthecraftsofwizardswereascrudeandfalseasLosen’stitleandrule.Whenhewasonewiththetrueelement,hewouldbetheonetrueking.Aloneamongmenhewouldspeakthewordsofmakingandunmaking.Hewouldhavedragonsforhisdogs.
Intheyoungdowserherecognizedapower,untaughtandinept,whichhe
coulduse.Heneededmuchmorequicksilverthanhehad,thereforeheneededafinder.Findingwasabaseskill.Gellukhadneverpracticedit,buthecouldseethattheyoungfellowhadthegift.Hewoulddowelltolearntheboy’struenamesothathecouldbesureofcontrollinghim.Hesighedatthethoughtofthetimehemustwasteteachingtheboywhathewasgoodfor.Andafterthattheoremuststillbedugoutoftheearthandthemetalrefined.Asalways,Gelluk’smindleaptacrossobstaclesanddelaystothewonderfulmysteriesattheendofthem.
Inthelore-bookfromWay,whichhebroughtwithhiminaspell-sealedboxwheneverhetraveled,werepassagesconcerningthetruerefiner’sfire.Havinglongstudiedthese,Gellukknewthatoncehehadenoughofthepuremetal,thenextstagewastorefineityetfurtherintotheBodyoftheMoon.Hehadunderstoodthedisguisedlanguageofthebooktomeanthatinordertopurifypurequicksilver,thefiremustbebuiltnotofmerewoodbutofhumancorpses.Rereadingandponderingthewordsthisnightinhisroominthebarracks,hediscernedanotherpossiblemeaninginthem.Therewasalwaysanothermeaninginthewordsofthislore.Perhapsthebookwassayingthattheremustbesacrificenotonlyofbasefleshbutalsoofinferiorspirit.Thegreatfireinthetowershouldburnnotdeadbodiesbutlivingones.Livingandconscious.Purityfromfoulness:blissfrompain.Itwasallpartofthegreatprinciple,perfectlyclearonceseen.Hewassurehewasright,hadatlastunderstoodthetechnique.Buthemustnothurry,hemustbepatient,mustmakecertain.Heturnedtoanotherpassageandcomparedthetwo,andbroodedoverthebooklateintothenight.Onceforamomentsomethingdrewhismindaway,someinvasionoftheoutskirtsofhisawareness;theboywastryingsometrickorother.Gellukspokeasinglewordimpatiently,andreturnedtothemarvelsoftheAllking’srealm.Henevernoticedthathisprisoner’sdreamshadescapedhim.
NextdayhehadLickysendhimtheboy.Helookedforwardtoseeinghim,tobeingkindtohim,teachinghim,pettinghimabitashehaddoneyesterday.Hesatdownwithhiminthesun.Gellukwasfondofchildrenandanimals.Helikedallbeautifulthings.Itwaspleasanttohaveayoungcreatureabout.Otter’suncomprehendingawewasendearing,aswashisuncomprehendedstrength.Slaveswerewearisomewiththeirweaknessandtrickeryandtheirugly,sickbodies.OfcourseOtterwashisslave,buttheboyneednotknowit.Theycouldbeteacherandprentice.Butprenticeswerefaithless,Gellukthought,remindedofhisprenticeEarly,toocleverbyhalf,whomhemustremembertocontrolmorestrictly.Fatherandson,that’swhatheandOttercouldbe.HewouldhavetheboycallhimFather.Herecalledthathehadintendedtofindouthistruename.Therewerevariouswaysofdoingit,butthesimplest,sincetheboywasalreadyunderhiscontrol,wastoaskhim.
“Whatisyourname?”hesaid,watchingOtterintently.
Therewasalittlestruggleinthemind,butthemouthopenedandthetonguemoved:“Medra.”
“Verygood,verygood,Medra,”saidthewizard.“YoumaycallmeFather.”
“YoumustfindtheRedMother,”hesaid,thedayafterthat.Theyweresittingsidebysideagainoutsidethebarracks.Theautumnsunwaswarm.Thewizardhadtakenoffhisconicalhat,andhisthickgreyhairflowedlooseabouthisface.“Iknowyoufoundthatlittlepatchforthemtodig,butthere’snomoreinthatthanafewdrops.It’sscarcelyworthburningforsolittle.Ifyouaretohelpme,andifIamtoteachyou,youmusttryalittleharder.Ithinkyouknowhow.”HesmiledatOtter.“Don’tyou?”
Otternodded.
Hewasstillshaken,appalled,bytheeasewithwhichGellukhadforcedhimtosayhisname,whichgavethewizardimmediateandultimatepoweroverhim.NowhehadnohopeofresistingGellukinanyway.Thatnighthehadbeeninutterdespair.ButthenAniebhadcomeintohismind:comeofherownwill,byherownmeans.Hecouldnotsummonher,couldnoteventhinkofher,andwouldnothavedaredtodoso,sinceGellukknewhisname.Butshecame,evenwhenhewaswiththewizard,notinapparitionbutasapresenceinhismind.
Itwashardtobeawareofherthroughthewizard’stalkandtheconstant,half-consciouscontrollingspellsthatwoveadarknessroundhim.ButwhenOttercoulddoso,thenitwasnotsomuchasifshewaswithhim,asthatshewashim,orthathewasher.Hesawthroughhereyes.Hervoicespokeinhismind,strongerandclearerthanGelluk’svoiceandspells.Throughhereyesandmindhecouldsee,andthink.Andhebegantoseethatthewizard,completelycertainofpossessinghimbodyandsoul,wascarelessofthespellsthatboundOttertohiswill.Abondisaconnection.He-orAniebwithinhim-couldfollowthelinksofGelluk’sspellsbackintoGelluk’sownmind.
Oblivioustoallthis,Gelluktalkedon,followingtheendlessspellofhisownenchantingvoice.
“Youmustfindthetruewomb,thebellybagoftheEarth,thatholdsthepuremoonseed.DidyouknowthattheMoonistheEarth’sfather?Yes,yes;andhelaywithher,asisthefather’sright.Hequickenedherbaseclaywiththetrueseed.ButshewillnotgivebirthtotheKing.Sheisstronginherfearandwillfulinhervileness.Sheholdshimbackandhideshimdeep,fearingtogivebirthtohermaster.Thatiswhy,togivehimbirth,shemustbeburnedalive.”
Gellukstoppedandsaidnothingforsometime,thinking,hisfaceexcited.Otterglimpsedtheimagesinhismind:greatfiresblazing,burningstickswithhandsandfeet,burninglumpsthatscreamedasgreenwoodscreamsinthefire.
“Yes,”Gelluksaid,hisdeepvoicesoftanddreamy,“shemustbeburnedalive.Andthen,onlythen,hewillspringforth,shining!
Oh,it’stime,andpasttime.WemustdelivertheKing.Wemustfindthegreatlode.Itishere;thereisnodoubtofthat:‘ThewomboftheMotherliesunderSamory.””
Againhepaused.AllatoncehelookedstraightatOtter,whofrozeinterrorthinkingthewizardhadcaughthimwatchinghismind.Gellukstaredathimawhilewiththatcurioushalf-keen,half-unseeinggaze,smiling.“LittleMedra!”hesaid,asifjustdiscoveringhewasthere.HepattedOtter’sshoulder.“Iknowyouhavethegiftoffindingwhat’shidden.Quiteagreatgift,wereitsuitablytrained.Havenofear,myson.Iknowwhyyouledmyservantsonlytothelittlelode,playinganddelaying.ButnowthatI’vecome,youserveme,andhavenothingtobeafraidof.Andthere’snousetryingtoconcealanythingfromme,isthere?Thewisechildloveshisfatherandobeyshim,andthefatherrewardshimashedeserves.”Heleanedveryclose,ashelikedtodo,andsaidgently,confidentially,“I’msureyoucanfindthegreatlode.”
“Iknowwhereitis,”Aniebsaid.
Ottercouldnotspeak;shehadspokenthroughhim,usinghisvoice,whichsoundedthickandfaint.
VeryfewpeopleeverspoketoGellukunlesshecompelledthemto.Thespellsbywhichhesilenced,weakened,andcontrolledallwhoapproachedhimweresohabitualtohimthathegavethemnothought.Hewasusedtobeinglistenedto,nottolistening.Sereneinhisstrengthandobsessedwithhisideas,hehadnothoughtbeyondthem.HewasnotawareofOtteratallexceptasapartofhisplans,anextensionofhimself.“Yes,yes,youwill,”hesaid,andsmiledagain.
ButOtterwasintenselyawareofGelluk,bothphysicallyandasapresenceofimmensecontrollingpower;anditseemedtohimthatAnieb’sspeakinghadtakenawaythatmuchofGelluk’spoweroverhim,gaininghimaplacetostand,afoothold.EvenwithGelluksoclosetohim,fearfullyclose,hemanagedtospeak.
“Iwilltakeyouthere,”hesaid,stiffly,laboriously.
Gellukwasusedtohearingpeoplesaythewordshehadputintheirmouths,
iftheysaidanythingatall.Thesewerewordshewantedbuthadnotexpectedtohear.Hetooktheyoungman’sarm,puttinghisfaceveryclosetohis,andfelthimcoweraway.
“Howcleveryouare,”hesaid.“Haveyoufoundbetterorethanthatpatchyoufoundfirst?Worththediggingandtheroasting?”
“Itisthelode,”theyoungmansaid.
Theslowstiffwordscarriedgreatweight.
“Thegreatlode?”Gelluklookedstraightathim,theirfacesnotahand’sbreadthapart.Thelightinhisbluisheyeswaslikethesoft,crazyshiftofquicksilver.“Thewomb?”
“OnlytheMastercangothere.”
“WhatMaster?”
“TheMasteroftheHouse.TheKing.”
ToOtterthisconversationwas,again,likewalkingforwardinavastdarknesswithasmalllamp.Anieb’sunderstandingwasthatlamp.Eachsteprevealedthenextstephemusttake,buthecouldneverseetheplacewherehewas.Hedidnotknowwhatwascomingnext,anddidnotunderstandwhathesaw.Buthesawit,andwentforward,wordbyword.
“HowdoyouknowofthatHouse?”
“Isawit.”
“Where?Nearhere?”
Otternodded.
“Isitintheearth?”
Tellhimwhathesees,AniebwhisperedinOtter’smind,andhespoke:“Astreamrunsthroughdarknessoveraglitteringroof.UndertheroofistheHouseoftheKing.Theroofstandshighabovethefloor,onhighpillars.Thefloorisred.Allthepillarsarered.Onthemareshiningrunes.”
Gellukcaughthisbreath.Presentlyhesaid,verysoftly,“Canyoureadtherunes?”
“Icannotreadthem.”Otter’svoicewastoneless.“Icannotgothere.NoonecanenterthereinthebodybutonlytheKing.Onlyhecanreadwhatiswritten.”
Gelluk’swhitefacehadgonewhiter;hisjawtrembledalittle.Hestoodup,suddenly,ashealwaysdid.“Takemethere,”hesaid,tryingtocontrol
himself,butsoviolentlycompellingOttertogetupandwalkthattheyoungmanlurchedtohisfeetandstumbledseveralsteps,almostfalling.Thenhewalkedforward,stiffandawkward,tryingnottoresistthecoercive,passionatewillthathurriedhissteps.
Gellukpressedclosebesidehim,oftentakinghisarm.“Thisway,”hesaidseveraltimes.“Yes,yes!Thisistheway.”YethewasfollowingOtter.Histouchandhisspellspushedhim,rushedhim,butinthedirectionOtterchosetogo.
Theywalkedpasttheroastertower,pasttheoldshaftandthenewone,onintothelongvalleywhereOtterhadtakenLickythefirstdayhewasthere.Itwaslateautumnnow.Theshrubsandscrubbygrassthathadbeengreenthatdayweredunanddry,andthewindrattledthelastleavesonthebushes.Totheirleftalittlestreamranlowamongwillowthickets.Mildsunlightandlongshadowsstreakedthehillsides.
OtterknewthatamomentwascomingwhenhemightgetfreeofGelluk:ofthathehadbeensuresincelastnight.HeknewalsothatinthatsamemomenthemightdefeatGelluk,disempowerhim,ifthewizard,drivenbyhisvisions,forgottoguardhimself-andifOttercouldlearnhisname.
Thewizard’sspellsstillboundtheirmindstogether.OtterpressedrashlyforwardintoGelluk’smind,seekinghistruename.Buthedidnotknowwheretolookorhowtolook.Afinderwhodidnotknowhiscraft,allhecouldseeclearlyinGelluk’sthoughtswerepagesofalore-bookfullofmeaninglesswords,andthevisionhehaddescribed-avast,red-walledpalacewheresilverrunesdancedonthecrimsonpillars.ButOttercouldnotreadthebookortherunes.Hehadneverlearnedtoread.
AllthistimeheandGellukweregoingonfartherfromthetower,awayfromAnieb,whosepresencesometimesweakenedandfaded.Otterdarednottrytosummonher.
Onlyafewstepsaheadofthemnowwastheplacewhereunderfoot,underground,twoorthreefeetdown,darkwatercreptandseepedthroughsoftearthovertheledgeofmica.Underthatopenedthehollowcavernandthelodeofcinnabar.
Gellukwasalmostwhollyabsorbedinhisownvision,butsinceOtter’smindandhiswereconnected,hesawsomethingofwhatOttersaw.Hestopped,grippingOtter’sarm.Hishandshookwitheagerness.
Otterpointedatthelowslopethatrosebeforethem.“TheKing’sHouseisthere,”hesaid.Gelluk’sattentionturnedentirelyawayfromhimthen,fixedonthehillsideandthevisionhesawwithinit.ThenOttercouldcalltoAnieb.
Atonceshecameintohismindandbeing,andwastherewithhim.
Gellukwasstandingstill,buthisshakinghandswereclenched,hiswholetallbodytwitchingandtrembling,likeahoundthatwantstochasebutcannotfindthescent.Hewasataloss.Therewasthehillsidewithitsgrassandbushesinthelastofthesunlight,buttherewasnoentrance.Grassgrowingoutofgravellydirt;theseamlessearth.
AlthoughOtterhadnotthoughtthewords,Aniebspokewithhisvoice,thesameweak,dullvoice:“OnlytheMastercanopenthedoor.OnlytheKinghasthekey.”
“Thekey,”Gelluksaid.
Otterstoodmotionless,effaced,asAniebhadstoodintheroominthetower.
“Thekey,”Gellukrepeated,urgent.
“ThekeyistheKing’sname.”
Thatwasaleapinthedarkness.Whichofthemhadsaidit?
Gellukstoodtenseandtrembling,stillataloss.“Turres,”hesaid,afteratime,almostinawhisper.
Thewindblewinthedrygrass.
Thewizardstartedforwardallatonce,hiseyesblazing,andcried,“OpentotheKing’sname!IamTinaral!”Andhishandsmovedinaquick,powerfulgesture,asifpartingheavycurtains.
Thehillsideinfrontofhimtrembled,writhed,andopened.Agashinitdeepened,widened.Watersprangupoutofitandranacrossthewizard’sfeet.
Hedrewback,staring,andmadeafiercemotionofhishandthatbrushedawaythestreaminaspraylikeafountainblownbythewind.Thegashintheearthgrewdeeper,revealingtheledgeofmica.Withasharprendingcracktheglitteringstonesplitapart.Underitwasdarkness.
Thewizardsteppedforward.“Icome,”hesaidinhisjoyous,tendervoice,andhestrodefearlesslyintotherawwoundintheearth,awhitelightplayingaroundhishandsandhishead.Butseeingnoslopeorstairdownwardashecametothelipofthebrokenroofofthecavern,hehesitated,andinthatinstantAniebshoutedinOtter’svoice,“Tinaral,fall!”
Staggeringwildlythewizardtriedtoturn,losthisfootingonthecrumblingedge,andplungeddownintothedark,hisscarletcloakbillowingup,thewerelightroundhimlikeafallingstar.
“Close!”Ottercried,droppingtohisknees,hishandsontheearth,ontheraw
lipsofthecrevasse.“Close,Mother!Behealed,bewhole!”Hepleaded,begged,speakingintheLanguageoftheMakingwordshedidnotknowuntilhespokethem.“Mother,bewhole!”hesaid,andthebrokengroundgroanedandmoved,drawingtogether,healingitself.
Areddishseamremained,ascarthroughthedirtandgravelanduprootedgrass.
Thewindrattledthedryleavesonthescrub-oakbushes.Thesunwasbehindthehill,andcloudswerecomingoverinalow,greymass.
Ottercrouchedthereatthefootofthehillslope,alone.
Thecloudsdarkened.Rainpassedthroughthelittlevalley,fallingonthedirtandthegrass.Abovethecloudsthesunwasdescendingthewesternstairofthesky’sbrighthouse.
Ottersatupatlast.Hewaswet,cold,bewildered.Whywashehere?
Hehadlostsomethingandhadtofindit.Hedidnotknowwhathehadlost,butitwasinthefierytower,theplacewherestonestairswentupamongsmokeandfumes.Hehadtogothere.Hegottohisfeetandshuffled,lameandunsteady,backdownthevalley.
Hehadnothoughtofhidingorprotectinghimself.Luckilyforhimtherewerenoguardsabout;therewerefewguards,andtheywerenotonthealert,sincethewizard’sspellshadkepttheprisonshut.Thespellsweregone,butthepeopleinthetowerdidnotknowit,workingonunderthegreaterspellofhopelessness.
Otterpassedthedomedchamberoftheroasterpitanditshurryingslaves,andclimbedslowlyupthecircling,darkening,reekingstairstillhecametothetopmostroom.
Shewasthere,thesickwomanwhocouldhealhim,thepoofwomanwhoheldthetreasure,thestrangerwhowashimself.
Hestoodsilentinthedoorway.Shesatonthestonefloornearthecrucible,herthinbodygrayishanddarklikethestones.Herchinandbreastswereshinywiththespittlethatranfromhermouth.Hethoughtofthespringofwaterthathadrunfromthebrokenearth.
“Medra,”shesaid.Hersoremouthcouldnotspeakclearly.Hekneltdownandtookherhands,lookingintoherface.
“Anieb,”hewhispered,“conicwithme”
“Iwanttogohome,”shesaid.
Hehelpedherstand.Hemadenospelltoprotectorhidethem.Hisstrength
hadbeenusedup.Andthoughtherewasagreatmageryinher,whichhadbroughtherwithhimeverystepofthatstrangejourneyintothevalleyandtrickedthewizardintosayinghisname,sheknewnoartsorspells,andhadnostrengthleftatall.
Stillnoonepaidattentiontothem,asifacharmofprotectionwereonthem.Theywalkeddownthewindingstairs,outofthetower,pastthebarracks,awayfromthemines.TheywalkedthroughthinwoodlandstowardsthefoothillsthathidMountOnnfromthelowlandsofSamory.
Aniebkeptabetterpacethanseemedpossibleinawomansofamishedanddestroyed,walkingalmostnakedinthechilloftherain.Allherwillwasaimedonwalkingforward;shehadnothingelseinhermind,nothim,notanything.Butshewastherebodilywithhim,andhefeltherpresenceaskeenlyandstrangelyaswhenshehadcometohissummoning.Therainrandownhernakedheadandbody.Hemadeherstoptoputonhisshirt.Hewasashamedofit,foritwasfilthy,hehavingwornitalltheseweeks.Shelethimpullitoverherheadandthenwalkedrighton.Shecouldnotgoquickly,butshewentsteadily,hereyesfixedonthefaintcarttracktheyfollowed,tillthenightcameearlyundertherainclouds,andtheycouldnotseewheretosettheirfeet.
“Makethelight,”shesaid.Hervoicewasawhimper,plaintive.“Can’tyoumakethelight?”
“Idon’tknow,”hesaid,buthetriedtobringthewerelightroundthem,andafterawhilethegroundglimmeredfaintlybeforetheirfeet.
“Weshouldfindshelterandrest,”hesaid.
“Ican’tstop,”shesaid,andstartedtowalkagain.
“Youcan’twalkallnight.”
“IfIliedownIwon’tgetup.IwanttoseetheMountain.”
Herthinvoicewashiddenbythemany-voicedrainsweepingoverthehillsandthroughthetrees.
Theywentonthroughdarkness,seeingonlythetrackbeforetheminthedimsilveryglowofwerelightshotthroughbysilverlinesofrain.Whenshestumbledhecaughtherarm.Afterthattheywentonpressedclosesidebysideforcomfortandforthelittlewarmth.Theywalkedslower,andyetslower,buttheywalkedon.Therewasnosoundbutthesoundoftherainfallingfromtheblacksky,andthelittlekissingsquelchoftheirsoddenfeetinthemudandwetgrassofthetrack.
“Look,”shesaid,halting.“Medra,look.”
Hehadbeenwalkingalmostasleep.Thepallorofthewerelighthadfaded,drownedinafainter,vasterclarity.Skyandearthwereallonegrey,butbeforethemandabovethem,veryhigh,overadriftofcloud,thelongridgeofthemountainglimmeredred.
“There,”Aniebsaid.Shepointedatthemountainandsmiled.Shelookedathercompanion,thenslowlydownattheground.Shesankdownkneeling.Hekneltwithher,triedtosupporther,butshesliddowninhisarms.Hetriedtokeepherheadatleastfromthemudofthetrack.Herlimbsandfacetwitched,herteethchattered.Heheldhercloseagainsthim,tryingtowarmher.
“Thewomen,”shewhispered,“thehand.Askthem.Inthevillage.IdidseetheMountain.”
Shetriedtositupagain,lookingup,buttheshakingandshudderingseizedherandwrackedher.Shebegantogaspforbreath.Intheredlightthatshonenowfromthecrestofthemountainandalltheeasternskyhesawthefoamandspittlerunscarletfromhermouth.Sometimessheclutchedathim,butshedidnotspeakagain.Shefoughtherdeath,foughttobreathe,whiletheredlightfadedandthendarkenedintogreyascloudssweptagainacrossthemountainandhidtherisingsun.Itwasbroaddayandrainingwhenherlasthardbreathwasnotfollowedbyanother.
ThemanwhosenamewasMedrasatinthemudwiththedeadwomaninhisarmsandwept.
Acarterwalkingathismule’sheadwithaloadofoakwoodcameuponthemandtookthembothtoWoodedge.Hecouldnotmaketheyoungmanletgoofthedeadwoman.Weakandshakyashewas,hewouldnotsethisburdendownontheload,butclamberedintothecartholdingher,andheldherallthemilestoWoodedge.Allhesaidwas“Shesavedme,”andthecarteraskednoquestions.
“ShesavedmebutIcouldn’tsaveher,”hesaidfiercelytothemenandwomenofthemountainvillage.Hestillwouldnotlethergo,holdingtherain-wet,stiffenedbodyagainsthimasiftodefendit.
VeryslowlytheymadehimunderstandthatoneofthewomenwasAnieb’smother,andthatheshouldgiveAniebtohertohold.Hedidsoatlast,watchingtoseeifshewasgentlewithhisfriendandwouldprotecther.Thenhefollowedanotherwomanmeeklyenough.Heputondryclothingshegavehimtoputon,andatealittlefoodshegavehimtoeat,andlaydownonthepalletsheledhimto,andsobbedinweariness,andslept.
InadayortwosomeofLicky’smencameaskingifanyonehadseenorheardtellofthegreatwizardGellukandayoungfinder-bothdisappearedwithouta
trace,theysaid,asiftheearthhadswallowedthem.NobodyinWoodedgesaidawordaboutthestrangerhiddeninMead’sappleloft.Theykepthimsafe.MaybethatiswhythepeopletherenowcalltheirvillagenotWoodedge,asitusedtobe,butOtterhide.
Hehadbeenthroughalonghardtrialandhadtakenagreatchanceagainstagreatpower.Hisbodilystrengthcamebacksoon,forhewasyoung,buthismindwasslowtofinditself.Hehadlostsomething,lostitforever,lostitashefoundit.
Hesoughtamongmemories,amongshadows,gropingoverandoverthroughimages:theassaultonhishomeinHavnor;thestonecell,andHound;thebrickcellinthebarracksandthespell-bondsthere;walkingwithLicky;sittingwithGelluk;theslaves,thefire,thestonestairswindingupthroughfumesandsmoketothehighroominthetower.Hehadtoregainitall,togothroughitall,searching.Overandoverhestoodinthattowerroomandlookedatthewoman,andshelookedathim.Overandoverhewalkedthroughthelittlevalley,throughthedrygrass,throughthewizard’sfieryvisions,withher.Overandoverhesawthewizardfall,sawtheearthclose.Hesawtheredridgeofthemountaininthedawn.Aniebdiedwhileheheldher,herruinedfaceagainsthisarm.Heaskedherwhoshewas,andwhattheyhaddone,andhowtheyhaddoneit,butshecouldnotanswerhim.
HermotherAyoandhermotherssisterMeadwerewisewomen.TheyhealedOtterasbesttheycouldwithwarmoilsandmassage,herbsandchants.Theytalkedtohimandlistenedwhenhetalked.Neitherofthemhadanydoubtbutthathewasamanofgreatpower.Hedeniedthis.“Icouldhavedonenothingwithoutyourdaughter,”hesaid.
“Whatdidshedo?”Ayoasked,softly.
Hetoldher,aswellashecould.“Wewerestrangers.Yetshegavemehername,”hesaid.“AndIgavehermine.”Hespokehaltingly,withlongpauses.“ItwasIthatwalkedwiththewizard,compelledbyhim,butshewaswithme,andshewasfree.Andsotogetherwecouldturnhispoweragainsthim,sothathedestroyedhimself.”Hethoughttoralongtime,andsaid,“Shegavemeherpower.”
“Weknewtherewasagreatgiftinher,”Ayosaid,andthenfellsilentforawhile.“Wedidn’tknowhowtoteachher.Therearenoteachersleftonthemountain.KingLosen’swizardsdestroythesorcerersandwitches.There’snoonetoturnto.”
“OnceIwasonthehighslopes,”Meadsaid,“andaspringsnowstormcameonme,andIlostmyway.Shecamethere.Shecametome,notinthebody,andguidedmetothetrack.Shewasonlytwelvethen.”
“Shewalkedwiththedead,sometimes,”Ayosaidverylow.“Intheforest,downtowardsFaliern.Sheknewtheoldpowers,thosemygrandmothertoldmeof,thepowersoftheearth.Theywerestrongthere,shesaid.”
“Butshewasonlyagirlliketheothers,too,”Meadsaid,andhidherface.“Agoodgirl,”shewhispered.
AfterawhileAyosaid,“ShewentdowntoFirnwithsomeoftheyoungfolk.Tobuyfleecefromtheshepherdsthere.Ayearagolastspring.Thatwizardtheyspokeofcamethere,castingspells.Takingslaves.”
Thentheywereallsilent.
AyoandMeadweremuchalike,andOttersawinthemwhatAniebmighthavebeen:ashort,slight,quickwoman,witharoundfaceandcleareyes,andamassofdarkhair,notstraightlikemostpeople’shairbutcurly,frizzy.ManypeopleinthewestofHavnorhadhairlikethat.
ButAniebhadbeenbald,likealltheslavesintheroastertower.
Heruse-namehadbeenFlag,theblueirisofthesprings.HermotherandauntcalledherFlagwhentheyspokeofher.
“WhateverIam,whateverIcando,it’snotenough,”hesaid.
“It’sneverenough,”Meadsaid.“Andwhatcananyonedoalone?”
Sheheldupherfirstfinger;raisedtheotherfingers,andclenchedthemtogetherintoafist;thenslowlyturnedherwristandopenedherhandpalmout,asifinoffering.HehadseenAniebmakethatgesture.Itwasnotaspell,hethought,watchingintently,butasign.Ayowaswatchinghim.
“Itisasecret,”shesaid.
“CanIknowthesecret?”heaskedafterawhile.
“Youalreadyknowit.YougaveittoFlag.Shegaveittoyou.Trust.”
“Trust,”theyoungmansaid.“Yes.Butagainst-Againstthem?-Gelluk’sgone.MaybeLosenwillfallnow.Willitmakeanydifference?Willtheslavesgofree?Willbeggarseat?Willjusticebedone?Ithinkthere’sanevilinus,inhumankind.Trustdeniesit.Leapsacrossit.Leapsthechasm.Butit’sthere.Andeverythingwedofinallyservesevil,becausethat’swhatweare.Greedandcruelty.Ilookattheworld,attheforestsandthemountainhere,thesky,andit’sallright,asitshouldbe.Butwearen’t.Peoplearen’t.We’rewrong.Wedowrong.Noanimaldoeswrong.Howcouldthey?Butwecan,andwedo.Andweneverstop.”
Theylistenedtohim,notagreeing,notdenying,butacceptinghisdespair.Hiswordswentintotheirlisteningsilence,andrestedtherefordays,andcame
backtohimchanged.
“Wecan’tdoanythingwithouteachother,”hesaid.“Butit’sthegreedyones,thecrueloneswhoholdtogetherandstrengtheneachother.Andthosewhowon’tjointhemstandeachalone.”TheimageofAniebashehadfirstseenher,adyingwomanstandingaloneinthetowerroom,wasalwayswithhim.“Realpowergoestowaste.Everywizarduseshisartsagainsttheothers,servingthemenofgreed.Whatgoodcananyartbeusedthatway?It’swasted.Itgoeswrong,orit’sthrownaway.Likeslaves’lives.Nobodycanbefreealone.Notevenamage.Allofthemworkingtheirmagicinprisoncells,togainnothing.There’snowaytousepowerforgood.”
Ayoclosedherhandandopeneditpalmup,afleetingsketchofagesture,ofasign.
AmancameupthemountaintoWoodedge,acharcoalburnerfromFirn.“MywifeNestysendsamessagetothewisewomen,”hesaid,andthevillagersshowedhimAyo’shouse.Ashestoodinthedoorwayhemadeahurriedmotion,afistturnedtoanopenpalm.“Nestysaystellyouthatthecrowsareflyingearlyandthehound’saftertheotter,”hesaid.
Otter,sittingbythefireshellingwalnuts,heldstill.Meadthankedthemessengerandbroughthiminforacupofwaterandahandfulofshellednuts.SheandAyochattedwithhimabouthiswife.WhenhehadgonesheturnedtoOtter.
“TheHoundservesLosen,”hesaid.“I’llgotoday.”
Meadlookedathersister.“Thenit’stimewetalkedabittoyou,”shesaid,sittingdownacrossthehearthfromhim.Ayostoodbythetable,silent.Agoodfireburnedinthehearth.Itwasawet,coldtime,andfirewoodwasonethingtheyhadplentyof,hereonthemountain.
“There’speopleallovertheseparts,andmaybebeyond,whothink,asyousaid,thatnobodycanbewisealone.Sothesepeopletrytoholdtoeachother.Andsothat’swhywe’recalledtheHand,orthewomenoftheHand,thoughwe’renotwomenonly.Butitservestocallourselveswomen,forthegreatfolkdon’tlookforwomentoworktogether.Ortohavethoughtsaboutsuchthingsasruleormisrule.Ortohaveanypowers.”
“Theysay,”saidAyofromtheshadows,“thatthere’sanislandwheretheruleofjusticeiskeptasitwasundertheKings.
MorredsIsle,theycallit.Butit’snotEnladoftheKings,norEa.It’ssouth,notnorthofHavnor,theysay.TheretheysaythewomenoftheHandhavekepttheoldarts.Andtheyteachthem,notkeepingthemsecreteachtohimself,asthewizardsdo.”
“Maybewithsuchteachingyoucouldteachthewizardsalesson,”Meadsaid.
“Maybeyoucanfindthatisland,”saidAyo.
Otterlookedfromonetotheother.Clearlytheyhadtoldhimtheirowngreatestsecretandtheirhope.
“Morred’sIsle,”hesaid.
“ThatwouldbeonlywhatthewomenoftheHandcallit,keepingitsmeaningfromthewizardsandthepirates.Tothemnodoubtitwouldbearsomeothername.”
“Itwouldbeaterriblelongway,”saidMead.
Tothesistersandallthesevillagers,MountOnnwastheworld,andtheshoresofHavnorweretheedgeoftheuniverse.Beyondthatwasonlyrumoranddream.
“You’llcometothesea,goingsouth,theysay,”saidAyo.
“Heknowsthat,sister,”Meadtoldher.“Didn’thetellushewasashipcarpenter?Butit’saterriblelongwaydowntothesea,surely.Withthiswizardonyourscent,howareyoutogothere?”
“Bythegraceofwater,thatcarriesnoscent,”Ottersaid,standingup.Alitterofwalnutshellsfellfromhislap,andhetookthehearthbroomandsweptthemintotheashes.“I’dbettergo.”
“There’sbread,”Ayosaid,andMeadhurriedtopackhardbreadandhardcheeseandwalnutsintoapouchmadeofasheep’sstomach.Theywereverypoorpeople.Theygavehimwhattheyhad.SoAniebhaddone.
“MymotherwasborninEndlane,roundbyFaliernForest,”Ottersaid.“Doyouknowthattown?She’scalledRose,Rowan’sdaughter.”
“ThecartersgodowntoEndlane,summers.”
“Ifsomebodycouldtalktoherpeoplethere,they’dgetwordtoher.Herbrother,Littleash,usedtoconictothecityeveryyearortwo.”
Theynodded.
“IfsheknewIwasalive,”hesaid.
Anieb’smothernodded.“She’llhearit.”
“Goonnow,”saidMead.
“Gowiththewater,”saidAyo.
Heembracedthem,andtheyhim,andheleftthehouse.
Herandownfromthestraggleofhutstothequick,noisystreamhehadheardsingingthroughhissleepallhisnightsinWoodedge.Heprayedtoit.“Takemeandsaveme,”heaskedit.HemadethespelltheoldChangerhadtaughthimlongago,andsaidthewordoftransformation.Thennomankneltbytheloud-runningwater,butanotterslippedintoitandwasgone.
III.Tern
TherewasawisemanonourHill
Whofoundhiswaytoworkhiswill.
Hechangedhisshape,hechangedhisname,
Butevertheotherwillbethesame.
Sorunsthewateraway,away,
Sorunsthewateraway.
ONEWINTERAFTERNOONontheshoreoftheOnnevaRiverwhereitfingersoutintothenorthbightoftheGreatBayofHavnor,amanstooduponthemuddysand:amanpoorlydressedandpoorlyshod,athinbrownmanwithdarkeyesandhairsofineandthickitshedtherain.Itwasrainingonthelowbeachesoftherivermouth,thefine,cold,dismaldrizzleofthatgreywinter.Hisclothesweresoaked.Hehunchedhisshoulders,turnedabout,andsetofftowardsawispofchimneysmokehesawfardowntheshore.Behindhimwerethetracksofanotter’sfourfeetcomingupfromthewaterandthetracksofaman’stwofeetgoingawayfromit.
Wherehewentthen,thesongsdon’ttell.Theysayonlythathewandered,“hewanderedlongfromlandtoland.”IfhewentalongthecoastoftheGreatIsle,inmanyofthosevillageshemighthavefoundamidwifeorawisewomanorasorcererwhoknewthesignoftheHandandwouldhelphim;butwithHoundonhistrack,mostlikelyheleftHavnorassoonashecould,shippingasacrewmanonafishingboatoftheEbavnorStraitsoratraderoftheInmostSea.
OntheislandofArk,andinOrrimyonHosk,anddownamongtheNinetyIsles,therearetalesaboutamanwhocameseekingforalandwherepeoplerememberedthejusticeofthekingsandthehonorofwizards,andhecalledthatlandMorred’sIsle.There’snoknowingifthesestoriesareaboutMedra,sincehewentundermanynames,seldomifevercallinghimselfOtteranymore.Gelluk’sfallhadnotbroughtLosendown.Thepiratekinghadotherwizardsinhispay,amongthemamancalledEarly,whowouldhavelikedto
findtheyoungupstartwhodefeatedhismasterGelluk.AndEarlyhadagoodchanceoftracinghim.Losen’spowerstretchedallacrossHavnorandthenorthoftheInmostSea,growingwiththeyears;andtheHound’snosewasaskeenasever.
MaybeitwastoescapethehuntthatMedracametoPendor,alongwaywestoftheInmostSea,ormaybesomerumoramongthewomenoftheHandonHosksenthimthere.Pendorwasarichisland,then,beforethedragonYevauddespoiledit.WhereverMedrahadgoneuntilthen,hehadfoundthelandslikeHavnororworse,sunkinwarfare,raids,andpiracy,thefieldsfullofweeds,thetownsfullofthieves.Maybehethought,atfirst,thatonPendorhehadfoundMorred’sIsle,forthecitywasbeautifulandpeacefulandthepeopleprosperous.
Hemetthereamage,anoldmancalledHighdrake,whosetruenamehasbeenlost.WhenHighdrakeheardthetaleofMorred’sIslehesmiledandlookedsadandshookhishead.“Nothere,”hesaid.“Notthis.TheLordsofPendoraregoodmen.Theyrememberthekings.Theydon’tseekwarorplunder.Buttheysendtheirsonswestdragonhunting.Insport.AsifthedragonsoftheWestReachwereducksorgeeseforthekilling!Nogoodwillcomeofthat.”
HighdraketookMedraashisstudent,gratefully.“Iwastaughtmyartbyamagewhogavemefreelyallheknew,butIneverfoundanybodytogivethatknowledgeto,untilyoucame,”hetoldMedra.“Theyoungmencometomeandtheysay,“Whatgoodisit?Canyoufindgold?”theysay.“Canyouteachmehowtomakestonesintodiamonds?Canyougivemeaswordthatwillkilladragon?What’stheuseoftalkingaboutthebalanceofthings?There’snoprofitinit,”theysay.Noprofit!”Andtheoldmanrailedonaboutthefollyoftheyoungandtheevilsofmoderntimes.
Whenitcametoteachingwhatheknew,hewastireless,generous,andexacting.Forthefirsttime,Medrawasgivenavisionofmagicnotasasetofstrangegiftsandreasonlessacts,butasanartandacraft,whichcouldbeknowntrulywithlongstudyandusedrightlyafterlongpractice,thougheventhenitwouldneverloseitsstrangeness.Highdrake’smasteryofspellsandsorcerywasnotmuchgreaterthanhispupil’s,buthehadclearinhismindtheideaofsomethingverymuchgreater,thewholenessofknowledge.Andthatmadehimamage.
Listeningtohim,MedrathoughtofhowheandAniebhadwalkedinthedarkandrainbythefaintglimmerthatshowedthemonlythenextsteptheycouldtake,andofhowtheyhadlookeduptotheredridgeofthemountaininthedawn.
“Everyspelldependsoneveryotherspell,”saidHighdrake.“Everymotionof
asingleleafmoveseveryleafofeverytreeoneveryisleofEarthsea!Thereisapattern.That’swhatyoumustlookforandlookto.Nothinggoesrightbutaspartofthepattern.Onlyinitisfreedom.”
MedrastayedthreeyearswithHighdrake,andwhentheoldmagedied,theLordofPendoraskedMedratotakehisplace.Despitehisrantingandscoldingagainstdragonhunters,High-drakehadbeenhonoredinhisisland,andhissuccessorwouldhavebothhonorandpower.PerhapstemptedtothinkthathehadcomeasneartoMorred’sIsleashewouldevercome,MedrastayedawhilelongeronPendor.Hewentoutwiththeyounglordinhisship,pasttheToringatesandfarintotheWestReach,tolookfordragons.Therewasagreatlonginginhishearttoseeadragon.Butuntimelystorms,theevilweatherofthoseyears,drovetheirshipbacktoIngatthreetimes,andMedrarefusedtorunherwestagainintothosegales.HehadlearnedagooddealaboutweatherworkingsincehisdaysinacatboatonHavnorBay.
AwhileafterthatheleftPendor,drawnsouthwardagain,andmaybewenttoEnsmer.InoneguiseoranotherhecameatlasttoGeathintheNinetyIsles.
Theretheyfishedforwhales,astheystilldo.Thatwasatradehewantednopartof.Theirshipsstankandtheirtownstank.Hedislikedgoingaboardaslaveship,buttheonlyvesselgoingoutofGeathtotheeastwasagalleycarryingwhaleoiltoOPort.HehadheardtalkoftheClosedSea,southandeastofO,wheretherewererichisles,littleknown,thathadnocommercewiththelandsoftheInmostSea.Whathesoughtmightbethere.Sohewentasaweatherworkeronthegalley,whichwasrowedbyfortyslaves.
Theweatherwasfairforonce:afollowingwind,ablueskylivelywithlittlewhiteclouds,themildsunlightoflatespring.TheymadegoodwayfromGeath.Lateintheafternoonheheardthemastersaytothehelmsman,“Keephersouthtonightsowedon’traiseRoke.”
Hehadnotheardofthatisland,andasked,“What’sthere?”
“Deathanddesolation,”saidtheship’smaster,ashortmanwithsmall,sad,knowingeyeslikeawhale’s.
“War?”
“Yearsback.Plague,blacksorcery.Thewatersallrounditarecursed.”
“Worms,”saidthehelmsman,themaster’sbrother.“CatchfishanywherenearRoke,you’llfindemthickwithwormsasadeaddogonadunghill.”
“Dopeoplestilllivethere?”Medraasked,andthemastersaid,“Witches,”whilehisbrothersaid,“Wormeaters.”
ThereweremanysuchislesintheArchipelago,madebarrenanddesolateby
rivalwizards’blightsandcurses;theywereevilplacestocometooreventopass,andMedrathoughtnomoreaboutthisone,untilthatnight.
Sleepingoutondeckwiththestarlightonhisface,hehadasimple,vividdream:itwasdaylight,cloudsracingacrossabrightsky,andacrosstheseahesawthesunlitcurveofahighgreenhill.Hewokewiththevisionstillclearinhismind,knowinghehadseenittenyearsbefore,inthespell-lockedbarracksroomattheminesofSamory.
Hesatup.Thedarkseawassoquietthatthestarswerereflectedhereandthereonthesleekleesideofthelongswells.Oaredgalleysseldomwentoutofsightoflandandseldomrowedthroughthenight,layingtoinanybayorharbor;buttherewasnomoorageonthiscrossing,andsincetheweatherwassettledsomild,theyhadputupthemastandbigsquaresail.Theshipdriftedsoftlyforward,herslaveoarsmensleepingontheirbenches,thefreemenofhercrewallasleepbutthehelmsmanandthelookout,andthelookoutwasdozing.Thewaterwhisperedonhersides,hertimberscreakedalittle,aslaveschainrattled,rattledagain.
“Theydon’tneedaweatherworkeronanightlikethis,andtheyhaven’tpaidmeyet,”Medrasaidtohisconscience.HehadwakedfromhisdreamwiththenameRokeinhismind.Whyhadheneverheardoftheisleorseenitonachart?Itmightbeaccursedanddesertedastheysaid,butwouldn’titbesetdownonthecharts?
“Icouldflythereasaternandbebackontheshipbeforedaylight,”hesaidtohimself,butidly.HewasboundforOPort.Ruinedlandswerealltoocommon.Noneedtoflytoseekthem.Hemadehimselfcomfortableinhiscoilofcableandwatchedthestars.Lookingwest,hesawthefourbrightstarsoftheForge,lowoverthesea.Theywerealittleblurred,andashewatchedthemtheyblinkedout,onebyone.
Thefaintestlittlesighingtremorranovertheslow,smoothswells.
“Master,”Medrasaid,afoot,“wakeup.”
“Whatnow?”
“Awitchwindcoming.Following.Getthesaildown.”
Nowindstirred.Theairwassoft,thebigsailhungslack.Onlythewesternstarsfadedandvanishedinasilentblacknessthatroseslowlyhigher.Themasterlookedatthat.“Witchwind,yousay?”heasked,reluctant.
Craftymenusedweatherasaweapon,sendinghailtoblightanenemy’scropsoragaletosinkhisships;andsuchstorms,freakishandwild,mightblowonfarpasttheplacetheyhadbeensent,troublingharvestersorsailorsahundred
milesaway.
“Getthesaildown,”Medrasaid,peremptory.Themasteryawnedandcursedandbegantoshoutcommands.Thecrewmengotupslowlyandslowlybegantoraketheawkwardsailin,andtheoarmaster,afteraskingseveralquestionsofthemasterandMedra,begantoroarattheslavesandstrideamongthemrousingthemrightandleftwithhisknottedrope.Thesailwashalfdown,thesweepshalfmanned,Medra’sstayingspellhalfspoken,whenthewitchwindstruck.
Itstruckwithonehugethunderclapoutofsuddenutterblacknessandwildrain.Theshippitchedlikeahorserearingandthenrolledsohardandfarthatthemastbrokeloosefromitsfooting,thoughthestaysheld.Thesailstruckthewater,filled,andpulledthegalleyrightover,thegreatsweepsslidingintheiroarlocks,thechainedslavesstrugglingandshoutingontheirbenches,barrelsofoilbreakinglooseandthunderingoveroneanother-pulledheroverandheldherover,thedeckverticaltothesea,tillahugestormwavestruckandswampedherandshesank.Alltheshoutingandscreamingofmen’svoiceswassuddenlysilent.Therewasnonoisebuttheroaroftherainonthesea,lesseningasthefreakwindpassedoneastward.Throughitonewhiteseabirdbeatitswingsupfromtheblackwaterandflew,frailanddesperate,tothenorth.
Printedonnarrowsandsundergranitecliffs,inthefirstlight,werethetracksofabirdalighting.Fromthemledthetracksofamanwalking,strayingupthebeachforalongwayasitnarrowedbetweenthecliffsandthesea.Thenthetracksceased.
Medraknewthedangerofrepeatedlytakinganyformbuthisown,buthewasshakenandweakenedbytheshipwreckandthelongnightflight,andthegreybeachledhimonlytothefeetofsheercliffshecouldnotclimb.Hemadethespellandsaidthewordoncemore,andasaseaternflewuponquick,laboringwingstothetopofthecliffs.Then,possessedbyflight,heflewonoverashadowysunriseland.Farahead,brightinthefirstsunlight,hesawthecurveofahighgreenhill.
Toitheflew,andonitlanded,andashetouchedtheearthhewasamanagain.
Hestoodthereforawhile,bewildered.Itseemedtohimthatitwasnotbyhisownactordecisionthathehadtakenhisownform,butthatintouchingthisground,thishill,hehadbecomehimself.Amagicgreaterthanhisownprevailedhere.
Helookedabout,curiousandwary.Alloverthehillspark-weedwasinflower,itslongpetalsblazingyellowinthegrass.ChildrenonHavnorknew
thatflower.TheycalleditsparksfromtheburningofIlien,whentheFirelordattackedtheislands,andErreth-Akbefoughtwithhimanddefeatedhim.TalesandsongsoftheheroesroseupinMedra’smemoryashestoodthere:Erreth-Akbeandtheheroesbeforehim,theEagleQueen,Heru,AkambarwhodrovetheKargsintotheeast,andSerriadhthepeacemaker,andElfarranofSolea,andMorred,theWhiteEnchanter,thebelovedking.Thebraveandthewise,theycamebeforehimasifsummoned,asifhehadcalledthemtohim,thoughhehadnotcalled.Hesawthem.Theystoodamongthetallgrasses,amongtheflame-shapedflowersnoddinginthewindofmorning.
Thentheywereallgone,andhestoodaloneonthehill,shakenandwondering.“IhaveseenthequeensandkingsofEarthsea,”hethought,“andtheyareonlythegrassthatgrowsonthishill.”
Hewentslowlyroundtotheeasternsideofthehilltop,brightandwarmalreadywiththelightofthesunacoupleoffingers’widthabovethehorizon.Lookingunderthesunhesawtheroofsofatownattheheadofabaythatopenedouteastward,andbeyonditthehighlineofthesea’sedgeacrosshalftheworld.Turningwesthesawfieldsandpasturesandroads.Tothenorthwerelonggreenhills.Inafoldoflandsouthwardagroveoftalltreesdrewhisgazeandheldit.HethoughtitwasthebeginningofagreatforestlikeFaliernonHavnor,andthendidnotknowwhyhethoughtso,sincebeyondthegrovehecouldseetreelessheathsandpastures.
Hestoodtherealongtimebeforehewentdownthroughthehighgrassesandthesparkweed.Atthefootofthehillhecameintoalane.Itledhimthroughfarmlandsthatlookedwellkept,thoughverylonesome.Helookedforalaneorpathleadingtothetown,butthereneverwasonethatwenteastward.Notasoulwasinthefields,someofwhichwerenewlyploughed.Nodogbarkedashewentby.Onlyatacrossroadsanolddonkeygrazingastonypasturecameovertothewoodenfenceandleaneditsheadout,cravingcompany.Medrastoppedtostrokethegrey-brown,bonyface.Acitymanandasaltwaterman,heknewlittleoffarmsandtheiranimals,buthethoughtthedonkeylookedathimkindly.
“WhereamI,donkey?”hesaidtoit.“HowdoIgettothetownIsaw?”
Thedonkeyleaneditsheadhardagainsthishandsothathewouldgoonscratchingtheplacejustaboveitseyesandbelowitsears.Whenhedidso,itflickeditslongrightear.Sowhenhepartedfromthedonkeyhetooktherighthandofthecrossroad,thoughitlookedasifitwouldleadbacktothehill;andsoonenoughhecameamonghouses,andthenontoastreetthatbroughthimdownatlastintothetownattheheadofthebay.
Itwasasstrangelyquietasthefarmlands.Notavoice,notaface.Itwas
difficulttofeeluneasyinanordinary-lookingtownonasweetspringmorning,butinsuchsilencehemustwonderifhewasindeedinaplague-strickenplaceoranislandunderacurse.Hewenton.Betweenahouseandanoldplumtreewasawashline,theclothespinnedonitflappinginthesunnybreeze.Acatcameroundthecornerofagarden,noabandonedstarvelingbutawhite-pawed,well-whiskered,prosperouscat.Andatlast,comingdownthesteeplittlestreet,whichherewascobbled,heheardvoices.
Hestoppedtolisten,andheardnothing.
Hewentontothefootofthestreet.Itopenedintoasmallmarketsquare.Peopleweregatheredthere,notmanyofthem.Theywerenotbuyingorselling.Therewerenoboothsorstallssetup.Theywerewaitingforhim.
Eversincehehadwalkedonthegreenhillabovethetownandhadseenthebrightshadowsinthegrass,hishearthadbeeneasy.Hewasexpectant,fullofasenseofgreatstrangeness,butnotfrightened.Hestoodstillandlookedatthepeoplewhocametomeethim.
Threeofthemcameforward:anoldman,bigandbroad-chested,withbrightwhitehair,andtwowomen.Wizardknowswizard,andMedraknewtheywerewomenofpower.
Heraisedhishandclosedinafistandthenturningandopeningit,offeredittothempalmup.
“Ah,”saidoneofthewomen,thetallerofthetwo,andshelaughed.Butshedidnotanswerthegesture.
“Telluswhoyouare,”thewhite-hairedmansaid,courteouslyenough,butwithoutgreetingorwelcome.“Tellushowyoucamehere.”
“IwasborninHavnorandtrainedasashipwrightandasorcerer.IwasonashipboundfromGeathtoOPort.Iwassparedalonefromdrowning,lastnight,whenawitchwindstruck.”Hewassilentthen.Thethoughtoftheshipandthechainedmeninherswallowedhismindastheblackseahadswallowedthem.Hegasped,asifcomingupfromdrowning.
“Howdidyoucomehere?”
“As…asabird,atern.IsthisRokeIsland?”
“Youchangedyourself?”
Henodded.
“Whomdoyouserve?”askedtheshorterandyoungerofthewomen,speakingforthefirsttime.Shehadakeen,hardface,withlongblackbrows.
“Ihavenomaster.”
“WhatwasyourerrandinOPort?”
“InHavnor,yearsago,Iwasinservitude.Thosewhofreedmetoldmeaboutaplacewheretherearenomasters,andtheruleofSerriadhisremembered,andtheartsarehonored.Ihavebeenlookingforthatplace,thatisland,sevenyears.”
“Whotoldyouaboutit?”
“WomenoftheHand.”
“Anyonecanmakeafistandshowapalm,”saidthetallwoman,pleasantly.“ButnoteveryonecanflytoRoke.Orswim,orsail,orcomeinanywayatall.Sowemustaskwhatbroughtyouhere.”
Medradidnotansweratonce.“Chance,”hesaidatlast,“favoringlongdesire.Notart.Notknowledge.IthinkI’vecometotheplaceIsought,butIdon’tknow.Ithinkyoumaybethepeopletheytoldmeof,butIdon’tknow.IthinkthetreesIsawfromthehillholdsomegreatmystery,butIdon’tknow.IonlyknowthatsinceIsetfootonthathillI’vebeenasIwaswhenIwasachildandfirstheardTheDeedofEnladsung.Iamlostamongwonders.”
Thewhite-hairedmanlookedatthetwowomen.Otherpeoplehadcomeforward,andtherewassomequiettalkamongthem.
“Ifyoustayedhere,whatwouldyoudo?”theblack-browedwomanaskedhim.
“Icanbuildboats,ormendthem,andsailthem.Icanfind,aboveandunderground.Icanworkweather,ifyouhaveanyneedofthat.AndI’lllearntheartfromanywhowillteachme.”
“Whatdoyouwanttolearn?”askedthetallerwomaninhermildvoice.
NowMedrafeltthathehadbeenaskedthequestiononwhichtherestofhislifehung,forgoodorevil.Againhestoodsilentawhile.Hestartedtospeak,anddidn’tspeak,andfinallyspoke.“Icouldnotsaveone,notone,nottheonewhosavedme,”hesaid.“NothingIknowcouldhavesetherfree.Iknownothing.Ifyouknowhowtobefree,Ibegyou,teachme!”
“Free!”saidthetallwoman,andhervoicecrackedlikeawhip.Thenshelookedathercompanions,andafterawhileshesmiledalittle.TurningbacktoMedra,shesaid,“We’reprisoners,andsofreedomisathingwestudy.Youcameherethroughthewallsofourprison.Seekingfreedom,yousay.ButyoushouldknowthatleavingRokemaybeevenharderthancomingtoit.Prisonwithinprison,andsomeofitwehavebuiltourselves.”Shelookedattheothers.“Whatdoyousay?”sheaskedthem.
Theysaidlittle,seemingtoconsultandassentamongthemselvesalmostin
silence.AtlasttheshorterwomanlookedwithherfierceeyesatMedra.“Stayifyouwill,”shesaid.
“Iwill.”
“Whatwillyouhaveuscallyou?”
“Tern,”hesaid;andsohewascalled.
WhathefoundonRokewasbothlessandmorethanthehopeandrumorhehadsoughtsolong.RokeIslandwas,theytoldhim,theheartofEarthsea.ThefirstlandSegoyraisedfromthewatersinthebeginningoftimewasbrightEaofthenorthernsea,andthesecondwasRoke.Thatgreenhill,RokeKnoll,wasfoundeddeeperthanalltheislands.Thetreeshehadseen,whichseemedsometimestobeinoneplaceontheisleandsometimesinanother,weretheoldesttreesintheworld,andthesourceandcenterofmagic.
“IftheGrovewerecut,allwizardrywouldfail.Therootsofthosetreesaretherootsofknowledge.ThepatternstheshadowsoftheirleavesmakeinthesunlightwritethewordsSegoyspokeintheMaking.”
SosaidEmber,hisfierce,black-browedteacher.
AlltheteachersoftheartmagiconRokewerewomen.Therewerenomenofpower,fewmenatall,ontheisland.
Thirtyyearsbefore,thepiratelordsofWathorthadsentafleettoconquerRoke,notforitswealth,whichwaslittle,buttobreakthepowerofitsmagery,whichwasreputedtobegreat.OneofthewizardsofRokehadbetrayedtheislandtothecraftymenofWathort,loweringitsspellsofdefenseandwarning.Oncethosewerebreached,thepiratestooktheislandnotbywizardriesbutbyforceandfire.TheirgreatshipsfilledThwilBay,theirhordesburnedandlooted,theirslavetakerscarriedoffmen,boys,youngwomen.Littlechildrenandtheoldtheyslaughtered.Theyfiredeveryhouseandfieldtheycameto.Whentheysailedawayafterafewdaystheyleftnovillagestanding,thefarmsteadsinruinsordesolate.
Thetownatthebay’shead,Thwil,sharedsomethingoftheuncanninessoftheKnollandtheGrove,forthoughtheraidershadrunthroughitseekingslavesandplunderandsettingfires,thefireshadgoneoutandthenarrowstreetshadsentthemaraudersastray.Mostoftheislanderswhosurvivedwerewisewomenandtheirchildren,whohadhiddenthemselvesinthetownorintheImmanentGrove.ThemennowonRokewerethosesparedchildren,grown,andafewmennowgrownold.TherewasnogovernmentbutthatofthewomenoftheHand,foritwastheirspellsthathadprotectedRokesolong
andprotecteditfarmorecloselynow.
Theyhadlittletrustinmen.Amanhadbetrayedthem.Menhadattackedthem.Itwasmen’sambitions,theysaid,thathadpervertedalltheartstoendsofgain.“Wedonotdealwiththeirgovernments,”saidtallVeilinhermildvoice.
AndyetEmbersaidtoMedra,“Wewereourownundoing.”
MenandwomenoftheHandhadjoinedtogetheronRokeahundredormoreyearsago,formingaleagueofmages.Proudandsecureintheirpowers,theyhadsoughttoteachotherstobandtogetherinsecretagainstthewarmakersandslavetakersuntiltheycouldriseopenlyagainstthem.Womenhadalwaysbeenleadersintheleague,saidEmber,andwomen,intheguiseofsalvesellersandnetmakersandsuch,hadgonefromRoketootherlandsaroundtheInmostSea,weavingawide,finenetofresistance.Evennowtherewerestrandsandknotsofthatnetleft.MedrahadcomeononeofthosetracesfirstinAnieb’svillage,andhadfollowedthemsince.Buttheyhadnotledhimhere.Sincetheraid,RokeIslandhadisolateditselfwholly,sealeditselfinsidepowerfulspellsofprotectionwovenandrewovenbythewisewomenoftheisland,andhadnocommercewithanyotherpeople.“Wecan’tsavethem,”Embersaid.“Wecouldn’tsaveourselves.”
Veil,withhergentlevoiceandsmile,wasimplacable.ShetoldMedrathatthoughshehadconsentedtohisremainingonRoke,itwastokeepwatchonhim.“Youbrokethroughourdefensesonce,”shesaid.“Allthatyousayofyourselfmaybetrue,andmaynot.Whatcanyoutellmethatwouldmakemetrustyou?”
Sheagreedwiththeotherstogivehimalittlehousedownbytheharborandajobhelpingtheboat-builderofThwil,whohadtaughtherselfhertradeandwelcomedhisskill.Veilputnodifficultiesinhispathandalwaysgreetedhimkindly.Butshehadsaid,“Whatcanyoutellmethatwouldmakemetrustyou?”andhehadnoanswerforher.
Emberusuallyscowledwhenhegreetedher.Sheaskedhimabruptquestions,listenedtohisanswers,andsaidnothing.
Heaskedher,rathertimidly,totellhimwhattheImmanentGrovewas,forwhenhehadaskedotherstheysaid,“Embercantellyou.”Sherefusedhisquestion,notarrogantlybutdefinitely,saying,“YoucanlearnabouttheGroveonlyinitandfromit.”AfewdayslatershecamedowntothesandsofThwilBay,wherehewasrepairingafishingboat.Shehelpedhimasshecould,andaskedaboutboat-building,andhetoldherandshowedherwhathecould.Itwasapeacefulafternoon,butafteritshewentoffinherabruptway.Hefeltsomeaweofher;shewasincalculable.Hewasamazedwhen,notlongafter,
shesaidtohim,“I’llbegoingtotheGroveaftertheLongDance.Comeifyoulike.”
ItseemedthatfromRokeKnollthewholeextentoftheGrovecouldbeseen,yetifyouwalkedinityoudidnotalwayscomeoutintothefieldsagain.Youwalkedonunderthetrees.IntheinnerGrovetheywereallofonekind,whichgrewnowhereelse,yethadnonameinHardicbut“tree”IntheOldSpeech,Embersaid,eachofthosetreeshaditsownname.Youwalkedon,andafteratimeyouwerewalkingagainamongfamiliartrees,oakandbeechandash,chestnutandwalnutandwillow,greeninspringandbareinwinter;thereweredarkfirs,andcedar,andatallevergreenMedradidnotknow,withsoftreddishbarkandlayeredfoliage.Youwalkedon,andthewaythroughthetreeswasnevertwicethesame.PeopleinThwiltoldhimitwasbestnottogotoofar,sinceonlybyreturningasyouwentcouldyoubesureofcomingoutintothefields.
“Howfardoestheforestgo?”Medraasked,andEmbersaid,“Asfarasthemindgoes.”
Theleavesofthetreesspoke,shesaid,andtheshadowscouldberead.“Iamlearningtoreadthem,”shesaid.
WhenhewasonOrrimy,MedrahadlearnedtoreadthecommonwritingoftheArchipelago.Later,HighdrakeofPendorhadtaughthimsomeoftherunesofpower.Thatwasknownlore.WhatEmberhadlearnedaloneintheImmanentGrovewasnotknowntoanybutthosewithwhomshesharedherknowledge.ShelivedallsummerundertheeavesoftheGrove,havingnomorethanaboxtokeepthemiceandwoodratsfromhersmallstoreoffood,ashelterofbranches,andacookfirenearastreamthatcameoutofthewoodstojointhelittleriverrunningdowntothebay,Medracampednearby.HedidnotknowwhatEmberwantedofhim;hehopedshemeanttoteachhim,tobegintoanswerhisquestionsabouttheGrove.Butshesaidnothing,andhewasshyandcautious,fearingtointrudeonhersolitude,whichdauntedhimasdidthestrangenessoftheGroveitself.Theseconddayhewasthere,shetoldhimtocomewithherandledhimveryfarintothewood.Theywalkedforhoursinsilence.Inthesummermiddaythewoodsweresilent.Nobirdsang.Theleavesdidnotstir.Theaislesofthetreeswereendlesslydifferentandallthesame.Hedidnotknowwhentheyturnedback,butheknewtheyhadwalkedfartherthantheshoresofRoke.
Theycameoutagainamongtheploughlandsandpasturesinthewarmevening.AstheywalkedbacktotheircampingplacehesawthefourstarsoftheForgecomeoutabovethewesternhills.
Emberpartedfromhimwithonlya“Goodnight.”
Thenextdayshesaid,“I’mgoingtositunderthetrees.”Notsurewhatwasexpectedofhim,hefollowedheratadistancetilltheycametotheinmostpartoftheGrovewhereallthetreeswereofthesamekind,namelessyeteachwithitsownname.Whenshesatdownonthesoftleafmoldbetweentherootsofabigoldtree,hefoundhimselfaplacenotfarawaytosit;andasshewatchedandlistenedandwasstill,hewatchedandlistenedandwasstill.Sotheydidforseveraldays.Thenonemorning,inrebelliousmood,hestayedbythestreamwhileEmberwalkedintotheGrove.Shedidnotlookback.
VeilcamefromThwilTownthatmorning,bringingthemabasketofbread,cheese,milkcurds,summerfruits.“Whathaveyoulearned?”sheaskedMedrainhercool,gentleway,andheanswered,“ThatI’mafool.”
“Whyso,Tern?”
“Afoolcouldsitunderthetreesforeverandgrownowiser.”
Thetallwomansmiledalittle.“Mysisterhasnevertaughtamanbefore”shesaid.Sheglancedathim,andgazedaway,overthesummeryfields.“She’sneverlookedatamanbefore,”shesaid.
Medrastoodsilent.Hisfacefelthot.Helookeddown.“Ithought,”hesaid,andstopped.
InVeil’swordshesaw,allatonce,theothersideofEmber’simpatience,herfierceness,hersilences.
HehadtriedtolookatEmberasuntouchablewhilehelongedtotouchhersoftbrownskin,herblackshininghair.Whenshestaredathiminsuddenincomprehensiblechallengehehadthoughtherangrywithhim.Hefearedtoinsult,tooffendher.Whatdidshefear?Hisdesire?Herown?-Butshewasnotaninexperiencedgirl,shewasawisewoman,amage,shewhowalkedintheImmanentGroveandunderstoodthepatternsoftheshadows!
Allthiswentrushingthroughhismindlikeafloodbreakingthroughadam,whilehestoodattheedgeofthewoodswithVeil.“Ithoughtmageskeptthemselvesapart,”hesaidatlast.“High-drakesaidthattomakeloveistounmakepower.”
“Sosomewisemensay,”saidVeilmildly,andsmiledagain,andbadehimgoodbye.
Hespentthewholeafternooninconfusion,angry.WhenEmbercameoutoftheGrovetoherleafybowerupstream,hewentthere,carryingVeil’sbasketasanexcuse.“MayItalktoyou?”hesaid.
Shenoddedshortly,frowningherblackbrows.
Hesaidnothing.Shesquatteddowntofindoutwhatwasinthebasket.
“Peaches!”shesaid,andsmiled.
“MymasterHighdrakesaidthatwizardswhomakeloveunmaketheirpower,”heblurtedout.
Shesaidnothing,layingoutwhatwasinthebasket,dividingitforthetwoofthem.
“Doyouthinkthat’strue?”heasked.
Sheshrugged.“No,”shesaid.
Hestoodtongue-tied.Afterawhileshelookedupathim.“No,”shesaidinasoft,quietvoice,“Idon’tthinkit’strue.Ithinkallthetruepowers,alltheoldpowers,atrootareone.”
Hestillstoodthere,andshesaid,“Lookatthepeaches!They’reallripe.We’llhavetoeatthemrightaway.”
“IfItoldyoumyname,”hesaid,“mytruename-“
“I’dtellyoumine,”shesaid.“Ifthat…ifthat’showweshouldbegin.”
Theybegan,however,withthepeaches.
Theywerebothshy.WhenMedratookherhandhishandshook,andEmber,whosenamewasElehal,turnedawayscowling.Thenshetouchedhishandverylightly.Whenhestrokedthesleekblackflowofherhairsheseemedonlytoendurehistouch,andhestopped.Whenhetriedtoembracehershewasstiff,rejectinghim.Thensheturnedand,fierce,hasty,awkward,seizedhiminherarms.Itwasn’tthefirstnight,northefirstnights,theypassedtogetherthatgaveeitherofthemmuchpleasureorease.Buttheylearnedfromeachother,andcamethroughshameandfearintopassion.Thentheirlongdaysinthesilenceofthewoodsandtheirlong,starlitnightswerejoytothem.
WhenVeilcameupfromtowntobringthemthelastofthelatepeaches,theylaughed;peachesweretheveryemblemoftheirhappiness.Theytriedtomakeherstayandeatsupperwiththem,butshewouldn’t.“Stayherewhileyoucan,”shesaid.
Thesummerendedtoosoonthatyear.Raincameearly;snowfellinautumnevenasfarsouthasRoke.Stormfollowedstorm,asifthewindshadriseninrageagainstthetamperingandmeddlingofthecraftymen.Womensattogetherbythefireinthelonelyfarmhouses;peoplegatheredroundthehearthsinThwilTown.Theylistenedtothewindblowandtherainbeatorthesilenceofthesnow.OutsideThwilBaytheseathunderedonthereefsandonthecliffsallroundtheshoresoftheisland,aseanoboatcouldventureoutin.
Whattheyhadtheyshared.InthatitwasindeedMorred’sIsle.NobodyonRokestarvedorwentunhoused,thoughnobodyhadmuchmorethantheyneeded.Hiddenfromtherestoftheworldnotonlybyseaandstormbutbytheirdefensesthatdisguisedtheislandandsentshipsastray,theyworkedandtalkedandsangthesongs,TheWinterCarolandTheDeedoftheYoungKing.Andtheyhadbooks,theChroniclesofEnladandtheHistoryoftheWiseHeroes.Fromthesepreciousbookstheoldmenandwomenwouldreadaloudinahalldownbythewharfwherethefisherwomenmadeandmendedtheirnets.Therewasahearththere,andtheywouldlightthefire.Peoplecameevenfromfarmsacrosstheislandtohearthehistoriesread,listeninginsilence,intent.“Oursoulsarehungry,”Embersaid.
ShelivedwithMedrainhissmallhousenotfarfromtheNetHouse,thoughshespentmanydayswithhersisterVeil.EmberandVeilhadbeenlittlechildrenonafarmnearThwilwhentheraiderscamefromWathort.Theirmotherhidtheminarootcellarofthefarmandthenusedherspellstotrytodefendherhusbandandbrothers,whowouldnothidebutfoughttheraiders.Theywerebutcheredwiththeircattle.Thehouseandbarnswereburnt.Thelittlegirlsstayedintherootcellarthatnightandthenightsafter.Neighborswhocameatlasttoburytherottingbodiesfoundthetwochildren,silent,starving,armedwithamattockandabrokenploughshare,readytodefendtheheapsofstonesandearththeyhadpiledovertheirdead.
MedraknewonlyahintofthisstoryfromEmber.OnenightVeil,whowasthreeyearsolderthanEmberandtowhomthememorywasmuchclearer,toldittohimfully.Embersatwiththem,listeninginsilence.
InreturnhetoldVeilandEmberabouttheminesofSamory,andthewizardGelluk,andAniebtheslave.
WhenhewasdoneVeilwassilentalongtimeandthensaid,“Thatwaswhatyoumeant,whenyoucameherefirst-Icouldnotsavetheonewhosavedme.”
“Andyouaskedme,Whatcanyoutellmethatcouldmakemetrustyou?”
“Youhavetoldme,”Veilsaid.
Medratookherhandandputhisforeheadagainstit.Tellinghisstoryhehadkeptbacktears.Hecouldnotdosonow.
“Shegavemefreedom,”hesaid.“AndIstillfeelthatallIdoisdonethroughherandforher.No,notforher.Wecandonothingforthedead.Butfor…”
“Forus,”saidEmber.“Foruswholive,inhiding,neitherkillednorkilling.Thedeadaredead.Thegreatandmightygotheirwayunchecked.Allthehopeleftintheworldisinthepeopleofnoaccount.”
“Mustwehideforever?”
“Spokenlikeaman,”saidVeilwithhergentle,woundedsmile.
“Yes,”saidEmber.“Wemusthide,andforeverifneedbe.Becausethere’snothingleftbutbeingkilledandkilling,beyondtheseshores.Yousayit,andIbelieveit.”
“Butyoucan’thidetruepower,”Medrasaid.“Notforlong.Itdiesinhiding,unshared.”
“Magicwon’tdieonRoke,”saidVeil.“OnRokeallspellsarestrong.SosaidAthhimself.Andyouhavewalkedunderthetrees…Ourjobmustbetokeepthatstrength.Hideit,yes.Hoardit,asayoungdragonhoardsupitsfire.Andshareit.Butonlyhere.Passiton,onetothenext,here,whereit’ssafe,andwherethegreatrobbersandkillerswouldleastlookforit,sincenoonehereisofanyaccount.Andonedaythedragonwillcomeintoitsstrength.Ifittakesathousandyears…”
“ButoutsideRoke,”saidMedra,“therearecommonpeoplewhoslaveandstarveanddieinmisery.Musttheydosoforathousandyearswithnohope?”
Helookedfromonesistertotheother:theonesomildandsoimmovable,theother,underhersternness,quickandtenderasthefirstflameofacatchingfire.
“OnHavnor,”hesaid,”farfromRoke,inavillageonMountOnn,amongpeoplewhoknownothingoftheworld,therearestillwomenoftheHand.Thatnethasn’tbrokenaftersomanyyears.Howwasitwoven?”
“Craftily,”saidEmber.
“Andcastwide!”Helookedfromonetotheotheragain.“Iwasn’twelltaught,intheCityofHavnor,”hesaid.“Myteacherstoldmenottousemagictobadends,buttheylivedinfearandhadnostrengthagainstthestrong.Theygavemealltheyhadtogive,butitwaslittle.ItwasbymereluckIdidn’tgowrong.AndbyAnieb’sgiftofstrengthtome.ButforherI’dbeGelluk’sservantnow.Yetsheherselfwasuntaught,andsoenslaved.Ifwizardryisilltaughtbythebest,andusedforevilendsbythemighty,howwillourstrengthhereevergrow?Whatwilltheyoungdragonfeedon?”
“Thisisthecenter,”saidVeil.“Wemustkeeptothecenter.Andwait.”
“Wemustgivewhatwehavetogive,”saidMedra.“Ifallbutusareslaves,what’sourfreedomworth?”
“Thetrueartprevailsoverthefalse.Thepatternwillhold,”Embersaid,frowning.Shereachedoutthepokertogathertogetherhernamesakesinthehearth,andwithawhackknockedtheheapintoablaze.“ThatIknow.But
ourlivesareshort,andthepatternsverylong.IfonlyRokewasnowwhatitoncewas-ifwehadmorepeopleofthetrueartgatheredhere,teachingandlearningaswellaspreserving-“
“IfRokewasnowwhatitoncewas,knowntobestrong,thosewhofearuswouldcomeagaintodestroyus,”saidVeil.
“Thesolutionliesinsecrecy,”saidMedra.“Butsodoestheproblem.”
“Ourproblemiswithmen,”Veilsaid,“ifyou’llforgiveme,dearbrother.Menareofmoreaccounttoothermenthanwomenandchildrenare.Wemighthavefiftywitcheshereandthey’llpaylittleheed.Butiftheyknewwehadfivemenofpower,they’dseektodestroyusagain.”
“SothoughthereweremenamonguswewerethewomenoftheHand,”saidEmber.
“Youstillare,”Medrasaid.“Aniebwasoneofyou.Sheandyouandallofusliveinthesameprison.”
“Whatcanwedo?”saidVeil.
“Learnourstrength!”saidMedra.
“Aschool,”Embersaid.“Wherethewisemightcometolearnfromoneanother,tostudythepattern…TheGrovewouldshelterus.”
“Thelordsofwardespisescholarsandschoolmasters,”saidMedra.
“Ithinktheyfearthemtoo,”saidVeil.
Sotheytalked,thatlongwinter,andotherstalkedwiththem.Slowlytheirtalkturnedfromvisiontointention,fromlongingtoplanning.Veilwasalwayscautious,warningofdangers.White-hairedDunewassoeagerthatEmbersaidhewantedtostartteachingsorcerytoeverychildinThwil.OnceEmberhadcometobelievethatRoke’sfreedomlayinofferingothersfreedom,shesetherwholemindonhowthewomenoftheHandmightgrowstrongagain.Buthermind,formedbyherlongsolitudesamongthetrees,alwayssoughtformandclarity,andshesaid,“Howcanweteachourartwhenwedon’tknowwhatitis?”
Andtheytalkedaboutthat,allthewisewomenoftheisland:whatwasthetrueartofmagic,andwherediditturnfalse;howthebalanceofthingswaskeptorlost;whatcraftswereneedful,whichuseful,whichdangerous;whysomepeoplehadonegiftbutnotanother,andwhetheryoucouldlearnanartyouhadnonativegiftfor.Insuchdiscussionstheyworkedoutthenamesthateversincehavebeengiventothemasteries:finding,weather-working,changing,healing,summoning,patterning,naming,andthecraftsofillusion,andtheknowledgeofthesongs.ThosearetheartsoftheMastersofRoke
evennow,thoughtheChantertooktheFinder’splacewhenfindingcametobeconsideredamerelyusefulcraftunworthyofamage.
AnditwasinthesediscussionsthattheschoolonRokebegan.
Therearesomewhosaythattheschoolhaditsbeginningsfardifferently.TheysaythatRokeusedtoberuledbyawomancalledtheDarkWoman,whowasinleaguewiththeOldPowersoftheearth.TheysayshelivedinacaveunderRokeKnoll,nevercomingintothedaylight,butweavingvastspellsoverlandandseathatcompelledmentoherevilwill,untilthefirstArchmagecametoRoke,unsealedandenteredthecave,defeatedtheDarkWoman,andtookherplace.
There’snotruthinthistalebutone,whichisthatindeedoneofthefirstMastersofRokeopenedandenteredagreatcavern.ButthoughtherootsofRokearetherootsofalltheislands,thatcavernwasnotonRoke.
Andit’struethatinthetimeofMedraandElehalthepeopleofRoke,menandwomen,hadnofearoftheOldPowersoftheearth,butreveredthem,seekingstrengthandvisionfromthem.Thatchangedwiththeyears.
Springcamelateagainthatyear,coldandstormy.Medrasettoboat-building.Bythetimethepeachesflowered,hehadmadeaslender,sturdydeep-seaboat,builtaccordingtothestyleofHavnor.HecalledherHopeful.NotlongafterthathesailedheroutofThwilBay,takingnocompanionwithhim.“Lookformeattheendofsummer,”hesaidtoEmber.
“I’llbeintheGrove,”shesaid.“Andmyheartwithyou,mydarkotter,mywhitetern,mylove,Medra.”
“Andminewithyou,myemberoffire,myfloweringtree,mylove,Elehal.”
Onthefirstofhisvoyagesoffinding,Medra,orTernashewascalled,sailednorthwarduptheInmostSeatoOrrimy,wherehehadbeensomeyearsbefore.TherewerepeopleoftheHandtherewhomhetrusted.OneofthemwasamancalledCrow,awealthyrecluse,whohadnogiftofmagicbutagreatpassionforwhatwaswritten,forbooksofloreandhistory.ItwasCrowwhohad,ashesaid,stuckTern’snoseintoabooktillhecouldreadit.“IlliteratewizardsarethecurseofEarthsea!”hecried.“Ignorantpowerisabane!”Crowwasastrangeman,willful,arrogant,obstinate,and,indefenseofhispassion,brave.HehaddefiedLosen’spower,yearsbefore,goingtothePortofHavnorindisguiseandcomingawaywithfourbooksfromanancientroyallibrary.Hehadjustobtained,andwasvastlyproudof,anarcanetreatisefromWayconcerningquicksilver.“GotthatfromunderLosen’snosetoo,”hesaidtoTern.“Comehavealookatit!Itbelongedtoafamouswizard.”
“Tinaral,”saidTern.“Iknewhim.”
“Book’strash,isit?”saidCrow,whowasquicktopickupsignalsiftheyhadtodowithbooks.
“Idon’tknow.I’mafterbiggerprey.”
Crowcockedhishead.
“TheBookofNames.”
“LostwithAthwhenhewentintothewest,”Crowsaid.
“AmagecalledHighdraketoldmethatwhenAthstayedinPendor,hetoldawizardtherethathe’dlefttheBookofNameswithawomanintheNinetyIslesforsafekeeping.”
“Awoman!Forsafekeeping!IntheNinetyIsles!Washemad?”
Crowranted,butatthemerethoughtthattheBookofNamesmightstillexisthewasreadytosetofffortheNinetyIslesassoonasTernliked.
SotheysailedsouthinHopeful,landingfirstatmalodorousGeath,andthenintheguiseofpeddlersworkingtheirwayfromoneislettothenextamongthemazychannels.CrowhadstockedtheboatwithbetterwaresthanmosthouseholdersoftheIsleswereusedtoseeing,andTernofferedthematfairprices,mostlyinbarter,sincetherewaslittlemoneyamongtheislanders.Theirpopularityranaheadofthem.Itwasknownthattheywouldtradeforbooks,ifthebookswereoldanduncanny.ButintheIslesallbookswereoldandalluncanny,whattherewasofthem.
Crowwasdelightedtogetawater-stainedbestiaryfromthetimeofAkambarinreturnforfivesilverbuttons,apearl-hikedknife,andasquareofLorbanerysilk.HesatinHopefulandcroonedovertheantiquedescriptionsofharikkiandotakandicebear.ButTernwentashoreoneveryisle,showinghiswaresinthekitchensofthehousewivesandthesleepytavernswheretheoldmensat.Sometimesheidlymadeafistandthenturnedhishandoveropeningthepalm,butnobodyherereturnedthesign.
“Books?”saidarushplaiteronNorthSudidi.“Likethatthere?”Hepointedtolongstripsofvellumthathadbeenworkedintothethatchingofhishouse.“Theygoodforsomethingelse?”Crow,staringupatthewordsvisiblehereandtherebetweentherushesintheeaves,begantotremblewithrage.Ternhurriedhimbacktotheboatbeforeheexploded.
“Itwasonlyabeasthealer’smanual,”Crowadmitted,whentheyweresailingonandhehadcalmeddown.“’Spavined,”Isaw,andsomethingaboutewes’udders.Buttheignorance!thebruteignorance!Toroofhishousewithit!”
“Anditwasusefulknowledge,”Ternsaid.“Howcanpeoplebeanythingbutignorantwhenknowledgeisn’tsaved,isn’ttaught?Ifbookscouldbebrought
togetherinoneplace…”
“LiketheLibraryoftheKings,”saidCrow,dreamingoflostglories.
“Oryourlibrary,”saidTern,whohadbecomeasubtlermanthanheusedtobe.
“Fragments,”Crowsaid,dismissinghislife’swork.“Remnants!”
“Beginnings,”saidTern.
Crowonlysighed.
“Ithinkwemightgosouthagain,”Ternsaid,steeringfortheopenchannel.“TowardsPody.”
“Youhaveagiftforthebusiness,”Crowsaid.“Youknowwheretolook.Wentstraighttothatbestiaryinthebarnloft…Butthere’snothingmuchtolookforhere.Nothingofimportance.Athwouldn’thaveleftthegreatestofallthelore-booksamongboorswho’dmakethatchofit!TakeustoPodyifyoulike.AndthenbacktoOrrimy.I’vehadaboutenough.”
“Andwe’reoutofbuttons,”Ternsaid.Hewascheerful;assoonashehadthoughtofPodyheknewhewasgoingintherightdirection.“PerhapsIcanfindsomealongtheway,”hesaid.“It’smygift,youknow.”
NeitherofthemhadbeenonPody.Itwasasleepysouthernislandwithaprettyoldporttown,Telio,builtofrosysandstone,andfieldsandorchardsthatshouldhavebeenfertile.ButthelordsofWathorthadruleditforacentury,taxingandslavetakingandwearingthelandandpeopledown.ThesunnystreetsofTelioweresadanddirty.Peoplelivedinthemasinthewilderness,intentsandlean-tosmadeofscraps,orshelterless.“Oh,thiswon’tdo,”Crowsaid,disgusted,avoidingapileofhumanexcrement.“Thesecreaturesdon’thavebooks,Tern!”
“Wait,wait,”hiscompanionsaid.“Givemeaday.”
“It’sdangerous,”Crowsaid,“it’spointless,”buthemadenofurtherobjection.Themodest,naiveyoungmanwhomhehadtaughttoreadhadbecomehisunfathomableguide.
Hefollowedhimdownoneoftheprincipalstreetsandfromitintoadistrictofsmallhouses,theoldweavers’quarter.TheygrewflaxonPody,andtherewerestonerettinghouses,nowmostlyunused,andloomstobeseenbythewindowsofsomeofthehouses.Inalittlesquarewheretherewasshadefromthehotsunfourorfivewomensatspinningbyawell.Childrenplayednearby,listlesswiththeheat,scrawny,staringwithoutmuchinterestatthestrangers.Ternhadwalkedthereunhesitating,asifheknewwherehewasgoing.Nowhestoppedandgreetedthewomen.
“Oh,prettyman,”saidoneofthemwithasmile,“don’tevenshowuswhatyouhaveinyourpackthere,forIhaven’tapennyofcopperorivory,norseenoneforamonth.”
“Youmighthaveabitoflinen,though,mistress?woven,orthread?LinenofPodyisthebest-soI’veheardasfarasHavnor.AndIcantellthequalityofwhatyou’respinning.Abeautifulthreaditis.”Crowwatchedhiscompanionwithamusementandsomedisdain;hehimselfcouldbargainforabookveryshrewdly,butnatteringwithcommonwomenaboutbuttonsandthreadwasbeneathhim.“Letmejustopenthisup,”Ternwassayingashespreadhispackoutonthecobbles,andthewomenandthedirty,timidchildrendrewclosertoseethewondershewouldshowthem.“Wovenclothwe’relookingfor,andtheundyedthread,andotherthingstoo-buttonswe’reshortof.Ifyouhadanyofhornorbone,maybe?I’dtradeoneoftheselittlevelvetcapshereforthreeorfourbuttons.Oroneoftheserollsofribbon;lookatthecolorofit.Beautifulwithyourhair,mistress!Orpaper,orbooks.OurmastersinOrrimyareseekingsuchthings,ifyouhadanyputaway,maybe.”
“Oh,youareaprettyman,”saidthewomanwhohadspokenfirst,laughing,asheheldtheredribbonuptoherblackbraid.“AndIwishIhadsomethingforyou!”
“Iwon’tbesoboldastoaskforakiss,”saidMedra,“butanopenhand,maybe?”
Hemadethesign;shelookedathimforamoment.“That’seasy,”shesaidsoftly,andmadethesigninreturn,“butnotalwayssafe,amongstrangers.”
Hewentonshowinghiswaresandjokingwiththewomenandchildren.Nobodyboughtanything.Theygazedatthetrinketsasiftheyweretreasures.Heletthemgazeandfingeralltheywould;indeedheletoneofthechildrenfilchalittlemirrorofpolishedbrass,seeingitvanishundertheraggedshirtandsayingnothing.Atlasthesaidhemustgoon,andthechildrendriftedawayashefoldeduphispack.
“Ihaveaneighbor,”saidtheblack-braidedwoman,“whomighthavesomepaper,ifyou’reafterthat.”
“Writtenon?”saidCrow,whohadbeensittingonthewellcoping,bored.“Marksonit?”
Shelookedhimupanddown.“Marksonit,sir,”shesaid.Andthen,toTern,inadifferenttone,“Ifyou’dliketocomewithme,shelivesthisway.Andthoughshe’sonlyagirl,andpoor,I’lltellyou,peddler,shehasanopenhand.Thoughperhapsnotallofusdo.”
“Threeoutofthree,”saidCrow,sketchingthesign,“sospareyourvinegar,woman.”
“Oh,it’syouwhohaveittospare,sir.We’repoorfolkhere.Andignorant,”shesaid,withaflashofhereyes,andledon.
Shebroughtthemtoahouseattheendofalane.Ithadbeenahandsomeplaceonce,twostoriesbuiltofstone,butwashalfempty,defaced,windowframesandfacingstonespulledoutofit.Theycrossedacourtyardwithawellinit.Sheknockedatasidedoor,andagirlopenedit.
“Ach,it’sawitch’sden,”Crowsaid,atthewhiffofherbsandaromaticsmoke,andhesteppedback.
“Healers,”theirguidesaid.“Issheillagain,Dory?”
Thegirlnodded,lookingatTern,thenatCrow.Shewasthirteenorfourteen,heavysetthoughthin,withasullen,steadygaze.
“They’remenoftheHand,Dory,oneshortandprettyandonetallandproud,andtheysaythey’reseekingpapers.Iknowyouhadsomeonce,thoughyoumaynotnow.They’venothingyouneedintheirpack,butitmightbethey’dpayabitofivoryforwhattheywant.Isitso?”SheturnedherbrighteyesonTern,andhenodded.
“She’sverysick,Rush,”thegirlsaid.ShelookedagainatTern.“You’renotahealer?”Itwasanaccusation.
“No.”
“Sheis,”saidRush.“Likehermotherandhermother’smother.Letusin,Dory,ormeatleast,tospeaktoher.”Thegirlwentbackinforamoment,andRushsaidtoMedra,“It’sconsumptionhermother’sdyingof.Nohealercouldcureher.Butshecouldhealthescrofula,andtouchforpain.Awondershewas,andDorybadefairtofollowher.”
Thegirlmotionedthemtocomein.Crowchosetowaitoutside.Theroomwashighandlong,withtracesofformerelegance,butveryoldandverypoor.Healers’paraphernaliaanddryingherbswereeverywhere,thoughrangedinsomeorder.Nearthefinestonefireplace,whereatinywispofsweetherbsburned,wasabedstead.Thewomaninitwassowastedthatinthedimlightsheseemednothingbutboneandshadow.AsTerncamecloseshetriedtositupandtospeak.Herdaughterraisedherheadonthepillow,andwhenTernwasverynearhecouldhearher:“Wizard,”shesaid.“Notbychance.”
Awomanofpower,sheknewwhathewas.Hadshecalledhimthere?
“I’mafinder,”hesaid.“Andaseeker.”
“Canyouteachher?”
“Icantakehertothosewhocan.”
“Doit.”
“Iwill.”
Shelaidherheadbackandclosedhereyes.
Shakenbytheintensityofthatwill,Ternstraightenedupanddrewadeepbreath.Helookedroundatthegirl,Dory.Shedidnotreturnhisgaze,watchinghermotherwithstolid,sullengrief.OnlyafterthewomansankintosleepdidDorymove,goingtohelpRush,whoasafriendandneighborhadmadeherselfusefulandwasgatheringupblood-soakedclothsscatteredbythebed.
“Shebledagainjustnow,andIcouldn’tstopit,”Dorysaid.Tearsranoutofhereyesanddownhercheeks.Herfacehardlychanged.
“Ohchild,ohlamb,”saidRush,takingherintoherembrace;butthoughshehuggedRush,Dorydidnotbend.
“She’sgoingthere,tothewall,andIcan’tgowithher,”shesaid.“She’sgoingaloneandIcan’tgowithher-Can’tyougothere?”ShebrokeawayfromRush,lookingagainatTern.“Youcangothere!”
“No,”hesaid.“Idon’tknowtheway.”
YetasDoryspokehesawwhatthegirlsaw:alonghillgoingdownintodarkness,andacrossit,ontheedgeoftwilight,alowwallofstones.Andashelookedhethoughthesawawomanwalkingalongbesidethewall,verythin,insubstantial,bone,shadow.Butshewasnotthedyingwomaninthebed.ShewasAnieb.
Thenthatwasgoneandhestoodfacingthewitch-girl.Herlookofaccusationslowlychanged.Sheputherfaceinherhands.
“Wehavetoletthemgo,”hesaid.
Shesaid,“Iknow.”
Rushglancedfromonetotheotherwithherkeen,brighteyes.“Notonlyahandyman,”shesaid,“butacraftyman.Well,you’renotthefirst.”
Helookedhisquestion.
“ThisiscalledAth’sHouse,”shesaid.
“Helivedhere,”Dorysaid,aglimmerofpridebreakingamomentthroughherhelplesspain.“TheMageAth.Longago.Beforehewentintothewest.
Allmyforemotherswerewisewomen.Hestayedhere.Withthem.”
“Givemeabasin,”Rushsaid.“I’llgetwatertosoakthese.”
“I’llgetthewater,”Ternsaid.Hetookthebasinandwentouttothecourtyard,tothewell.Justasbefore,Crowwassittingonthecoping,boredandrestless.
“Whyarewewastingtimehere?”hedemanded,asTernletthebucketdownintothewell.“Areyoufetchingandcarryingforwitchesnow?”
“Yes,”Ternsaid,“andIwilltillshedies.AndthenI’lltakeherdaughtertoRoke.AndifyouwanttoreadtheBookofNames,youcancomewithus.”
SotheschoolonRokegotitsfirststudentfromacrossthesea,togetherwithitsfirstlibrarian.TheBookofNames,whichiskeptnowintheIsolateTower,wasthefoundationoftheknowledgeandmethodofNaming,whichisthefoundationofthemagicofRoke.ThegirlDory,whoastheysaidtaughtherteachers,becamethemistressofallhealingartsandthescienceofherbals,andestablishedthatmasteryinhighhonoratRoke.
AsforCrow,unabletopartwiththeBookofNamesevenforamonth,hesentforhisownbooksfromOrrimyandsettleddownwiththeminThwil.Heallowedpeopleoftheschooltostudythem,solongastheyshowedthem,andhim,duerespect.
SothepatternoftheyearswassetforTern.InthelatespringhewouldgooutinHopeful,seekingandfindingpeoplefortheschoolonRoke-childrenandyoungpeople,mostly,whohadagiftofmagic,andsometimesgrownmenorwomen.Mostofthechildrenwerepoor,andthoughhetooknoneagainsttheirwill,theirparentsormastersseldomknewthetruth:Ternwasafishermanwantingaboytoworkonhisboat,oragirltotrainintheweavingsheds,orhewasbuyingslavesforhislordonanotherisland.Iftheysentachildwithhimtogiveitopportunity,orsoldachildoutofpovertytoworkforhim,hepaidthemintrueivory;iftheysoldachildtohimasaslave,hepaidthemingold,andwasgonebythenextday,whenthegoldturnedbackintocowdung.
HetraveledfarintheArchipelago,evenoutintotheEastReach.Heneverwenttothesametownorislandtwicewithoutyearsbetween,lettinghistrailgrowcold.Evensohebegantobespokenof.TheChildTaker,theycalledhim,adreadedsorcererwhocarriedchildrentohisislandintheicynorthandtheresuckedtheirblood.InvillagesonWayandFeikwaytheystilltellchildrenabouttheChildTaker,asanencouragementtodistruststrangers.
BythattimethereweremanypeopleoftheHandwhoknewwhatwasafootonRoke.Youngpeoplecametheresentbythem.Menandwomencametobe
taughtandtoteach.Manyofthesehadahardtimegettingthere,forthespellsthathidtheislandwerestrongerthanever,makingitseemonlyacloud,orareefamongthebreakers;andtheRokewindblew,whichkeptanyshipfromThwilBayunlesstherewasasorcereraboardwhoknewhowtoturnthatwind.Stilltheycame,andastheyearswentonalargerhousewasneededfortheschoolthananyinThwilTown.
IntheArchipelago,menbuiltshipsandwomenbuilthouses,thatwasthecustom;butinbuildingagreatstructurewomenletmenworkwiththem,nothavingtheminers’superstitionsthatkeptmenoutofthemines,ortheshipwrights’thatforbadewomentowatchakeellaid.SobothmenandwomenofgreatpowerraisedtheGreatHouseonRoke.ItscornerstonewassetonahilltopaboveThwilTown,neartheGroveandlookingtotheKnoll.Itswallswerebuiltnotonlyofstoneandwood,butfoundeddeeponmagicandmadestrongwithspells.
Standingonthathill,Medrahadsaid,“Thereisaveinofwater,justunderwhereIstand,thatwillnotgodry.”Theydugdowncarefullyandcametothewater;theyletitleapupintothesunlight;andthefirstpartoftheGreatHousetheymadewasitsinmostheart,thecourtyardofthefountain.
ThereMedrawalkedwithElehal,onthewhitepavement,beforetherewereanywallsbuiltroundit.
ShehadplantedayoungrowanfromtheGrovebesidethefountain.Theycametobesureitwasthriving.Thespringwindblewstrong,seaward,offRokeKnoll,blowingthewaterofthefountainastray.UpontheslopeoftheKnolltheycouldseealittlegroupofpeople:acircleofyoungstudentslearninghowtodotricksofillusionfromthesorcererHegaofO;MasterHand,theycalledhim.Thesparkweed,pastflowering,castitsashesonthewind.TherewerestreaksofgreyinEmber’shair.
“Offyougo,then,”shesaid,“andleaveustosettlethismatteroftheRule.”Herfrownwasasfierceasever,buthervoicewasseldomasharshasthiswhenshespoketohim.
“I’llstayifyouwant,Elehal.”
“Idowantyoutostay.Butdon’tstay!You’reafinder,youhavetogofind.It’sonlythatagreeingontheWay-ortheRule,Wariswantsustocallit-istwicetheworkofbuildingtheHouse.Andcausestentimesthequarrels.IwishIcouldgetawayfromit!IwishIcouldjustwalkwithyou,likethis…AndIwishyouwouldn’tgonorth.”
“Whydowequarrel?”hesaidratherdespondently.
“Becausetherearemoreofus!Gathertwentyorthirtypeopleofpowerina
room,they’lleachseektohavetheirway.Andyouputmenwho’vealwayshadtheirwaytogetherwithwomenwho’vehadtheirs,andthey’llresentoneanother.Andthen,too,therearesometrueandrealdivisionsamongus,Medra.Theymustbesettled,andtheycan’tbesettledeasily.Thoughalittlegoodwillwouldgoalongway.”
“IsitWaris?”
“Warisandseveralothermen.Andtheyaremen,andtheymakethatimportantbeyondanythingelse.Tothem,theOldPowersareabominable.Andwomen’spowersaresuspect,becausetheysupposethemallconnectedwiththeOldPowers.AsifthosePowersweretobecontrolledorusedbyanymortalsoul!Buttheyputmenwhereweputtheworld.Andsotheyholdthatatruewizardmustbeaman.Andcelibate.”
“Ah,that,”Medrasaid,rueful.
“Thatindeed.Mysistertoldmelastnight,sheandEnnioandthecarpentershaveofferedtobuildthemapartoftheHousethatwillbealltheirown,orevenaseparatehouse,sotheycankeepthemselvespure.”
“Pure?”
“It’snotmyword,it’sWaris’s.Butthey’verefused.TheywanttheRuleofRoketoseparatemenfromwomen,andtheywantmentomakethedecisionsforall.Nowwhatcompromisecanwemakewiththem?Whydidtheycomehere,iftheywon’tworkwithus?”
“Weshouldsendawaythemenwhowon’t.”
“Away?Inanger?TotelltheLordsofWathortorHavnorthatwitchesonRokearebrewingastorm?”
“Iforget-Ialwaysforget,”hesaid,downcastagain.“Iforgetthewallsoftheprison.I’mnotsuchafoolwhenI’moutsidethem…WhenI’mhereIcan’tbelieveitisaprison.Butoutside,withoutyou,Iremember…Idon’twanttogo,butIhavetogo.Idon’twanttoadmitthatanythingherecanbewrongorgowrong,butIhaveto…I’llgothistime,andIwillgonorth,Elehal.ButwhenIcomebackI’llstay.WhatIneedtofindI’llfindhere.Haven’tIfounditalready?”
“No,”shesaid,“onlyme…Butthere’sagreatdealofseekingandfindingtobedoneintheGrove.Enoughtokeepevenyoufrombeingrestless.Whynorth?”
“ToreachouttheHandtoEnladandEa.I’venevergonethere.Weknownothingabouttheirwizardries.EnladoftheKings,andbrightEa,eldestofisles!Surelywe’llfindalliesthere”
“ButHavnorliesbetweenus,”shesaid.
“Iwon’tsailmyboatacrossHavnor,dearlove.Iplantogoaroundit.Bywater.”Hecouldalwaysmakeherlaugh;hewastheonlyonewhocould.Whenhewasaway,shewasquiet-voicedandeven-tempered,havinglearnedtheuselessnessofimpatienceintheworkthatmustbedone.Sometimesshestillscowled,sometimesshesmiled,butshedidnotlaugh.Whenshecould,shewenttotheGrovealone,asshehadalwaysdone.ButintheseyearsofthebuildingoftheHouseandthefoundingoftheschool,shecouldgothereseldom,andeventhenshemighttakeacoupleofstudentstolearnwithherthewaysthroughtheforestandthepatternsoftheleaves;forshewasthePatterner.
Ternleftlatethatyearonhisjourney.Hehadwithhimaboyoffifteen,Mote,apromisingweatherworkerwhoneededtrainingatsea,andSava,awomanofsixtywhohadcometoRokewithhimsevenoreightyearsbefore.SavahadbeenoneofthewomenoftheHandontheisleofArk.Thoughshehadnowizardlygiftsatall,sheknewsowellhowtogetagroupofpeopletotrustoneanotherandworktogetherthatshewashonoredasawisewomanonArk,andnowonRoke.ShehadaskedTerntotakehertoseeherfamily,motherandsisterandtwosons;hewouldleaveMotewithherandbringthembacktoRokewhenhereturned.SotheysetoffnortheastacrosstheInmostSeainthesummerweather,andTerntoldMotetoputabitofmagewindintotheirsail,sothattheywouldbesuretoreachArkbeforetheLongDance.
Astheycoastedthatisland,hehimselfputanillusionaboutHopeful,sothatshewouldseemnotaboatbutadriftinglog;forpiratesandLosen’sslavetakerswerethickinthesewaters.
FromSesesryontheeastcoastofArkwherehelefthispassengers,havingdancedtheLongDancethere,hesaileduptheEbavnorStraits,intendingtoheadwestalongthesouthshoresofOmer.Hekepttheillusionspellabouthisboat.Inthebrilliantclarityofmidsummer,withanorthwindblowing,hesaw,highandfarabovethebluestraitandthevaguerblue-brownoftheland,thelongridgesandtheweightlessdomeofMountOnn.
Look,Medra.Look!
ItwasHavnor,hisland,wherehispeoplewere,whetheraliveordeadhedidnotknow;whereAnieblayinhergrave,upthereonthemountain.Hehadneverbeenback,nevercomethisclose.Ithadbeenhowlong?Sixteenyears,seventeenyears.Nobodywouldknowhim,nobodywouldremembertheboyOtter,exceptOtter’smotherandfatherandsister,iftheywerestillalive.AndsurelytherewerepeopleoftheHandintheGreatPort.Thoughhehadnotknownofthemasaboy,heshouldknowthemnow.
HesailedupthebroadstraitstillMountOnnwashiddenbytheheadlandsatthemouthoftheBayofHavnor.Hewouldnotseeitagainunlesshewentthroughthatnarrowpassage.Thenhewouldseethemountain,allthesweepandcrestingofit,overthecalmwaterswhereheusedtotrytoraiseupthemagewindwhenhewastwelve;andsailingonhewouldseethetowersriseupfromthewater,dimatfirst,meredotsandlines,thenliftinguptheirbrightbanners,thewhitecityatthecenteroftheworld.
ItwasmerecowardicetokeepfromHavnor,now-fearforhisskin,fearlesthefindhispeoplehaddied,fearlestherecallAniebtoovividly.
Fortherehadbeentimeswhenhefeltthat,ashehadsummonedherliving,sodeadshemightsummonhim.Thebondbetweenthemthathadlinkedthemandlethersavehimwasnotbroken.Manytimesshehadcomeintohisdreams,standingsilentasshestoodwhenhefirstsawherinthereekingtoweratSamory.Andhehadseenher,yearsago,inthevisionofthedyinghealerinTelio,inthetwilight,besidethewallofstones.
Heknewnow,fromElehalandothersonRoke,whatthatwallwas.Itlaybetweenthelivingandthedead.Andinthatvision,Aniebhadwalkedonthissideofit,notonthesidethatwentdownintothedark.
Didhefearher,whohadfreedhim?
Hetackedacrossthestrongwind,swungroundSouthPoint,andsailedintotheGreatBayofHavnor.
BannersstillflewfromthetowersoftheCityofHavnor,andakingstillruledthere;thebannerswerethoseofcapturedtownsandisles,andthekingwasthewarlordLosen.Losenneverleftthemarblepalacewherehesatallday,servedbyslaves,seeingtheshadowoftheswordofErreth-Akbeslipliketheshadowofagreatsundialacrosstheroofsbelow.Hegaveorders,andtheslavessaid,“Itisdone,yourmajesty.”Heheldaudiences,andoldmencameandsaid,“Weobey,yourmajesty.”Hesummonedhiswizards,andthemageEarlycame,bowinglow.“Makemewalk!”Losenshouted,beatinghisparalyzedlegswithhisweakhands.
Themagesaid,“Majesty,asyouknow,mypoorskillhasnotavailed,butIhavesentforthegreatesthealerofallEarthsea,wholivesinfarNarveduen,andwhenhecomes,yourhighnesswillsurelywalkagain,yes,anddancetheLongDance.”
ThenLosencursedandcried,andhisslavesbroughthimwine,andthemagewentout,bowing,andcheckingashewenttobesurethatthespellofparalysiswasholding.
ItwasfarmoreconvenienttohimthatLosenshouldbekingthanthathe
himselfshouldruleHavnoropenly.Menofarmsdidn’ttrustmenofcraftanddidn’tliketoservethem.Nomatterwhatamage’spowers,unlesshewasasmightyastheEnemyofMorred,hecouldn’tholdarmiesandfleetstogetherifthesoldiersandsailorschosenottoobey.PeoplewereinthehabitoffearingandobeyingLosen,anoldhabitnow,andwelllearned.Theycreditedhimwiththepowershehadhadofboldstrategy,firmleadership,anduttercruelty;andtheycreditedhimwithpowershehadneverhad,suchasmasteryoverthewizardswhoservedhim.
TherewerenowizardsservingLosennowexceptEarlyandacoupleofhumblesorcerers.Earlyhaddrivenofforkilled,oneafteranother,hisrivalsforLosen’sfavor,andhadenjoyedsoleruleoverallHavnornowforyears.
WhenhewasGelluk’sprenticeandassistant,hehadencouragedhismasterinthestudyoftheloreofWay,findinghimselffreewhileGellukwasoffdotingonhisquicksilver.ButGelluk’sabruptfatehadshakenhim.Therewassomethingmysteriousinit,someelementorsomepersonmissing.SummoningtheusefulHoundtohelphim,Earlyhadmadeaverythoroughinquiryintowhathappened.WhereGellukwas,ofcourse,wasnomystery.Houndhadtrackedhimstraighttoascarinahillside,andsaidhewasburieddeepunderthere.Earlyhadnowishtoexhumehim.Buttheboywhohadbeenwithhim,Houndcouldnottrack:couldnotsaywhetherhewasunderthathillwithGelluk,orhadgotcleanaway.Hehadleftnospelltracesasthemagedid,saidHound,andithadrainedveryhardallthenightafter,andwhenHoundthoughthehadfoundtheboy’stracks,theywereawoman’s;andshewasdead.
EarlydidnotpunishHoundforhisfailure,butherememberedit.Hewasnotusedtofailuresanddidnotlikethem.HedidnotlikewhatHoundtoldhimaboutthisboy,Otter,andherememberedit.
Thedesireforpowerfeedsoffitself,growingasitdevours.Earlysufferedfromhunger.Hestarved.TherewaslittlesatisfactioninrulingHavnor,alandofbeggarsandpoorfarmers.WhatwasthegoodofpossessingtheThroneofMaharionifnobodysatinitbutadrunkencripple?Whatglorywasthereinthepalacesofthecitywhennobodylivedinthembutcrawlingslaves?Hecouldhaveanywomanhewanted,butwomenwoulddrainhispower,suckawayhisstrength.Hewantednowomannearhim.Hecravedanenemy:anopponentworthdestroying.
Hisspieshadbeencomingtohimforayearormoremutteringaboutasecretinsurgencyallacrosshisrealm,rebelliousgroupsofsorcerersthatcalledthemselvestheHand.Eagertofindhisenemy,hehadonesuchgroupinvestigated.Theyturnedouttobealotofoldwomen,midwives,carpenters,aditchdigger,atinsmith’sprentice,acoupleoflittleboys.Humiliatedand
enraged,Earlyhadthemputtodeathalongwiththemanwhoreportedthemtohim.Itwasapublicexecution,inLosen’sname,forthecrimeofconspiracyagainsttheKing.Therehadperhapsnotbeenenoughofthatkindofintimidationlately.Butitwentagainsthisgrain.Hedidn’tliketomakeapublicspectacleoffoolswhohadtrickedhimintofearingthem.Hewouldratherhavedealtwiththeminhisownway,inhisowntime.Tobenourishing,fearmustbeimmediate;heneededtoseepeopleafraidofhim,heartheirterror,smellit,tasteit.ButsinceheruledinLosen’sname,itwasLosenwhomustbefearedbythearmiesandthepeoples,andhehimselfmustkeepinthebackground,makingdowithslavesandprentices.
Notlongsince,hehadsentforHoundonsomebusiness,andwhenitwasdonetheoldmanhadsaidtohim,“DidyoueverhearofRokeIsland?”
“SouthandwestofKamery.TheLordofWathort’sowneditforfortyorfiftyyears.”
Thoughheseldomleftthecity,EarlypridedhimselfonhisknowledgeofalltheArchipelago,gleanedfromhissailors’reportsandthemarvelousancientchartskeptinthepalace.Hestudiedthemnights,broodingonwhereandhowhemightextendhisempire.
Houndnodded,asifitslocationwasallthathadinterestedhiminRoke.
“Well?”
“Oneoftheoldwomenyouhadtorturedbeforetheyburnedthelot,youknow?Well,thefellowwhodidittoldme.ShetalkedabouthersononRoke.Callingouttohimtocome,youknow.Butlikeasifhehadthepowerto.”
“Well?”
“Seemedodd.Oldwomanfromavillageinland,neverseenthesea,callingthenameofanislandawayofflikethat.”
“Thesonwasafishermanwhotalkedabouthistravels.”
Earlywavedhishand.Houndsniffed,nodded,andleft.
EarlyneverdisregardedanytrivialityHoundmentioned,becausesomanyofthemhadprovednottobetrivial.Hedislikedtheoldmanforthat,andbecausehewasunshakable.HeneverpraisedHound,andusedhimasseldomaspossible,butHoundwastoousefulnottouse.
ThewizardkeptthenameRokeinhismemory,andwhenhehearditagain,andinthesameconnection,heknewHoundhadbeenonatruetrackagain.
Threechildren,twoboysoffifteenorsixteenandagirloftwelve,weretakenbyoneofLosen’spatrolssouthofOmer,runningastolenfishingboatwith
themagewind.Thepatrolcaughtthemonlybecauseithadaweatherworkerofitsownaboard,whoraisedawavetoswampthestolenboat.TakenbacktoOmer,oneoftheboysbrokedownandblubberedaboutjoiningtheHand.Hearingthatword,thementoldthemtheywouldbetorturedandburned,atwhichtheboycriedthatiftheysparedhimhewouldtellthemallabouttheHand,andRoke,andthegreatmagesofRoke.
“Bringthemhere,”Earlysaidtothemessenger.
“Thegirlflewaway,lord,”themansaidunwillingly.
“Flewaway?”
“Shetookbirdform.Osprey,theysaid.Didn’texpectthatfromagirlsoyoung.Gonebeforetheyknewit.”
“Bringtheboys,then,”Earlysaidwithdeadlypatience.
Theybroughthimoneboy.Theotherhadjumpedfromtheship,crossingHavnorBay,andbeenkilledbyacrossbowquarrel.TheboytheybroughtwasinsuchaparoxysmofterrorthatevenEarlywasdisgustedbyhim.Howcouldhefrightenacreaturealreadyblindandbeshattenwithfear?Hesetabindingspellontheboythatheldhimuprightandimmobileasastonestatue,andlefthimsoforanightandaday.Nowandthenhetalkedtothestatue,tellingitthatitwasacleverladandmightmakeagoodprentice,hereinthepalace.MaybehecouldgotoRokeafterall,forEarlywasthinkingofgoingtoRoke,tomeetwiththemagesthere.
Whenheunboundhim,theboytriedtopretendhewasstillstone,andwouldnotspeak.Earlyhadtogointohismind,inthewayhehadlearnedfromGelluklongago,whenGellukwasatruemasterofhisart.Hefoundoutwhathecould.Thentheboywasnogoodforanythingandhadtobedisposedof.Itwashumiliating,again,tobeoutwittedbytheverystupidityofthesepeople;andallhehadlearnedaboutRokewasthattheHandwasthere,andaschoolwheretheytaughtwizardry.Andhehadlearnedaman’sname.
Theideaofaschoolforwizardsmadehimlaugh.Aschoolforwildboars,hethought,acollegefordragons!ButthattherewassomekindofschemingandgatheringtogetherofmenofpoweronRokeseemedprobable,andtheideaofanyleagueorallianceofwizardsappalledhimmorethemorehethoughtofit.Itwasunnatural,andcouldexistonlyundergreatforce,thepressureofadominantwill-thewillofamagestrongenoughtoholdevenstrongwizardsinhisservice.Therewastheenemyhewanted!
Houndwasdownatthedoor,theysaid.Earlysentforhimtocomeup.“Who’sTern?”heaskedassoonashesawtheoldman.
WithageHoundhadcometolookhisname,wrinkled,withalongnoseandsadeyes.Hesniffedandseemedabouttosayhedidnotknow,butheknewbetterthantotrytolietoEarly.Hesighed.“Otter,”hesaid.“HimthatkilledoldWhiteface.”
“Where’shehiding?”
“Nothidingatall.Wentaboutthecity,talkingtopeople.WenttoseehismotherinEndlane,roundthemountain.He’stherenow.”
“Youshouldhavetoldmeatonce,”Earlysaid.
“Didn’tknowyouwereafterhim.I’vebeenafterhimalongtime.Hefooledme.”Houndspokewithoutrancor.
“Hetrickedandkilledagreatmage,mymaster.He’sdangerous.Iwantvengeance.Whodidhetalktohere?Iwantthem.ThenI’llseetohim.”
“Someoldwomendownbythedocks.Anoldsorcerer.Hissister.”
“Getthemhere.Takemymen.”
Houndsniffed,sighed,nodded.
Therewasnotmuchtobegotfromthepeoplehismenbroughttohim.Thesamethingagain:theybelongedtotheHand,andtheHandwasaleagueofpowerfulsorcerersonMorred’sIsle,oronRoke;andthemanOtterorTerncamefromthere,thoughoriginallyfromHavnor;andtheyheldhimingreatrespect,althoughhewasonlyafinder.Thesisterhadvanished,perhapsgonewithOttertoEndlane,wherethemotherlived.Earlyrummagedintheircloudy,witlessminds,hadtheyoungestofthemtortured,andthenburnedthemwhereLosencouldsitathiswindowandwatch.TheKingneededsomediversions.
Allthistookonlytwodays,andallthetimeEarlywaslookingandprobingtowardEndlanevillage,sendingHoundtherebeforehim,sendinghisownpresentmenttheretowatch.Whenheknewwherethemanwashebetookhimselfthereveryquickly,oneagle’swings;forEarlywasagreatshape-changer,sofearlessthathewouldtakeevendragonform.
Heknewitwaswelltousecautionwiththisman.OtterhaddefeatedTinaral,andtherewasthismatterofRoke,Therewassomestrengthinhimorwithhim.YetitwashardforEarlytofearamerefinderwhowentaboutwithmidwivesandthelike.Hecouldnotbringhimselftosneakandskulk.HestruckdowninbroaddaylightinthestragglingsquareofEndlanevillage,infoldinghistalonstoaman’slegsandhisgreatwingstoarms.
Achildranbawlingtoitsmammy.Nooneelsewasabout.ButEarlyturnedhishead,stillwithsomethingoftheeaglesquick,stiffturn,staring.Wizard
knowswizard,andheknewwhichhousehispreywasin.Hewalkedtoitandflungthedooropen.
Aslight,brownmansittingatthetablelookedupathim.
Earlyraisedhishandtolaythebindingspellonhim.Hishandwasstayed,heldimmobilehalfliftedathisside.
Thiswasacontest,then,afoeworthfighting!Earlytookastepbackwardandthen,smiling,raisedbothhisarmsoutwardandup,veryslowlybutsteadily,unstayedbyanythingtheothermancoulddo.
Thehousevanished.Nowalls,noroof,nobody.Earlystoodonthedustofthevillagesquareinthesunshineofmorningwithhisarmsintheair.
Itwasonlyillusion,ofcourse,butitcheckedhimamomentinhisspell,andthenhehadtoundotheillusion,bringingbackthedoorframearoundhim,thewallsandroofbeams,thegleamoflightoncrockery,thehearthstones,thetable.Butnobodysatatthetable.Hisenemywasgone.
Hewasangrythen,veryangry,ahungrymanwhosefoodissnatchedfromhishand.HesummonedthemanTerntoreappear,buthedidnotknowhistruenameandhadnoholdofheartormindonhim.Thesummonswentunanswered.
Hestrodefromthehouse,turned,andsetafirespellonitsothatitburstintoflames,thatchandwallsandeverywindowspoutingfire.Womenranoutofitscreaming.Theyhadbeenhidingnodoubtinthebackroom;hepaidthemnoattention.“Hound,”hethought.Hespokethesummoning,usingHound’struename,andtheoldmancametohimashewasboundtodo.Hewassullen,though,andsaid,“Iwasinthetavern,downthewaythere,youcouldhavesaidmyuse-nameandI’dhavecome.”
Earlylookedathimonce.Hound’smouthsnappedshutandstayedshut.
“SpeakwhenIletyou,”thewizardsaid.“Whereistheman?”
Houndnoddednortheastwards.
“What’sthere?”
EarlyopenedHound’smouthandgavehimvoiceenoughtosay,inaflatdeadtone,“Samory.”
“Whatformishein?”
“Otter,”saidtheflatvoice.
Earlylaughed.“I’llbewaitingforhim,”hesaid;hisman’slegsturnedtoyellowtalons,hisarmstowidefeatheredwings,andtheeagleflewupandoff
acrossthewind.
Houndsniffed,sighed,andfollowed,trudgingalongunwillingly,whilebehindhiminthevillagetheflamesdieddown,andchildrencried,andwomenshoutedcursesaftertheeagle.
Thedangerintryingtodogoodisthatthemindcomestoconfusetheintentofgoodnesswiththeactofdoingthingswell.
ThatisnotwhattheotterwasthinkingasitswamfastdowntheYennava.Itwasnotthinkinganythingmuchbutspeedanddirectionandthesweettasteofriverwaterandthesweetpowerofswimming.ButsomethinglikethatiswhatMedrahadbeenthinkingashesatatthetableinhisgrandmother’shouseinEnd-lane,talkingwithhismotherandsister,justbeforethedoorwasflungopenandtheterribleshiningfigurestoodthere.
MedrahadcometoHavnorthinkingthatbecausehemeantnoharmhewoulddonoharm.Hehaddoneirreparableharm.Menandwomenandchildrenhaddiedbecausehewasthere.Theyhaddiedintorment,burnedalive.Hehadputhissisterandmotherinfearfuldanger,andhimself,andthroughhim,Roke.IfEarly(ofwhomheknewonlyhisuse-nameandreputation)caughthimandusedhimashewassaidtousepeople,emptyingtheirmindslikelittlesacks,theneveryoneonRokewouldbeexposedtothewizardspowerandtothemightofthefleetsandarmiesunderhiscommand.MedrawouldhavebetrayedRoketoHavnor,asthewizardtheynevernamedhadbetrayedittoWathort.Maybethatman,too,hadthoughthecoulddonoharm.
Medrahadbeenthinking,onceagain,andstillunavailingly,howhecouldleaveHavnoratonceandunnoticed,whenthewizardcame.
Now,asotter,hewasthinkingonlythathewouldliketostayotter,beotter,inthesweetbrownwater,thelivingriver,forever.Thereisnodeathforanotter,onlylifetotheend.Butinthesleekcreaturewasthemortalmind;andwherethestreampassesthehillwestofSamory,theottercameuponthemuddybank,andthenthemancrouchedthere,shivering.
Wheretonow?Whyhadhecomehere?
Hehadnotthought.Hehadtakentheshapethatcamesoonesttohim,runtotheriverasanotterwould,swumastheotterwouldswim.Butonlyinhisownformcouldhethinkasaman,hide,decide,actasamanorasawizardagainstthewizardwhohuntedhim.
HeknewhewasnomatchforEarly.Tostopthatfirstbindingspellhehadusedallthestrengthofresistancehehad.Theillusionandtheshape-changewereallthetrickshehadtoplay.Ifhefacedthewizardagainhewouldbedestroyed.AndRokewithhim.Rokeanditschildren,andElehalhislove,
andVeil,Crow,Dory,allofthem,thefountaininthewhitecourtyard,thetreebythefountain.OnlytheGrovewouldstand.Onlythegreenhill,silent,immovable.HeheardElehalsaytohim,Havnorliesbetweenus.Heheardhersay,Al!thetruepowers,alltheoldpowers,atrootareone.
Helookedup.ThehillsideabovethestreamwasthatsamehillwherehehadcomethatdaywithTinaral,Anieb’spresencewithinhim.Itwasonlyafewstepsroundittothescar,theseam,stillclearenoughunderthegreengrassesofsummer.
“Mother,”hesaid,onhiskneesthere,“Mother,opentome.”
Helaidhishandsontheseamofearth,buttherewasnopowerinthem.
“Letmein,mother,”hewhisperedinthetonguethatwasasoldasthehill.Thegroundshiveredalittleandopened.
Heheardaneaglescream.Hegottohisfeet.Heleaptintothedark.
Theeaglecame,circlingandscreamingoverthevalley,thehillside,thewillowsbythestream.Itcircled,searchingandsearching,andflewbackasithadcome.
Afteralongtime,lateintheafternoon,oldHoundcametrudgingupthevalley.Hestoppednowandthenandsniffed.Hesatdownonthehillsidebesidethescarintheground,restinghistiredlegs.Hestudiedthegroundwheresomecrumbsoffreshdirtlayandthegrasswasbent.Hestrokedthebentgrasstostraightenit.Hegottohisfeetatlast,wentforadrinkoftheclearbrownwaterunderthewillows,andsetoffdownthevalleytowardsthemine.
Medrawokeinpain,indarkness.Foralongtimethatwasalltherewas.Thepaincameandwent,thedarknessremained.Onceitlightenedalittleintoatwilightinwhichhecoulddimlysee.Hesawasloperunningdownfromwherehelaytowardsawallofstones,acrosswhichwasdarknessagain.Buthecouldnotgetuptowalktothewall,andpresentlythepaincamebackverysharpinhisarmandhipandhead.Thenthedarknesscamearoundhim,andthennothing.
Thirst:andwithitpain.Thirst,andthesoundofwaterrunning.
Hetriedtorememberhowtomakelight.Aniebsaidtohim,plaintively,“Can’tyoumakethelight?”Buthecouldnot.Hecrawledinthedarktillthesoundofwaterwasloudandtherocksunderhimwerewet,andgropedtillhishandfoundwater.Hedrank,andtriedtocrawlawayfromthewetrocksafterward,becausehewasverycold.Onearmhurtandhadnostrengthinit.
Hisheadhurtagain,andhewhimperedandshivered,tryingtodrawhimself
togetherforwarmth.Therewasnowarmthandnolight.
Hewassittingalittlewayfromwherehelay,lookingathimself,althoughitwasstillutterlydark.Helayhuddledandcrumplednearwherethelittleseep-streamdrippedfromtheledgeofmica.Notfarawaylayanotherhuddledheap,rottedredsilk,longhair,bones.Beyonditthecavernstretchedaway.Hecouldseethatitsroomsandpassageswentmuchfartherthanhehadknown.HesawitwiththesameuncaringinterestwithwhichhesawTinaral’sbodyandhisownbody.Hefeltamildregret.Itwasonlyfairthatheshoulddieherewiththemanhehadkilled.Itwasright.Nothingwaswrong.Butsomethinginhimached,notthesharpbodypain,alongache,lifelong.
“Anieb,”hesaid.
Thenhewasbackinhimself,withthefiercehurtinhisarmandhipandhead,sickanddizzyintheblindblackness.Whenhemoved,hewhimpered;buthesatup.Ihavetolive,hethought.Ihavetorememberhowtolive.Howtomakelight.Ihavetoremember.Ihavetoremembertheshadowsoftheleaves.
Howfardoestheforestgo?
Asfarasthemindgoes.
Helookedupintothedarkness.Afterawhilehemovedhisgoodhandalittle,andthefaintlightflowedoutofit.
Theroofofthecavernwasfarabovehim.Thetrickleofwaterdrippingfromthemicaledgeglitteredinshortdashesinthewerelight.
Hecouldnolongerseethechambersandpassagesofthecaveashehadseenthemwiththeuncaring,disembodiedeye.Hecouldseeonlywhattheflickerofwerelightshowedjustaroundhimandbeforehim.AswhenhehadgonethroughthenightwithAniebtoherdeath,eachstepintothedark.
Hegottohisknees,andthoughtthentowhisper,“Thankyou,mother.”Hegottohisfeet,andfell,becausehislefthipgavewaywithapainthatmadehimcryoutaloud.Afterawhilehetriedagain,andstoodup.Thenhestartedforward.
Ittookhimalongtimetocrossthecavern.Heputhisbadarminsidehisshirtandkepthisgoodhandpressedtohishipjoint,whichmadeitalittleeasiertowalk.Thewallsnarrowedgraduallytoapassage.Heretheroofwasmuchlower,justabovehishead.Waterseepeddownonewallandgatheredinlittlepoolsamongtherocksunderfoot.ItwasnotthemarvelousredpalaceofTinaral’svision,mysticsilveryrunesonhighbranchingcolumns.Itwasonlytheearth,onlydirt,rock,water.Theairwascoolandstill.Awayfromthe
drippingofthestreamitwassilent.Outsidethegleamofwerelightitwasdark.
Medrabowedhishead,standingthere.“Anieb,”hesaid,“canyoucomebackthisfar?Idon’tknowtheway.”Hewaitedawhile.Hesawdarkness,heardsilence.Slowandhalting,heenteredthepassage.
Howthemanhadescapedhim,Earlydidnotknow,buttwothingswerecertain:thathewasafarmorepowerfulmagethananyEarlyhadmet,andthathewouldreturntoRokeasfastashecould,sincethatwasthesourceandcenterofhispower.Therewasnousetryingtogettherebeforehim;hehadthelead.ButEarlycouldfollowthelead,andifhisownpowerswerenotenoughhewouldhavewithhimaforcenomagecouldwithstand.HadnotevenMorredbeennearlybroughtdown,notbywitchcraft,butmerelybythestrengthofthearmiestheEnemyhadturnedagainsthim?
“Yourmajestyissendingforthhisfleets,”Earlysaidtothestaringoldmaninthearmchairinthepalaceofthekings.“Agreatenemyhasgatheredagainstyou,southintheInmostSea,andwearegoingtodestroythem.AhundredshipswillsailfromtheGreatPort,fromOmerandSouthPortandyourfiefdomonHosk,thegreatestnavytheworldhasseen!Ishallleadthem.Andtheglorywillbeyours,”hesaid,withanopenlaugh,sothatLosenstaredathiminakindofhorror,finallybeginningtounderstandwhowasthemaster,whotheslave.
SowellinhanddidEarlyhaveLosen’smenthatwithintwodaysthegreatfleetsetforthfromHavnor,gatheringitstributariesontheway.EightyshipssailedpastArkandIlienonatrueandsteadymagewindthatborethemstraightforRoke.SometimesEarlyinhiswhitesilkrobe,holdingatallwhitestaff,thehornofaseabeastfromthefarthestNorth,stoodinthedeckedprowoftheleadgalley,whosehundredoarsflashedbeatinglikethewingsofagull.Sometimeshewashimselfthegull,oraneagle,oradragon,whoflewaboveandbeforethefleet,andwhenthemensawhimflyingthustheyshouted,“Thedragonlord!thedragonlord!”
TheycameashoreinIlienforwaterandfood.Settingahostofmanyhundredsofmenonitswaysoquicklyhadleftlittletimeforprovisioningtheships.TheyoverranthetownsalongthewestshoreofIlien,takingwhattheywanted,anddidthesameonVisstiandKamery,lootingwhattheycouldandburningwhattheyleft.Thenthegreatfleetturnedwest,headingfortheoneharborofRokeIsland,theBayofThwil.EarlyknewoftheharborfromthemapsinHavnor,andknewtherewasahighhillaboveit.Astheycamenearer,hetookdragonformandsoareduphighabovehisships,leadingthem,gazingintothewestforthesightofthathill.
Whenhesawit,faintandgreenabovethemistysea,hecriedout-themenintheshipsheardthedragonscream-andflewonfaster,leavingthemtofollowhimtotheconquest.
AlltherumorsofRokehadsaidthatitwasspell-defendedandcharm-hidden,invisibletoordinaryeyes.Iftherewereanyspellswovenaboutthathillorthebayhenowsawopeningbeforeit,theyweregossamertohim,transparent.Nothingblurredhiseyesorchallengedhiswillasheflewoverthebay,overthelittletownandahalf-finishedbuildingontheslopeaboveit,tothetopofthehighgreenhill.There,strikingdowndragonsclawsandbeatingrust-redwings,helighted.
Hestoodinhisownform.Hehadnotmadethechangehimself.Hestoodalert,uncertain.
Thewindblew,thelonggrassnoddedinthewind.Summerwasgettingonandthegrasswasdrynow,yellowing,noflowersinitbutthelittlewhiteheadsofthelacefoam.Awomancamewalkingupthehilltowardshimthroughthelonggrass.Shefollowednopath,andwalkedeasily,withouthaste.
Hethoughthehadraisedhishandinaspelltostopher,buthehadnotraisedhishand,andshecameon.Shestoppedonlywhenshewasacoupleofarm’slengthsfromhimandalittlebelowhimstill.
“Tellmeyourname,”shesaid,andhesaid,“Teriel,”
“Whydidyoucomehere,Teriel?”
“Todestroyyou.”
Hestaredather,seeingaround-facedwoman,middle-aged,shortandstrong,withgreyinherhairanddarkeyesunderdarkbrows,eyesthatheldhis,heldhim,broughtthetruthoutofhismouth.
“Destroyus?Destroythishill?Thetreesthere?”Shelookeddowntoagroveoftreesnotfarfromthehill.“MaybeSegoywhomadethemcouldunmakethem.Maybetheearthwilldestroyherself.Maybeshe’lldestroyherselfthroughourhands,intheend.Butnotthroughyours.Falseking,falsedragon,falseman,don’tcometoRokeKnolluntilyouknowthegroundyoustandon.”Shemadeonegestureofherhand,downwardtotheearth.
Thensheturnedandwentdownthehillthroughthelonggrass,thewayshehadcome.
Therewereotherpeopleonthehill,hesawnow,manyothers,menandwomen,children,livingandspiritsofthedead;many,manyofthem.Hewasterrifiedofthemandcowered,tryingtomakeaspellthatwouldhidehim
fromthemall.
Buthemadenospell.Hehadnomagicleftinhim.Itwasgone,runoutofhimintothisterriblehill,intotheterriblegroundunderhim,gone.Hewasnowizard,onlyamanliketheothers,powerless.
Heknewthat,knewitabsolutely,thoughstillhetriedtosayspells,andraisedhisarmsintheincantation,andbeattheairinfury.Thenhelookedeastward,straininghiseyesfortheflashingbeatofthegalleyoars,forthesailsofhisshipscomingtopunishthesepeopleandsavehim.
Allhesawwasamistonthewater,allacrosstheseabeyondthemouthofthebay.Ashewatcheditthickenedanddarkened,creepingoutovertheslowwaves.
Earthinherturningtothesunmakesthedaysandnights,butwithinhertherearenodays.Medrawalkedthroughthenight.Hewasverylame,andcouldnotalwayskeepupthewerelight.Whenitfailedhehadtostopandsitdownandsleep.Thesleepwasneverdeath,ashethoughtitwas.Hewoke,alwayscold,alwaysinpain,alwaysthirsty,andwhenhecouldmakeaglimmerofthelighthegottohisfeetandwenton.HeneversawAniebbutheknewshewasthere.Hefollowedher.Sometimesthereweregreatrooms.Sometimestherewerepoolsofmotionlesswater.Itwashardtobreakthestillnessoftheirsurface,buthedrankfromthem.Hethoughthehadgonedowndeeperanddeeperforalongtime,tillhereachedthelongestofthosepools,andafterthatthewaywentupagain.SometimesnowAniebfollowedhim.Hecouldsayhername,thoughshedidnotanswer.Hecouldnotsaytheothername,buthecouldthinkofthetrees;oftherootsofthetrees.Thiswasthekingdomoftherootsofthetrees.Howfardoestheforestgo?Asfarasforestsgo.Aslongasthelives,asdeepastherootsofthetrees.Aslongasleavescastshadows.Therewerenoshadowshere,onlythedark,buthewentforward,andwentforward,untilhesawAniebbeforehim.Hesawtheflashofhereyes,thecloudofhercurlinghair.Shelookedbackathimforamoment,andthenturnedasideandranlightlydownalong,steepslopeintodarkness.
Wherehestooditwasnotwhollydark.Theairmovedagainsthisface.Farahead,dim,small,therewasalightthatwasnotwerelight.Hewentforward.Hehadbeencrawlingforalongtimenow,draggingtherightleg,whichwouldnotbearhisweight.Hewentforward.Hesmelledthewindofeveningandsawtheskyofeveningthroughthebranchesandleavesoftrees.Anarchedoakrootformedthemouthofthecave,nobiggerthanamanorabadgerneededtocrawlthrough.Hecrawledthrough.Helaythereundertherootofthetree,seeingthelightfadeandastarortwocomeoutamongtheleaves.
ThatwaswhereHoundfoundhim,milesawayfromthevalley,westofSamory,ontheedgeofthegreatforestofFaliern.
“Gotyou,”theoldmansaid,lookingdownatthemuddy,laxbody.Headded,“Toolate,”regretfully.Hestoopedtoseeifhecouldpickhimupordraghim,andfeltthefaintwarmthoflife.“You’retough,”hesaid.“Here,wakeup.Comeon.Otter,wakeup.”
HerecognizedHound,thoughhecouldnotsitupandcouldbarelyspeak.Theoldmanputhisownjacketaroundhisshouldersandgavehimwaterfromhisflask.Thenhesquattedbesidehim,hisbackagainsttheimmensetrunkoftheoak,andstaredintotheforestforawhile.Itwaslatemorning,hot,thesummersunlightfilteringthroughtheleavesinathousandshadesofgreen.Asquirrelscolded,farupintheoak,andajayreplied.Houndscratchedhisneckandsighed.
“Thewizardsoffonthewrongtrack,asusual,”hesaidatlast.“Saidyou’dgonetoRokeIslandandhe’dcatchyouthere.Isaidnothing.”
HelookedatthemanheknewonlyasOtter.
“Youwentinthere,thathole,withtheoldwizard,didn’tyou?Didyoufindhim?”
Medranodded.
“Hmn,”Houndwent,ashort,gruntinglaugh.“Youfindwhatyoulookfor,don’tyou?Likeme.”Hesawthathiscompanionwasindistress,andsaid,“I’llgetyououtofhere.Fetchacarterfromthevillagedownthere,whenI’vegotmybreath.Listen.Don’tfret.Ihaven’thuntedyoualltheseyearstogiveyoutoEarly.ThewayIgaveyoutoGelluk.Iwassorryforthat.Ithoughtaboutit.WhatIsaidtoyouaboutmenofacraftstickingtogether.Andwhoweworkfor.Couldn’tseethatIhadmuchchoiceaboutthat.Buthavingdoneyouadisfavor,IthoughtifIcameacrossyouagainI’ddoyouafavor,ifIcould.Asonefindertotheother,see?”
Otter’sbreathwascominghard.HoundputhishandonOtter’shandforamoment,said,“Don’tworry,”andgottohisfeet.“Resteasy,”hesaid.
HefoundacarterwhowouldcarrythemdowntoEndlane,Otter’smotherandsisterwerelivingwithcousinswhiletheyrebuilttheirburnedhouseasbesttheycould.Theywelcomedhimwithdisbelievingjoy.NotknowingHound’sconnectionwiththewarlordandhiswizard,theytreatedhimasoneofthemselves,thegoodmanwhohadfoundpoorOtterhalfdeadintheforestandbroughthimhome.Awiseman,saidOtter’smotherRose,surelyawiseman.Nothingwastoogoodforsuchaman.
Otterwasslowtorecover,toheal.Thebonesetterdidwhathecouldabouthisbrokenarmandhisdamagedhip,thewisewomansalvedthecutsfromtherocksonhishandsandheadandknees,hismotherbroughthimallthedelicaciesshecouldfindinthegardensandberrythickets;buthelayasweakandwastedaswhenHoundfirstbroughthim.Therewasnoheartinhim,thewisewomanofEndlanesaid.Itwassomewhereelse,beingeatenupwithworryorfearorshame.
“Sowhereisit?”Houndsaid.
Otter,afteralongsilence,said,“RokeIsland.”
“WhereoldEarlywentwiththegreatfleet.Isee.Friendsthere.Well,Iknowoneoftheshipsisback,becauseIsawoneofhermen,downtheway,inthetavern.I’llgoaskabout.FindoutiftheygottoRokeandwhathappenedthere.WhatIcantellyouisthatitseemsoldEarlyislatecominghome.Hmn,hmn,”hewent,pleasedwithhisjoke.“Latecominghome,”herepeated,andgotup.HelookedatOtter,whowasnotmuchtolookat.“Resteasy,”hesaid,andwentoff.
Hewasgoneseveraldays.Whenhereturned,ridinginahorse-drawncart,hehadsuchalookabouthimthatOtter’ssisterhurriedintotellhim,“Hound’swonabattleorafortune!He’sridingbehindacityhorse,inacitycart,likeaprince!”
Houndcameinonherheels.“Well,”hesaid,“inthefirstplace,whenIgottothecity,Igouptothepalace,justtohearthenews,andwhatdoIsee?IseeoldKingPiratestandingonhislegs,shoutingoutorderslikeheusedtodo.Standingup!Hasn’tstoodforyears.Shoutingorders!Andsomeofemdidwhathesaid,andsomeofemdidn’t.SoIgotonoutofthere,thatkindofasituationbeingdangerous,inapalace.ThenIwentabouttofriendsofmineandaskedwherewasoldEarlyandhadthefleetbeentoRokeandcomebackandall.Early,theysaid,nobodyknewaboutEarly.Notasignofhimnorfromhim.MaybeIcouldfindhim,theysaid,jokingme,hmn.TheyknowIlovehim.Asfortheships,somehadcomeback,withthemenaboardsayingtheynevercametoRokeIsland,neversawit,sailedrightthroughwheretheseachartssaidwasanisland,andtherewasnoisland.Thenthereweresomemenfromoneofthegreatgalleys.Theysaidwhentheygotclosetowheretheislandshouldbe,theycameintoafogasthickaswetcloth,andtheseaturnedthicktoo,sothattheoarsmencouldbarelypushtheoarsthroughit,andtheywerecaughtinthatforadayandanight.Whentheygotout,therewasn’tanothershipofallthefleetonthesea,andtheslaveswerenearrebelling,sothemasterbroughtherhomeasquickashecould.Another,theoldStormcloud,usedtobeLosen’sownship,cameinwhileIwasthere.Italkedtosomemenoffher.Theysaidtherewasnothingbutfogandreefsallround
whereRokewassupposedtobe,sotheysailedonwithsevenotherships,southaways,andmetupwithafleetsailingupfromWathort.Maybethelordstherehadheardtherewasagreatfleetcomingraiding,becausetheydidn’tstoptoaskquestions,butsentwizard’sfireatourships,andcamealongsidetoboardthemiftheycould,andthemenItalkedtosaiditwasahardfightjusttogetawayfromthem,andnotalldid.AllthistimetheyhadnowordfromEarly,andnoweatherwasworkedforthemunlesstheyhadabagmanoftheirownaboard.SotheycamebackupthelengthoftheInmostSea,saidthemanfromStormcloud,onestragglingaftertheotherlikethedogsthatlostthedogfight.Now,doyoulikethenewsIbringyou?”
Otterhadbeenstrugglingwithtears;hehidhisface.“Yes,”hesaid,“thanks.”
“Thoughtyoumight.AsforKingLosen,”Houndsaid,“whoknows.”Hesniffedandsighed.“IfIwashimI’dretire”hesaid.“IthinkI’lldothatmyself.”
Otterhadgotcontrolofhisfaceandvoice.Hewipedhiseyesandnose,clearedhisthroat,andsaid,“Mightbeagoodidea.CometoRoke.Safer.”
“Seemstobeahardplacetofind,”Houndsaid.
“Icanfindit,”saidOtter.
IV.Medra
Therewasanoldmanbyourdoor
Whoopenedittorichorpoor,
Manycametherebothsmallandgreat,
ButfewcouldpassthroughMedra’sGate.
Sorunsthewateraway,away,
Sorunsthewateraway.
HOUNDSTAYEDINENDLANE.Hecouldmakealivingasafinderthere,andhelikedthetavern,andOtter’smother’shospitality.
Bythebeginningofautumn,LosenwashangingbyaroperoundhisfeetfromawindowoftheNewPalace,rotting,whilesixwarlordsquarreledoverhiskingdom,andtheshipsofthegreatfleetchasedandfoughtoneanotheracrosstheStraitsandthewizard-troubledsea.
ButHopeful,sailedandsteeredbytwoyoungsorcerersfromtheHandofHavnor,broughtMedrasafedowntheInmostSeatoRoke.
Emberwasonthedocktomeethim.Lameandverythin,hecametoherandtookherhands,buthecouldnotlifthisfacetohers.Hesaid,“Ihavetoomanydeathsonmyheart,Elehal.”
“ComewithmetotheGrove,”shesaid.
Theywenttheretogetherandstayedtillthewintercame.Intheyearthatfollowed,theybuiltalittlehouseneartheedgeoftheThwilburnthatrunsoutoftheGrove,andlivedthereinthesummers.
TheyworkedandtaughtintheGreatHouse.Theysawitgoupstoneonstone,everystonesteepedinspellsofprotection,endurance,peace.TheysawtheRuleofRokeestablished,thoughneversofirmlyastheymightwish,andalwaysagainstopposition;formagescamefromotherislandsandroseupfromamongthestudentsoftheschool,womenandmenofpower,knowledge,andpride,swornbytheRuletoworktogetherandforthegoodofall,buteachseeingadifferentwaytodoit.
Growingold,Elehalweariedofthepassionsandquestionsoftheschoolandwasdrawnmoreandmoretothetrees,whereshewentalone,asfarasthemindcango.Medrawalkedtheretoo,butnotsofarasshe,forhewaslame.
Aftershedied,helivedawhilealoneinthesmallhouseneartheGrove.
Onedayinautumnhecamebacktotheschool.Hewentinbythegardendoor,whichgivesonthepaththroughthefieldstoRokeKnoll.ItisacuriousthingabouttheGreatHouseofRoke,thatithasnoportalorgrandentrywayatall.Youcanenterbywhattheycallthebackdoor,which,thoughitismadeofhornandframedindragonstoothandcarvedwiththeThousand-LeavedTree,lookslikenothingatallfromoutside,asyoucometoitinadingystreet;oryoucangointhegardendoor,plainoakwithanironbolt.Butthereisnofrontdoor.
Hecamethroughthehallsandstonecorridorstotheinmostplace,themarble-pavedcourtyardofthefountain,wherethetreeElehalhadplantednowstoodtall,itsberriesreddening.
Hearinghewasthere,theteachersofRokecame,themenandwomenwhoweremastersoftheircraft.MedrahadbeentheMasterFinder,untilhewenttotheGrove.Ayoungwomannowtaughtthatart,ashehadtaughtittoher.
“I’vebeenthinking,”hesaid.“Thereareeightofyou.Nine’sabetternumber.Countmeasamasteragain,ifyouwill.”
“Whatwillyoudo,MasterTern?”askedtheSummoner,agrey-hairedmage
fromIlien.
“I’llkeepthedoor,”Medrasaid.“Beinglame,Iwon’tgofarfromit.Beingold,I’llknowwhattosaytothosewhocome.Beingafinder,I’llfindoutiftheybelonghere.”
“Thatwouldspareusmuchtroubleandsomedanger,”saidtheyoungFinder.
“Howwillyoudoit?”theSummonerasked.
“I’llaskthemtheirname,”Medrasaid.Hesmiled.“Ifthey’lltellme,theycancomein.Andwhentheythinkthey’velearnedeverything,theycangooutagain.Iftheycantellmemyname.”
Soitwas.Fortherestofhislife,MedrakeptthedoorsoftheGreatHouseonRoke.ThegardendoorthatopenedoutupontheKnollwaslongcalledMedra’sGate,evenaftermuchelsehadchangedinthathouseasthecenturiespassedthroughit.AndstilltheninthMasterofRokeistheDoorkeeper.
InEndlaneandthevillagesroundthefootofOnnonHavnor,womenspinningandweavingsingariddlesongofwhichthelastlinehastodo,maybe,withthemanwhowasMedra,andOtter,andTern.
Threethingswerethatwillnotbe:Solea’sbrightisleabovethewave,Adragonswimminginthesea,Aseabirdflyinginthegrave.
DarkroseAndDiamondABOAT-SONGFROMWESTHAVNOR
Wheremyloveisgoing
TherewillIgo.
Wherehisboatisrowing
Iwillrow.
Wewilllaughtogether,
Togetherwewillcry.
IfhelivesIwilllive,
IfhediesIdie.
Wheremyloveisgoing
TherewillIgo.
Wherehisboatisrowing
Iwillrow.
InthewestofHavnor,amonghillsforestedwithoakandchestnut,isthetownofGlade.Awhileago,therichmanofthattownwasamerchantcalledGolden.
GoldenownedthemillthatcuttheoakboardsfortheshipstheybuiltinHavnorSouthPortandHavnorGreatPort;heownedthebiggestchestnutgroves;heownedthecartsandhiredthecartersthatcarriedthetimberandthechestnutsoverthehillstobesold.Hedidverywellfromtrees,andwhenhissonwasborn,themothersaid,“WecouldcallhimChestnut,orOak,maybe?”Butthefathersaid,“Diamond,”diamondbeinginhisestimationtheonethingmorepreciousthangold.
SolittleDiamondgrewupinthefinesthouseinGlade,afat,bright-eyedbaby,aruddy,cheerfulboy.Hehadasweetsingingvoice,atrueear,andaloveofmusic,sothathismother,Tuly,calledhimSongsparrowandSkylark,amongotherlovingnames,forsheneverreallydidlike“Diamond.”Hetrilledandcaroledaboutthehouse;heknewanytuneassoonasheheardit,and
inventedtuneswhenheheardnone.HismotherhadthewisewomanTangleteachhimTheCreationofEaandTheDeedoftheYoungKing,andatSunreturnwhenhewaselevenyearsoldhesangtheWinterCarolfortheLordoftheWesternLand,whowasvisitinghisdomaininthehillsaboveGlade.TheLordandhisLadypraisedtheboy’ssingingandgavehimatinygoldboxwithadiamondsetinthelid,whichseemedakindandprettygifttoDiamondandhismother.ButGoldenwasabitimpatientwiththesingingandthetrinkets.“Therearemoreimportantthingsforyoutodo,son,”hesaid.“Andgreaterprizestobeearned.”
Diamondthoughthisfathermeantthebusiness—theloggers,thesawyers,thesawmill,thechestnutgroves,thepickers,thecarters,thecarts—allthatworkandtalkandplanning,complicated,adultmatters.Heneverfeltthatithadmuchtodowithhim,sohowwashetohaveasmuchtodowithitashisfatherexpected?Maybehe’dfindoutwhenhegrewup.
ButinfactGoldenwasn’tthinkingonlyaboutthebusiness.Hehadobservedsomethingabouthissonthathadmadehimnotexactlysethiseyeshigherthanthebusiness,butglanceaboveitfromtimetotime,andthenshuthiseyes.
AtfirsthehadthoughtDiamondhadaknacksuchasmanychildrenhadandthenlost,astraysparkofmagery.Whenhewasalittleboy,Goldenhimselfhadbeenabletomakehisownshadowshineandsparkle.Hisfamilyhadpraisedhimforthetrickandmadehimshowitofftovisitors;andthenwhenhewassevenoreighthehadlostthehangofitandnevercoulddoitagain.
WhenhesawDiamondcomedownthestairswithouttouchingthestairs,hethoughthiseyeshaddeceivedhim;butafewdayslater,hesawthechildfloatupthestairs,justafingerglidingalongtheoakenbanister-rail.“Canyoudothatcomingdown?”Goldenasked,andDiamondsaid,
“Oh,yes,likethis,”andsailedbackdownsmoothasacloudonthesouthwind.
“Howdidyoulearntodothat?”
“Ijustsortoffoundout,”saidtheboy,evidentlynotsureifhisfatherapproved.
Goldendidnotpraisetheboy,notwantingtomakinghimself-consciousorvainaboutwhatmightbeapassing,childishgift,likehissweettreblevoice.Therewastoomuchfussalreadymadeoverthat.
ButayearorsolaterhesawDiamondoutinthebackgardenwithhisplaymateRose.Thechildrenweresquattingontheirhaunches,headsclosetogether,laughing.Somethingintenseoruncannyaboutthemmadehimpause
atthewindowonthestairslandingandwatchthem.Athingbetweenthemwasleapingupanddown,afrog?atoad?abigcricket?Hewentoutintothegardenandcameupnearthem,movingsoquietly,thoughhewasabigman,thattheyintheirabsorptiondidnothearhim.Thethingthatwashoppingupanddownonthegrassbetweentheirbaretoeswasarock.WhenDiamondraisedhishandtherockjumpedupintheair,andwhenheshookhishandalittletherockhoveredintheair,andwhenheflippedhisfingersdownwarditfelltoearth.
“Nowyou,”DiamondsaidtoRose,andshestartedtodowhathehaddone,buttherockonlytwitchedalittle.“Oh,”shewhispered,“there’syourdad.”
“That’sveryclever,”Goldensaid.
“Dithoughtitup,”Rosesaid.
Goldendidnotlikethechild.Shewasbothoutspokenanddefensive,bothrashandtimid.Shewasagirl,andayearyoungerthanDiamond,andawitch’sdaughter.Hewishedhissonwouldplaywithboyshisownage,hisownsort,fromtherespectablefamiliesofGlade.Tulyinsistedoncallingthewitch“thewisewoman,”butawitchwasawitchandherdaughterwasnofitcompanionforDiamond.Ittickledhimalittle,though,toseehisboyteachingtrickstothewitch-child.
“Whatelsecanyoudo,Diamond?”heasked.
“Playtheflute,”Diamondsaidpromptly,andtookoutofhispocketthelittlefifehismotherhadgivenhimforhistwelfthbirthday.Heputittohislips,hisfingersdanced,andheplayedasweet,familiartunefromthewesterncoast,“WhereMyLoveIsGoing.”
“Verynice,”saidthefather.“Butanybodycanplaythefife,youknow.”
DiamondglancedatRose.Thegirlturnedherheadaway,lookingdown.
“Ilearneditreallyquickly,”Diamondsaid.
Goldengrunted,unimpressed.
“Itcandoitbyitself,”Diamondsaid,andheldoutthefifeawayfromhislips.Hisfingersdancedonthestops,andthefifeplayedashortjig.Ithitseveralfalsenotesandsquealedonthelasthighnote.“Ihaven’tgotitrightyet,”Diamondsaid,vexedandembarrassed.
“Prettygood,prettygood,”hisfathersaid.“Keeppracticing.”Andhewenton.Hewasnotsurewhatheoughttohavesaid.Hedidnotwanttoencouragetheboytospendanymoretimeonmusic,orwiththisgirl;hespenttoomuchalready,andneitherofthemwouldhelphimgetanywhereinlife.Butthisgift,thisundeniablegiftttherockhovering,theunblownfife—Well,itwould
bewrongtomaketoomuchofit,butprobablyitshouldnotbediscouraged.
InGolden’sunderstanding,moneywaspower,butnottheonlypower.Thereweretwoothers,oneequal,onegreater.Therewasbirth.WhentheLordoftheWesternLandcametohisdomainnearGlade,Goldenwasgladtoshowhimfealty.TheLordwasborntogovernandtokeepthepeace,asGoldenwasborntodealwithcommerceandwealth,eachinhisplace;andeach,nobleorcommon,ifheservedwellandhonestly,deservedhonorandrespect.ButtherewerealsolesserlordswhomGoldencouldbuyandsell,lendtoorletbeg,menbornnoblewhodeservedneitherfealtynorhonor.Powerofbirthandpowerofmoneywerecontingent,andmustbeearnedlesttheybelost.
ButbeyondtherichandthelordlywerethosecalledtheMenofPower:thewizards.Theirpower,thoughlittleexercised,wasabsolute.Intheirhandslaythefateofthelong-kinglesskingdomoftheArchipelago.
IfDiamondhadbeenborntothatkindofpower,ifthatwashisgift,thenallGolden’sdreamsandplansoftraininghiminthebusiness,andhavinghimhelpinexpandingthecartingroutetoaregulartradewithSouthPort,andbuyingupthechestnutforestsaboveReche—allsuchplansdwindledintotrifles.MightDiamondgo(ashismother’sunclehadgone)totheSchoolofWizardsonRokeIsland?Mighthe(asthatunclehaddone)gaingloryforhisfamilyanddominionoverlordandcommoner,becomingaMageintheCourtoftheLordsRegentintheGreatPortofHavnor?Goldenallbutfloatedupthestairshimself,borneonsuchvisions.
Buthesaidnothingtotheboyandnothingtotheboy’smother.Hewasaconsciouslyclose-mouthedman,distrustfulofvisionsuntiltheycouldbemadeacts;andshe,thoughadutiful,lovingwifeandmotherandhousekeeper,alreadymadetoomuchofDiamond’stalentsandaccomplishments.Also,likeallwomen,shewasinclinedtobabbleandgossip,andindiscriminateinherfriendships.ThegirlRosehungaboutwithDiamondbecauseTulyencouragedRose’smotherthewitchtovisit,consultinghereverytimeDiamondhadahangnail,andtellinghermorethansheoranyoneoughttoknowaboutGolden’shousehold.Hisbusinesswasnoneofthewitch’sbusiness.Ontheotherhand,Tanglemightbeabletotellhimifhissoninfactshowedpromise,hadatalentformagery…butheflinchedawayfromthethoughtofaskingher,askingawitch’sopiniononanything,leastofallajudgmentonhisson.
Heresolvedtowaitandwatch.Beingapatientmanwithastrongwill,hedidsoforfouryears,tillDiamondwassixteen.Abig,well-grownyouth,goodatgamesandlessons,hewas‘stillruddy-facedandbright-eyedandcheerful.Hehadtakenithardwhenhisvoicechanged,thesweettreblegoingalluntunedandhoarse.Goldenhadhopedthatthatwastheendofhissinging,buttheboy
wentonwanderingaboutwithitinerantmusicians,ballad-singersandsuch,learningalltheirtrash.Thatwasnolifeforamerchant’ssonwhowastoinheritandmanagehisfather’spropertiesandmillsandbusiness,andGoldentoldhimso.“Singingtimeisover,son,”hesaid.“Youmustthinkaboutbeingaman.”
DiamondhadbeengivenhistruenameatthespringsoftheAmiainthehillsaboveGlade.ThewizardHemlock,whohadknownhisgreat-uncletheMage,cameupfromSouthPorttonamehim.AndHemlockwasinvitedtohisnamedaypartytheyearafter,abigparty,beerandfoodforall,andnewclothes,ashirtorskirtorshiftforeverychild,whichwasanoldcustomintheWestofHavnor,anddancingonthevillagegreeninthewarmautumnevening.Diamondhadmanyfriends,alltheboyshisageintownandallthegirlstoo.Theyoungpeopledanced,andsomeofthemhadabittoomuchbeer,butnobodymisbehavedverybadly,anditwasamerryandmemorablenight.ThenextmorningGoldentoldhissonagainthathemustthinkaboutbeingaman.
“Ihavethoughtsomeaboutit,”saidtheboy,inhishuskyvoice.
“And?”
“Well,I,”saidDiamond,andstuck.
“I’dalwayscountedonyourgoingintothefamilybusiness,”Goldensaid.Histonewasneutral,andDiamondsaidnothing.“Haveyouhadanyideasofwhatyouwanttodo?”
“Sometimes.”
“DidyoutalkatalltoMasterHemlock?”
Diamondhesitatedandsaid,“No.”Helookedaquestionathisfather.
“Italkedtohimlastnight,”Goldensaid.“Hesaidtomethattherearecertainnaturalgiftswhichit’snotonlydifficultbutactuallywrong,harmful,tosuppress.”
ThelighthadcomebackintoDiamond’sdarkeyes.
“TheMastersaidthatsuchgiftsorcapacities,untrained,arenotonlywasted,butmaybedangerous.Theartmustbelearned,andpracticed,hesaid.”
Diamond’sfaceshone.
“But,hesaid,itmustbelearnedandpracticedforitsownsake.”
Diamondnoddedeagerly.
“Ifit’sarealgift,anunusualcapacity,that’sevenmoretrue.Awitchwithher
lovepotionscan’tdomuchharm,butevenavillagesorcerer,hesaid,musttakecare,foriftheartisusedforbaseends,itbecomesweakandnoxious….Ofcourse,evenasorcerergetspaid.Andwizards,asyouknow,livewithlords,andhavewhattheywish.”
Diamondwaslisteningintently,frowningalittle.
“So,tobebluntaboutit,ifyouhavethisgift,Diamond,it’sofnouse,directly,toourbusiness.Ithastobecultivatedonitsownterms,andkeptundercontrol—learnedandmastered.Onlythen,hesaid,canyourteachersbegintotellyouwhattodowithit,whatgooditwilldoyou.Orothers,”headdedconscientiously.
Therewasalongpause.
“Itoldhim,”Goldensaid,“thatIhadseenyou,withaturnofyourhandandasingleword,changeawoodencarvingofabirdintoabirdthatflewupandsang.Preseenyoumakealightglowinthinair.Youdidn’tknowIwaswatching.I’vewatchedandsaidnothingforalongtime.Ididn’twanttomaketoomuchofmerechildishplay.ButIbelieveyouhaveagift,perhapsagreatgift.WhenItoldMasterHemlockwhatI’dseenyoudo,heagreedwithme.HesaidthatyoumaygostudywithhiminSouthPortforayear,orperhapslonger.”
“StudywithMasterHemlock?”saidDiamond,hisvoiceuphalfanoctave.
“Ifyouwish.”
“I,I,Ineverthoughtaboutit.CanIthinkaboutit?Forawhile—aday?”
“Ofcourse,”Goldensaid,pleasedwithhisson’scaution.HehadthoughtDiamondmightleapattheoffer,whichwouldhavebeennatural,perhaps,butpainfultothefather,theowlwhohad—perhaps—hatchedoutaneagle.
ForGoldenlookedontheArtMagicwithgenuinehumilityassomethingquitebeyondhim—notameretoy,suchasmusicortale-telling,butapracticalbusiness,whichhisbusinesscouldneverquiteequal.Andhewas,thoughhewouldn’thaveputitthatway,afraidofwizards.Abitcontemptuousofsorcerers,withtheirsleightsandillusionsandgibble-gabble,butafraidofwizards.
“DoesMotherknow?”Diamondasked.
“Shewillwhenthetimecomes.Butshehasnoparttoplayinyourdecision,Diamond.Womenknownothingofthesemattersandhavenothingtodowiththem.
Youmustmakeyourchoicealone,asaman.Doyouunderstandthat?”Goldenwasearnest,seeinghischancetobegintoweantheladfromhis
mother.Sheasawomanwouldcling,butheasamanmustlearntoletgo.AndDiamondnoddedsturdilyenoughtosatisfyhisfather,thoughhehadathoughtfullook.
“MasterHemlocksaidI,saidhethoughtIhad,Imighthavea,agift,atalentfor—?”
Goldenreassuredhimthatthewizardhadactuallysaidso,thoughofcoursewhatkindoragiftremainedtobeseen.Theboy’smodestywasagreatrelieftohim.
Hehadhalf-consciouslydreadedthatDiamondwouldtriumphoverhim,assertinghispowerrightaway—thatmysterious,dangerous,incalculablepoweragainstwhichGolden’swealthandmasteryanddignityshranktoimpotence.
“Thankyou,Father,”theboysaid.Goldenembracedhimandleft,wellpleasedwithhim.
THEIRMEETINGPLACEwasinthesallows,thewillowthicketsdownbytheAmiaasitranbelowthesmithy.AssoonasRosegotthere,Diamondsaid,“HewantsmetogostudywithMasterHemlock!WhatamIgoingtodo?”
“Studywiththewizard?”
“HethinksIhavethishugegreattalent.Formagic.”
“Whodoes?”
“Fatherdoes.Hesawsomeofthestuffwewerepracticing.ButhesaysHemlocksaysIshouldcomestudywithhimbecauseitmightbedangerousnotto.Oh,”andDiamondbeathisheadwithhishands.
“Butyoudohaveatalent.”
Hegroanedandscouredhisscalpwithhisknuckles.Hewassittingonthedirtintheiroldplay-place,akindofbowerdeepinthewillows,wheretheycouldhearthestreamrunningoverthestonesnearbyandtheclang-clangofthesmithyfurtheroff.Thegirlsatdownfacinghim.
“Lookatallthestuffyoucando,”shesaid.“Youcouldn’tdoanyofitifyoudidn’thaveagift.”
“Alittlegift,”Diamondsaidindistinctly.“Enoughfortricks.”
“Howdoyouknowthat?”
Rosewasverydark-skinned,withacloudofcrinkledhair,athinmouth,anintent,seriousface.Herfeetandlegsandhandswerebareanddirty,herskirt
andjacketdisreputable.Herdirtytoesandfingersweredelicateandelegant,andanecklaceofamethystsgleamedunderthetorn,buttonlessjacket.Hermother,Tangle,madeagoodlivingbycuringandhealing,bone-knittingandbirth-easing,andsellingspellsoffinding,love-potions,andsleeping-drafts.Shecouldaffordtodressherselfandherdaughterinnewclothes,buyshoes,andkeepclean,butitdidn’toccurtohertodoso.Norwashousekeepingoneofherinterests.SheandRoselivedmostlyonboiledchickenandfriedeggs,asshewasoftenpaidinpoultry.Theyardoftheirtwo-roomhousewasawildernessofcatsandhens.Shelikedcats,toads,andjewels.TheamethystnecklacehadbeenpaymentforthesafedeliveryofasontoGolden’sheadforester.Tangleherselfworearmfulsofbraceletsandbanglesthatflashedandcrashedwhensheflickedoutanimpatientspell.Attimessheworeakittenonhershoulder.Shewasnotanattentivemother.Rosehaddemanded,atsevenyearsold,“Whydidyouhavemeifyoudidn’twantme?”
“Howcanyoudeliverbabiesproperlyifyouhaven’thadone?”saidhermother.
“SoIwaspractice,”Rosesnarled.
“Everythingispractice,”Tanglesaid.Shewasneverill-natured.Sheseldomthoughttodoanythingmuchforherdaughter,butneverhurther,neverscoldedher,andgaveherwhateversheaskedfor,dinner,atoadofherown,theamethystnecklace,lessonsinwitchcraft.ShewouldhaveprovidednewclothesifRosehadaskedforthem,butsheneverdid.Rosehadlookedafterherselffromanearlyage;andthiswasoneofthereasonsDiamondlovedher.Withher,heknewwhatfreedomwas.Withouther,hecouldattainitonlywhenhewashearingandsingingandplayingmusic.
“Idohaveagift,”hesaidnow,rubbinghistemplesandpullinghishair.
“Stopdestroyingyourhead,”Rosetoldhim.
“IknowTarrythinksIdo.”
“Ofcourseyoudo!WhatdoesitmatterwhatTarrythinks?Youalreadyplaytheharpaboutninetimesbetterthanheeverdid.”
ThiswasanotherofthereasonsDiamondlovedher.
“Arethereanywizardmusicians?”heasked,lookingup.
Shepondered.“Idon’tknow.”
“Idon’teither.MorredandElfarransangtoeachother,andhewasamage.Ithinkthere’saMasterChanteronRoke,thatteachesthelaysandthehistories.ButIneverheardofawizardbeingamusician.”
“Idon’tseewhyonecouldn’tbe.”Sheneversawwhysomethingcouldnot
be.
Anotherreasonhelovedher.
“Italwaysseemedtomethey’resortofalike,”hesaid,“magicandmusic.Spellsandtunes.Foronething,youhavetogetthemjustexactlyright.”
“Practice,”Rosesaid,rathersourly.“Iknow.”SheflickedapebbleatDiamond.Itturnedintoabutterflyinmidair.Heflickedabutterflybackather,andthetwoflittedandflickeredamomentbeforetheyfellbacktoearthaspebbles.DiamondandRosehadworkedoutseveralsuchvariationsontheoldstone-hoppingtrick.
“Yououghttogo,Di,”shesaid.“Justtofindout.”
“Iknow.”
“Whatifyougottobeawizard!Oh!Thinkofthestuffyoucouldteachme!Shapechanging—Wecouldbeanything.Horses!Bears!”
“Moles,”Diamondsaid.“Honestly,Ifeellikehidingunderground.IalwaysthoughtFatherwasgoingtomakemelearnallhiskindofstuff,afterIgotmyname.Butallthisyearhe’skeptsortofholdingoff.Iguesshehadthisinmindallalong.ButwhatifIgodownthereandI’mnotanybetteratbeingawizardthanIamatbookkeeping?Whycan’tIdowhatIknowIcando?”
“Well,whycan’tyoudoitall?Themagicandthemusic,anyhow?Youcanalwayshireabookkeeper.”
Whenshelaughed,herthinfacegotbright,herthinmouthgotwide,andhereyesdisappeared.
“Oh,Darkrose,”Diamondsaid,“Iloveyou.”
“Ofcourseyoudo.You’dbetter.I’llwitchyouifyoudon’t.”
Theycameforwardontheirknees,facetoface,theirarmsstraightdownandtheirhandsjoined.Theykissedeachotherallovertheirfaces.ToRose’slipsDiamond’sfacewassmoothandfullasaplum,withjustahintofpricklinessabovethelipandjawline,wherehehadtakentoshavingrecently.ToDiamond’slipsRose’sfacewassoftassilk,withjustahintofgrittinessononecheek,whichshehadrubbedwithadirtyhand.Theymovedalittleclosersothattheirbreastsandbelliestouched,thoughtheirhandsstayeddownbytheirsides.Theywentonkissing.
“Darkrose,”hebreathedinherear,hissecretnameforher.
Shesaidnothing,butbreathedverywarminhisear,andhemoaned.Hishandsclenchedhers.Hedrewbackalittle.Shedrewback.Theysatbackontheirankles.
“OhDi,”shesaid,“itwillbeawfulwhenyougo.”
“Iwon’tgo,”hesaid.“Anywhere.Ever.”
BUTOFCOURSEhewentdowntoHavnorSouthPort,inoneofhisfather’scartsdrivenbyoneofhisfather’scarters,alongwithMasterHemlock.Asarule,peopledowhatwizardsadvisethemtodo.Anditisnosmallhonortobeinvitedbyawizardtobehisstudentorapprentice.Hemlock,whohadwonhisstaffonRoke,wasusedtohavingboyscometohimbeggingtobetestedand,iftheyhadthegiftforit,taught.Hewasalittlecuriousaboutthisboywhosecheerfulgoodmannershidsomereluctanceorself-doubt.Itwasthefather’sidea,nottheboy’s,thathewasgifted.Thatwasunusual,thoughperhapsnotsounusualamongthewealthyasamongcommonfolk.Atanyratehecamewithaverygoodprenticingfeepaidbeforehandingoldandivory.IfhehadthemakingsofawizardHemlockwouldtrainhim,andifhehad,asHemlocksuspected,amerechildishflair,thenhe’dbesenthomewithwhatremainedofhisfee.Hemlockwasanhonest,upright,humorless,scholarlywizardwithlittleinterestinfeelingsorideas.Hisgiftwasfornames.“Theartbeginsandendsinnaming,”hesaid,whichindeedistrue,althoughtheremaybeagooddealbetweenthebeginningandtheend.
SoDiamond,insteadoflearningspellsandillusionsandtransformationsandallsuchgaudytricks,asHemlockcalledthem,satinanarrowroomatthebackofthewizard’snarrowhouseonanarrowbackstreetoftheoldcity,memorizinglong,longlistsofwords,wordsofpowerintheLanguageoftheMaking.Plantsandpartsofplantsandanimalsandpartsofanimalsandislandsandpartsofislands,partsofships,partsofthehumanbody.Thewordsnevermadesense,nevermadesentences,onlylists.Long,longlists.
Hismindwandered.“Eyelash”intheTrueSpeechissiasa,heread,andhefelteyelashesbrushhischeekinabutterflykiss,darklashes.Helookedupstartledanddidnotknowwhathadtouchedhim.Laterwhenhetriedtorepeattheword,hestooddumb.
“Memory,memory,”Hemlocksaid.“Talent’snogoodwithoutmemory!”Hewasnotharsh,buthewasunyielding.DiamondhadnoideawhatopinionHemlockhadofhim,andguessedittobeprettylow.Thewizardsometimeshadhimcomewithhimtohiswork,mostlylayingspellsofsafetyonshipsandhouses,purifyingwells,andsittingonthecouncilsofthecity,seldomspeakingbutalwayslistening.Anotherwizard,notRoke-trainedbutwiththehealer’sgift,lookedafterthesickanddyingofSouthPort.Hemlockwasgladtolethimdoso.Hisownpleasurewasinstudyingand,asfarasDiamondcouldsee,doingnomagicatall.“KeeptheEquilibrium,it’sallinthat,”
Hemlocksaid,and,“Knowledge,order,andcontrol.”ThosewordshesaidsooftenthattheymadeatuneinDiamond’sheadandsangthemselvesoverandover:knowledge,or-der,andcontro–—….
WhenDiamondputthelistsofnamestotuneshemadeup,helearnedthemmuchfaster;butthenthetunewouldcomeaspartofthename,andhewouldsingoutsoclearly—forhisvoicehadre-establisheditselfasastrong,darktenor—thatHemlockwinced.Hemlock’swasaverysilenthouse.
MostlythepupilwassupposedtobewiththeMaster,orstudyingthelistsofnamesintheroomwherethelorebooksandwordbookswere,orasleep.Hemlockwasasticklerforearlyabedandearlyafoot.ButnowandthenDiamondhadanhourortwofree.HealwayswentdowntothedocksandsatonapiersideorawaterstairandthoughtaboutDarkrose.AssoonashewasoutofthehouseandawayfromMasterHemlock,hebegantothinkaboutDarkrose,andwentonthinkingaboutherandverylittleelse.Itsurprisedhimalittle.Hethoughtheoughttobehomesick,tothinkabouthismother.Hedidthinkabouthismotherquiteoften,andoftenwashomesick,lyingonhiscotinhisbareandnarrowlittleroomafterascantysupperofcoldpea-porridge—forthiswizard,atleast,didnotliveinsuchluxuryasGoldenhadimagined.DiamondneverthoughtaboutDarkrose,nights.Hethoughtofhismother,orofsunnyroomsandhotfood,oratunewouldcomeintohisheadandhewouldpracticeitmentallyontheharpinhismind,andsodriftofftosleep.Darkrosewouldcometohismindonlywhenhewasdownatthedocks,staringoutatthewateroftheharbor,thepiers,thefishingboats,onlywhenhewasoutdoorsandawayfromHemlockandhishouse.
Sohecherishedhisfreehoursasiftheywereactualmeetingswithher.Hehadalwayslovedher,buthadnotunderstoodthathelovedherbeyondanyoneandanything.Whenhewaswithher,evenwhenhewasdownonthedocksthinkingofher,hewasalive.HeneverfeltentirelyaliveinMasterHemlock’shouseandpresence.Hefeltalittledead.Notdead,butalittledead.
Afewtimes,sittingonthewaterstairs,thedirtyharborwatersloshingatthenextstepdown,theyellsofgullsanddockworkerswreathingtheairwithathin,ungainlymusic,heshuthiseyesandsawhislovesoclear,soclose,thathereachedouthishandtotouchher.Ifhereachedouthishandinhismindonly,aswhenheplayedthementalharp,thenindeedhetouchedher.Hefeltherhandinhis,andhercheek,warm-cool,silken-gritty,layagainsthismouth.Inhismindhespoketoher,andinhismindsheanswered,hervoice,herhuskyvoicesayinghisname,“Diamond….”
ButashewentbackupthestreetsofSouthPorthelosther.Hesworetokeepherwithhim,tothinkofher,tothinkofherthatnight,butshefadedaway.By
thetimeheopenedthedoorofMasterHemlock’shousehewasrecitinglistsofnames,orwonderingwhatwouldbefordinner,forhewashungrymostofthetime.Nottillhecouldtakeanhourandrunbackdowntothedockscouldhethinkofher.
Sohecametofeelthatthosehoursweretruemeetingswithher,andhelivedforthem,withoutknowingwhathelivedforuntilhisfeetwereonthecobbles,andhiseyesontheharborandthefarlineofthesea.Thenherememberedwhatwasworthremembering.
Thewinterpassedby,andthecoldearlyspring,andwiththewarmlatespringcamealetterfromhismother,broughtbyacarter.DiamondreaditandtookittoMasterHemlock,saying,“MymotherwondersifImightspendamonthathomethissummer.”
“Probablynot,”thewizardsaid,andthen,appearingtonoticeDiamond,putdownhispenandsaid,“Youngman,Imustaskyouifyouwishtocontinuestudyingwithme.”
Diamondhadnoideawhattosay.Theideaofitsbeinguptohimhadnotoccurredtohim.“DoyouthinkIoughtto?”heaskedatlast.
“Probablynot,”thewizardsaid.
Diamondexpectedtofeelrelieved,released,butfoundhefeltrejected,ashamed.
“I’msorry,”hesaid,withenoughdignitythatHemlockglancedupathim.
“YoucouldgotoRoke,”thewizardsaid.
“ToRoke?”
Theboy’sdrop-jawedstareirritatedHemlock,thoughheknewitshouldn’t.Wizardsareusedtooverweeningconfidenceintheyoungoftheirkind.Theyexpectmodestytocomelater,ifatall.“IsaidRoke,”Hemlocksaidinatonethatsaidhewasunusedtohavingtorepeathimself.Andthen,becausethisboy,thissoft-headed,spoiled,moonyboyhadendearedhimselftoHemlockbyhisuncomplainingpatience,hetookpityonhimandsaid,“YoushouldeithergotoRokeorfindawizardtoteachyouwhatyouneed.OfcourseyouneedwhatIcanteachyou.Youneedthenames.Theartbeginsandendsinnaming.Butthat’snotyourgift.Youhaveapoormemoryforwords.Youmusttrainitdiligently.However,it’sclearthatyoudohavecapacities,andthattheyneedcultivationanddiscipline,whichanothermancangiveyoubetterthanIcan.”Sodoesmodestybreedmodesty,sometimes,eveninunlikelyplaces.“IfyouweretogotoRoke,I’dsendaletterwithyoudrawingyoutotheparticularattentionoftheMasterSummoner.”
“Ah,”saidDiamond,floored.TheSummoner’sartisperhapsthemostarcaneanddangerousofalltheartsofmagic.
“PerhapsIamwrong,”saidHemlockinhisdry,flatvoice.“YourgiftmaybeforPattern.Orperhapsit’sanordinarygiftforshapingandtransformation.I’mnotcertain.”
“Butyouare—Idoactually—“
“Ohyes.Youareuncommonlyslow,youngman,torecognizeyourowncapacities.”Itwasspokenharshly,andDiamondstiffenedupabit.
“Ithoughtmygiftwasformusic,”hesaid.
Hemlockdismissedthatwithaflickofhishand.“IamtalkingoftheTrueArt,”hesaid.“NowIwillbefrankwithyou.Iadviseyoutowriteyourparents—Ishallwritethemtoo—informingthemofyourdecisiontogototheSchoolonRoke,ifthatiswhatyoudecide;ortotheGreatPort,iftheMageRestivewilltakeyouon,asIthinkhewill,withmyrecommendation.ButIadviseagainstvisitinghome.Theentanglementoffamily,friends,andsoonispreciselywhatyouneedtobefreeof.Now,andhenceforth.”
“Dowizardshavenofamily?”
Hemlockwasgladtoseeabitoffireintheboy.“Theyareoneanother’sfamily,”hesaid.
“Andnofriends?”
“Theymaybefriends.DidIsayitwasaneasylife?”Apause.HemlocklookeddirectlyatDiamond.“Therewasagirl,”hesaid.
Diamondmethisgazeforamoment,lookeddown,andsaidnothing.
“Yourfathertoldme.Awitch’sdaughter,achildhoodplaymate.Hebelievedthatyouhadtaughtherspells.”
“Shetaughtme.”
Hemlocknodded.“Thatisquiteunderstandable,amongchildren.Andquiteimpossiblenow.Doyouunderstandthat?”“No,”Diamondsaid.
“Sitdown,”saidHemlock.AfteramomentDiamondtookthestiff,high-backedchairfacinghim.
“Icanprotectyouhere,andhavedoneso.OnRoke,ofcourse,you’llbeperfectlysafe.Theverywalls,there…Butifyougohome,youmustbewillingtoprotectyourself.It’sadifficultthingforayoungman,verydifficult—atestofawillthathasnotyetbeensteeled,amindthathasnotyetseenitstruegoal.Iverystronglyadvisethatyounottakethatrisk.Writeyour
parents,andgototheGreatPort,ortoRoke.Halfyouryear’sfee,whichI’llreturntoyou,willseetoyourfirstexpenses.”
Diamondsatuprightandstill.Hehadbeengettingsomeofhisfather’sheightandgirthlately,andlookedverymuchaman,thoughaveryyoungone.
“Whatdidyoumean,MasterHemlock,insayingthatyouhadprotectedmehere?”
“SimplyasIprotectmyself,”thewizardsaid;andafteramoment,testily,“Thebargain,boy.Thepowerwegiveforourpower.Thelesserstateofbeingweforego.Surelyyouknowthateverytruemanofpoweriscelibate.”
Therewasapause,andDiamondsaid,“Soyousawtoit…thatI…”
“Ofcourse.Itwasmyresponsibilityasyourteacher.”
Diamondnodded.Hesaid,“Thankyou.”Presentlyhestoodup.
“Excuseme,Master,”hesaid.“Ihavetothink.”
“Whereareyougoing?”
“Downtothewaterfront.”
“Betterstayhere.”
“Ican’tthink,here.”
Hemlockmighthaveknownthenwhathewasupagainst;buthavingtoldtheboyhewouldnotbehismasteranylonger,hecouldnotinconsciencecommandhim.“Youhaveatruegift,Essiri,”hesaid,usingthenamehehadgiventheboyinthespringsoftheAmia,awordthatintheOldSpeechmeansWillow.“Idon’tentirelyunderstandit.Ithinkyoudon’tunderstanditatall.Takecare!Tomisuseagift,ortorefusetouseit,maycausegreatloss,greatharm.”
Diamondnodded,suffering,contrite,unrebellious,unmovable.
“Goon,”thewizardsaid,andhewent.
Laterheknewheshouldneverhavelettheboyleavethehouse.HehadunderestimatedDiamond’swillpower,orthestrengthofthespellthegirlhadlaidonhim.Theirconversationwasinthemorning;Hemlockwentbacktotheancientcantriphewasannotating;itwasnottillsuppertimethathethoughtabouthispupil,andnotuntilhehadeatensupperalonethatheadmittedthatDiamondhadrunaway.
Hemlockwas10thtopracticeanyofthelesserartsofmagic.Hedidnotputoutafindingspell,asanysorcerermighthavedone.NordidhecalltoDiamondinanyway.Hewasangry;perhapshewashurt.Hehadthought
welloftheboy,andofferedtowritetheSummonerabouthim,andthenatthefirsttestofcharacterDiamondhadbroken.“Glass,”thewizardmuttered.Atleastthisweaknessprovedhewasnotdangerous.Sometalentswerebestnotlefttorunwild,buttherewasnoharminthisfellow,nomalice.Noambition.“Nospine,”saidHemlocktothesilenceofthehouse.“Lethimcrawlhometohismother.”
StillitrankledhimthatDiamondhadlethimdownflat,withoutawordofthanksorapology.Somuchforgoodmanners,hethought.
Assheblewoutthelampandgotintobed,thewitch’sdaughterheardanowlcalling,thelittle,liquidhu-hu-hu-huthatmadepeoplecallthemlaughingowls.Shehearditwithamournfulheart.Thathadbeentheirsignal,summernights,whentheysneakedouttomeetinthewillowgrovedownonthebanksoftheAmia,wheneverybodyelsewassleeping.Shewouldnotthinkofhimatnight.Backinthewintershehadsenttohimnightafternight.Shehadlearnedhermother’sspellofsending,andknewthatitwasatruespell.Shehadsenthimhertouch,hervoicesayinghisname,againandagain.Shehadmetawallofairandsilence.Shetouchednothing.Hewouldnothear.
Severaltimes,allofasudden,inthedaytime,therehadbeenamomentwhenshehadknownhimcloseinmindandcouldtouchhimifshereachedout.Butatnightsheknewonlyhisblankabsence,hisrefusalofher.Shehadstoppedtryingtoreachhim,monthsago,butherheartwasstillverysore.
“Hu-hu-hu,”saidtheowl,underherwindow,andthenitsaid,“Darkrose!”Startledfromhermisery,sheleapedoutofbedandopenedtheshutters.
“Comeonout,”whisperedDiamond,ashadowinthestarlight.
“Mother’snothome.Comein!”Shemethimatthedoor.
Theyheldeachothertight,hard,silentforalongtime.ToDiamonditwasasifheheldhisfuture,hisownlife,hiswholelife,inhisarms.
Atlastshemoved,andkissedhischeek,andwhispered,“Imissedyou,Imissedyou,Imissedyou.Howlongcanyoustay?”
“AslongasIlike.”
Shekepthishandandledhimin.Hewasalwaysalittlereluctanttoenterthewitch’shouse,apungent,disorderlyplacethickwiththemysteriesofwomenandwitchcraft,verydifferentfromhisowncleancomfortablehome,evenmoredifferentfromthecoldausterityofthewizard’shouse.Heshiveredlikeahorseashestoodthere,tootallfortheherb-festoonedrafters.Hewasveryhighlystrung,andwornout,havingwalkedfortymilesinsixteenhourswithoutfood.
“Where’syourmother?”heaskedinawhisper.
“SittingwitholdFerny.Shediedthisafternoon,Motherwillbethereallnight.Buthowdidyougethere?”
“Walked.”
“Thewizardletyouvisithome?”
“Iranaway.”
“Ranaway!Why?”
“Tokeepyou.”
Helookedather,thatvivid,fierce,darkfaceinitsroughcloudofhair.Sheworeonlyhershift,andhesawtheinfinitelydelicate,tenderriseofherbreasts.Hedrewhertohimagain,butthoughshehuggedhimshedrewawayagain,frowning.
“Keepme?”sherepeated.“Youdidn’tseemtoworryaboutlosingmeallwinter.Whatmadeyoucomebacknow?”
“HewantedmetogotoRoke.”
“ToRoke?”Shestared.“ToRoke,Di?Thenyoureallydohavethegift—youcouldbeasorcerer?”
TofindheronHemlock’ssidewasablow.
“Sorcerersarenothingtohim.HemeansIcouldbeawizard.Domagery.Notjustwitchcraft.”
“OhIsee,”Rosesaidafteramoment.“ButIdon’tseewhyyouranaway.”
Theyhadletgoofeachother’shands.
“Don’tyouunderstand?”hesaid,exasperatedwithherfornotunderstanding,becausehehadnotunderstood.“Awizardcan’thaveanythingtodowithwomen.Withwitches.Withallthat.”
“Oh,Iknow.It’sbeneaththem.”
“It’snotjustbeneaththem—“
“Oh,butitis.I’llbetyouhadtounlearneveryspellItaughtyou.Didn’tyou?”
“Itisn’tthesamekindofthing.”
“No.Itisn’ttheHighArt.Itisn’ttheTrueSpeech.Awizardmustn’tsoilhislipswithcommonwords.“Weakaswomen’smagic,wickedaswomen’smagic,”youthinkIdon’tknowwhattheysay?So,whydidyoucomeback
here?”
“Toseeyou!”
“Whatfor?”
“Whatdoyouthink?”
“Youneversenttome,youneverletmesendtoyou,allthetimeyouweregone.Iwasjustsupposedtowaituntilyougottiredofplayingwizard.Well,Igottiredofwaiting.”Hervoicewasnearlyinaudible,aroughwhisper.
“Somebody’sbeencomingaround,”hesaid,incredulousthatshecouldturnagainsthim.“Who’sbeenafteryou?”
“Noneofyourbusinessifthereis!Yougooff,youturnyourbackonme.Wizardscan’thaveanythingtodowithwhatIdo,whatmymotherdoes.Well,Idon’twantanythingtodowithwhatyoudo,either,ever.Sogo!”
Starvinghungry,frustrated,misunderstood,Diamondreachedouttoholdheragain,tomakeherbodyunderstandhisbody,repeatingthatfirst,deepembracethathadheldalltheyearsoftheirlivesinit.Hefoundhimselfstandingtwofeetback,hishandsstingingandhisearsringingandhiseyesdazzled.ThclightningwasinRose’seyes,andherhandssparkedassheclenchedthem.“Neverdothatagain,”shewhispered.
“Neverfear,”Diamondsaid,turnedonhisheel,andstrodeout.Astringofdriedsagecaughtonhisheadandtrailedafterhim.
HESPENTTHENIGHTintheiroldplaceinthesallows.Maybehehopedshewouldcome,butshedidnotcome,andhesoonsleptinsheerweariness.Hewokeinthefirst,coldlight.Hesatupandthought.Helookedatlifeinthatcoldlight.Itwasadifferentmatterfromwhathehadbelievedit.Hewentdowntothestreaminwhichhehadbeennamed.Hedrank,washedhishandsandface,madehimselflookasdecentashecould,andwentupthroughthetowntothefinehouseatthehighend,hisfather’shouse.
Afterthefirstoutcriesandembraces,theservantsandhismothersathimrightdowntobreakfast.Soitwaswithwarmfoodinhisbellyandacertainchillcourageinhisheartthathefacedhisfather,whohadbeenoutbeforebreakfastseeingoffastringoftimber-cartstotheGreatPort.
“Well,son!”Theytouchedcheeks.“SoMasterHemlockgaveyouavacation?”
“No,sir.Ileft.”
Goldenstared,thenfilledhisplateandsatdown.“Left,”hesaid.
“Yes,sir.IdecidedthatIdon’twanttobeawizard.”
“Hmf,”saidGolden,chewing.“Leftofyourownaccord?Entirely?WiththeMaster’spermission?”
“Ofmyownaccordentirely,withouthispermission.”
Goldenchewedveryslowly,hiseyesonthetable.Diamondhadseenhisfatherlooklikethiswhenaforesterreportedaninfestationinthechestnutgroves,andwhenhefoundamule-dealerhadcheatedhim.
“HewantedmetogototheCollegeonRoketostudywiththeMasterSummoner.Hewasgoingtosendmethere.Idecidednottogo.”
AfterawhileGoldenasked,stilllookingatthetable,“Why?”
“Itisn’tthelifeIwant.”
Anotherpause.Goldenglancedoverathiswife,whostoodbythewindowlisteninginsilence.Thenhelookedathisson.Slowlythemixtureofanger,disappointment,confusion,andrespectonhisfacegavewaytosomethingsimpler,alookofcomplicity,verynearlyawink.“Isee,”hesaid.“Andwhatdidyoudecideyouwant?”
Apause.“This,”Diamondsaid.Hisvoicewaslevel.Helookedneitherathisfathernorhismother.
“Hah!”saidGolden.“Well!IwillsayI’mgladofit,son.”Heateasmallporkpieinonemouthful.“Beingawizard,goingtoRoke,allthat,itneverseemedreal,notexactly.Andwithyouoffthere,Ididn’tknowwhatallthiswasfor,totellyouthetruth.Allmybusiness.Ifyou’rehere,itaddsup,yousee.Itaddsup.Well!Butlistenhere,didyoujustrunofffromthewizard?Didheknowyouweregoing?”
“No.I’llwritehim,”Diamondsaid,inhisnew,levelvoice.
“Hewon’tbeangry?Theysaywizardshaveshorttempers.Fullofpride.”
“He’sangry,”Diamondsaid,“buthewon’tdoanything.”
Soitproved.Indeed,toGolden’samazement,MasterHemlocksentbackascrupuloustwo-fifthsoftheprenticing-fee.Withthepacket,whichwasdeliveredbyoneofGolden’scarterswhohadtakenaloadofsparsdowntoSouthPort,wasanoteforDiamond.Itsaid,“Trueartrequiresasingleheart.”ThedirectionontheoutsidewastheHardicruneforwillow.ThenotewassignedwithHemlock’srune,whichhadtwomeanings:thehemlocktree,andsuffering.
Diamondsatinhisownsunnyroomupstairs,onhiscomfortablebed,hearinghismothersingingasshewentaboutthehouse.Heheldthewizard’sletterandrereadthemessageandthetworunesmanytimes.Thecoldandsluggish
mindthathadbeenborninhimthatmorningdowninthesallowsacceptedthelesson.Nomagic.Neveragain.Hehadnevergivenhishearttoit.Ithadbeenagametohim,agametoplaywithDarkrose.EventhenamesoftheTrueSpeechthathehadlearnedinthewizard’shouse,thoughheknewthebeautyandthepowerthatlayinthem,hecouldletgo,letslip,forget.Thatwasnothislanguage.
Hecouldspeakhislanguageonlywithher.Andhehadlosther,lethergo.Thedoublehearthasnotruespeech.Fromnowonhecouldtalkonlythelanguageofduty:thegettingandthespending,theoutlayandtheincome,theprofitandtheloss.
Andbeyondthat,nothing.Therehadbeenillusions,littlespells,pebblesthatturnedtobutterflies,woodenbirdsthatflewonlivingwingsforaminuteortwo.Therehadneverbeenachoice,really.Therewasonlyonewayforhimtogo.
GOLDENWASimmenselyhappyandquiteunconsciousofit.“Oldman’sgothisjewelback,”saidthecartertotheforester.“Sweetasnewbutter,heis.”Golden,unawareofbeingsweet,thoughtonlyhowsweetlifewas.HehadboughttheRechegrove,ataverystiffpricetobesure,butatleastoldLowboughofEasthillhadn’tgotit,andnowheandDiamondcoulddevelopitasitoughttobedeveloped.Inamongthechestnutstherewerealotofpines,whichcouldbefelledandsoldformastsandsparsandsmalllumber,andreplantedwithchestnutseedlings.ItwouldintimebeapurestandliketheBigGrove,theheartofhischestnutkingdom.Intime,ofcourse.Oakandchestnutdon’tshootupovernightlikealderandwillow.Buttherewastime.Therewastime,now.Theboywasbarelyseventeen,andhehimselfjustforty-five.Inhisprime.Hehadbeenfeelingold,butthatwasnonsense.Hewasinhisprime.Theoldesttrees,pastbearing,oughttocomeoutwiththepines.Somegoodwoodforfurniturecouldbesalvagedfromthem.
“Well,well,well,”hesaidtohiswife,frequently,“allrosyagain,eh?Gottheappleofyoureyebackhome,eh?Nomoremoping,eh?”
AndTulysmiledandstrokedhishand.
Onceinsteadofsmilingandagreeing,shesaid,“It’slovelytohavehimback,but”andGoldenstoppedhearing.Motherswereborntoworryabouttheirchildren,andwomenwerebornnevertobecontent.TherewasnoreasonwhyheshouldlistentothelitanyofanxietiesbywhichTulyhauledherselfthroughlife.Ofcourseshethoughtamerchant’slifewasn’tgoodenoughfortheboy.She’dhavethoughtbeingKinginHavnorwasn’tgoodenoughforhim.
“Whenhegetshimselfagirl,”Goldensaid,inanswertowhateveritwasshe
hadbeensaying,“he’llbeallsquaredaway.Livingwiththewizards,youknow,thewaytheyare,itsethimbackabit.Don’tworryaboutDiamond.He’llknowwhathewantswhenheseesit!”
“Ihopeso,”saidTuly.
“Atleasthe’snotseeingthewitch’sgirl,”saidGolden.“That’sdonewith.”Lateronitoccurredtohimthatneitherwashiswifeseeingthewitchanymore.Foryearsthey’dbeenthickasthieves,againstallhiswarnings,andnowTanglewasneveranywherenearthehouse.Women’sfriendshipsneverlasted.Heteasedheraboutit.Findingherstrewingpennyroyalandmiller’s-baneinthechestsandclothes-pressesagainstaninfestationofmoths,hesaid,“Seemslikeyou’dhaveyourfriendthewisewomanuptohex‘emaway.Oraren’tyoufriendsanymore?”
“No,”hiswifesaidinhersoft,levelvoice,“wearen’t.”
“Andagoodthingtoo!”Goldensaidroundly.“What’sbecomeofthatdaughterofhers,then?Wentoffwithajuggler,Iheard?”
“Amusician,”Tulysaid.“Lastsummer.”
“ANAMEDAYPARTY,”saidGolden.“Timeforabitofplay,abitofmusicanddancing,boy.Nineteenyearsold.Celebrateit!”
“I’llbegoingtoEasthillwithSul’smules.”
“No,no,no.Sulcanhandleit.Stayhomeandhaveyourparty.You’vebeenworkinghard.We’llhireaband.Who’sthebestinthecountry?Tarryandhislot?”
“Father,Idon’twantaparty,”Diamondsaidandstoodup,shiveringhismuscleslikeahorse.HewasbiggerthanGoldennow,andwhenhemovedabruptlyitwasstartling.“I’llgotoEasthill,”hesaid,andlefttheroom.
“What’sthatallabout?”Goldensaidtohiswife,arhetoricalquestion.Shelookedathimandsaidnothing,anon-rhetoricalanswer.
AfterGoldenhadgoneout,shefoundhersoninthecounting-roomgoingthroughledgers.Shelookedatthepages.Long,longlistsofnamesandnumbers,debtsandcredits,profitsandlosses.
“Di,”shesaid,andhelookedup.Hisfacewasstillroundandabitpeachy,thoughtheboneswereheavierandtheeyesweremelancholy.
“Ididn’tmeantohurtFather’sfeelings,”hesaid.
“Ifhewantsaparty,he’llhaveit,”shesaid.Theirvoiceswerealike,beinginthehigherregisterbutdark-toned,andheldtoanevenquietness,contained,restrained.Sheperchedonastoolbesidehisatthehighdesk.
“Ican’t,”hesaid,andstopped,andwenton,“Ireallydon’twanttohaveanydancing.”
“He’smatchmaking,”Tulysaid,dry,fond.
“Idon’tcareaboutthat.”
“Iknowyoudon’t.”
“Theproblemis…”
“Theproblemisthemusic,”hismothersaidatlast.
Henodded.
“Myson,thereisnoreason,”shesaid,suddenlypassionate,“thereisnoreasonwhyyoushouldgiveupeverythingyoulove!”
Hetookherhandandkisseditastheysatsidebyside.
“Thingsdon’tmix,”hesaid.“Theyoughtto,buttheydon’t.Ifoundthatout.WhenIleftthewizard,IthoughtIcouldbeeverything.Youknow—domagic,playmusic,beFather’sson,loveRose….Itdoesn’tworkthatway.Thingsdon’tmix.”
“Theydo,theydo,”Tulysaid.“Everythingishookedtogether,tangledup!”
“Maybethingsare,forwomen.ButI…Ican’tbedouble-hearted.”
“Double-hearted?You?Yougaveupwizardrybecauseyouknewthatifyoudidn’t,you’dbetrayit.”
Hetookthewordwithavisibleshock,butdidnotdenyit.
“Butwhydidyougiveupmusic?”
“Ihavetohaveasingleheart.Ican’tplaytheharpwhileI’mbargainingwithamule-breeder.Ican’tsingballadswhileI’mfiguringwhatwehavetopaythepickerstokeep‘emfromhiringouttoLowbough!”Hisvoiceshookalittlenow,avibrato,andhiseyeswerenotsad,butangry.
“Soyouputaspellonyourself,”shesaid,“justasthatwizardputoneonyou.Aspelltokeepyousafe.Tokeepyouwiththemule-breeders,andthenut-pickers,andthese.”Shestrucktheledgerfulloflistsofnamesandfigures,aflicking,dismissivetap.“Aspellofsilence,”shesaid.
Afteralongtimetheyoungmansaid,“WhatelsecanIdo?”
“Idon’tknow,mydear.Idowantyoutobesafe.Idolovetoseeyourfatherhappyandproudofyou.ButIcan’tbeartoseeyouunhappy,withoutpride!Idon’tknow.Maybeyou’reright.Maybeforamanit’sonlyonethingever.ButImisshearingyousing.”
Shewasintears.Theyhugged,andshestrokedhisthick,shininghairandapologizedforbeingcruel,andhehuggedheragainandsaidshewasthekindestmotherintheworld,andsoshewentoff.Butassheleftsheturnedbackamomentandsaid,“Lethimhavetheparty,Di.Letyourselfhaveit.”
“Iwill,”hesaid,tocomforther.
GOLDENorderedthebeerandfoodandfireworks,butDiamondsawtohiringthemusicians.
“OfcourseI’llbringmyband,”Tarrysaid,“fatchanceI’dmissit!You’llhaveeverytootlerinthewestoftheworldhereforoneofyourdad’sparties.”
“Youcantell‘emyou’rethebandthat’sgettingpaid.”
“Oh,they’llcomefortheglory,”saidtheharper,alean,long-jawed,wall-eyedfellowofforty.“Maybeyou’llhaveagowithusyourself,then?Youhadahandforit,beforeyoutooktomakingmoney.Andthevoicenotbad,ifyou’dworkedonit.”
“Idoubtit,”Diamondsaid.
“Thatgirlyouliked,witch’sRose,she’stuningaboutwithLabby,Ihear.Nodoubtthey’llcomeby.”
“I’llseeyouthen,”saidDiamond,lookingbigandhandsomeandindifferent,andwalkedoff.
“Toohighandmightythesedaystostopandtalk,”saidTarry,“thoughItaughthimallheknowsofharping.Butwhat’sthattoarichman?”
TARRY’SMALICEhadlefthisnervesraw,andthethoughtofthepartyweighedonhimtillhelosthisappetite.Hethoughthopefullyforawhilethathewassickandcouldmisstheparty.Butthedaycame,andhewasthere.Notsoevidently,soeminently,soflamboyantlythereashisfather,butpresent,smiling,dancing.Allhischildhoodfriendsweretheretoo,halfofthemmarriedbynowtotheotherhalf,itseemed,buttherewasstillplentyofflirtinggoingon,andseveralprettygirlswerealwaysnearhim.HedrankagooddealofGadgeBrewer’sexcellentbeer,andfoundhecouldendurethemusicifhewasdancingtoitandtalkingandlaughingwhilehedanced.Sohedancedwithalltheprettygirlsinturn,andthenagainwithwhicheveroneturnedupagain,whichallofthemdid.
ItwasGolden’sgrandestpartyyet,withadancingfloorbuiltonthetowngreendownthewayfromGolden’shouse,andatentfortheoldfolkstoeatanddrinkandgossipin,andnewclothesforthechildren,andjugglersandpuppeteers,someofthemhiredandsomeofthemcomingbytopickupwhatevertheycouldinthewayofcoppersandfreebeer.Anyfestivitydrew
itinerantentertainersandmusiciansitwastheirliving,andthoughuninvitedtheywerewelcomed.Atale-singerwithadroningvoiceandadroningbagpipewassingingTheDeedoftheDragonlordtoagroupofpeopleunderthebigoakonthehilltop.WhenTarry’sbandofharp,fife,viol,anddrumtooktimeoffforabreatherandaswig,anewgrouphoppedupontothedancefloor.“Hey,there’sLabby’sband!”criedtheprettygirlnearestDiamond.“Comeon,they’rethebest!”
Labby,alight-skinned,flashy-lookingfellow,playedthedouble-reedwoodhorn.
Withhimwereaviolist,atabor-player,andRose,whoplayedfife.Theirfirsttunewasastampy,fastandbrilliant,toofastforsomeofthedancers.Diamondandhispartnerstayedin,andpeoplecheeredandclappedthemwhentheyfinishedthedance,sweatingandpanting.“Beer!”Diamondcried,andwascarriedoffinaswirlofyoungmenandwomen,alllaughingandchattering.
Heheardbehindhimthenexttunestartup,theviolalone,strongandsadasatenorvoice:“WhereMyLoveIsGoing.”
Hedrankamugofbeerdowninonedraft,andthegirlswithhimwatchedthemusclesinhisstrongthroatasheswallowed,andtheylaughedandchattered,andheshiveredalloverlikeacarthorsestungbyflies.Hesaid,“Oh!Ican’t—!”Heboltedoffintotheduskbeyondthelanternshangingaroundthebrewer’sbooth.“Where’shegoing?”saidone,andanother,“He’llbeback,”andtheylaughedandchattered.
Thetuneended.“Darkrose,”hesaid,behindherinthedark.Sheturnedherheadandlookedathim.Theirheadswereonalevel,shesittingcrossleggeduponthedanceplatform,hekneelingonthegrass.
“Cometothesallows,”hesaid.
Shesaidnothing.Labby,glancingather,sethiswoodhorntohislips.Thedrummerstruckatriplebeatonhistabor,andtheywereoffintoasailor’sjig.
WhenshelookedaroundagainDiamondwasgone.
Tarrycamebackwithhisbandinanhourorso,ungratefulfortherespiteandmuchtheworseforbeer.Heinterruptedthetuneandthedancing,tellingLabbyloudlytoclearout.
“Ah,pickyournose,harp-picker,”Labbysaid,andTarrytookoffense,andpeopletooksides,andwhilethedisputewasatitsbriefheight,Roseputherfifeinherpocketandslippedaway.
Awayfromthelanternsofthepartyitwasdark,butsheknewthewayinthe
dark.Hewasthere.Thewillowshadgrown,thesetwoyears.Therewasonlyalittlespacetositamongthegreenshootsandthelong,fallingleaves.
Themusicstartedup,distant,blurredbywindandthemurmuroftheriverrunning.
“Whatdidyouwant,Diamond?”
“Totalk.”
Theywereonlyvoicesandshadowstoeachother.
“So,”shesaid.
“Iwantedtoaskyoutogoawaywithme,”hesaid.
“When?”
“Then.Whenwequarreled.Isaiditallwrong.Ithought….”Alongpause.“IthoughtIcouldgoonrunningaway.Withyou.Andplaymusic.Makealiving.Together.Imeanttosaythat.”
“Youdidn’tsayit.”
“Iknow.Isaideverythingwrong.Idideverythingwrong.Ibetrayedeverything.Themagic.Andthemusic.Andyou.”
“I’mallright,”shesaid.
“Areyou?”
“I’mnotreallygoodonthefife,butI’mgoodenough.Whatyoudidn’tteachme,Icanfillinwithaspell,ifIhaveto.Andtheband,they’reallright.Labbyisn’tasbadashelooks.Nobodyfoolswithme.Wemakeaprettygoodliving.Winters,IgostaywithMotherandhelpherout.SoI’mallright.Whataboutyou,Di?”
“Allwrong.”
Shestartedtosaysomething,anddidnotsayit.
“Iguesswewerechildren,”hesaid.“Now….”
“What’schanged?”
“Imadethewrongchoice.”
“Once?”shesaid.“Ortwice?”
“Twice.”
“Thirdtime’sthecharm.”
Neitherspokeforawhile.Shecouldjustmakeoutthebulkofhiminthe
leafyshadows.“You’rebiggerthanyouwere,”shesaid.“Canyoustillmakealight,Di?Iwanttoseeyou.”
Heshookhishead.
“ThatwastheonethingyoucoulddothatInevercould.Andyounevercouldteachme.”
“Ididn’tknowwhatIwasdoing,”hesaid.“Sometimesitworked,sometimesitdidn’t.”
“AndthewizardinSouthPortdidn’tteachyouhowtomakeitwork?”
“Heonlytaughtmenames.”
“Whycan’tyoudoitnow?”
“Igaveitup,Darkrose.Ihadtoeitherdoitandnothingelse,ornotdoit.Youhavetohaveasingleheart.”
“Idon’tseewhy,”shesaid.“Mymothercancureafeverandeaseachildbirthandfindalostring,maybethat’snothingcomparedtowhatthewizardsandthedragonlordscando,butit’snotnothing,allthesame.Andshedidn’tgiveupanythingforit.Havingmedidn’tstopher.Shehadmesothatshecouldlearnhowtodoit!JustbecauseIlearnedhowtoplaymusicfromyou,didIhavetogiveupsayingspells?Icanbringafeverdownnowtoo.Whyshouldyouhavetostopdoingonethingsoyoucandotheother?”
“Myfather,”hebegan,andstopped,andgaveakindoflaugh.“Theydon’tgotogether,”hesaid.“Themoneyandthemusic.”
“Thefatherandthewitch-girl,”saidDarkrose.
Againtherewassilencebetweenthem.Theleavesofthewillowsstirred.
“Wouldyoucomebacktome?”hesaid.“Wouldyougowithme,livewithme,marryme,Darkrose?”
“Notinyourfather’shouse,Di.”
“Anywhere.Runaway.”
“Butyoucan’thavemewithoutthemusic.”
“Orthemusicwithoutyou.”
“Iwould,”shesaid.
“DoesLabbywantaharper?”
Shehesitated;shelaughed.“Ifhewantsafife-player,”shesaid.
“Ihaven’tpracticedeversinceIleft,Darkrose,”hesaid.“Butthemusicwas
alwaysinmyhead,andyou….”Shereachedoutherhandstohim.Theykneltfacing,thewillow-leavesmovingacrosstheirhair.Theykissedeachother,timidlyatfirst.
INTHEYEARSafterDiamondlefthome,Goldenmademoremoneythanhehadeverdonebefore.Allhisdealswereprofitable.Itwasasifgoodfortunestucktohimandhecouldnotshakeitoff.Hegrewimmenselywealthy.
Hedidnotforgivehisson.Itwouldhavemadeahappyending,buthewouldnothaveit.Toleaveso,withoutaword,onhisnamedaynight,togooffwiththewitch-girl,leavingallthehonestworkundone,tobeavagrantmusician,aharpertwangingandsingingandgrinningforpennies—therewasnothingbutshameandpainandangerinitforGolden.Sohehadhistragedy.
Tulyshareditwithhimforalongtime,sinceshecouldseehersononlybylyingtoherhusband,whichshefoundhardtodo.ShewepttothinkofDiamondhungry,sleepinghard.Coldnightsofautumnwereamiserytoher.ButastimewentonandsheheardhimspokenofasDiamondthesweetsingeroftheWestofHavnor,DiamondwhohadharpedandsungtothegreatlordsintheToweroftheSword,herheartgrewlighter.Andonce,whenGoldenwasdown‘atSouthPort,sheandTangletookadonkeycartanddroveovertoEasthill,wheretheyheardDiamondsingtheLayoftheLostQueen,whileRosesatwiththem,andLittleTulysatonTuly’sknee.Andifnotahappyending,thatwasatruejoy,whichmaybeenoughtoaskfor,afterall.
TheBonesoftheEarth
ITWASRAININGAGAIN,andthewizardofReAlbiwassorelytemptedtomakeaweatherspell,justalittle,smallspell,tosendtherainonroundthemountain.Hisbonesached.Theyachedforthesuntocomeoutandshinethroughhisfleshanddrythemout.Ofcoursehecouldsayapainspell,butallthatwoulddowashidetheacheforawhile.Therewasnocureforwhatailedhim.Oldbonesneedthesun.Thewizardstoodstillinthedoorwayofhishouse,betweenthedarkroomandtherain-streakedopenair,preventinghimselffrommakingaspell,andangryathimselfforpreventinghimselfandforhavingtobeprevented.
Heneverswore-menofpowerdonotswear,itisnotsafe-butheclearedhisthroatwithacoughinggrowl,likeabear.AmomentlaterathunderclaprolledoffthehiddenupperslopesofGontMountain,echoingroundfromnorthtosouth,dyingawayinthecloud-filledforests.
Agoodsign,thunder,Dulsethought.Itwouldstoprainingsoon.Hepulleduphishoodandwentoutintotheraintofeedthechickens.
Hecheckedthehenhouse,findingthreeeggs.RedBuccawassetting.Hereggswereaboutduetohatch.Themiteswerebotheringher,andshelookedscruffyandjaded.Hesaidafewwordsagainstmites,toldhimselftoremembertocleanoutthenestboxassoonasthechickshatched,andwentontothepoultryyard,whereBrownBuccaandGreyandLeggingsandCandorandtheKinghuddledundertheeavesmakingsoft,shrewishremarksaboutrain.
“It’llstopbymidday,”thewizardtoldthechickens.Hefedthemandsquelchedbacktothehousewiththreewarmeggs.Whenhewasachildhehadlikedtowalkinmud.Herememberedenjoyingthecoolofitrisingbetweenhistoes.Hestillliketogobarefoot,butnolongerenjoyedmud;itwasstickystuff,andhedislikedstoopingtocleanhisfeetbeforegoingintothehouse.Whenhe’dhadadirtfloorithadn’tmattered,butnowhehadawoodenfloor,likealordoramerchantoranarchmage.Tokeepthecoldanddampoutofhisbones.Nothisownnotion.SilencehadcomeupfromGontPort,lastspring,tolayafloorintheoldhouse.Theyhadhadoneoftheirargumentsaboutit.Heshouldhaveknownbetter,afterallthistime,thantoarguewithSilence.
“I’vewalkedondirtforseventy-fiveyears,”Dulsehadsaid.“Afewmorewon’tkillme!”
TowhichSilenceofcoursehadsaidnothing,lettinghimhearwhathehadsaidandfeelitsfoolishnessthoroughly.
“Dirt’seasiertokeepclean,”hesaid,knowingthestrugglealreadylost.Itwastruethatallyouhadtodowithagoodhard-packedclayfloorwassweepitandnowandthensprinkleittokeepthedustdown.Butitsoundedsillyallthesame.
“Who’stolaythisfloor?”hesaid,nowmerelyquerulous.
Silencenodded,meaninghimself.
Theboywasinfactaworkmanofthefirstorder,carpenter,cabinetmaker,stonelayer,roofer;hehadprovedthatwhenheliveduphereasDulse’sstudent,andhislifewiththerichfolkofGontPorthadnotsoftenedhishands.HebroughttheboardsfromSixth’smillinReAlbi,drivingGammer’sox-team;helaidthefloorandpolisheditthenextday,whiletheoldwizardwasupatBogLakegatheringsimples.WhenDulsecamehomethereitwas,shininglikeadarklakeitself.“HavetowashmyfeeteverytimeIcomein,”hegrumbled.Hewalkedingingerly.Thewoodwassosmoothitseemedsofttothebaresole.“Satin,”hesaid.“Youdidn’tdoallthatinonedaywithoutaspellortwo.Avillagehutwithapalacefloor.Well,it’llbeasight,comewinter,toseethefireshineinthat!OrdoIhavetogetmeacarpetnow?Afleecefell,onagoldenwarp?”
Silencesmiled.Hewaspleasedwithhimself.
HehadturneduponDulse’sdoorstepafewyearsago.Well,no,twentyyearsagoitmustbe,ortwenty-five.Awhileagonow.Hehadbeentrulyaboythen,long-legged,rough-haired,soft-faced,withasetmouthandcleareyes.“Whatdoyouwant?”thewizardhadasked,knowingwhathewanted,whattheyallwanted,andkeepinghiseyesfromthosecleareyes.Hewasagoodteacher,thebestonGont,heknewthat.Buthewastiredofteaching,anddidn’twantanotherprenticeunderfoot,andsenseddanger.
“Tolearn,”theboywhispered.
“GotoRoke,”thewizardsaid.Theboyworeshoesandagoodleathervest.Hecouldaffordorearnship’spassagetotheSchool.
“I’vebeenthere.”
AtthatDulselookedhimoveragain.Nocloak,nostaff.
“Failed?Sentaway?Ranaway?”
Theboyshookhisheadateachquestion.Heshuthiseyes;hismouthwasalreadyshut.Hestoodthere,intenselygathered,suffering:drewbreath:lookedstraightintothewizard’seyes.
“Mymasteryishere,onGont,”hesaid,stillspeakinghardlyaboveawhisper.“MymasterisHeleth”.
AtthatthewizardwhosetruenamewasHelethstoodasstillashedid,lookingbackathim,tilltheboy’sgazedropped.
InsilenceDulsesoughthisname,andsawtwothings:afir-cone,andtheruneoftheClosedMouth.Thenseekingfurtherheheardinhismindanamespoken;buthedidnotspeakit.
“I’mtiredofteachingandtalking,”hesaid.“Ineedsilence.Isthatenoughforyou?”
Theboynoddedonce.
“ThentomeyouareSilence,”thewizardsaid.“Youcansleepinthenookunderthewestwindow.There’sanoldpalletinthewoodhouse.Airit.Don’tbringmiceinwithit.”AndhestalkedofftowardstheOverfell,angrywiththeboyforcomingandwithhimselfforgivingin;butitwasnotangerthatmadehisheartpound.Stridingalong-hecouldstride,then-withtheseawindpushingathimalwaysfromtheleftandtheearlysunlightontheseaoutpastthevastshadowofthemountain,hethoughtoftheMagesofRoke,themastersoftheartmagic,theprofessorsofmysteryandpower.“Hewastoomuchfor‘em,washe?Andhe’llbetoomuchforme,”hethought,andsmiled.Hewasapeacefulman,buthedidnotmindabitofdanger.
Hestoppedandfeltthedirtunderhisfeet.Hewasbarefoot,asusual.WhenhewasastudentonRoke,hehadwornshoes.ButhehadcomebackhometoGont,toReAlbi,withhiswizard’sstaff,andkickedhisshoesoff.Hestoodstillandfeltthedustandrockofthecliff-toppathunderhisfeet,andthecliffsunderthat,andtherootsoftheislandinthedarkunderthat.Inthedarkunderthewatersallislandstouchedandwereone.SohisteacherArdhadsaid,andsohisteachersonRokehadsaid.Butthiswashisisland,hisrock,dust,dirt.Hiswizardrygrewoutofit.“Mymasteryishere,”theboyhadsaid,butitwentdeeperthanmastery.That,perhaps,wassomethingDulsecouldteachhim:whatwentdeeperthanmastery.Whathehadlearnedhere,onGont,beforeheeverwenttoRoke.
Andtheboymusthaveastaff.WhyhadNemmerlelethimleaveRokewithoutone,empty-handedasaprenticeorawitch?Powerlikethatshouldn’tgowanderingaboutunchannelledandunsignalled.
Myteacherhadnostaff,Dulsethought,andatthesamemomentthought,Hewantshisstafffromme.Gontishoak,fromthehandsofaGontishwizard.Well,ifheearnsitI’llmakehimone.Ifhecankeephismouthclosed.AndI’llleavehimmylore-books.Ifhecancleanoutahenhouse,andunderstand
theGlossesofDanemer,andkeephismouthclosed.
Thenewstudentcleanedoutthehenhouseandhoedthebean-patch,learnedthemeaningoftheGlossesofDanemerandtheArcanaoftheEnlades,andkepthismouthclosed.Helistened.HeheardwhatDulsesaid;sometimesheheardwhatDulsethought.HedidwhatDulsewantedandwhatDulsedidnotknowhewanted.HisgiftwasfarbeyondDulse’sguidance,yethehadbeenrighttocometoReAlbi,andtheybothknewit.
Dulsethoughtsometimesinthoseyearsaboutsonsandfathers.Hehadquarreledwithhisownfather,asorcerer-prospector,overhischoiceofateacher;hisfatherhadshoutedthatastudentofArd’swasnosonofhis,hadnursedhisrageanddiedunforgiving.
Dulsehadseenyoungmenweepforjoyatthebirthofafirstson.Hehadseenpoormenpaywitchesayear’searningsforthepromiseofahealthyboy,andarichmantouchhisgold-bedizenedbaby’sfaceandwhisper,adoring,“Myimmortality!”Hehadseenmenbeattheirsons,bullyandhumiliatethem,spiteandthwartthem,hatingthedeaththeysawinthem.Hehadseentheansweringhatredintheson’seyes,thethreat,thepitilesscontempt.Andseeingit,Dulseknewwhyhehadneversoughtreconciliationwithhisfather.
Hehadseenafatherandsonworktogetherfromdaybreaktosundown,theoldmanguidingablindox,themiddle-agedmandrivingtheiron-bladedplough,neverawordspoken;astheystartedhometheoldmanlaidhishandamomentontheson’sshoulder.
Hehadalwaysrememberedthat.Heremembereditnow,whenhelookedacrossthehearth,winterevenings,atthedarkfacebentabovealore-bookorashirtthatneededmending.Theeyescastdown,themouthclosed,thespiritlistening.
“Onceinhislifetime,ifhe’slucky,awizardfindssomebodyhecantalkto.”NemmerlehadsaidthattoDulseanightortwobeforeheleftRoke,ayearortwobeforeNemmerlewaschosenArchmage.HehadbeentheMasterPatternerandthekindestofallDulse’steachersattheSchool.“Ithink,ifyoustayed,Heleth,wecouldtalk.”
Dulsehadbeenunabletoansweratallforawhile.Then,stammering,guiltyathisingratitudeandincredulousathisobstinacy-“Master,Iwouldstay,butmyworkisonGont-Iwishitwashere,withyou-“
“It’sararegift,toknowwhereyouneedtobe,beforeyou’vebeentoalltheplacesyoudon’tneedtobe.Well,sendmeastudentnowandthen.RokeneedsGontishwizardry.Ithinkwe’releavingthingsout,here,thingsworthknowing….”
DulsehadsentstudentsontotheSchool,threeorfourofthem,niceladswithagiftforthisorthat;buttheoneNemmerlewaitedforhadcomeandgoneofhisownwill,andwhattheyhadthoughtofhimonRokeDulsedidnotknow.Silencedidnotsay.Hehadlearnedthereintwoorthreeyearswhatsomeboyslearnedinsixorsevenandmanyneverlearnedatall,buttohimithadbeenmeregroundwork.
“Whydidn’tyoucometomefirst?”Dulsehaddemanded.“AndthenRoke,toputapolishonit?”
“Ididn’twanttowasteyourtime.”
“DidNemmerleknowyouwerecomingtoworkwithme?”
Silenceshookhishead.
“Ifyou’ddeignedtotellhimyourintentions,hemighthavesentamessagetome.”
Silencelookedstricken.“Washeyourfriend?”
Dulsepaused.“Hewasmymaster.Wouldhavebeenmyfriend,perhaps,ifI’dstayedonRoke.Havewizardsfriends?Nomorethantheyhavewives,orsons,somewouldsay….Oncehesaidtomethatinourtradeit’saluckymanwhofindssomeonetotalkto.Keepthatinmind.Ifyou’relucky,onedayyou’llhavetoopenyourmouth.”
Silencebowedhisrough,thoughtfulhead.
“Ifithasn’trustedshut,”Dulseadded.
“Ifyouaskmeto,I’lltalk,”theyoungmansaid,soearnest,sowillingtodenyhiswholenatureatDulse’srequestthatthewizardhadtolaugh.
“Iaskedyounotto,”hesaid,“andit’snotmyneedIspokeof.Italkenoughfortwo.Nevermind.You’llknowwhattosaywhenthetimecomes.That’stheart,eh?Whattosay,andwhentosayit.Andtherestissilence.”
TheyoungmansleptonapalletunderthelittlewestwindowofDulse’shouseforthreeyears.Helearnedwizardry,fedthechickens,milkedthecow.Hesuggested,once,thatDulsekeepgoats.Hehadnotsaidanythingforaweekorso,acold,wetweekofautumn.Hesaid,“Youmightkeepsomegoats.”
Dulsehadthebiglore-bookopenonthetable.HehadbeentryingtoreweaveoneoftheAcastanSpells,muchbrokenandmadepowerlessbytheEmanationsofFundaurcenturiesago.Hehadjustbeguntogetasenseofthemissingwordthatmightfilloneofthegaps,healmosthadit,and-“Youmightkeepsomegoats,”Silencesaid.
Dulseconsideredhimselfawordy,impatientmanwithashorttemper.Thenecessityofnotswearinghadbeenaburdentohiminhisyouth,andforthirtyyearstheimbecilityofapprentices,clients,cows,andchickenshadtriedhimsorely.Apprenticesandclientswereafraidofhistongue,thoughcowsandchickenspaidnoattentiontohisoutbursts.HehadneverbeenangryatSilencebefore.Therewasaverylongpause.
“Whatfor?”
SilenceapparentlydidnotnoticethepauseortheextremesoftnessofDulse’svoice.“Milk,cheese,roastkid,company,”hesaid.
“Haveyoueverkeptgoats?”Dulseasked,inthesamesoft,politevoice.
Silenceshookhishead.
Hewasinfactatownboy,borninGontPort.Hehadsaidnothingabouthimself,butDulsehadaskedaroundabit.Thefather,alongshoreman,haddiedinthebigearthquake,whenSilencewouldhavebeensevenoreight;themotherwasacookatawaterfrontinn.Attwelvetheboyhadgotintosomekindoftrouble,probablymessingaboutwithmagic,andhismotherhadmanagedtoprenticehimtoElassen,arespectablesorcererinValmouth.Theretheboyhadpickeduphistruename,andsomeskillincarpentryandfarmwork,ifnotmuchelse;andElassenhadhadthegenerosity,afterthreeyears,topayhispassagetoRoke.ThatwasallDulseknewabouthim.
“Idislikegoatcheese,”Dulsesaid.
Silencenodded,acceptantasalways.
Fromtimetotimeintheyearssincethen,Dulserememberedhowhehadn’tlosthistemperwhenSilenceaskedaboutkeepinggoats;andeachtimethememorygavehimaquietsatisfaction,likethatoffinishingthelastbiteofaperfectlyripepear.
Afterspendingthenextseveraldaystryingtorecapturethemissingword,hehadsetSilencetostudyingtheAcastanSpells.Togethertheyhadfinallyworkeditout,alongtoil.“Likeploughingwithablindox,”Dulsesaid.
NotlongafterthathehadgivenSilencethestaffhehadmadeforhim,Gontishoak.
AndtheLordofGontPorthadtriedonceagaintogetDulsetocomedowntodowhatneededdoinginGontPort,andDulsehadsentSilencedowninstead,andtherehehadstayed.
AndDulsewasstandingonhisowndoorstep,threeeggsinhishandandtherainrunningcolddownhisback.
Howlonghadhebeenstandinghere?Whywashestandinghere?Hehadbeenthinkingaboutmud,aboutthefloor,aboutSilence.HadhebeenoutwalkingonthepathabovetheOverfell?No,thatwasyearsago,yearsago,inthesunlight.Itwasraining.Hehadfedthechickens,andcomebacktothehousewiththreeeggs,theywerestillwarminhishand,silkybrownlukewarmeggs,andthesoundofthunderwasstillinhismind,thevibrationofthunderwasinhisbones,inhisfeet.Thunder?
No.Therehadbeenathunderclap,awhileago.Thiswasnotthunder.Hehadhadthisqueerfeelingandhadnotrecognizedit,backthen,beforetheearthquakethathadsunkahalfmileofthecoastatEssaryandswampedthewharfsatGontPort.
Hesteppeddownfromthedoorstepontothedirtsothathecouldfeelthegroundwiththenervesofhissoles,butthemudslimedandfouledanymessagesthedirthadforhim.Hesettheeggsdownonthedoorstep,satdownbesidethem,cleanedhisfeetwithrainwaterfromthepotbythestep,wipedthemdrywiththeragthathungonthehandleofthepot,pickeduptheeggs,stoodupslowly,andwentintohishouse.
Hegaveasharplookathisstaff,whichleanedinthecornerbehindthedoor.Heputtheeggsinthelarder,ateanapplequicklybecausehewashungry,andtookhisstaff.Itwasyew,boundatthefootwithcopper,worntosilkatthegrip.Nemmerlehadgivenittohim.
“Stand!”hesaidtoitinitslanguage,andletgoofit.Itstoodasifhehaddrivenitintoasocket.
“Totheroot,”hesaidimpatiently,inthelanguageoftheMaking.“Totheroot!”
Hewatchedthestaffthatstoodontheshiningfloor.Inalittlewhilehesawitquiververyslightly,ashiver,atremble.
“Ah,ah,ah,”saidtheoldwizard.
“WhatshouldIdo?”hesaidaloudafterawhile.
Thestaffswayed,wasstill,shiveredagain.
“Enoughofthat,mydear,”Dulsesaid,layinghishandonit.“Comenow.NowonderIkeptthinkingaboutSilence.Ishouldsendforhim…sendtohim…No.WhatdidArdsay?Findthecenter,findthecenter.That’sthequestiontoask.That’swhattodo…”Ashemutteredontohimself,routingouthisheavycloak,settingwatertoboilonthesmallfirehehadlightedearlier,hewonderedifhehadalwaystalkedtohimself,ifhehadtalkedallthetimewhenSilencelivedwithhim.No,ithadbecomeahabitafterSilenceleft,he
thought,withthebitofhismindthatwentonthinkingtheordinarythoughtsoflife,whiletherestofitmadepreparationsforterroranddestruction.
Hehard-boiledthethreeneweggsandonealreadyinthelarderandputthemintoapouchalongwithfourapplesandabladderofresinatedwine,incasehehadtostayoutallnight.Heshruggedarthriticallyintohisheavycloak,tookuphisstaff,toldthefiretogoout,andleft.
Henolongerkeptacow.Hestoodlookingintothepoultryyard,considering.Thefoxhadbeenvisitingtheorchardlately.Butthebirdswouldhavetoforageifhestayedaway.Theymusttaketheirchances,likeeveryoneelse.Heopenedtheirgatealittle.Thoughtherainwasnomorethanamistydrizzlenow,theystayedhunchedupunderthehenhouseeaves,disconsolate.TheKinghadnotcrowedoncethismorning.
“Haveyouanythingtotellme?”Dulseaskedthem.
BrownBucca,hisfavorite,shookherselfandsaidhernameafewtimes.Theotherssaidnothing.
“Well,takecare.Isawthefoxonthefull-moonnight,”Dulsesaid,andwentonhisway.
Ashewalkedhethought;hethoughthard;herecalled.Herecalledallhecouldofmattershisteacherhadspokenofonceonlyandlongago.Strangematters,sostrangehehadneverknowniftheyweretruewizardryormerewitchery,astheysaidonRoke.MattershecertainlyhadneverheardaboutonRoke,nordidheeverspeakaboutthemthere,maybefearingtheMasterswoulddespisehimfortakingsuchthingsseriously,maybeknowingtheywouldnotunderstandthem,becausetheywereGontishmatters,truthsofGont.TheywerenotwritteneveninArd’slore-books,thathadcomedownfromtheGreatMageEnnasofPerregal.Theywereallwordofmouth.Theywerehometruths.
“IfyouneedtoreadtheMountain,”histeacherhadtoldhim,“gototheDarkPondatthetopofSemere’scowpasture.Youcanseethewaysfromthere.Youneedtofindthecenter.Seewheretogoin.”
“Goin?”theboyDulsehadwhispered.
“Whatcouldyoudofromoutside?”
Dulsewassilentforalongtime,andthensaid,“How?”
“Thus.”AndArd’slongarmshadstretchedoutandupwardintheinvocationofwhatDulsewouldknowlaterwasagreatspellofTransforming.Ardspokethewordsofthespellawry,asteachersofwizardrymustdolestthespelloperate.Dulseknewthetrickofhearingthemarightandrememberingthem.
Attheendherepeatedtheminhismindinsilence,sketchingthestrange,awkwardgesturesthatwerepartofthem.Allatoncehishandstopped.
“Butyoucan’tundothis!”hesaidaloud.
Ardnodded.“Itisirrevocable”.
Dulseknewnotransformationthatwasirrevocable,nospellthatcouldnotbeunsaid,excepttheWordofUnbinding,whichisspokenonlyonce.
“Butwhy-?”
“Atneed,”Ardsaid.
Dulseknewbetterthantoaskforexplanation.Theneedtospeaksuchaspellcouldnotcomeoften;thechanceofhiseverhavingtouseitwasveryslight.Helettheterriblespellsinkdowninhismindandbehiddenandlayeredoverwithathousandusefulorbeautifulorenlighteningmageriesandcharms,alltheloreandrulesofRoke,allthewisdomofthebooksArdhadbequeathedhim.Crude,monstrous,useless,itlayinthedarkofhismindforsixtyyears,likethecornerstoneofanearlier,forgottenhousedowninthecellarofamansionfulloflightsandtreasuresandchildren.
Therainhadceased,thoughmiststillhidthepeakandshredsofclouddriftedthroughthehighforests.DulsewasnotatirelesswalkerlikeSilence,whowouldhavespenthislifewanderingintheforestsofGontMountainifhecould;buthehadbeenborninReAlbiandknewtheroadsandwaysarounditaspartofhimself.HetooktheshortcutatRissi’swellandcameoutbeforemiddayonSemere’shighpasture,alevelsteponthemountainside.Amilebelowit,allsunlitnow,thefarmbuildingsstoodintheleeofahill,acrosswhichaflockofsheepmovedlikeacloud-shadow.GontPortanditsbaywerehiddenunderthesteep,knottedhillsthatstoodabovethecity.
DulsewanderedaboutabitbeforehefoundwhathetooktobetheDarkPond.Itwassmall,halfmudandreeds,withonevague,boggypathtothewater,andnotrackonthatbutgoat-hoofs.Thewaterwasdark,thoughitlayoutunderthebrightskyandfarabovethepeatsoils.Dulsefollowedthegoat-tracks,growlingwhenhisfootslippedinthemudandhewrenchedhisankletokeepfromfalling.Atthebrinkofthewaterhestoodstill.Hestoopedtorubhisankle.Helistened.
Itwasabsolutelysilent.
Nowind.Nobirdcall.Nodistantlowingorbleatingorcallofvoice.Asifalltheislandhadgonestill.Notaflybuzzed.
Helookedatthedarkwater.Itreflectednothing.
Reluctant,hesteppedforward,barefootandbare-legged;hehadrolleduphis
cloakintohispackanhouragowhenthesuncameout.Reedsbrushedhislegs.Themudwassoftandsuckingunderhisfeet,fulloftanglingreed-roots.Hemadenonoiseashemovedslowlyoutintothepool,andthecirclesofripplesfromhismovementwereslightandsmall.Itwasshallowforalongway.Thenhiscautiousfootfeltnobottom,andhepaused.
Thewatershivered.Hefeltitfirstonhisthighs,alappingliketheticklingtouchoffur;thenhesawit,thetremblingofthesurfacealloverthepond.Nottheroundrippleshemade,whichhadalreadydiedaway,butaruffling,aroughening,ashudder,again,andagain.
“Where?”hewhispered,andthensaidthewordaloudinthelanguageallthingsunderstandthathavenootherlanguage.
Therewasthesilence.Thenafishleaptfromtheblack,shakingwater,awhite-greyfishthelengthofhishand,andasitleaptitcriedoutinasmall,clearvoice,inthatsamelanguage,“Yaved!”
Theoldwizardstoodthere.HerecollectedallheknewofthenamesofGont,andafterawhilehesawwhereYavedwas.Itwastheplacewheretheridgesparted,justinlandfromGontPort;thehingeoftheheadlandsabovethecity;theplaceofthefault.Anearthquakecenteredtherecouldshakethecitydown,bringavalancheandtidalwave,closethecliffsofthebaytogetherlikehandsclapping.Dulseshivered,shudderedalloverlikethewaterofthepool.
Heturnedandmadefortheshore,hasty,carelesswherehesethisfeetandnotcaringifhebrokethesilencebysplashingandbreathinghard.Hesloggedbackupthepaththroughthereedstillhereacheddrygroundandcoarsegrass,andheardthebuzzofmidgesandcrickets.Hesatdownthenontheground,ratherhard,forhislegswereshaking.
“Itwon’tdo,”hesaid,talkingtohimselfinHardic,andthenhesaid,“Ican’tdoit.”Thenhesaid,“Ican’tdoitbymyself.”
HewassodistraughtthatwhenhemadeuphismindtocallSilencehecouldnotthinkoftheopeningofthespell,whichhehadknownforsixtyyears;thenwhenhethoughthehadit,hebegantospeakaSummoninginstead,andthespellhadbeguntoworkbeforeherealisedwhathewasdoingandstoppedandundiditwordbyword.
Hepulledupsomegrassandrubbedattheslimymudonhisfeetandlegs.Itwasnotdryyet,andonlysmearedaboutonhisskin.“Ihatemud,”hewhispered.Thenhesnappedhisjawsandstoppedtryingtocleanhislegs.“Dirt,dirt,”hesaid,gentlypattingthegroundhesaton.Then,veryslow,verycareful,hebegantospeakthespellofcalling.
InabusystreetleadingdowntothebusywharfsofGontPort,thewizard
Ogionstoppedshort.Theship’scaptainbesidehimwalkedonseveralstepsandturnedtoseeOgiontalkingtotheair.
“ButIwillcome,master!”hesaid.Andthenafterapause,“Howsoon?”Andafteralongerpause,hetoldtheairsomethinginalanguagetheship’scaptaindidnotunderstand,andmadeagesturethatdarkenedtheairabouthimforaninstant.
“Captain,”hesaid,“I’msorry,Imustwaittospellyoursails.Anearthquakeisnear.Imustwarnthecity.Doyoutellthemdownthere,everyshipthatcansailmakefortheopensea.Clearout,pasttheArmedCliffs!Goodlucktoyou.”Andheturnedandranbackupthestreet,atall,strongmanwithroughgreyinghair,runningnowlikeastag.
GontPortliesattheinnerendofalongnarrowbaybetweensteepshores.Itsentrancefromtheseaisbetweentwogreatheadlands,theGatesofthePort,theArmedCliffs,notahundredfeetapart.Theyaresafefromsea-piratesinGontPort.Buttheirsafetyistheirdanger;thelongbayfollowsafaultintheearth,andjawsthathaveopenedmayshut.
Whenhehaddonewhathecouldtowarnthecity,andseenallthegate-guardsandport-guardsdoingwhattheycouldtokeepthefewroadsoutfrombecomingchokedandmurderouswithpanickypeople,OgionshuthimselfintoaroominthesignaltowerofthePort,lockedthedoor,foreverybodywantedhimatonce,andsentasendingtotheDarkPondinSemere’scowpastureupontheMountain.
Hisoldmasterwassittinginthegrassnearthepond,eatinganapple.Bitsofeggshellfleckedthegroundnearhislegs,whichwerecakedwithdryingmud.WhenhelookedupandsawOgion’ssendinghesmiledawide,sweetsmile.Buthelookedold.Hehadneverlookedsoold.Ogionhadnotseenhimforoverayear,havingbeenbusy;hewasalwaysbusyinGontPort,doingthebusinessofthelordsandpeople,neverachancetowalkintheforestsonthemountainsideortocomesitwithHelethinthelittlehouseatReAlbiandlistenandbestill.Helethwasanoldman,neareightynow;andhewasfrightened.HesmiledwithjoytoseeOgion,buthewasfrightened.
“Ithinkwhatwehavetodo,”hesaidwithoutpreamble,“istrytoholdthefaultfromslippingmuch,youattheGatesandmeattheinnerend,intheMountain.Workingtogether,youknow.Wemightbeableto.Icanfeelitbuildingup,canyou?”
Ogionshookhishead.HelethissendingsitdowninthegrassnearHeleth,thoughitdidnotbendthestemsofthegrasswhereitsteppedorsat.“I’vedonenothingbutsetthecityinapanic,”hesaid.“Andsendtheshipsoutofthebay.Whatisityoufeel?Howdoyoufeelit?”
Theyweretechnicalquestions,magetomage.Helethhesitatedbeforeanswering.
“IlearnedaboutthisfromArd,”hesaid,andpausedagain.
HehadnevertoldOgionanythingabouthisfirstteacher,asorcererofnofame,eveninGont,andperhapsofillfame.TherewassomemysteryorshameconnectedwithArd.Thoughhewastalkative,forawizard,Helethwassilentasastoneaboutsomethings.Ogion,whorespectedsilence,hadneveraskedhimabouthisteacher.
“It’snotRokemagic,”theoldmansaid.Hisvoicewasdry,alittleforced.“NottodowiththeOldPowers,either.Nothingofthatsort.Nothingsticky.”
Thathadalwaysbeenhiswordforevildoings,spellsforgain,curses,blackmagic:“stickystuff.”
Afterawhile,searchingforwords,hewenton:“Dirt.Rocks.It’sadirtymagic.Old.Veryold.AsoldasGontIsland.”
“TheOldPowers?”Ogionmurmured.
Helethsaid.“I’mnotsure.”
“Willitcontroltheearthitself?”
“Moreamaterofgettinginwithit,Ithink.”Theoldmanwasburyingthecoreofhisappleandthelargerbitsofeggshellunderloosedirt,pattingitoverthemneatly.“OfcourseIknowthewords,butI’llhavetolearnwhattodoasIgo.That’sthetroublewiththebigspells,isn’tit?Youlearnwhatyou’redoingwhileyoudoit.Nochancetopractice.“Ah-there!Youfeelthat?”
Ogionshookhishead.
“Straining,”Helethsaid,hishandstillabsently,gentlypattingthedirtasonemightpatascaredcow.“Quitesoonnow,Ithink.CanyouholdtheGatesopen,mydear?”
“Tellmewhatyou’llbedoing-“
ButHelethwasshakinghishead:“No,”hesaid,“notime.Notyourkindofthing.”Hewasmoreandmoredistractedbywhateveritwashesensedintheearthorair,andthroughhimOgionfeltthatgathering,intolerabletension.
Theysatunspeaking.Thecrisispassed.Helethrelaxedalittleandevensmiled.“Veryoldstuff,”hesaid,“whatI’llbedoing.IwishnowI’dthoughtaboutitmore.Passeditontoyou.Butitseemedabitcrude.Heavy-handed…Shedidn’tsaywhereshe’dlearnedit.Here,ofcourse…Therearedifferentkindsofknowledge,afterall.”
“She?”
“Ard.Myteacher.”Helethlookedup,hisfaceunreadable,itsexpressionpossiblysly.“Youdidn’tknowthat?No,IsupposeInevermentionedit.Butitdoesn’tmakemuchdifference,afterall.Sincewenoneofushaveanysex,uswizards,dowe?Whatmattersiswhosehousewelivein.Itseemswemayhaveleftoutagooddealworthknowing.Thiskindofthing-There!Thereagain-“
Hissuddentensionandimmobility,thestrainedfaceandinwardlook,werelikethoseofawomaninlaborwhenherwombcontracts.ThatwasOgion’sthought,evenashesaid,“Whatdidyoumean,“intheMountain’?”
Thespasmpassed;Helethanswered,“Insideit.ThereatYaved.”Hepointedtotheknottedhillsbelowthem.“I’llgoin,trytokeepthingsfromslidingaround,eh?I’llfindoutwhenI’mdoingit,nodoubt.Ithinkyoushouldbegettingbacktoyourself.Thingsaretighteningup.”Hestoppedagain,lookingasifhewereinintensepain,hunchedandclenched.Hestruggledtostandup.Unthinking,Ogionheldouthishandtohelphim.
“Nouse,”saidtheoldwizard,grinning,“you’reonlywindandsunlight.NowI’mgoingtobedirtandstone.You’dbestgoon.Farewell,Aihal.Keepthe-keepthemouthopen,foronce,eh?”
Ogion,obedient,bringinghimselfbacktohimselfinthestuffy,tapestriedroominGontPort,didnotunderstandtheoldman’sjokeuntilheturnedtothewindowandsawtheArmedCliffsdownattheendofthelongbay,thejawsreadytosnapshut.“Iwill,”hesaid,andsettoit.
“WhatIhavetodo,yousee,”theoldwizardsaid,stilltalkingtoSilencebecauseitwasacomforttotalktohimevenifhewasnolongerthere,“isgetintothemountain,rightinside;butnotthewayasorcerer-prospectordoes;notjustslippingaboutbetweenthingsandlookingandtasting.Deeper.Allthewayin.Nottheveins,butthebones.So,”andstandingtherealoneinthehighpasture,inthenoonlight,Helethopenedhisarmswideinthegestureofinvocationthatopensallthegreaterspells;andhespoke.
NothinghappenedashesaidthewordsArdhadtaughthim,hisoldwitch-teacherwithherbittermouthandherlong,leanarms,thewordsspokenawrythen,spokentrulynow.
Nothinghappened,andhehadtimetoregretthesunlightandtheseawind,andtodoubtthespell,andtodoubthimself,beforetheearthroseuparoundhim,dry,warm,anddark.
Inthereheknewheshouldhurry,thatthebonesoftheearthachedtomove,andthathemustbecomethemtoguidethem,buthecouldnothurry.There
wasonhimthebewildermentofanytransformation.Hehadinhisdaybeenfox,andbull,anddragonfly,andknewwhatitwastochangebeing.Butthiswasdifferent,thisslowenlargement.Iamvastening,hethought.
HereachedouttowardsYaved,towardstheache,thesuffering.Ashecameclosertoithefeltagreatstrengthflowintohimfromthewest,asifSilencehadtakenhimbythehandafterall.Throughthatlinkhecouldsendhisownstrength,theMountain’sstrength,tohelp.Ididn’ttellhimIwasn’tcomingback,hethought,hislastwordsinHardic,hislastgrief,forhewasinthebonesofthemountainnow.Heknewthearteriesoffire,andthebeatofthegreatheart.Heknewwhattodo.Itwasinnotongueofmanthathesaid,“Bequiet,beeasy.Therenow,there.Holdfast.So,there.Wecanbeeasy.”
Andhewaseasy,hewasstill,heheldfast,rockinrockandearthinearthinthefierydarkofthemountain.
ItwastheirmageOgionwhomthepeoplesawstandaloneontheroofofthesignaltoweronthewharf,whenthestreetsranupanddowninwaves,thecobblesburstingoutofthem,andwallsofclaybrickpuffedintodust,andtheArmedCliffsleanedtogether,groaning.ItwasOgiontheysaw,hishandsheldoutbeforehim,straining,parting:andthecliffspartedwiththem,andstoodstraight,unmoved.Thecityshudderedandstoodstill.ItwasOgionwhostoppedtheearthquake.Theysawit,theysaidit.
Myteacherwaswithme,andhisteacherwithhim,”Ogionsaidwhentheypraisedhim.“IcouldholdtheGateopenbecauseheheldtheMountainstill.”Theypraisedhismodestyanddidnotlistentohim.Listeningisararegift,andmenwillhavetheirheroes.
Whenthecitywasinorderagain,andtheshipshadallcomeback,andthewallswerebeingrebuilt,OgionescapedfrompraiseandwentupintothehillsaboveGontPort.HefoundthequeerlittlevalleycalledTrimmer’sDell,thetruenameofwhichinthelanguageoftheMakingwasYaved,asOgion’struenamewasAihal.Hewalkedabouttherealloneday,asifseekingsomething.Intheeveninghelaydownonthegroundandtalkedtoit.“Youshouldhavetoldme,Icouldhavesaidgoodbye,”hesaid.Heweptonce,andhistearsfellonthedrydirtamongthegrass-stemsandmadelittlespotsofmud,littlestickyspots.
Hesleptthere,ontheground.AtsunrisehegotupandwalkedbythehighroadovertoReAlbi.Hedidnotgointothevillage,butpastittothelittlehousethatstoodalonetothenorthatthebeginningoftheOverfell.Thedoorofthehousestoodopen.
Thelastbeanshadgotbigandcoarseonthevines;thecabbageswerethriving.Threehenscamecluckingandpeckingaroundthedustydooryard,a
red,abrown,awhite;agreyhenwassettingherclutchinthehenhouse.Therewerenochicks,andnosignofthecock,theKing,Helethhadcalledhim.Thekingisdead,Ogionthought.Maybeachickishatchingevennowtotakehisplace.Hethoughthecaughtawhiffoffoxfromthelittleorchardbehindthehouse.
Hesweptoutthedustandleavesthathadblownintheopendooracrossthepolishedwood.HesetHeleth’smattressandblanketinthesuntoair.“I’llstayhereawhile,”hethought.“It’sagoodhouse.”Afterawhilehethought,“Imightkeepsomegoats.”
OntheHighMarshTHEISLANDOFSEMELliesnorthandwestacrossthePelnishSeafromHavnor,southandwestoftheEnlades.ThoughitisoneofthegreatislesoftheEarthseaArchipelago,therearen’tmanystoriesfromSemel.Enladhasitsglorioushistory,andHavnoritswealth,andPalnitsillrepute,butSemelhasonlycattleandsheep,forestsandlittletowns,andthegreatsilentvolcanocalledAndandenstandingoverall.
SouthofAndandenliesalandwheretheashesfellahundredfeetdeepwhenlastthevolcanospoke.Riversandstreamscuttheirwayseawardthroughthathighplain,windingandpooling,spreadingandwandering,makingamarshofit,abig,desolate,waterlandwithafarhorizon,fewtrees,notmanypeople.Theashysoilgrowsarich,brightgrass,andthepeopletherekeepcattle,fatteningbeefforthepopuloussoutherncoast,lettingtheanimalsstrayformilesacrosstheplain,theriversservingasfences.
Asmountainswill,Andandenmakestheweather.Itgatherscloudsaroundit.Thesummerisshort,thewinterlong,outonthehighmarsh.
Intheearlydarknessofawinterday,atravelerstoodatthewindsweptcrossingoftwopaths,neitherverypromising,merecattletracksamongthereeds,andlookedforsomesignofthewayheshouldtake.
Ashecamedownthelastslopeofthemountain,hehadseenhouseshereandthereoutinthemarshlands,avillagenotfaraway.Hehadthoughthewasonthewaytothevillage,buthadtakenawrongturningsomewhere.Tallreedsroseupclosebesidethepaths,sothatifalightshoneanywherehecouldnotseeit.Waterchuckledsoftlysomewherenearhisfeet.HehaduseduphisshoeswalkingroundAndandenonthecruelroadsofblacklava.Thesoleswerewornrightthrough,andhisfeetachedwiththeicydampofthemarshpaths.
Itgrewdarkerquickly.Ahazewascomingupfromthesouth,blottingoutthesky.Onlyabovethehuge,dimbulkofthemountaindidstarsburnclearly.Windwhistledinthereeds,soft,dismal.
Thetravelerstoodatthecrosswayandwhistledbackatthereeds.
Somethingmovedononeofthetracks,somethingbig,dark,inthedarkness.
“Areyouthere,mydear?”saidthetraveler.HespokeintheOldSpeech,theLanguageoftheMaking.“Comealong,then,Ulla,”hesaid,andtheheifercameasteportwotowardshim,towardshername,whilehewalkedtomeether.Hemadeoutthebigheadmorebytouchthansight,strokingthesilkendipbetweenhereyes,scratchingherforeheadattherootsofthenubbinhorns.“Beautiful,youarebeautiful,”hetoldher,breathinghergrassybreath,leaningagainstherlargewarmth.“Willyouleadme,dearUlla?WillyouleadmewhereIneedtogo?”
Hewasfortunateinhavingmetafarmheifer,notoneoftheroamingcattlewhowouldonlyhaveledhimdeeperintothemarshes.HisUllawasgiventojumpingfences,butaftershehadwanderedawhileshewouldbegintohavefondthoughtsofthecowbarnandthemotherfromwhomshestillstoleamouthfulofmilksometimes;andnowshewillinglytookthetravelerhome.Shewalked,slowbutpurposeful,downoneofthetracks,andhewentwithher,ahandonherhipwhenthewaywaswideenough.Whenshewadedaknee-deepstream,heheldontohertail.Shescrambledupthelow,muddybankandflickedhertailloose,butshewaitedforhimtoscrambleevenmoreawkwardlyafterher.Thensheploddedgentlyon.Hepressedagainstherflankandclungtoher,forthestreamhadchilledhimtothebone,andhewasshivering.
“Moo,”saidhisguide,softly,andhesawthedim,smallsquareofyellowlightjustalittletohisleft.
“Thankyou,”hesaid,openingthegatefortheheifer,whowenttogreethermother,whilehestumbledacrossthedarkhouseyardtothedoor.
ItwouldbeBerryatthedoor,thoughwhyheknockedshedidn’tknow.“Comein,youfool!”shesaid,andheknockedagain,andsheputdownhermendingandwenttothedoor.“Canyoubedrunkalready?”shesaid,andthensawhim.
Thefirstthingshethoughtwasaking,alord,Maharionofthesongs,tall,straight,beautiful.Thenextthingshethoughtwasabeggar,alostman,indirtyclothes,hugginghimselfwithshiveringarms.
Hesaid,“Ilostmyway.HaveIcometothevillager?”Hisvoicewashoarseandharsh,abeggar’svoice,butnotabeggar’saccent.
“It’sahalfmileon,”saidGift.
“Isthereaninn?”
“Nottillyou’dcometoOraby,aten-twelvemilesonsouth.”Sheconsideredonlybriefly.“Ifyouneedaroomforthenight,Ihaveone.OrSanmight,ifyou’regoingtothevillage.”
“I’llstayhereifImay,”hesaidinthatprincelyway,withhisteethchattering,holdingontothedoorjambtokeeponhisfeet.
“Takeyourshoesoff,”shesaid,“they’resoaking.Comeinthen.”Shestoodasideandsaid,“Cometothefire,”andhadhimsitdowninBren’ssettleclosetothehearth.“Stirthefireupabit,”shesaid.“Willyouhaveabitofsoup?It’sstillhot.”
“Thankyou,mistress,”hemuttered,crouchingatthefire.Shebroughthimabowlofbroth.Hedrankfromiteagerlyyetwarily,asiflongunaccustomedtohotsoup.
“Youcameoverthemountain?”
Henodded.
“Whateverfor?”
“Tocomehere,”hesaid.Hewasbeginningtotrembleless.Hisbarefeetwereasadsight,bruised,swollen,sodden.Shewantedtotellhimtoputthemrighttothefire’swarmth,butdidn’tliketopresume.Whateverhewas,hewasn’tabeggarbychoice.
“NotmanycomeheretotheHighMarsh,”shesaid.“Peddlersandsuch.Butnotinwinter.”
Hefinishedhissoup,andshetookthebowl.Shesatdowninherplace,thestoolbytheoillamptotherightofthehearth,andtookuphermending.“Getwarmthrough,andthenI’llshowyouyourbed,”shesaid.“There’snofireinthatroom.Didyoumeetweather,uponthemountain?Theysaythere’sbeensnow.”
“Someflurries,”hesaid.Shegotagoodlookathimnowinthelightoflampandfire.Hewasnotayoungman,thin,notastallasshehadthought.Itwasafineface,buttherewassomethingwrong,somethingamiss.Helooksruined,shethought,aruinedman.
“WhywouldyoucometotheMarsh?”sheasked.Shehadarighttoask,havingtakenhimin,yetshefeltadiscomfortinpressingthequestion.
“Iwastoldthere’samurrainamongthecattlehere.”Nowthathewasn’talllockedupwithcoldhisvoicewasbeautiful.Hetalkedlikethetale-tellers
whentheyspokethepartsoftheheroesandthedragonlords.Maybehewasatellerorasinger?Butno;themurrain,hehadsaid.
“Thereis.”
“Imaybeabletohelpthebeasts.”
“You’reacurer?”
Henodded.
“Thenyou’llbemorethanwelcome.Theplagueisterribleamongthecattle.Andgettingworse.”
Hesaidnothing.Shecouldseethewarmthcomingintohim,untyinghim.
“Putyourfeetuptothefire,”shesaidabruptly.“Ihavesomeoldshoesofmyhusbands.”Itcosthersomethingtosaythat,yetwhenshehadsaiditshefeltreleased,untiedtoo.WhatwasshekeepingBren’sshoesfor,anyhow?TheyweretoosmallforBerryandtoobigforher.She’dgivenawayhisclothes,butkepttheshoes,shedidn’tknowwhatfor.Forthisfellow,itwouldseem.Thingscameroundifyoucouldwaitforthem,shethought.“I’llsetemoutforyou,”shesaid.“Yoursareperished.”
Heglancedather.Hisdarkeyeswerelarge,deep,opaquelikeahorse’seyes,unreadable.
“He’sdead,”shesaid,“twoyears.Themarshfever.Youhavetowatchoutforthat,here.Thewater.Ilivewithmybrother.He’sinthevillage,atthetavern.Wekeepadairy.Imakecheese.Ourherd’sbeenallright,”andshemadethesigntoavertevil.“Ikeepemclosein.Outontheranges,themurrain’sverybad.Maybethecoldweather’llputanendtoit.”
“Morelikelytokillthebeaststhatsickenwithit,”themansaid.Hesoundedabitsleepy.
“I’mcalledGift,”shesaid.“Mybrother’sBerry.”
“Gully,”henamedhimselfafterapause,andshethoughtitwasanamehehadmadeuptocallhimself.Itdidnotfithim.Nothingabouthimfittogether,madeawhole.Yetshefeltnodistrustofhim.Shewaseasywithhim.Hemeantnoharmtoher.Shethoughttherewaskindnessinhim,thewayhespokeoftheanimals.Hewouldhaveawaywiththem,shethought.Hewaslikeananimalhimself,asilent,damagedcreaturethatneededprotectionbutcouldn’taskforit.
“Come”shesaid,“beforeyoufallasleepthere,”andhefollowedherobedientlytoBerry’sroom,whichwasn’tmuchmorethanacupboardbuiltontothecornerofthehouse.Herroomwasbehindthechimney.Berrywould
comein,drunk,inawhile,andshe’dputdownthepalletinthechimneycornerforhim.Letthetravelerhaveagoodbedforanight.Maybehe’dleaveacopperortwowithherwhenhewenton.Therewasaterribleshortageofcoppersinherhouseholdthesedays.
Hewoke,ashealwaysdid,inhisroomintheGreatHouse.Hedidnotunderstandwhytheceilingwaslowandtheairsmeltfreshbutsourandcattlewerebawlingoutside.Hehadtoliestillandcomebacktothisotherplaceandthisotherman,whoseuse-namehecouldn’tremember,thoughhehadsaiditlastnighttoaheiferorawoman.Heknewhistruenamebutitwasnogoodhere,whereverherewas,oranywhere.Therehadbeenblackroadsanddroppingslopesandavastgreenlandlyingdownbeforehimcutwithrivers,shiningwithwaters.Acoldwindblowing.Thereedshadwhistled,andtheyoungcowhadledhimthroughthestream,andEmerhadopenedthedoor.Hehadknownhernameassoonashesawher.Buthemustusesomeothername.Hemustnotcallherbyhername.Hemustrememberwhatnamehehadtoldhertocallhim.HemustnotbeIrioth,thoughhewasIrioth.Maybeintimehewouldbeanotherman.No;thatwaswrong;hemustbethisman.Thisman’slegsachedandhisfeethurt.Butitwasagoodbed,afeatherbed,warm,andheneednotgetoutofityet.Hedrowsedawhile,driftingawayfromIrioth.
Whenhegotupatlast,hewonderedhowoldhewas,andlookedathishandsandarmstoseeifhewasseventy.Hestilllookedforty,thoughhefeltseventyandmovedlikeit,wincing.Hegothisclotheson,foulastheywerefromdaysanddaysoftravel.Therewasapairofshoesunderthechair,wornbutgood,strongshoes,andapairofknitwoolstockingstogowiththem.Heputthestockingsonhisbatteredfeetandlimpedintothekitchen.Emerstoodatthebigsink,strainingsomethingheavyinacloth.
“Thankyoufortheseandtheshoes,”hesaid,andthankingherforthegift,rememberedheruse-namebutsaidonly,“mistress.”
“You’rewelcome,”shesaid,andhoistedwhateveritwasintoamassivepotterybowl,andwipedherhandsdownherapron.Heknewnothingatallaboutwomen.Hehadnotlivedwherewomenweresincehewastenyearsold.Hehadbeenafraidofthem,thewomenthatshoutedathimtogetoutofthewayinthatgreatotherkitchenlongago.ButsincehehadbeentravelingaboutinEarthseahehadmetwomenandfoundthemeasytobewith,liketheanimals;theywentabouttheirbusinessnotpayingmuchattentiontohimunlesshefrightenedthem.Hetriednottodothat.Hehadnowishorreasontofrightenthem.Theywerenotmen.
“Wouldyoulikesomefreshcurds?Itmakesagoodbreakfast.”Shewaseyeinghim,butnotforlong,andnotmeetinghiseyes.Likeananimal,likea
cat,shewas,sizinghimupbutnotchallenging.Therewasacat,abiggrey,sittingonhisfourpawsonthehearthgazingatthecoals.Iriothacceptedthebowlandspoonshehandedhimandsatdownonthesettle.Thecatjumpedupbesidehimandpurred.
“Lookatthat,”saidthewoman.“He’snotfriendlywithmostfolk.”
“It’sthecurds.”
“Heknowsacurer,maybe.”
Itwaspeacefulherewiththewomanandthecat.Hehadcometoagoodhouse.
“It’scoldout,”shesaid.“Iceonthetroughthismorning.Willyoubegoingon,thisday?”
Therewasapause.Heforgotthathehadtoanswerinwords.“I’dstayifImight,”hesaid.“I’dstayhere.”
Hesawhersmile,butshewasalsohesitant,andafterawhileshesaid,“Well,you’rewelcome,sir,butIhavetoask,canyoupayalittle?”
“Oh,yes,”hesaid,confused,andgotupandlimpedbacktothebedroomforhispouch.Hebroughtherapieceofmoney,alittleEnladiancrownpieceofgold.
“Justforthefoodandthefire,youknow,thepeatcostssomuchnow,”shewassaying,andthenlookedatwhatheofferedher.
“Oh,sir,”shesaid,andheknewhehaddonewrong.
“There’snobodyinthevillagecouldchangethat,”shesaid.Shelookedupintohisfaceforamoment.“Thewholevillagetogethercouldn’tchangethat!”shesaid,andlaughed.Itwasallright,then,thoughtheword“change”rangandranginhishead.
“Ithasn’tbeenchanged,”hesaid,butheknewthatwasnotwhatshemeant.“I’msorry,”hesaid.“IfIstayedamonth,ifIstayedthewinter,wouldthatuseitup?Ishouldhaveaplacetostay,whileIworkwiththebeasts.”
“Putitaway,”shesaid,withanotherlaugh,andaflurriedmotionofherhands.“Ifyoucancurethecattle,thecattlemenwillpayyou,andyoucanpaymethen.Callthatsurety,ifyoulike.Butputitaway,sir!Itmakesmedizzytolookatit.-Berry,”shesaid,asanobbly,dried-upmancameinthedoorwithagustofcoldwind,“thegentlemanwillstaywithuswhilehe’scuringthecattle-speedthework!He’sgivenussuretyofpayment.Soyou’llsleepinthechimneycorner,andhimintheroom.ThisismybrotherBerry,sir.”
Berryduckedhisheadandmuttered.Hiseyesweredull.ItseemedtoIrioth
thatthemanhadbeenpoisoned.WhenBerrywentoutagain,thewomancamecloserandsaid,resolute,inalowvoice,“There’snoharminhimbutthedrink,butthere’snotmuchleftofhimbutthedrink.It’seatenupmostofhismind,andmostofwhatwehave.So,doyousee,putupyourmoneywherehewon’tseeit,ifyoudon’tmind,sir.Hewon’tcomelookingforit.Butifhesawit,he’dtakeit.Heoftendoesn’tknowwhathe’sdoing,doyousee.”
“Yes,”Iriothsaid.“Iunderstand.Youareakindwoman.”Shewastalkingabouthim,abouthisnotknowingwhathewasdoing.Shewasforgivinghim.“Akindsister,”hesaid.Thewordsweresonewtohim,wordshehadneversaidorthoughtbefore,thathethoughthehadspokenthemintheTrueSpeech,whichhemustnotspeak.Butsheonlyshrugged,withafrowningsmile.
“TimesIcouldshakehisfoolheadoff,”shesaid,andwentbacktoherwork.
Hehadnotknownhowtiredhewasuntilhecametohaven.Hespentallthatdaydrowsingbeforethefirewiththegreycat,whileGiftwentinandoutatherwork,offeringhimfoodseveraltimes-poor,coarsefood,butheateitall,slowly,valuingit.Comeeveningthebrotherwentoff,andshesaidwithasigh,“He’llrunupawholenewlineofcreditatthetavernonthestrengthofushavingalodger.Notthatit’syourfault.”
“Oh,yes,”Iriothsaid.“Itwasmyfault.”Butsheforgave;andthegreycatwaspressedupagainsthisthigh,dreaming.Thecat’sdreamscameintohismind,inthelowfieldswherehespokewiththeanimals,theduskyplaces.Thecatleaptthere,andthentherewasmilk,andthedeepsoftthrilling.Therewasnofault,onlythegreatinnocence.Noneedforwords.Theywouldnotfindhimhere.Hewasnotheretofind.Therewasnoneedtospeakanyname.Therewasnobodybuther,andthecatdreaming,andthefireflickering.Hehadcomeoverthedeadmountainonblackroads,butherethestreamsranslowamongthepastures.
Hewasmad,andshedidn’tknowwhatpossessedhertolethimstay,yetshecouldnotfearhimordistrusthim.Whatdiditmatterifhewasmad?Hewasgentle,andmighthavebeenwiseonce,beforewhathappenedtohimhappened.Andhewasn’tsomadasallthat.Madinpatches,madatmoments.Nothinginhimwaswhole,notevenhismadness.Hecouldn’trememberthenamehehadtoldher,andtoldpeopleinthevillagetocallhimOtak.Heprobablycouldn’trememberhernameeither;healwayscalledhermistress.Butmaybethatwashiscourtesy.Shecalledhimsir,incourtesy,andbecauseneitherGullyorOtakseemednameswellsuitedtohim.Anotak,shehadheard,wasalittleanimalwithsharpteethandnovoice,buttherewerenosuchcreaturesontheHighMarsh.
Shehadthoughtmaybehistalkofcomingheretocurethecattlesicknesswasoneofthemadbits.Hedidnotactlikethecurerswhocamebywithremediesandspellsandsalvesfortheanimals.Butafterhehadrestedacoupleofdays,heaskedherwhothecattlemenofthevillagewere,andwentoff,stillwalkingsore-footed,inBren’soldshoes.Itmadeherheartturninher,seeingthat.
Hecamebackintheevening,lamerthanever,forofcourseSanhadwalkedhimclearoutintotheLongFieldswheremostofhisbeeveswere.NobodyhadhorsesbutAlder,andtheywereforhiscowboys.Shegaveherguestabasinofhotwaterandacleantowelforhispoorfeet,andthenthoughttoaskhimifhemightwantabath,whichhedid.Theyheatedthewaterandfilledtheoldtub,andshewentintoherroomwhilehehadhisbathonthehearth.Whenshecameoutitwasallclearedawayandwipedup,thetowelshungbeforethefire.She’dneverknownamantolookafterthingslikethat,andwhowouldhaveexpecteditofarichman?Wouldn’thehaveservants,wherehecamefrom?Buthewasnomoretroublethanthecat.Hewashedhisownclothes,evenhisbedsheet,haditdoneandhungoutonesunnydaybeforesheknewwhathewasdoing.“Youneedn’tdothat,sir,I’lldoyourthingswithmine,”shesaid.
“Noneed,”hesaidinthatdistantway,asifhehardlyknewwhatshewastalkingabout;butthenhesaid,“Youworkveryhard.”
“Whodoesn’t?Ilikethecheesemaking.There’saninteresttoit.AndI’mstrong.AllIfearisgettingold,whenIcan’tliftthebucketsandthemolds.”Sheshowedhimherround,musculararm,makingafistandsmiling.“Prettygoodforfiftyyearsold!”shesaid.Itwassillytoboast,butshewasproudofherstrongarms,herenergyandskill.
“Speedthework,”hesaidgravely.
Hehadawaywithhercowsthatwaswonderful.Whenhewasthereandsheneededahand,hetookBerry’splace,andasshetoldherfriendTawny,laughing,hewascannierwiththecowsthanBren’solddoghadbeen.“Hetalkstoem,andI’llsweartheyconsiderwhathesays.Andthatheiferfollowshimaboutlikeapuppy.”Whateverhewasdoingoutontherangeswiththebeeves,thecattlemenwerecomingtothinkwellofhim.Ofcoursetheywouldgrabatanypromiseofhelp.HalfSan’sherdwasdead.Alderwouldnotsayhowmanyheadhehadlost.Thebodiesofcattlewereeverywhere.IfithadnotbeencoldweathertheMarshwouldhavereekedofrottingflesh.Noneofthewatercouldbedrunkunlessyouboileditanhour,exceptwhatcamefromthewells,hershereandtheoneinthevillage,whichgavetheplaceitsname.
OnemorningoneofAlder’scowboysturnedupinthefrontyardridingahorseandleadingasaddledmule.“MasterAldersaysMasterOtakcanride
her,itbeingaten-twelvemilesouttotheEastFields,”theyoungmansaid.
Herguestcameoutofthehouse.Itwasabright,mistymorning,themarsheshiddenbygleamingvapors.Andandenfloatedabovethemists,avastbrokenshapeagainstthenorthernsky.
Thecurersaidnothingtothecowboybutwentstraighttothemule,orhinny,rather,beingoutofSan’sbigjennybyAlder’swhitehorse.Shewasawhiteyroan,young,withaprettyface.Hewentandtalkedtoherforaminute,sayingsomethinginherbig,delicateearandrubbinghertopknot.
“Hedoesthat,”thecowboysaidtoGift.“Talksatem.”Hewasamused,disdainful.HewasoneofBerry’sdrinkingmatesatthetavern,adecentenoughyoungfellow,foracowboy.
“Ishecuringthecattle?”sheasked.
“Well,hecan’tliftthemurrainallatonce.Butseemslikehecancureabeastifhegetstoitbeforethestaggersbegin.Andthosenotstruckyet,hesayshecankeepitoffem.Sothemaster’ssendinghimallabouttherangetodowhatcanbedone.It’stoolateformany.”
Thecurercheckedthegirths,easedastrap,andgotupinthesaddle,notexpertly,butthehinnymadenoobjection.Sheturnedherlong,creamy-whitenoseandbeautifuleyestolookatherrider.Hesmiled.Gifthadneverseenhimsmile.
“Shallwego?”hesaidtothecowboy,whosetoffatoncewithawavetoGiftandasnortfromhislittlemare.Thecurerfollowed.Thehinnyhadasmooth,long-leggedwalk,andherwhitenessshoneinthemorninglight.Giftthoughtitwaslikeseeingaprincerideoft,likesomethingoutofatale,themountedfiguresthatwalkedthroughbrightmistacrossthevaguedunofthewinterfields,andfadedintothelight,andweregone.
Itwashardworkoutinthepastures.“Whodoesn’tdohardwork?”Emerhadasked,showingherround,strongarms,herhard,redhands.ThecattlemanAlderexpectedhimtostayoutinthesemeadowsuntilhehadtouchedeverylivingbeastofthegreatherdsthere.Alderhadsenttwocowboysalong.Theymadeacampofsorts,withagroundclothandahalftent.Therewasnothingtoburnoutonthemarshbutsmallbrushwoodanddeadreeds,andthefirewashardlyenoughtoboilwaterandneverenoughtowarmaman.Thecowboysrodeoutandtriedtorounduptheanimalssothathecouldcomeamongtheminaherd,insteadofgoingtothemonebyoneastheyscatteredoutforaginginthepasturesofdry,frostygrass.Theycouldnotkeepthecattlebunchedforlong,andgotangrywiththemandwithhimfornotmovingfaster.Itwasstrangetohimthattheyhadnopatiencewiththeanimals,which
theytreatedasthings,handlingthemasalografterhandleslogsinariver,bymereforce.
Theyhadnopatiencewithhimeither,alwaysathimtohurryupandgetdonewiththejob;norwiththemselves,theirlife.Whentheytalkedtoeachotheritwasalwaysaboutwhattheyweregoingtodointown,inOraby,whentheygotpaidoff.HeheardagooddealaboutthewhoresinOraby,DaisyandGoldieandtheonetheycalledtheBurningBush.Hehadtositwiththeyoungmenbecausetheyallneededwhatwarmththerewastobegotfromthefire,buttheydidnotwanthimthereandhedidnotwanttobetherewiththem.Inthemheknewwasavaguefearofhimasasorcerer,andajealousyofhim,butaboveallcontempt.Hewasold,other,notoneofthem.Fearandjealousyheknewandshrankfrom,andcontemptheremembered.Hewasgladhewasnotoneofthem,thattheydidnotwanttotalktohim.Hewasafraidofdoingwrongtothem.
Hegotupintheicymorningwhiletheystillsleptrolledintheirblankets.Heknewwherethecattlewerenearby,andwenttothem.Thesicknesswasveryfamiliartohimnow.Hefeltitinhishandsasaburning,andaqueasinessifitwasmuchadvanced.Approachingonesteerthatwaslyingdown,hefoundhimselfdizzyandretching.Hecamenocloser,butsaidwordsthatmighteasethedying,andwenton.
Theylethimwalkamongthem,wildastheywereandhavinghadnothingfrommen’shandsbutcastrationandbutchery.Hehadapleasureintheirtrustinhim,aprideinit.Heshouldnot,buthedid.Ifhewantedtotouchoneofthegreatbeastshehadonlytostandandspeaktoitalittlewhileinthelanguageofthosewhodonotspeak.“Ulla,”hesaid,namingthem.“Ellu.Ellua.”Theystood,big,indifferent;sometimesonelookedathimforalongtime.Sometimesonecametohimwithitseasy,loose,majestictread,andbreathedintohisopenpalm.Allthosethatcametohimhecouldcure.Helaidhishandsonthem,onthestiff-haired,hotflanksandneck,andsentthehealingintohishandswiththewordsofpowerspokenoverandover.Afterawhilethebeastwouldgiveashake,ortossitsheadabit,orstepon.Andhewoulddrophishandsandstandthere,drainedandblank,forawhile.Thentherewouldbeanotherone,big,curious,shylybold,muddy-coated,withthesicknessinitlikeaprickling,atingling,ahotnessinhishands,adizziness.“Ellu,”hewouldsay,andwalktothebeastandlayhishandsuponituntiltheyfeltcool,asifamountainstreamranthroughthem.
Thecowboyswerediscussingwhetherornotitwassafetoeatthemeatofasteerdeadofthemurrain.Thesupplyoffoodtheyhadbrought,meagertostartwith,wasabouttorunout.Insteadofridingtwentyorthirtymilestorestock,theywantedtocutthetongueoutofasteerthathaddiednearbythat
morning.
Hehadforcedthemtoboilanywatertheyused.Nowhesaid,“Ifyoueatthatmeat,inayearyou’llbegintogetdizzy.You’llendwiththeblindstaggersanddieastheydo.”
Theycursedandsneered,butbelievedhim.Hehadnoideaifwhathesaidwastrue.Ithadseemedtrueashesaidit.Perhapshewantedtospitethem.Perhapshewantedtogetridofthem.
“Rideback,”hesaid.“Leavemehere.There’senoughfoodforonemanforthreeorfourdaysmore.Thehinnywillbringmeback.”
Theyneedednopersuasion.Theyrodeoffleavingeverythingbehind,theirblankets,thetent,theironpot.“Howdowegetallthatbacktothevillage?”heaskedthehinny.Shelookedafterthetwoponiesandsaidwhathinniessay.“Aaawww!”shesaid.Shewouldmisstheponies.
“Wehavetofinishtheworkhere,”hetoldher,andshelookedathimmildly.Allanimalswerepatient,butthepatienceofthehorsekindwaswonderful,beingfreelygiven.Dogswereloyal,buttherewasmoreofobedienceinit.Dogswerehierarchs,dividingtheworldintolordsandcommoners.Horseswerealllords.Theyagreedtocollude.Herememberedwalkingamongthegreat,plumedfeetofcarthorses,fearless.Thecomfortoftheirbreathonhishead.Alongtimeago.Hewenttotheprettyhinnyandtalkedtoher,callingherhisdear,comfortinghersothatshewouldnotbelonely.
Ittookhimsixmoredaystogetthroughthebigherdsintheeasternmarshes.Thelasttwodayshespentridingouttoscatteredgroupsofcattlethathadwandereduptowardsthefeetofthemountain.Manyofthemwerenotinfectedyet,andhecouldprotectthem.Thehinnycarriedhimbarebackandmadethegoingeasy.Buttherewasnothingleftforhimtoeat.Whenherodebacktothevillagehewaslight-headedandweak-kneed.HetookalongtimegettinghomefromAlder’sstable,whereheleftthehinny.Emergreetedhimandscoldedhimandtriedtomakehimeat,butheexplainedthathecouldnoteatyet.“AsIstayedthereinthesickness,inthesickfields,Ifeltsick.AfterawhileI’llbeabletoeatagain,”heexplained.
“You’recrazy,”shesaid,veryangry.Itwasasweetanger.Whycouldnotmoreangerbesweet?
“Atleasthaveabath!”shesaid.
Heknewwhathesmelledlike,andthankedher.
“What’sAlderpayingyouforallthis?”shedemandedwhilethewaterwasheating.Shewasstillindignant,speakingmorebluntlyeventhanusual.
“Idon’tknow,”hesaid.
Shestoppedandstaredathim.
“Youdidn’tsetaprice?”
“Setaprice?”heflashedout.Thenherememberedwhohewasnot,andspokehumbly.“No.Ididn’t.”
“Ofalltheinnocence,”Giftsaid,hissingtheword.“He’llskinyou.”Shedumpedakettlefulofsteamingwaterintothebath.“Hehasivory,”shesaid.“Tellhimivoryithastobe.Outtheretendaysstarvinginthecoldtocurehisbeasts!San’sgotnothingbutcopper,butAldercanpayyouinivory.I’msorryifI’mmeddlinginyourbusiness.Sir.”Sheflungoutthedoorwithtwobuckets,goingtothepump.Shewouldnotusethestreamwaterforanythingatall,thesedays.Shewaswise,andkind.Whyhadhelivedsolongamongthosewhowerenotkind?
“We’llhavetosee,”saidAlder,thenextday,“ifmybeastsarecured.Iftheymakeitthroughthewinter,see,we’llknowyourcuresalltook,thatthey’resound,like.NotthatIdoubtit,butfair’sfair,right?Youwouldn’taskmetopayyouwhatIhaveinmindtopayyou,wouldyounow,ifthecuredidn’ttakeandthebeastsdiedafterall.Avertthechance!ButIwouldn’taskyoutowaitallthattimeunpaid,neither.Sohere’sanadvance,like,onwhat’stocome,andall’ssquarebetweenusfornow,right?”
Thecoppersweren’tdecentlyinabag,even.Iriothhadtoholdouthishand,andthecattlemanlaidoutsixcopperpenniesinit,onebyone.“Nowthen!That’sfairandsquare!”hesaid,expansive.“Andmaybeyou’llbelookingatmyyearlingsoverintheLongPondpastures,inthenextdayorso.”
“No,”Iriothsaid.“SansherdwasgoingdownfastwhenIleft.I’mneededthere.”
“Oh,no,you’renot,MasterOtak.Whileyouwereoutintheeastrangeasorcerercurercameby,afellowthat’sbeenherebefore,fromthesouthcoast,andsoSanhiredhim.Youworkformeandyou’llbepaidwell.Betterthancopper,maybe,ifthebeastsfarewell!”
Iriothdidnotsayyes,orno,orthanks,butwentoffunspeaking.Thecattlemanlookedafterhimandspat.“Avert,”hesaid.
ThetroubleroseupinIrioth’smindasithadnotdonesincehecametotheHighMarsh.Hestruggledagainstit.Amanofpowerhadcometohealthecattle,anothermanofpower.Butasorcerer,Alderhadsaid.Notawizard,notamage.Onlyacurer,acattlehealer.Idonotneedtofearhim.Idonotneedtofearhispower.Idonotneedhispower.Imustseehim,tobesure,tobe
certain.IfhedoeswhatIdoherethereisnoharm.Wecanworktogether.IfIdowhathedoeshere.Ifheusesonlysorceryandmeansnoharm.AsIdo.
HewalkeddownthestragglingstreetofPurewellstoSanshouse,whichwasaboutmidway,oppositethetavern.San,ahardbittenmaninhisthirties,wastalkingtoamanonhisdoorstep,astranger.WhentheysawIrioththeylookeduneasy.Sanwentintohishouseandthestrangerfollowed.
Iriothcameupontothedoorstep.Hedidnotgoin,butspokeintheopendoor.“MasterSan,it’saboutthecattleyouhavetherebetweentherivers.Icangotothemtoday.”Hedidnotknowwhyhesaidthis.Itwasnotwhathehadmeanttosay.
“Ah,”Sansaid,comingtothedoor,andhemmedabit.“Noneed,MasterOtak.ThishereisMasterSunbright,comeuptodealwiththemurrain.He’scuredbeastsformebefore,thehoofrotandall.BeingashowyouhaveallonemancandowithAlder’sbeeves,yousee…”
ThesorcerercameoutfrombehindSan.HisnamewasAyeth.Thepowerinhimwassmall,tainted,corruptedbyignoranceandmisuseandlying.Butthejealousyinhimwaslikeastingingfire.“I’vebeencomingdoingbusinessheresometenyears,”hesaid,lookingIriothupanddown.“Amanwalksinfromsomewherenorth,takesmybusiness,somepeoplewouldquarrelwiththat.Aquarrelofsorcerersisabadthing.Ifyou’reasorcerer,amanofpower,thatis.Iam.Asthegoodpeopleherewellknow.”
Iriothtriedtosayhedidnotwantaquarrel.Hetriedtosaythattherewasworkfortwo.Hetriedtosayhewouldnottaketheman’sworkfromhim.Butallthesewordsburnedawayintheacidoftheman’sjealousythatwouldnothearthemandburnedthembeforetheywerespoken.
Ayeth’sstaregrewmoreinsolentashewatchedIriothstammer.HebegantosaysomethingtoSan,butIriothspoke.
“Youhave-“hesaid-“youhavetogo.Back.”Ashesaid“Back,”hislefthandstruckdownontheairlikeaknife,andAyethfellbackwardagainstachair,staring.
Hewasonlyalittlesorcerer,acheatinghealerwithafewsorryspells.Orsoheseemed.Whatifhewascheating,hidinghispower,arivalhidinghispower?Ajealousrival.Hemustbestopped,hemustbebound,named,called.Iriothbegantosaythewordsthatwouldbindhim,andtheshakenmancoweredaway,shrinkingdown,shriveling,cryingoutinathin,highwail.Itiswrong,wrong,Iamdoingthewrong,Iamtheill,Irioththought.Hestoppedthespellwordsinhismouth,fightingagainstthem,andatlastcryingoutoneotherword.ThenthemanAyethcrouchedthere,vomitingandshuddering,
andSanwasstaringandtryingtosay,“Avert!Avert!”Andnoharmwasdone.ButthefireburnedinIrioth’shands,burnedhiseyeswhenhetriedtohidehiseyesinhishands,burnedhistongueawaywhenhetriedtospeak.
Foralongtimenobodywouldtouchhim.HehadfallendowninafitinSan’sdoorway.Helaytherenowlikeadeadman.Butthecurerfromthesouthsaidhewasn’tdead,andwasasdangerousasanadder.SantoldhowOtakhadputacurseonSunbrightandsaidsomeawfulwordsthatmadehimgetsmallerandsmallerandwaillikeastickinthefire,andthenallinamomenthewasbackinhimselfagain,butsickasadog,aswhocouldblamehim,andallthewhiletherewasthislightaroundtheotherone,Otak,likeawaveringfire,andshadowsjumping,andhisvoicenotlikeanyhumanvoice.Aterriblething.
Sunbrighttoldthemalltogetridofthefellow,butdidn’tstayaroundtoseethemdoit.Hewentbackdownthesouthroadassoonashe’dgulpedapintofbeeratthetavern,tellingthemtherewasnoroomfortwosorcerersinonevillageandhe’dbeback,maybe,whenthatman,orwhateverhewas,hadgone.
Nobodywouldtouchhim.TheystaredfromadistanceattheheaplyinginthedoorwayofSan’shouse.San’swifeweptaloudupanddownthestreet.“Badcess!Badcess!”shecried.“Oh,mybabewillbeborndead,Iknowit!”
Berrywentandfetchedhissister,afterhehadheardSunbright’staleatthetavern,andSan’sversionofit,andseveralotherversionsalreadycurrent.Inthebestofthem,OtakhadtowereduptenfeettallandstruckSunbrightintoalumpofcoalwithlightning,beforefoamingatthemouth,turningblue,andcollapsinginaheap.
Gifthurriedtothevillage.Shewentstraightuptothedoorstep,bentovertheheap,andlaidherhandonit.Everybodygaspedandmuttered,“Avert!Avert!”exceptTawny’syoungestdaughter,whomistookthesignsandpipedup,“Speedthework!”
Theheapmoved,androusedupslowly.Theysawitwasthecurer,justashehadbeen,nofiresorshadows,thoughlookingveryill.“Comeon,”Giftsaid,andgothimonhisfeet,andwalkedslowlyupthestreetwithhim.
Thevillagersshooktheirheads.Giftwasabravewoman,buttherewassuchathingasbeingtoobrave.Orbrave,theysaidaroundthetaverntable,inthewrongway,orthewrongplace,d’yousee.Nobodyshouldoughttomeddlewithsorcerythatain’tborntoit.Norwithsorcerers.Youforgetthat.Theyseemthesameasotherfolk.Buttheyain’tlikeotherfolk.Seemsthere’snoharminacurer.Healthefootrot,clearacakedudder.That’sallfine.Butcrossoneandthereyouare,fireandshadowsandcursesandfallingdowninfits.Uncanny.Alwayswasuncanny,thatone.Where’dhecomefrom,
anyhow?Answermethat.
Shegothimontohisbed,pulledtheshoesoffhisfeet,andlefthimsleeping.Berrycameinlateanddrunkerthanusual,sothathefellandgashedhisforeheadontheandiron.Bleedingandraging,heorderedGifttokicktheshorsheroutthehoush,rightaway,kick‘imout.Thenhevomitedintotheashesandfellasleeponthehearth.Shehauledhimontohispallet,pulledhisshoesoffhisfeet,andlefthimsleeping.Shewenttolookattheotherone.Helookedfeverish,andsheputherhandonhisforehead.Heopenedhiseyes,lookingstraightintoherswithoutexpression.“Emer,”hesaid,andclosedhiseyesagain.
Shebackedawayfromhim,terrified.
Inherbed,inthedark,shelayandthought:Heknewthewizardwhonamedme.OrIsaidmyname.MaybeIsaiditoutloudinmysleep.Orsomebodytoldhim.Butnobodyknowsit.Nobodyeverknewmynamebutthewizard,andmymother.Andthey’redead,they’redead…Isaiditinmysleep…
Butsheknewbetter.
Shestoodwiththelittleoillampinherhand,andthelightofitshoneredbetweenherfingersandgoldenonherface.Hesaidhername.Shegavehimsleep.
Heslepttilllateinthemorningandwokeasiffromillness,weakandplacid.Shewasunabletobeafraidofhim.Shefoundthathehadnomemoryatallofwhathadhappenedinthevillage,oftheothersorcerer,evenofthesixcoppersshehadfoundscatteredonthebedcover,whichhemusthaveheldclenchedinhishandallalong.
“Nodoubtthat’swhatAldergaveyou,”shesaid.“Theflint!”
“IsaidI’dseetohisbeastsat…atthepasturebetweentherivers,wasit?”hesaid,gettinganxious,thehuntedlookcomingbackintohim,andhegotupfromthesettle.
“Sitdown,”shesaid.Hesatdown,buthesatfretting.
“Howcanyoucurewhenyou’resick?”shesaid.
“Howelse?”hesaid.
Buthequieteddownagainpresently,strokingthegreycat.
Herbrothercamein.“Comeonout,”hesaidtoherassoonashesawthecurerdozingonthesettle.Shesteppedoutsidewithhim.
“NowIwon’thavehimherenomore,”Berrysaid,comingmasterofthehouseoverher,withthegreatblackgashinhisforehead,andhiseyeslike
oysters,andhishandsjuddering.
“Where’llyougo?”shesaid.
“It’shimhastogo.”
“It’smyhouse.Bren’shouse.Hestays.Goorstay,it’suptoyou.”
“It’suptometooifhestaysorgoes,andhegoes.Youhaven’tgotallthesayso.Allthepeoplesayheoughttogo.He’snotcanny.”
“Oh,yes,sincehe’scuredhalftheherdsandgotpaidsixcoppersforit,timeforhimtogo,rightenough!I’llhavehimhereaslongasIchoose,andthat’stheendofit.”
“Theywon’tbuyourmilkandcheese,”Berrywhined.
“Whosaysthat?”
“Sanswife.Allthewomen.”
“ThenI’llcarrythecheesestoOraby,”shesaid,“andsellemthere.Inthenameofhonor,brother,gowashoutthatcut,andchangeyourshirt.Youstinkofthepothouse.”Andshewentbackintothehouse.“Oh,dear,”shesaid,andburstintotears.
“What’sthematter,Emer?”saidthecurer,turninghisthinfaceandstrangeeyestoher.
“Oh,it’snogood,Iknowit’snogood.Nothing’sanygoodwithadrunkard,”shesaid.Shewipedhereyeswithherapron.“Wasthatwhatbrokeyou,”shesaid,“thedrink?”
“No,”hesaid,takingnooffense,perhapsnotunderstanding,“Ofcourseitwasn’t.Ibegyourpardon,”shesaid.
“Maybehedrinkstotrytobeanotherman,”hesaid.“Toalter,tochange…”
“Hedrinksbecausehedrinks,”shesaid.“Withsome,that’sallitis.I’llbeinthedairy,now.I’lllockthehousedoor.There’s…there’sbeenstrangersabout.Yourestyourself.It’sbitterout.”Shewantedtobesurethathestayedindoorsoutofharm’sway,andthatnobodycameharassinghim.Lateronshewouldgointothevillage,haveawordwithsomeofthesensiblepeople,andputastoptothisrubbishytalk,ifshecould.
Whenshedidso,Alder’swifeTawnyandseveralotherpeopleagreedwithherthatasquabblebetweensorcerersoverworkwasnothingnewandnothingtotakeonabout.ButSanandhiswifeandthetaverncrewwouldn’tletitrest,itbeingtheonlythingofinteresttotalkaboutfortherestofthewinter,exceptthecattledying.“Besides,”Tawnysaid,“myman’sneveraverseto
payingcopperwherehethoughthemighthavetopayivory.”“Arethecattlehetouchedkeepingafoot,then?”“Sofaraswecansee,theyare.Andnonewsickenings.”“He’satruesorcerer,Tawny,”Giftsaid,veryearnest.“Iknowit.”“That’sthetrouble,love,”saidTawny.“Andyouknowit!Thisisnoplaceforamanlikethat.Whoeverheis,isnoneofourbusiness,butwhydidhecomehere,iswhatyouhavetoask.”“Tocurethebeasts,”Giftsaid.
Sunbrighthadnotbeengonethreedayswhenanewstrangerappearedintown:amanridingupthesouthroadonagoodhorseandaskingatthetavernforlodging.TheysenthimtoSanshouse,butSan’swifescreechedwhensheheardtherewasastrangeratthedoor,cryingthatifSanletanotherwitch-maninthedoorherbabywouldbeborndeadtwiceover.Herscreamingcouldbeheardforseveralhousesupanddownthestreet,andacrowd,thatis,tenorelevenpeople,gatheredbetweenSanshouseandthetavern.
“Well,thatwon’tdo,”saidthestrangerpleasantly.“Ican’tbebringingonabirthuntimely.Istheremaybearoomabovethetavern?”
“Sendhimonouttothedairy,”saidoneofAlder’scowboys.“Gift’stakingwhatevercomes.”Therewassomesniggeringandshushing.
“Backthatway,”saidthetaverner.
“Thanks,”saidthetraveler,andledhishorsealongthewaytheypointed.
“Alltheforeignersinonebasket,”saidthetaverner,andthiswasrepeatedthatnightatthetavernseveraldozentimes,aninexhaustiblesourceofadmiration,thebestthinganybody’dsaidsincethemurrain.
Giftwasinthedairy,havingfinishedtheeveningmilking.Shewasstrainingthemilkandsettingoutthepans.“Mistress,”saidavoiceatthedoor,andshethoughtitwasthecurerandsaid,“JustaminutewhileIfinishthis,”andthenturningsawastrangerandnearlydroppedthepan.“Oh,youstartledme!”shesaid.“WhatcanIdoforyou,then?”
“I’mlookingforabedforthenight.”
“No,I’msorry,there’smylodger,andmybrother,andme.MaybeSan,inthevillage-“
“Theysentmehere.Theysaid,“Alltheforeignersinonebasket.””Thestrangerwasinhisthirties,withabluntfaceandapleasantlook,dressedplain,thoughthecobthatstoodbehindhimwasagoodhorse.“Putmeupinthecowbarn,mistress,it’lldofine.It’smyhorseneedsagoodbed;he’stired.I’llsleepinthebarnandbeoffinthemorning.Cowsareapleasuretosleepwithonacoldnight.I’llbegladtopayyou,mistress,iftwocopperswouldsuit,andmyname’sHawk.”
“I’mGift,”shesaid,abitflustered,butlikingthefellow.“Allright,then,MasterHawk.Putyourhorseupandseetohim.There’sthepump,there’splentyofhay.Comeoninthehouseafter.Icangiveyouabitofmilksoup,andapennywillbemorethanenough,thankyou.”Shedidn’tfeellikecallinghimsir,asshealwaysdidthecurer.Thisonehadnothingofthatlordlywayabouthim.Shehadn’tseenakingwhenshefirstsawhim,aswiththeotherone.
Whenshefinishedinthedairyandwenttothehouse,thenewfellow,Hawk,wassquattingonthehearth,skillfullymakingupthefire.Thecurerwasinhisroomasleep.Shelookedin,andclosedthedoor.
“He’snottoowell,”shesaid,speakinglow.“Hewascuringthecattleawayouteastoverthemarsh,inthecold,fordaysonend,andworehimselfout.”
Asshewentaboutherworkinthekitchen,Hawklentherahandnowandtheninthemostnaturalway,sothatshebegantowonderifmenfromforeignpartswereallsomuchhandieraboutthehousethanthemenoftheMarsh.Hewaseasytotalkwith,andshetoldhimaboutthecurer,sincetherewasnothingmuchtosayaboutherself.
“They’lluseasorcererandthenill-mouthhimforhisusefulness,”shesaid.“It’snotjust.”
“Buthescaredem,somehow,didhe?”
“Iguesshedid.Anothercurercameupthisway,afellowthat’sbeenbyherebefore.Doesn’tamounttomuchthatIcansee.Hedidnogoodtomycowwiththecakedbag,twoyearsago.Andhisbalm’sjustpigfat,I’dswear.Well,so,hesaystoOtak,you’retakingmybusiness.AndmaybeOtaksaysthesameback.Andtheylosetheirtempers,andtheydidsomeblackspells,maybe.IguessOtakdid.Buthedidnoharmtothemanatall,butfelldowninaswoonhimself.Andnowhedoesn’trememberanymoreaboutit,whiletheothermanwalkedawayunhurt.Andtheysayeverybeasthetouchedisstandingyet,andhale.Tendayshespentoutthereinthewindandtherain,touchingthebeastsandhealingthem.Andyouknowwhatthecattlemangavehim?Sixpennies!Canyouwonderhewasalittlerageous?ButIdon’tsay…”Shecheckedherselfandthenwenton,“Idon’tsayhe’snotabitstrange,sometimes.Thewaywitchesandsorcerersare,Iguess.Maybetheyhavetobe,dealingwithsuchpowersandevilsastheydo.Butheisatrueman,andkind.”
“Mistress,”saidHawk,“mayItellyouastory?”
“Oh,areyouateller?Oh,whydidn’tyousaysotobeginwith!Isthatwhatyouarethen?Iwondered,itbeingwinterandall,andyoubeingontheroads.
Butwiththathorse,Ithoughtyoumustbeamerchant.Canyoutellmeastory?Itwouldbethejoyofmylife,andthelongerthebetter!Butdrinkyoursoupfirst,andletmesitdowntohear…”
“I’mnottrulyateller,mistress,”hesaidwithhispleasantsmile,“butIdohaveastoryforyou.”Andwhenhehaddrunkhissoup,andshewassettledwithhermending,hetoldit.
“IntheInmostSea,ontheIsleoftheWise,onRokeIsland,whereallmageryistaught,therearenineMasters,”hebegan.
Sheclosedhereyesinblissandlistened.
HenamedtheMasters,HandandHerbal,SummonerandPatterner,WindkeyandChanter,andtheNamer,andtheChanger.“TheChangersandtheSummoner’sareveryperilousarts,”hesaid.“Changing,ortransformation,youmaybeknowof,mistress.Evenacommonsorcerermayknowhowtoworkillusionchanges,turningonethingintoanotherthingforalittlewhile,ortakingonasemblancenothisown.Haveyouseenthat?”
“Heardofit,”shewhispered.
“Andsometimeswitchesandsorcererswillsaythatthey’vesummonedthedeadtospeakthroughthem.Maybeachildtheparentsaregrievingfor.Inthewitch’shut,inthedarkness,theyhearitcry,orlaugh…”
Shenodded.
“Thosearespellsofillusiononly,ofseeming.Buttherearetruechanges,andtruesummonings.Andthesemaybetruetemptationstothewizard!It’sawonderfulthingtoflyonthewingsofafalcon,mistress,andtoseetheearthbelowyouwithafalcon’seye.Andsummoning,whichisnamingtruly,isagreatpower.Toknowthetruenameistohavepower,asyouknow,mistress.Andthesummoner’sartgoesstraighttothat.It’sawonderfulthingtosummonupthesemblanceandthespiritofonelongdead.ToseethebeautyofElfarranintheorchardsofSolea,asMorredsawitwhentheworldwasyoung…”
Hisvoicehadbecomeverysoft,verydark.
“Well,tomystory.Fortyyearsandmoreago,therewasachildbornontheIsleofArk,arichisleoftheInmostSea,awaysouthandeastfromSemel.Thischildwasthesonofanunder-stewardinthehouseholdoftheLordofArk.Notapoorman’sson,butnotachildofmuchaccount.Andtheparentsdiedyoung.Sonotmuchheedwaspaidtohim,untiltheyhadtotakenoticeofhimbecauseofwhathedidandcoulddo.Hewasanuncannybrat,astheysay.Hehadpowers.Hecouldlightafireordouseitwithaword.Hecould
makepotsandpansflythroughtheair.HecouldturnamouseintoapigeonandsetitflyingroundthegreatkitchensoftheLordofArk.Andifhewascrossed,orfrightened,thenhedidharm.Heturnedakettleofboilingwateroveracookwhohadmistreatedhim.”
“Mercy,”whisperedGift.Shehadnotsewnastitchsincehebegan.
“Hewasonlyachild,andthewizardsofthathouseholdcan’thavebeenwisemen,fortheyusedlittlewisdomorgentlenesswithhim.Maybetheywereafraidofhim.Theyboundhishandsandgaggedhismouthtokeephimfrommakingspells.Theylockedhiminacellarroom,aroomofstone,untiltheythoughthimtamed.Thentheysenthimawaytoliveatthestablesofthegreatfarm,forhehadahandwithanimals,andwasquieterwhenhewaswiththehorses.Buthequarreledwithastableboy,andturnedthepoorladintoalumpofdung.Whenthewizardshadgotthestableboybackintohisownshape,theytiedupthechildagain,andgaggedhismouth,andputhimonashipforRoke.TheythoughtmaybetheMasterstherecouldtamehim.”
“Poorchild,”shemurmured.
“Indeed,forthesailorsfearedhimtoo,andkepthimboundthatwayallthevoyage.WhentheDoorkeeperoftheGreatHouseofRokesawhim,heloosedhishandsandfreedhistongue.AndthefirstthingtheboydidintheGreatHouse,theysay,heturnedtheLongTableofthedininghallupsidedown,andsouredthebeer,andastudentwhotriedtostophimgotturnedintoapigforabit…ButtheboyhadmethismatchintheMasters.
“Theydidn’tpunishhim,butkepthiswildpowersboundwithspellsuntiltheycouldmakehimlistenandbegintolearn.Ittookthemalongtime.Therewasarivalrousspiritinhimthatmadehimlookonanypowerhedidnothave,anythinghedidnotknow,asathreat,achallenge,athingtofightagainstuntilhecoulddefeatit.Therearemanyboyslikethat.Iwasone.ButIwaslucky.Ilearnedmylessonyoung.
“Well,thisboydidlearnatlasttotamehisangerandcontrolhispower.Andaverygreatpoweritwas.Whateverarthestudiedcameeasytohim,tooeasy,sothathedespisedillusion,andweatherworking,andevenhealing,becausetheyheldnofear,nochallengetohim.Hesawnovirtueinhimselfforhismasteryofthem.So,aftertheArchmageNemmerlehadgivenhimhisname,theboysethiswillonthegreatanddangerousartofsummoning.AndhestudiedwiththeMasterofthatartforalongtime.
“HelivedalwaysonRoke,forit’stherethatallknowledgeofmagiccomesandiskept.Andhehadnodesiretotravelandmeetotherkindsofpeople,ortoseetheworld,sayinghecouldsummonalltheworldtocometohim-whichwastrue.Maybethat’swherethedangerofthatartlies.
“Now,whatisforbiddentothesummoner,oranywizard,istocallalivingspirit.Wecancalltothem,yes.Wecansendtothemavoiceorapresentment,aseeming,ofourself.Butwedonotsummonthem,inspiritorinflesh,tocometous.Onlythedeadmaywesummon.Onlytheshadows.Youcanseewhythismustbe.Tosummonalivingmanistohaveentirepoweroverhim,bodyandmind.Noone,nomatterhowstrongorwiseorgreat,canrightlyownanduseanother.
“Butthespiritofrivalryworkedintheboyashegrewtobeaman.It’sastrongspiritonRoke:alwaystodobetterthantheothers,alwaystobefirst…Theartbecomesacontest,agame.Theendbecomesameanstoanendlessthanitself…Therewasnomantheremoregreatlygiftedthanthisman,yetifanydidbetterthanheinanything,hefoundithardtobear.Itfrightenedhim,itgalledhim.
“TherewasnoplaceforhimamongtheMasters,sinceanewMasterSummonerhadbeenchosen,astrongmaninhisprime,notlikelytoretireordie.Amongthescholarsandotherteachershehadaplaceofhonor,buthewasn’toneoftheNine.He’dbeenpassedover.Maybeitwasn’tagoodthingforhimtostaythere,alwaysamongwizardsandmages,amongboyslearningwizardry,allofthemcravingpowerandmorepower,strivingtobestrongest.Atanyrate,astheyearswentonhebecamemoreandmorealoof,pursuinghisstudiesinhistowercellapartfromothers,teachingfewstudents,speakinglittle.TheSummonerwouldsendgiftedstudentstohim,butmanyoftheboystherescarcelyknewofhim.Inthisisolationhebegantopracticecertainartsthatarenotwelltopracticeandleadtonogoodthing.
“Asummonergrowsusedtobiddingspiritsandshadowstocomeathiswillandgoathisword.Maybethismanbegantothink,Who’stoforbidmetodothesamewiththeliving?WhyhaveIthepowerifIcannotuseit?Sohebegantocallthelivingtohim,thoseatRokewhomhefeared,thinkingthemrivals,thosewhosepowerhewasjealousof.Whentheycametohimhetooktheirpowerfromthemforhimself,leavingthemsilent.Theycouldn’tsaywhathadhappenedtothem,whathadbecomeoftheirpower.Theydidn’tknow.
“Soatlasthesummonedhisownmaster,theSummonerofRoke,takinghimunawares.
“ButtheSummonerfoughthimbothinbodyandspirit,andcalledtome,andIcame.Togetherwefoughtagainstthewillthatwoulddestroyus.”
Nighthadcome.Gift’slamphadflickeredout.OnlytheredglowofthefireshoneonHawk’sface.Itwasnotthefaceshehadthoughtit.Itwasworn,andhard,andscarredalldownoneside.Thehawk’sface,shethought.Sheheld
still,listening.
“Thisisnotateller’stale,mistress.Thisisnotastoryyouwilleverhearanyoneelsetell.
“IwasnewatthebusinessofbeingArchmagethen.Andyoungerthanthemanwefought,andmaybenotafraidenoughofhim.Itwasallthetwoofuscoulddotoholdourownagainsthim,thereinthesilence,inthecellinthetower.Nobodyelseknewwhatwasgoingon.Wefought.Alongtimewefought.Andthenitwasover.Hebroke.Likeastickbreaking.Hewasbroken.Buthefledaway.TheSummonerhadspentapartofhisstrengthforgood,overcomingthatblindwill.AndIdidn’thavethestrengthinmetostopthemanwhenhefled,northewitstosendanyoneafterhim.Andnotashredofpowerleftinmetofollowhimwith.SohegotawayfromRoke.Cleangone.
“Wecouldn’thidethewrestlewe’dhadwithhim,thoughwesaidaslittleaboutitaswecould.Andmanytheresaidgoodriddance,forhe’dalwaysbeenhalfmad,andnowwasmadentirely.
“ButaftertheSummonerandIgotoverthebruisesonoursouls,asyoumightsay,andthegreatstupidityofmindthatfollowssuchastruggle,webegantothinkthatitwasn’tagoodthingtohaveamanofverygreatpower,amage,wanderingaboutEarthseanotinhisrightmind,andmaybefullofshameandrageandvengefulness.
“Wecouldfindnotraceofhim.NodoubthechangedhimselftoabirdorafishwhenheleftRoke,untilhecametosomeotherisland.Andawizardcanhidehimselffromallfindingspells.Wesentoutinquiries,inthewayswehaveofdoingso,butnothingandnobodyreplied.Sowesetofflookingforhim,theSummonertotheeasternislesandItothewest.ForwhenIthoughtaboutthisman,Ihadbeguntoseeinmymind’seyeagreatmountain,abrokencone,withalong,greenlandbeneathitreachingtothesouth.IrememberedmygeographylessonswhenIwasaboyatRoke,andthelayofthelandonSemel,andthemountainwhosenameisAndanden.SoIcametotheHighMarsh.IthinkIcametherightway.”
Therewasasilence.Thefirewhispered.
“ShouldIspeaktohim?”Giftaskedinasteadyvoice.
“Noneed,”saidthemanlikeafalcon.“Iwill.”Andhesaid,“Irioth.”
Shelookedatthedoorofthebedroom.Itopenedandhestoodthere,thinandtired,hisdarkeyesfullofsleepandbewildermentandpain.
“Ged,”hesaid.Hebowedhishead.Afterawhilehelookedupandasked,“Willyoutakemynamefromme?”
“WhyshouldIdothat?”
“Itmeansonlyhurt.Hate,pride,greed.”
“I’lltakethosenamesfromyou,Irioth,butnotyourown.”
“Ididn’tunderstand,”Iriothsaid,“abouttheothers.Thattheyareother.Weareallother.Wemustbe.Iwaswrong.”
ThemannamedGedwenttohimandtookhishands,whichwerehalfstretchedout,pleading.
“Youwentwrong.You’vecomeback.Butyou’retired,Irioth,andtheway’shardwhenyougoalone.Comehomewithme.”
Irioth’sheaddroopedasifinutterweariness.Alltensionandpassionhadgoneoutofhisbody.Buthelookedup,notatGedbutatGift,silentinthehearthcorner.
“Ihaveworkhere,”hesaid.
Gedtoolookedather.
“Hedoes,”shesaid.“Hehealsthecattle.”
“TheyshowmewhatIshoulddo,”Iriothsaid,“andwhoIam.Theyknowmyname.Buttheyneversayit.”
AfterawhileGedgentlydrewtheoldermantohimandheldhiminhisarms.Hesaidsomethingquietlytohimandlethimgo.Iriothdrewadeepbreath.
“I’mnogoodthere,yousee,Ged,”hesaid.“Iam,here.Ifthey’llletmedothework.”HelookedagainatGift,andGeddidalso.Shelookedatthemboth.
“Whatsayyou,Emer?”askedtheonelikeafalcon.
“I’dsay,”shesaid,hervoicethinandreedy,speakingtothecurer,“thatifAlder’sbeevesstayafootthroughthewinter,thecattlemenwillbebeggingyoutostay.Thoughtheymaynotloveyou.”
“Nobodylovesasorcerer,”saidtheArchmage.“Well,Irioth!DidIcomeallthiswayforyouinthedeadofwinter,andmustgobackalone?”
“Tellthem-tellthemIwaswrong,”Iriothsaid.“TellthemIdidwrong.TellThorion-“Hehalted,confused.
“I’lltellhimthatthechangesinaman’slifemaybebeyondalltheartsweknow,andallourwisdom,”saidtheArchmage.HelookedatEmeragain.“Mayhestayhere,mistress?Isthatyourwishaswellashis?”
“He’stentimestheuseandcompanytomemybrotheris,”shesaid.“Anda
kindtrueman,asItoldyou.Sir.”
“Verywell,then.Irioth,mydearcompanion,teacher,rival,friend,farewell.Emer,bravewoman,myhonorandthankstoyou.Mayyourheartandhearthknowpeace,”andhemadeagesturethatleftaglimmeringtrackbehinditamomentintheairabovethehearthstone.“NowI’mofftothecowbarn,”hesaid,andhewas.
Thedoorclosed.Itwassilentexceptforthewhisperofthefire.
“Cometothefire,”shesaid.Iriothcameandsatdownonthesettle.
“WasthattheArchmage?Truly?”
Henodded.
“TheArchmageoftheworld,”shesaid.“Inmycowbarn.Heshouldhavemybed-“
“Hewon’t,”saidIrioth.
Sheknewhewasright.
“Yournameisbeautiful,Irioth,”shesaidafterawhile.“Ineverknewmyhusband’struename.Norhemine.Iwon’tspeakyoursagain.ButIliketoknowit,sinceyouknowmine.”
“Yournameisbeautiful,Emer,”hesaid.“Iwillspeakitwhenyoutellmeto.”
DragonflyI.Iria
Herfather’sancestorshadownedawide,richdomainonthewide,richislandofWay.Claimingnotitleorcourtprivilegeinthedaysofthekings,throughallthedarkyearsafterMaharionfelltheyheldtheirlandandpeoplewithfirmhands,puttingtheirgainsbackintotheland,upholdingsomesortofjustice,andfightingoffpettytyrants.AsorderandpeacereturnedtotheArchipelagoundertheswayofthewisemenofRoke,forawhileyetthefamilyandtheirfarmsandvillagesprospered.Thatprosperityandthebeautyofthemeadowsanduplandpasturesandoak-crownedhillsmadethedomainabyword,sothatpeoplesaid,“asfatasacowofIria’,or,“asluckyasanIrian’.Themastersandmanytenantsofthedomainaddeditsnametotheirown,callingthemselvesIrian.Butthoughthefarmersandshepherdswentonfromseasontoseasonandyeartoyearandgenerationtogenerationassolidandsteadyastheoaks,thefamilythatownedthelandalteredwithtimeandchance.
Aquarrelbetweenbrothersovertheirinheritancedividedthem.Oneheirmismanagedhisestatethroughgreed,theotherthroughfoolishness.Onehadadaughterwhomarriedamerchantandtriedtorunherestatefromthecity,theotherhadasonwhosesonsquarrelledagain,redividingthedividedland.BythetimethegirlcalledDragonflywasborn,thedomainofIria,thoughstilloneoftheloveliestregionsofhillandfieldandmeadowinallEarthsea,wasabattlegroundoffeudsandlitigations.Farmlandswenttoweeds,farmsteadswentunroofed,milkingshedsstoodunused,andshepherdsfollowedtheirflocksoverthemountaintobetterpastures.Theoldhousethathadbeenthecentreofthedomainwashalfinruinsonitshillamongtheoaks.
ItsownerwasoneoffourmenwhocalledthemselvesMasterofIria.TheotherthreecalledhimMasterofOldIria.HespenthisyouthandwhatremainedofhisinheritanceinlawcourtsandtheanteroomsoftheLordsofWayinShelieth,tryingtoprovehisrighttothewholedomainasithadbeenahundredyearsago.Hecamebackunsuccessfulandembitteredandspenthisagedrinkingthehardredwinefromhislastvineyardandwalkinghisboundarieswithatroopofill-treated,underfeddogstokeepinterlopersoffhisland.
HehadmarriedwhilehewasinShelieth,awomannooneatIriaknewanythingabout,forshecamefromsomeotherisland,itwassaid,somewhereinthewest,andshenevercametoIria,forshediedinchildbirththereinthecity.
Whenhecamehomehehadathree-year-olddaughterwithhim.Heturnedherovertothehousekeeperandforgotabouther.Whenhewasdrunksometimesherememberedher.Ifhecouldfindher,hemadeherstandbyhischairorsitonhiskneesandlistentoallthewrongsthathadbeendonetohimandtothehouseofIria.Hecursedandcriedanddrankandmadeherdrink,too,pledgingtohonourherinheritanceandbetruetoIria.Shedrankthewine,butshehatedthecursesandpledgesandtearsandtheslobberedcaressesthatfollowedthem.Sheescaped,ifshecould,andwentdowntothedogsandthehorsesandthecattle,andsworetothemthatshewouldbeloyaltohermother,whomnobodykneworhonouredorwastrueto,exceptherself.
Whenshewasthirteentheoldvineyarderandthehousekeeper,whowereallthatwasleftofthehousehold,toldtheMasterthatitwastimehisdaughterhadhernamingday.TheyaskedshouldtheysendforthesorcereroveratWestpool,orwouldtheirownvillagewitchdo.TheMasterofIriafellintoascreamingrage.“Avillagewitch?Ahex-hagtogiveIrian’sdaughterhertruename?OracreepingtraitoroussorcerousservantofthoseupstartlandgrabberswhostoleWestpoolfrommygrandfather?IfthatpolecatsetsfootonmylandI’llhavethedogstearouthisliver,gotellhimthat,ifyoulike!”Andsoon.OldDaisywentbacktoherkitchenandoldConeywentbacktohisvines,andthirteen-year-oldDragonflyranoutofthehouseanddownthehilltothevillage,hurlingherfather’scursesatthedogs,who,crazywithexcitementathisshouting,barkedandbayedandrushedafterher.
“Getback,youblack-heartedbitch!”sheyelled.“Home,youcrawlingtraitor!”Andthedogsfellsilentandwentsidlingbacktothehousewiththeirtailsdown.
Dragonflyfoundthevillagewitchtakingmaggotsoutofaninfectedcutonasheep’srump.Thewitch’suse-namewasRose,likeagreatmanywomenofWayandotherislandsoftheHardicArchipelago.Peoplewhohaveasecretnamethatholdstheirpowerthewayadiamondholdslightmaywellliketheirpublicnametobeordinary,common,likeotherpeople’snames.
Rosewasmutteringarotespell,butitwasherhandsandherlittleshortsharpknifethatdidmostofthework.Theeweborethediggingknifepatiently,heropaque,amber,slottedeyesgazingintosilence;onlyshestampedhersmallleftfrontfootnowandthen,andsighed.
DragonflypeeredcloseatRose’swork.Rosebroughtoutamaggot,droppedit,spatonit,andprobedagain.Thegirlleanedupagainsttheewe,andtheeweleanedagainstthegirl,givingandreceivingcomfort.Roseextracted,dropped,andspatonthelastmaggot,andsaid,“Justhandmethatbucketnow.”Shebathedthesorewithsaltwater.Theewesigheddeeplyandsuddenlywalkedoutoftheyard,headingforhome.Shehadhadenoughof
medicine.“Bucky!”Roseshouted.Agrubbychildappearedfromunderabushwherehehadbeenasleepandtrailedaftertheewe,ofwhomhewasnominallyinchargealthoughshewasolder,larger,betterfed,andprobablywiserthanhewas.
“Theysaidyoushouldgivememyname,”saidDragonfly.“Fatherfelltoraging.Sothat’sthat.”
Thewitchsaidnothing.Sheknewthegirlwasright.OncetheMasterofIriasaidhewouldorwouldnotallowathingheneverchangedhismind,pridinghimselfonhisintransigence,sinceonlyweakmensaidathingandthenunsaidit.
“Whycan’tIgivemyselfmyowntruename?”Dragonflyasked,whileRosewashedtheknifeandherhandsinthesaltwater.
“Can’tbedone,”
“Whynot?Whydoesithavetobeawitchorasorcerer?Whatdoyoudo?”
“Well,”Rosesaid,anddumpedoutthesaltwateronthebaredirtofthesmallfrontyardofherhouse,which,likemostwitches’houses,stoodsomewhatapartfromthevillage.“Well,”shesaid,straighteningupandlookingaboutvaguelyasifforananswer,oraewe,oratowel.“Youhavetoknowsomethingaboutthepower,see,”shesaidatlast,andlookedatDragonflywithoneeye.Herothereyelookedalittleofftotheside.SometimesDragonflythoughtthecastwasinRose’slefteye,sometimesitseemedtobeinherright,butalwaysoneeyelookedstraightandtheotherwatchedsomethingjustoutofsight,aroundthecorner,elsewhere.
“Whichpower?”
“Theone,”Rosesaid.Assuddenlyastheewehadwalkedoff,shewentintoherhouse.Dragonflyfollowedher,butonlytothedoor.Nobodyenteredawitch’shouseuninvited.
“YousaidIhadit,”thegirlsaidintothereekinggloomoftheone-roomedhut.
“Isaidyouhaveastrengthinyou,agreatone,”thewitchsaidfromthedarkness.“Andyouknowittoo.WhatyouaretodoIdon’tknow,nordoyou.That’stofind.Butthere’snosuchpowerastonameyourself.”
“Whynot?What’smoreyourselfthanyourowntruename?”
Alongsilence.
Thewitchemergedwithasoapstonedrop-spindleandaballofgreasywool.Shesatdownonthebenchbesideherdoorandsetthespindleturning.She
hadspunayardofgrey-brownyarnbeforesheanswered.
“Myname’smyself.True.Butwhat’saname,then?It’swhatanothercallsme.Iftherewasnoother,onlyme,whatwouldIwantanamefor?”
“But,”saidDragonflyandstopped,caughtbytheargument.Afterawhileshesaid,“Soanamehastobeagift?”
Rosenodded.
“Givememyname,Rose,”thegirlsaid.
“Yourdadsaysnot.”
“Isayto.”
“He’stheMasterhere.”
“Hecankeepmepoorandstupidandworthless,buthecan’tkeepmenameless!”
Thewitchsighed,liketheewe,uneasyandconstrained.
“Tonight,”Dragonflysaid.“Atourspring,underIriaHill.Whathedoesn’tknowwon’thurthim.”Hervoicewashalf-coaxing,half-savage.
“Yououghttohaveyourpropernameday,yourfeastanddancing,likeanyyoung‘un,”thewitchsaid.“It’satdaybreakanameshouldbegiven.Andthenthereoughttobemusicandfeastingandall.Notsneakingaboutatnightandnooneknowing…”
“I’llknow.Howdoyouknowwhatnametosay,Rose?Doesthewatertellyou?”
Thewitchshookheriron-greyheadonce.“Ican’ttellyou.”Her‘can’t’didnotmean‘won’t’.Dragonflywaited.“It’sthepower,likeIsaid.Itcomesjustso.”Rosestoppedherspinningandlookedupwithoneeyeatacloudinthewest;theotherlookedalittlenorthwardofthesky.“You’rethereinthewater,together,youandthechild.Youtakeawaythechild-name.Peoplemaygoonusingthatnameforause-name,butit’snothername,noreverwas.Sonowshe’snotachild,andshehasnoname.Sothenyouwait.Youopenyourmindup,like.Likeopeningthedoorsofahousetothewind.Soitcomes.Yourtonguespeaksit,thename.Yourbreathmakesit.Yougiveittothatchild,thebreath,thename.Youcan’tthinkofit.Youletitcometoyou.Itmustcomethroughyoutoheritbelongsto.That’sthepower,thewayitworks.It’salllikethat.It’snotathingyoudo.Youhavetoknowhowtoletitdo.That’sallthemastery.”
“Magescandomorethanthat,”thegirlsaid.
“Nobodycandomorethanthat,”saidRose.
Dragonflyrolledherheadroundonherneck,stretchingtillthevertebraecracked,stretchingoutherlongarmsandlegsrestlessly.“Willyou?”shesaid.
Aftersometime,Rosenoddedonce.
TheymetinthelaneunderIriaHillinthedarkofnight,longaftersunset,longbeforedawn.Rosemadeadimglowofwerelightsothattheycouldfindtheirwaythroughthemarshygroundaroundthespringwithoutfallinginasinkholeamongthereeds.Inthecolddarknessunderafewstarsandtheblackcurveofthehill,theystrippedandwadedintotheshallowwater,theirfeetsinkingdeepinvelvetmud.Thewitchtouchedthegirl’shand,saying,“Itakeyourname,child.Youarenochild.Youhavenoname.”
Itwasutterlystill.
Inawhisperthewitchsaid,“Woman,benamed.YouareIrian.”
Foramomentlongertheyheldstill;thenthenightwindblewacrosstheirnakedshoulders,andshivering,theywadedout,driedthemselvesaswellastheycould,struggledbarefootandwretchedthroughthesharp-edgedreedsandtanglingroots,andfoundtheirwaybacktothelane.AndthereDragonflyspokeinaragged,ragingwhisper:‘Howcouldyounamemethat!”
Thewitchsaidnothing.
“Itisn’tright.Itisn’tmytruename!Ithoughtmynamewouldmakemebeme.Butthismakesitworse.Yougotitwrong.You’reonlyawitch.Youdiditwrong.It’shisname.Hecanhaveit.He’ssoproudofit,hisstupiddomain,hisstupidgrandfather.Idon’twantit.Iwon’thaveit.Itisn’tme.Istilldon’tknowwhoIam.I’mnotIrian!”Shefellsilentabruptly,havingspokenthename.
Thewitchstillsaidnothing.Theywalkedalonginthedarknesssidebyside.Atlast,inaplacating,frightenedvoice,Rosesaid,“Itcameso…”
“IfyouevertellittoanyoneI’llkillyou,”Dragonflysaid.
Atthat,thewitchstoppedwalking.Shehissedlikeacat.“Tellanyone?”
Dragonflystoppedtoo.Shesaidafteramoment,“I’msorry.ButIfeellike-Ifeellikeyoubetrayedme.”
“Ispokeyourtruename.It’snotwhatIthoughtitwouldbe.AndIdon’tfeeleasyaboutit.AsifI’dleftsomethingunfinished.Butitisyourname.Ifitbetraysyou,thenthat’sthetruthofit.”Rosehesitatedandthenspokelessangrily,morecoldly:‘Ifyouwantthepowertobetrayme,Irian,I’llgiveyouthat.MynameisEtaudis.”
Thewindhadcomeupagain.Theywerebothshivering,theirteethchattering.Theystoodfacetofaceintheblacklane,hardlyabletoseewheretheotherwas.Dragonflyputouthergropinghandandmetthewitch’shand.Theyputtheirarmsroundeachotherinafierce,longembrace.Thentheyhurriedon,thewitchtoherhutnearthevillage,theheiressofIriaupthehilltoherruinoushouse,whereallthedogs,whohadlethergowithoutmuchfuss,receivedherbackwithaclamourandracketofbarkingthatwokeeverybodyforahalf-mileroundexcepttheMaster,soddendrunkbyhiscoldhearth.
II.Ivory
TheMasterofIriaofWestpool,Birch,didn’towntheoldhouse,buthedidownthecentralandrichestlandsoftheolddomain.Hisfather,moreinterestedinvinesandorchardsthaninquarrelswithhisrelatives,hadleftBirchathrivingproperty.Birchhiredmentomanagethefarmsandwineriesandcooperageandcartageandall,whileheenjoyedhiswealth.HemarriedthetimiddaughteroftheyoungerbrotheroftheLordofWayfirth,andtookinfinitepleasureinthinkingthathisdaughterswereofnobleblood.
Thefashionofthetimeamongthenobilitywastohaveawizardintheirservice,agenuinewizardwithastaffandagreycloak,trainedontheIsleoftheWise,andsotheMasterofIriaofWestpoolgothimselfawizardfromRoke.Hewassurprisedhoweasyitwastogetone,ifyoupaidtheprice.
Theyoungman,calledIvory,didnotactuallyhavehisstaffandcloakyet;heexplainedthathewastobemadewizardwhenhewentbacktoRoke.TheMastershadsenthimoutintheworldtogainexperience,foralltheclassesintheSchoolcannotgiveamantheexperienceheneedstobeawizard.Birchlookedalittledubiousatthis,andIvoryreassuredhimthathistrainingonRokehadequippedhimwitheverykindofmagicthatcouldbeneededinIriaofWestpoolonWay.Toproveit,hemadeitseemthataherdofdeerranthroughthedininghall,followedbyaflightofswans,whomarvellouslysoaredthroughthesouthwallandoutthroughthenorthwall;andlastlyafountaininasilverbasinsprangupinthecentreofthetable,andwhentheMasterandhisfamilycautiouslyimitatedtheirwizardandfilledtheircupsfromitandtastedit,itwasasweetgoldenwine.“WineoftheAndrades,”saidtheyoungmanwithamodest,complacentsmile.Bythenthewifeanddaughterswereentirelywonover.AndBirchthoughttheyoungmanwasworthhisfee,althoughhisownsilentpreferencewasforthedryredFanianofhisownvineyards,whichgotyoudrunkifyoudrankenough,whilethisyellowstuffwasjusthoneywater.
Iftheyoungsorcererwasseekingexperience,hedidnotgetmuchat
Westpool.WheneverBirchhadguestsfromKembermouthorfromneighboringdomains,theherdofdeer,theswans,andthefountainofgoldenwinemadetheirappearance.Healsoworkedupsomeveryprettyfireworksforwarmspringevenings.ButifthemanagersoftheorchardsandvineyardscametotheMastertoaskifhiswizardmightputaspellofincreaseonthepearsthisyearormaybecharmtheblackrotofftheFanianvinesonthesouthhill,Birchsaid,“AwizardofRokedoesn’tlowerhimselftosuchstuff.Gotellthevillagesorcerertoearnhiskeep!”Andwhentheyoungestdaughtercamedownwithawastingcough,Birch’swifedarednottroublethewiseyoungmanaboutit,butsenthumblytoRoseofOldIria,askinghertocomeinbythebackdoorandmaybemakeapoulticeorsingachanttobringthegirlbacktohealth.
Ivorynevernoticedthatthegirlwasailing,northepeartrees,northevines.Hekepthimselftohimself,asamanofcraftandlearningshould.HespenthisdaysridingaboutthecountrysideontheprettyblackmarethathisemployerhadgivenhimforhisusewhenhemadeitclearthathehadnotcomefromRoketotrudgeaboutonfootinthemudanddustofcountrybyways.
Onhisrides,hesometimespassedanoldhouseonahillamonggreatoaks.Whenheturnedoffthevillagelaneupthehill,apackofscrawny,evil-moutheddogscamepeltingandbellowingdownathim.Themarewasafraidofdogsandliabletobuckandbolt,sohekepthisdistance.Buthehadaneyeforbeauty,andlikedtolookattheoldhousedreamingawayinthedappledlightoftheearlysummerafternoons.
HeaskedBirchabouttheplace.“That’sIria,”Birchsaid-“OldIria,Imeantosay.Iownthehousebyrights.Butafteracenturyoffeudsandfightsoverit,mygranddadlettheplacegotosettlethequarrel.ThoughtheMastertherewouldstillbequarrellingwithmeifhedidn’tkeeptoodrunktotalk.Haven’tseentheoldmanforyears.Hehadadaughter,Ithink.”
“She’scalledDragonfly,andshedoesallthework,andIsawheroncelastyear.She’stall,andasbeautifulasafloweringtree,”saidtheyoungestdaughter,Rose,whowasbusycrowdingalifetimeofkeenobservationintothefourteenyearsthatwereallshewasgoingtohaveforit.Shebrokeoff,coughing.Hermothershotananguished,yearningglanceatthewizard.Surelyhewouldhearthatcough,thistime?HesmiledatyoungRose,andthemother’sheartlifted.Surelyhewouldn’tsmilesoifRose’scoughwasanythingserious?
“Nothingtodowithus,thatlotattheoldplace,”Birchsaid,displeased.ThetactfulIvoryaskednomore.Buthewantedtoseethegirlasbeautifulasafloweringtree.HerodepastOldIriaregularly.Hetriedstoppinginthevillage
atthefootofthehilltoaskquestions,buttherewasnowheretostopandnobodywouldanswerquestions.Awall-eyedwitchtookonelookathimandscuttledintoherhut.Ifhewentuptothehousehewouldhavetofacethepackofhellhoundsandprobablyadrunkoldman.Butitwasworththechance,hethought;hewasboredoutofhiswitswiththedulllifeatWestpool,andwasneverslowtotakearisk.Herodeupthehilltillthedogswereyellingaroundhiminafrenzy,snappingatthemare’slegs.Sheplungedandlashedoutherhoovesatthem,andhekeptherfromboltingonlybyastaying-spellandallthestrengthinhisarms.Thedogswereleapingandsnappingathisownlegsnow,andhewasabouttoletthemarehaveherheadwhensomebodycameamongthedogsshoutingcursesandbeatingthembackwithastrap.Whenhegotthelathered,gaspingmaretostandstill,hesawthegirlasbeautifulasafloweringtree.Shewasverytall,verysweaty,withbighandsandfeetandmouthandnoseandeyes,andaheadofwilddustyhair.Shewasyelling,“Down!Backtothehouse,youcarrion,youvilesonsofbitches!”tothewhining,coweringdogs.
Ivoryclappedhishandtohisrightleg.Adog’stoothhadrippedhisbreechesatthecalf,andatrickleofbloodcamethrough.
“Isshehurt?”thewomansaid.“Oh,thetraitorousvermin!”Shewasstrokingdownthemare’srightforeleg.Herhandscameawaycoveredwithblood-streakedhorsesweat.“There,there,”shesaid.Thebravegirl,thebraveheart.”Themareputherheaddownandshiveredalloverwithrelief.“Whatdidyoukeepherstandingthereinthemiddleofthedogsfor?”thewomandemandedfuriously.Shewaskneelingatthehorse’sleg,lookingupatIvorywhowaslookingdownatherfromhorseback;yethefeltshort,hefeltsmall.
Shedidnotwaitforananswer.“I’llwalkherup,”shesaid,standingup,andputoutherhandforthereins.Ivorysawthathewassupposedtodismount.Hedidso,asking,“Isitverybad?”andpeeringatthehorse’sleg,seeingonlybright,bloodyfoam.
“Comeonthen,mylove,”theyoungwomansaid,nottohim.Themarefollowedhertrustfully.Theysetoffuptheroughpathroundthehillsidetoanoldstoneandbrickstableyard,emptyofhorses,inhabitedonlybynestingswallowsthatswoopedaboutovertheroofscallingtheirquickgossip.
“Keepherquiet,”saidtheyoungwoman,andlefthimholdingthemare’sreinsinthisdesertedplace.Shereturnedaftersometimeluggingaheavybucket,andsettospongingoffthemare’sleg.“Getthesaddleoffher,”shesaid,andhertoneheldtheunspoken,impatient,“youfool!”Ivoryobeyed,half-annoyedbythiscrudegiantessandhalf-intrigued.Shedidnotputhiminmindofafloweringtreeatall,butshewasinfactbeautiful,inalarge,fierceway.Themaresubmittedtoherabsolutely.Whenshesaid,“Moveyourfoot!”
themaremovedherfoot.Thewomanwipedherdownallover,putthesaddleblanketbackonher,andmadesureshewasstandinginthesun.“She’llbeallright,”shesaid.“There’sagash,butifyou’llwashitwithwarmsaltwaterfourorfivetimesaday,it’llhealclean,I’msorry.”Shesaidthelasthonestly,thoughgrudgingly,asifshestillwonderedhowhecouldhavelethismarestandtheretobeassaulted,andshelookedstraightathimforthefirsttime.Hereyeswereclearorange-brown,likedarktopazoramber.Theywerestrangeeyes,rightonalevelwithhisown.
“I’msorrytoo,”hesaid,tryingtospeakcarelessly,lightly.
“She’sIrianofWestpool’smare.You’rethewizard,then?”
Hebowed.“Ivory,ofHavnorGreatPort,atyourservice.MayI-“
Sheinterrupted.“IthoughtyouwerefromRoke.”
“Iam,”hesaid,hiscomposureregained.
Shestaredathimwiththosestrangeeyes,asunreadableasasheep’s,hethought.Thensheburstout:‘Youlivedthere?Youstudiedthere?DoyouknowtheArchmage?”
“Yes,”hesaidwithasmile.Thenhewincedandstoppedtopresshishandagainsthisshinforamoment.
“Areyouhurttoo?”
“It’snothing,”hesaid.Infact,rathertohisannoyance,thecuthadstoppedbleeding.Thewoman’sgazereturnedtohisface.
“Whatisit-whatisitlike-onRoke?”
Ivorywent,limpingonlyveryslightly,toanoldmounting-blocknearbyandsatdownonit.Hestretchedhisleg,nursingthetornplace,andlookedupatthewoman.“ItwouldtakealongtimetotellyouwhatRokeislike,”hesaid.“Butitwouldbemypleasure.”
“Theman’sawizard,ornearly,”saidRosethewitch,“aRokewizard!Youmustnotaskhimquestions!”Shewasmorethanscandalized,shewasfrightened.
“Hedoesn’tmind,”Dragonflyreassuredher.“Onlyhehardlyeverreallyanswers.”
“Ofcoursenot!”
“Whyofcoursenot?”
“Becausehe’sawizard!Becauseyou’reawoman,withnoart,noknowledge,nolearning!”
“Youcouldhavetaughtme!Youneverwould!”
Rosedismissedallshehadtaughtorcouldteachwithaflickofthefingers.
“Well,soIhavetolearnfromhim,”saidDragonfly.
“Wizardsdon’tteachwomen.You’rebesotted.”
“YouandBroomtradespells.”
“Broom’savillagesorcerer.Thismanisawiseman.HelearnedtheHighArtsattheGreatHouseonRoke!”
“Hetoldmewhatit’slike,”Dragonflysaid.“Youwalkupthroughthetown,ThwilTown.There’sadooropeningonthestreet,butit’sshut.Itlookslikeanordinarydoor.”
Thewitchlistened,unabletoresistthelureofsecretsrevealedandthecontagionofpassionatedesire.
“Andamancomeswhenyouknock,anordinary-lookingman.Andhegivesyouatest.Youhavetosayacertainword,apassword,beforehe’llletyouin.Ifyoudon’tknowit,youcannevergoin.Butifheletsyouin,thenfrominsideyouseethatthedoorisentirelydifferent-it’smadeoutofhorn,withatreecarvedonit,andtheframeismadeoutofatooth,onetoothofadragonthatlivedlong,longbeforeErreth-Akbe,beforeMorred,beforetherewerepeopleinEarthsea.Therewereonlydragons,tobeginwith.TheyfoundthetoothonMountOnn,inHavnor,atthecentreoftheworld.Andtheleavesofthetreearecarvedsothinthatthelightshinesthroughthem,butthedoor’ssostrongthatiftheDoorkeepershutsitnospellcouldeveropenit.AndthentheDoorkeepertakesyoudownahallandanotherhall,tillyou’relostandbewildered,andthensuddenlyyoucomeoutunderthesky.IntheCourtoftheFountain,intheverydeepestinsideoftheGreatHouse.Andthat’swheretheArchmagewouldbe,ifhewasthere…”
“Goon,”thewitchmurmured.
That’sallhereallytoldme,yet,”saidDragonfly,comingbacktothemild,overcastspringdayandtheinfinitefamiliarityofthevillagelane,Rose’sfrontyard,herownsevenmilchewesgrazingonIriaHill,thebronzecrownsoftheoaks.“He’sverycarefulhowhetalksabouttheMasters.”
Rosenodded.
“Buthetoldmeaboutsomeofthestudents.”
“Noharminthat,Isuppose.”
“Idon’tknow,”Dragonflysaid.“TohearabouttheGreatHouseiswonderful,butIthoughtthepeopletherewouldbe-Idon’tknow.Ofcoursethey’re
mostlyjustboyswhentheygothere.ButIthoughtthey’dbe…”Shegazedoffatthesheeponthehill,herfacetroubled.“Someofthemarereallybadandstupid,”shesaidinalowvoice.“TheygetintotheSchoolbecausethey’rerich.Andtheystudytherejusttogetricher.Ortogetpower.”
“Well,ofcoursetheydo,”saidRose,“that’swhatthey’retherefor!”
“Butpower-likeyoutoldmeabout-that.isn’tthesameasmakingpeopledowhatyouwant,orpayyou-“
“Isn’tit?”
“No!”
“Ifawordcanheal,awordcanwound,”thewitchsaid.“Ifahandcankill,ahandcancure.It’sapoorcartthatgoesonlyinonedirection,”
“ButonRoke,theylearntousepowerwell,notforharm,notforgain.”
“Everything’sforgainsomeway,I’dsay.Peoplehavetolive.ButwhatdoIknow?ImakemylivingdoingwhatIknowhowtodo.ButIdon’tmeddlewiththegreatarts,theperilouscrafts,likesummoningthedead,”andRosemadethehand-signtoavertthedangerspokenof.
“Everything’sperilous,”Dragonflysaid,gazingnowthroughthesheep,thehill,thetrees,intostilldepths,acolorless,vastemptinessliketheclearskybeforesunrise.
Rosewatchedher.SheknewshedidnotknowwhoManwasorwhatshemightbe.Abig,strong,awkward,ignorant,innocent,angrywoman,yes.ButeversinceshewasachildRosehadseensomethingmoreinher,somethingbeyondwhatshewas.AndwhenIrianlookedawayfromtheworldlikethat,sheseemedtoenterthatplaceortimeorbeingbeyondherself,utterlybeyondRose’sknowledge.ThenRosefearedher,andfearedforher.
“Youtakecare,”thewitchsaid,grim.“Everything’sperilous,rightenough,andmeddlingwithwizardsmostofall.”
Throughlove,respect,andtrust,DragonflywouldneverdisregardawarningfromRose;butshewasunabletoseeIvoryasperilous.Shedidn’tunderstandhim,buttheideaoffearinghim,himpersonally,wasnotoneshecouldkeepinmind.Shetriedtoberespectful,butitwasimpossible.Shethoughthewascleverandquitehandsome,butshedidn’tthinkmuchabouthim,exceptforwhathecouldtellher.Heknewwhatshewantedtoknowandlittlebylittlehetoldittoher,andthenitwasnotreallywhatshehadwantedtoknow,butshewantedtoknowmore.Hewaspatientwithher,andshewasgratefultohimforhispatience,knowinghewasmuchquickerthanshe.Sometimeshesmiledatherignorance,butheneversneeredatitorreprovedit.Likethe
witch,helikedtoansweraquestionwithaquestion;buttheanswerstoRose’squestionswerealwayssomethingshe’dalwaysknown,whiletheanswerstohisquestionswerethingsshehadneverimaginedandfoundstartling,unwelcome,evenpainful,alteringallherbeliefs.
Daybyday,astheytalkedintheoldstableyardofIria,wheretheyhadfallenintothehabitofmeeting,sheaskedhimandhetoldhermore,thoughreluctantly,alwayspartially;heshieldedhisMasters,shethought,tryingtodefendthebrightimageofRoke,untilonedayhegaveintoherinsistenceandspokefreelyatlast.
“Therearegoodmenthere,”hesaid.“GreatandwisetheArchmagecertainlywas.Buthe’sgone.AndtheMasters…Someholdaloof,followingarcaneknowledge,seekingevermorepatterns,evermorenames,butusingtheirknowledgefornothing.Othershidetheirambitionunderthegreycloakofwisdom.RokeisnolongerwherepowerisinEarthsea.That’stheCourtinHavnor,now.Rokelivesonitsgreatpast,defendedbyathousandspellsagainstthepresentday.Andinsidethosespell-walls,whatisthere?Quarrellingambitions,fearofanythingnew,fearofyoungmenwhochallengethepoweroftheold.Andatthecentre,nothing.Anemptycourtyard.TheArchmagewillneverreturn.”
“Howdoyouknow?”shewhispered.
Helookedstern.Thedragonborehimaway.”
“Yousawit?Yousawthat?”Sheclenchedherhands,imaginingthatflight.
Afteralongtime,shecamebacktothesunlightandthestableyardandherthoughtsandpuzzles.“Butevenifhe’sgone,”shesaid,“surelysomeoftheMastersaretrulywise?”
Whenhelookedupandspokeitwaswithahintofamelancholysmile.“AllthemysteryandwisdomoftheMasters,whenit’soutinthedaylight,doesn’tamounttosomuch,youknow.Tricksofthetrade-wonderfulillusions.Butpeopledon’twanttobelievethat.Theywantthemysteries,theillusions.Whocanblamethem?There’ssolittleinmostlivesthat’sbeautifulorworthy.”
Asiftoillustratewhathewassaying,hehadpickedupabitofbrickfromthebrokenpavement,andtosseditupintheair,andashespokeitflutteredabouttheirheadsondelicatebluewings,abutterfly.Heputouthisfingerandthebutterflylightedonit.Heshookhisfingerandthebutterflyfelltotheground,afragmentofbrick.
“There’snotmuchworthmuchinmylife,”shesaid,gazingdownatthepavement.“AllIknowhowtodoisrunthefarm,andtrytostandupandspeaktruth.ButifIthoughtitwasalltricksandliesevenonRoke,I’dhate
thosemenforfoolingme,foolingusall.Itcan’tbelies.Notallofit.TheArchmagedidgointothelabyrinthamongtheHoaryMenandcomebackwiththeRingofPeace.Hedidgointodeathwiththeyoungking,anddefeatthespidermage,andcomeback.Weknowthatonthewordofthekinghimself.Evenhere,theharperscametosingthatsong,andatellercametotellit.”
Ivorynoddedgravely.“ButtheArchmagelostallhispowerinthelandofdeath.Maybeallmagerywasweakenedthen.”
“Rose’sspellsworkaswellasever,”shesaidstoutly.
Ivorysmiled.Hesaidnothing,butsheknewhowpettythedoingsofavillagewitchappearedtohim,whohadseengreatdeedsandpowers.Shesighedandspokefromherheart-“Oh,ifonlyIwasn’tawoman!”
Hesmiledagain.“You’reabeautifulwoman,”hesaid,butplainly,notintheflatteringwayhehadusedwithheratfirst,beforesheshowedhimshehatedit.“Whywouldyoubeaman?”
“SoIcouldgotoRoke!Andsee,andlearn!Why,whyisitonlymencangothere?”
“SoitwasordainedbythefirstArchmage,centuriesago,”saidIvory.“But…Itoohavewondered.”
“Youhave?”
“Often.Seeingonlyboysandmen,dayafterday,intheGreatHouseandalltheprecinctsoftheSchool.Knowingthatthetownswomenarespell-boundfromsomuchassettingfootonthefieldsaboutRokeKnoll.Onceinyears,perhaps,somegreatladyisallowedtocomebrieflyintotheoutercourts...Whyisitso?Areallwomenincapableofunderstanding?OrisitthattheMastersfearthem,feartobecorrupted-no,butfearthattoadmitwomenmightchangetheruletheyclingto-the…purityofthatrule.”
“Womencanlivechasteaswellasmencan,”Dragonflysaidbluntly.Sheknewshewasbluntandcoarsewherehewasdelicateandsubtle,butshedidnotknowanyotherwaytobe.
“Ofcourse,”hesaid,hissmilegrowingbrilliant.“Butwitchesaren’talwayschaste,arethey?Maybethat’swhattheMastersareafraidof.Maybecelibacyisn’tasnecessaryastheRuleofRoketeaches.Maybeit’snotawayofkeepingthepowerpure,butofkeepingthepowertothemselves.Leavingoutwomen,leavingouteverybodywhowon’tagreetoturnhimselfintoaeunuchtogetthatonekindofpower…Whoknows?Ashe-mage!Nowthatwouldchangeeverything,alltherules!”
Shecouldseehisminddanceaheadofhers,takingupandplayingwithideas,transformingthemashehadtransformedbrickintobutterfly.Shecouldnotdancewithhim,shecouldnotplaywithhim,butshewatchedhiminwonder.
“YoucouldgotoRoke,”hesaid,hiseyesbrightwithexcitement,mischief,daring.Meetingheralmostpleading,increduloussilence,heinsisted:‘Youcould.Awomanyouare,buttherearewaystochangeyourseeming.Youhavetheheart,thecourage,thewillofaman.YoucouldentertheGreatHouse.Iknowit.”
“AndwhatwouldIdothere?”
“Whatallthestudentsdo.Livealoneinastonecellandlearntobewise!Itmightnotbewhatyoudreamittobe,butthat,too,you’dlearn.”
“Icouldn’t.They’dknow.Icouldn’tevengetin.There’stheDoorkeeper,yousaid.Idon’tknowthewordtosaytohim.”
Thepassword,yes.ButIcanteachittoyou.”
“Youcan?Isitallowed?”
“Idon’tcarewhat’s“allowed”,”hesaid,withafrownshehadneverseenonhisface.TheArchmagehimselfsaid,Rulesaremadetohebroken.Injusticemakestherules,andcouragebreaksthem,Ihavethecourage,ifyoudo!”
Shelookedathim.Shecouldnotspeak.Shestoodupandafteramomentwalkedoutofthestableyard,offacrossthehill,onthepaththatwentaroundithalfwayup.Oneofthedogs,herfavorite,abig,ugly,heavy-headedhound,followedher.ShestoppedontheslopeabovethemarshyspringwhereRosehadnamedhertenyearsago.Shestoodthere;thedogsatdownbesideherandlookedupatherface.Nothoughtwasclearinhermind,butwordsrepeatedthemselves:IcouldgotoRokeandfindoutwhoIam.
Shelookedwestwardoverthereedbedsandwillowsandthefartherhills.Thewholewesternskywasempty,clear.Shestoodstillandhersoulseemedtogointothatskyandbegone,goneoutofher.
Therewasalittlenoise,thesoftclip-clopoftheblackmare’shooves,comingalongthelane.ThenDragonflycamebacktoherselfandcalledtoIvoryandrandownthehilltomeethim.“Iwillgo,”shesaid.
Hehadnotplannedorintendedanysuchadventure,butcrazyasitwas,itsuitedhimbetterthemorehethoughtaboutit.TheprospectofspendingthelonggreywinteratWestpoolsankhisspiritslikeastone.TherewasnothinghereforhimexceptthegirlDragonfly,whohadcometofillhisthoughts.Hermassive,innocentstrengthhaddefeatedhimabsolutelysofar,buthedidwhatshepleasedinordertohaveherdoatlastwhathepleased,andthegame,he
thought,wasworthplaying.Ifsheranawaywithhim,thegamewasasgoodaswon.Asforthejokeofit,thenotionofactuallygettingherintotheSchoolonRokedisguisedasaman,therewaslittlechanceofpullingitoff,butitpleasedhimasagestureofdisrespecttoallthepietyandpomposityoftheMastersandtheirtoadies.Andifsomehowitsucceeded,ifhecouldactuallygetawomanthroughthatdoor,evenforamoment,whatasweetrevengeitwouldbe!
Moneywasaproblem.Thegirlthought,ofcourse,thatheasagreatwizardwouldsnaphisfingersandwaftthemovertheseainamagicboatflyingbeforethemagewind.Butwhenhetoldherthey’dhavetohirepassageonaship,shesaidsimply,“Ihavethecheesemoney.”
Hetreasuredherrusticsayingsofthatkind.Sometimesshefrightenedhim,andheresentedit.Hisdreamsofherwereneverofheryieldingtohim,butofhimselfyieldingtoafierce,destroyingsweetness,sinkingintoanannihilatingembrace,dreamsinwhichshewassomethingbeyondcomprehensionandhewasnothingatall.Hewokefromthosedreamsshakenandshamed.Indaylight,whenhesawherbig,dirtyhands,whenshetalkedlikeayokel,asimpleton,heregainedhissuperiority.Heonlywishedthereweresomeonetorepeathersayingsto,oneofhisoldfriendsintheGreatPortwhowouldfindthemamusing.“”Ihavethecheesemoney,””herepeatedtohimself,ridingbacktoWestpool,andlaughed.“Idoindeed,”hesaidaloud.Theblackmarenickedherear.
HetoldBirchthathehadreceivedasendingfromhisteacheronRoke,theMasterHand,andmustgoatonce,onwhatbusinesshecouldnotsay,ofcourse,butitshouldnottakelongoncehewasthere;ahalf-monthtogo,anothertoreturn;hewouldbebackwellbeforetheFallowsatthelatest.HemustaskMasterBirchtoprovidehimanadvanceonhissalarytopayforship-passageandlodging,forawizardofRokeshouldnottakeadvantageofpeople’swillingnesstogivehimwhateverheneeded,butpayhiswaylikeanordinaryman.AsBirchagreedwiththis,hehadtogiveIvoryapurseforhisjourney.Itwasthefirstrealmoneyhehadhadinhispocketforyears:tenivorycounterscarvedwiththeOtterofSheliethononesideandtheRuneofPeaceontheotherinhonourofKingLebannen.“Hello,littlenamesakes,”hetoldthemwhenhewasalonewiththem.“Youandthecheesemoneywillgetalongnicely.”
HetoldDragonflyverylittleofhisplans,largelybecausehemadefew,trustingtochanceandhisownwits,whichseldomlethimdownifhewasgivenafairchancetousethem.Thegirlaskedalmostnoquestions.“WillIgoasamanalltheway?”wasone.
“Yes,”hesaid,“butonlydisguised.Iwon’tputasemblance-spellonyoutill
we’reonRokeIsland.”
“IthoughtitwouldbeaspellofChange,”shesaid.
Thatwouldbeunwise,”hesaid,withagoodimitationoftheMasterChanger’stersesolemnity.“Ifneedbe,I’lldoit,ofcourse.Butyou’llfindwizardsverysparingofthegreatspells.Forgoodreason.”
TheEquilibrium,”shesaid,acceptingallhesaidinitssimplestsense,asalways.
“Andperhapsbecausesuchartshavenotthepowertheyoncehad,”hesaid.Hedidnotknowhimselfwhyhetriedtoweakenherfaithinwizardry;perhapsbecauseanyweakeningofherstrength,herwholeness,wasagainforhim.Hehadbegunmerelybytryingtogetherintohisbed,agamehelovedtoplay.Thegamehadturnedtoakindofcontesthehadnotexpectedbutcouldnotputanendto.Hewasdeterminednownottowinher,buttodefeather.Hecouldnotletherdefeathim.Hemustprovetoherandhimselfthathisdreamsweremeaningless.
Quiteearlyon,impatientwithwooinghermassivephysicalindifference,hehadworkedupacharm,asorcerer’sseduction-spellofwhichhewascontemptuousevenashemadeit,thoughheknewitwaseffective.Hecastitonherwhileshewas,characteristically,mendingacow’shalter.TheresulthadnotbeenthemeltingeagernessithadproducedingirlshehaduseditoninHavnorandThwil.Dragonflyhadgraduallybecomesilentandsullen.SheceasedaskingherendlessquestionsaboutRokeanddidnotanswerwhenhespoke.Whenheverytentativelyapproachedher,takingherhand,shestruckhimawaywithablowtotheheadthatlefthimdizzy.Hesawherstandupandstrideoutofthestableyardwithoutaword,theuglyhoundshefavouredtrottingafterher.Itlookedbackathimwithagrin.
Shetookthepathtotheoldhouse.Whenhisearsstoppedringinghestoleafterher,hopingthecharmwasworkingandthatthiswasonlyherparticularlyuncouthwayofleadinghimatlasttoherbed.Nearingthehouse,heheardcrockerybreaking.Thefather,thedrunkard,camewobblingoutlookingscaredandconfused,followedbyDragonfly’sloud,harshvoice-“Outofthehouse,youdrunken,crawlingtraitor!Youfoul,shamelesslecher!”
“Shetookmycupaway,”theMasterofIriasaidtothestranger,whininglikeapuppy,whilehisdogsyammeredaroundhim.“Shebrokeit.”
Ivorydeparted.Hedidnotreturnfortwodays.OnthethirddayherodeexperimentallypastOldIria,andshecamestridingdowntomeethim.“I’msorry,Ivory,”shesaid,lookingupathimwithhersmokyorangeeyes.“I
don’tknowwhatcameovermetheotherday.Iwasangry.Butnotatyou.Ibegyourpardon.”
Heforgavehergracefully.Hedidnottryalove-charmonheragain.
Soon,hethoughtnow,hewouldnotneedone.Hewouldhaverealpoweroverher.Hehadfinallyseenhowtogetit.Shehadgivenitintohishands.Herstrengthandherwillpowerweretremendous,butfortunatelyshewasstupid,andhewasnot.
BirchwassendingacarterdowntoKembermouthwithsixbarrelsoften-year-oldFanianorderedbythewinemerchantthere.Hewasgladtosendhiswizardalongasbodyguard,forthewinewasvaluable,andthoughtheyoungkingwasputtingthingstorightsasfastashecould,therewerestillgangsofrobbersontheroads.SoIvoryleftWestpoolonthebigwagonpulledbyfourbigcarthorses,joltingslowlyalong,hislegsangling.DownbyJackassHillanuncouthfigureroseupfromthewaysideandaskedthecarterforalift.“Idon’tknowyou,”thecartersaid,liftinghiswhiptowarnthestrangeroff,butIvorycameroundthewagonandsaid,“Lettheladride,mygoodman.He’lldonoharmwhileI’mwithyou.”
“Keepaneyeonhimthen,master,”saidthecarter.
“Iwill,”saidIvory,withawinkatDragonfly.She,welldisguisedindirtandafarmhand’soldsmockandleggingsandaloathsomefelthat,didnotwinkback.Sheplayedherpartevenwhiletheysatsidebysidedanglingtheirlegsoverthetailgate,withsixgreathalftunsofwinejoltingbetweenthemandthedrowsycarter,andthedrowsysummerhillsandfieldsslippingslowly,slowlypast.Ivorytriedtoteaseher,butsheonlyshookherhead.Maybeshewasscaredbythiswildscheme,nowshewasembarkedonit.Therewasnotelling.Shewassolemnly,heavilysilent.Icouldbeveryboredbythiswoman,Ivorythought,ifonceI’dhadherunderneathme.Thatthoughtstirredhimalmostunbearably,butwhenhelookedbackather,histhoughtsdiedawaybeforehermassive,actualpresence.
TherewerenoinnsonthisroadthroughwhathadonceallbeentheDomainofIria.Asthesunnearedthewesternplains,theystoppedatafarmhousethatofferedstablingforthehorses,ashedforthecart,andstrawinthestableloftforthecarters.Theloftwasdarkandstuffyandthestrawmusty.Ivoryfeltnolustatall,thoughDragonflylaynotthreefeetfromhim.Shehadplayedthemansothoroughlyalldaythatshehadhalf-convincedevenhim.Maybeshe’llfooltheoldmenafterall!hethought,andgrinnedatthethought,andslept.
TheyjoltedonallthenextdaythroughasummerthundershowerortwoandcarneatdusktoKembermouth,awalled,prosperousportcity.Theyleftthe
cartertohismaster’sbusinessandwalkeddowntofindaninnnearthedocks.Dragonflylookedaboutatthesightsofthecityinasilencethatmighthavebeenaweordisapprovalormerestolidity.“Thisisanicelittletown,”Ivorysaid,“buttheonlycityintheworldisHavnor.”
Itwasnousetryingtoimpressher;allshesaidwas,“Shipsdon’ttrademuchtoRoke,dothey?Willittakealongtimetofindonetotakeus,doyouthink?”
“NotifIcarryastaff,”hesaid.
Shestoppedlookingaboutandstrodealonginthoughtforawhile.Shewasbeautifulinmovement,boldandgraceful,herheadcarriedhigh.
“Youmeanthey’llobligeawizard?Butyouaren’tawizard.”
“That’saformality.Weseniorsorcerersmaycarryastaffwhenwe’reonRoke’sbusiness.WhichIam.”
Takingmethere?”
“Bringingthemastudent-yes.Astudentofgreatgifts!”
Sheaskednomorequestions.Sheneverargued;itwasoneofhervirtues.
Thatnight,oversupperatthewaterfrontinn,sheaskedwithunusualtimidityinhervoice,“DoIhavegreatgifts?”
“Inmyjudgment,youdo,”hesaid.
Shepondered-conversationwithherwasoftenaslowbusiness-andsaid,“RosealwayssaidIhadpower,butshedidn’tknowwhatkind.AndI…IknowIdo,butIdon’tknowwhatitis.”
“You’regoingtoRoketofindout,”hesaid,raisinghisglasstoher.Afteramomentsheraisedhersandsmiledathim,asmilesotenderandradiantthathesaidspontaneously,“Andmaywhatyoufindbeallyouseek!”
“IfIdo,itwillbethankstoyou,”shesaid.Inthatmomenthelovedherforhertrueheart,andwouldhaveforswornanythoughtofherbutashiscompanioninaboldadventure,agallantjoke.
Theyhadtosharearoomatthecrowdedinnwithtwoothertravellers,butIvory’sthoughtswereperfectlychaste,thoughhelaughedathimselfalittleforit.
Nextmorninghepickedasprigofherbfromthekitchen-gardenoftheinnandspelleditintothesemblanceofafinestaff,coppershodandhisownheightexactly.“Whatisthewood?”Dragonflyasked,fascinated,whenshesawit,andwhenheansweredwithalaugh,“Rosemary,”shelaughedtoo.
Theysetoffalongthewharves,askingforashipboundsouththatmighttakeawizardandhisprenticetotheIsleoftheWise,andsoonenoughtheyfoundaheavytraderboundforWathort,whosemasterwouldcarrythewizardforgoodwillandtheprenticeforhalf-price.Evenhalf-pricewashalfthecheesemoney,buttheywouldhavetheluxuryofacabin,forSeaOtterwasadecked,two-mastedship.
Astheyweretalkingwithhermasterawagondrewuponthedockandbegantounloadsixfamiliarhalftunbarrels.That’sours,”Ivorysaid,andtheship’smastersaid,“BoundforHortTown,”andDragonflysaidsoftly,“FromIria.”
Sheglancedbackatthelandthen.Itwastheonlytimeheeversawherlookback.
Theship’sweatherworkercameaboardjustbeforetheysailed,noRokewizardbutaweatherbeatenfellowinawornsea-cloak.Ivoryflourishedhisstaffalittleingreetinghim.Thesorcererlookedhimupanddownandsaid,“Onemanworksweatheronthisship.Ifit’snotme,I’moff.”
“I’mamerepassenger,MasterBagman.Igladlyleavethewindsinyourhands.”
ThesorcererlookedatDragonfly,whostoodstraightasatreeandsaidnothing.
“Good,”hesaid,andthatwasthelastwordhespoketoIvory.
Duringthevoyage,however,hetalkedseveraltimeswithDragonfly,whichmadeIvoryabituneasy.Herignoranceandtrustfulnesscouldendangerherandthereforehim.Whatdidsheandthebagmantalkabout?heasked,andsheanswered,“Whatistobecomeofus.”
Hestared.
“Ofallofus.OfWay,andFelkway,andHavnor,andWathort,andRoke.Allthepeopleoftheislands.HesaysthatwhenKingLebannenwastobecrowned,lastautumn,hesenttoGontfortheoldArchmagetocomecrownhim,andhewouldn’tcome.AndtherewasnonewArchmage.Sohetookthecrownhimself.Andsomesaythat’swrong,andhedoesn’trightlyholdthethrone.ButotherssaythekinghimselfisthenewArchmage.Butheisn’tawizard,onlyaking.Sootherssaythedarkyearswillcomeagain,whentherewasnoruleofjustice,andwizardrywasusedforevilends.”
AfterapauseIvorysaid,“Thatoldweatherworkersaysallthis?”
“It’scommontalk,Ithink,”saidDragonfly,withhergravesimplicity.
Theweatherworkerknewhistrade,atleast.SeaOtterspedsouth;theymetsummersquallsandchoppyseas,butneverastormoratroublesomewind.
TheyputoffandtookoncargoatportsonthenorthshoreofO,atIlien,Leng,Kamery,andOPort,andthenheadedwesttocarrythepassengerstoRoke.AndfacingthewestIvoryfeltalittlehollowatthepitofhisstomach,forheknewalltoowellhowRokewasguarded.HeknewneitherhenortheweatherworkercoulddoanythingatalltoturntheRoke-windifitblewagainstthem.Andifitdid.Dragonflywouldaskwhy?Whydiditblowagainstthem?
Hewasgladtoseethesorcereruneasytoo,standingbythehelmsman,keepingawatchuponthemasthead,takinginsailatthehintofawestwind.Butthewindheldsteadyfromthenorth.Athunder-squallcamepeltingonthatwind,andIvorywentdowntothecabin,butDragonflystayedupondeck.Shewasafraidofthewater,shehadtoldhim.Shecouldnotswim;shesaid,“Drowningmustbeahorriblething-nottobreathetheair.”Shehadshudderedatthethought.Itwastheonlyfearshehadevershownofanything.Butshedislikedthelow,crampedcabin,andhadstayedondeckeverydayandsleptthereonthewarmnights.Ivoryhadnottriedtocoaxherintothecabin.Heknewnowthatcoaxingwasnogood.Tohaveherhemustmasterher;andthathewoulddo,ifonlytheycouldcometoRoke.
Hecameupondeckagain.Itwasclearing,andasthesunsetthecloudsbrokeallacrossthewest,showingagoldenskybehindthehighdarkcurveofahill.
Ivorylookedatthathillwithakindoflonginghatred.
“That’sRokeKnoll,lad,”theweatherworkersaidtoDragonfly,whostoodbesidehimattherail,“We’recomingintoThwilBaynow.Wherethere’snowindbutthewindtheywant.”
Bythetimetheywerewellintothebayandhadletdowntheanchoritwasdark,andIvorysaidtotheship’smaster,“I’llgoashoreinthemorning.”
DownintheirtinycabinDragonflysatwaitingforhim,solemnaseverbuthereyesblazingwithexcitement.“We’llgoashoreinthemorning,”herepeatedtoher,andshenodded,acceptant.
Shesaid,“DoIlookallright?”
Hesatdownonhisnarrowbunkandlookedathersittingonhernarrowbunk;theycouldnotfaceeachotherdirectly,astherewasnoroomfortheirknees.AtOPortshehadboughtherselfadecentshirtandbreeches,athissuggestion,soastolookamoreprobablecandidatefortheSchool.Herfacewaswindburnedandscrubbedclean.Herhairwasbraidedandthebraidclubbed,likeIvory’s.Shehadgotherhandsclean,too,andtheylayflatonherthighs,longstronghands,likeaman’s.
“Youdon’tlooklikeaman,”hesaid.Herfacefell.“Nottome.You’llnever
looklikeamantome.Butdon’tworry.Youwilltothem.”
Shenodded,withananxiousface.
Thefirsttestisthegreattest,Dragonfly,”hesaid.Everynighthelayaloneinthiscabinhehadplannedthisconversation.“ToentertheGreatHouse:togothroughthatdoor.”
“I’vebeenthinkingaboutit,”shesaid,hurriedandearnest.“Couldn’tIjusttellthemwhoIam?Withyoutheretovouchforme-tosayevenifIamawoman,Ihavesomegift-andI’dpromisetotakethevowandmakethespellofcelibacy,andliveapartiftheywantedmeto-“
Hewasshakinghisheadallthroughherspeech.“No,no,no,no.Hopeless.Useless.Fatal!”
“Evenifyou-“
“EvenifIarguedforyou.Theywon’tlisten.TheRuleofRokeforbidswomentobetaughtanyhighart,anywordoftheLanguageoftheMaking.It’salwaysbeenso.Theywillnotlisten.Sotheymustbeshown!Andwe’llshowthem,youandI.We’llteachthem.Youmusthavecourage,Dragonfly.Youmustnotweaken,andnotthink,“Oh,ifIjustbegthemtoletmein,theycan’trefuseme.”Theycan,andwill.Andifyourevealyourself,theywillpunishyou.Andme.”Heputaponderousemphasisonthelastword,andinwardlymurmured,“Avert.”
Shegazedathimfromherunreadableeyes,andfinallysaid,“WhatmustIdo?”
“Doyoutrustme,Dragonfly?”
“Yes.”
“Willyoutrustmeentirely,wholly-knowingthattheriskItakeforyouisgreatereventhanyourriskinthisventure?”
“Yes.”
“ThenyoumusttellmethewordyouwillspeaktotheDoorkeeper.”
Shestared.“ButIthoughtyou’dtellittome-thepassword.”
“Thepasswordhewillaskyouforisyourtruename.”
Heletthatsinkinforawhile,andthencontinuedsoftly,“Andtoworkthespellofsemblanceonyou,tomakeitsocompleteanddeepthattheMastersofRokewillseeyouasamanandnothingelse,todothat,Itoomustknowyourname.”Hepausedagain.Ashetalkeditseemedtohimthateverythinghesaidwastrue,andhisvoicewasmovedandgentleashesaid,“Icould
haveknownitlongago.ButIchosenottousethosearts.Iwantedyoutotrustmeenoughtotellmeyournameyourself.”
Shewaslookingdownatherhands,claspednowonherknees.Inthefaintreddishglowofthecabinlanternherlashescastverydelicate,longshadowsonhercheeks.Shelookedup,straightathim.“MynameisIrian,”shesaid.
Hesmiled.Shedidnotsmile.
Hesaidnothing.Infacthewasataloss.Ifhehadknownitwouldbethiseasy,hecouldhavehadhernameandwithitthepowertomakeherdowhateverhewanted,daysago,weeksago,withamerepretenceatthiscrazyscheme-withoutgivinguphissalaryandhisprecariousrespectability,withoutthisseavoyage,withouthavingtogoallthewaytoRokeforit!Forhesawthewholeplannowwasfolly.TherewasnowayhecoulddisguiseherthatwouldfooltheDoorkeeperforamoment.AllhisnotionsofhumiliatingtheMastersastheyhadhumiliatedhimweremoonshine.Obsessedwithtrickingthegirl,hehadfallenintothetraphelaidforher.Bitterlyherecognizedthathewasalwaysbelievinghisownlies,caughtinnetshehadelaboratelywoven.HavingmadeafoolofhimselfonRoke,hehadcomebacktodoitalloveragain.Agreat,desolateangerswelledupinhim.Therewasnogood,nogoodinanything.
“What’swrong?”sheasked.Thegentlenessofherdeep,huskyvoiceunmannedhim,andhehidhisfaceinhishands,fightingagainsttheshameoftears.
Sheputherhandonhisknee.Itwasthefirsttimeshehadevertouchedhim.Heenduredit,thewarmthandweightofhertouchthathehadwastedsomuchtimewanting.
Hewantedtohurther,toshockheroutofherterrible,ignorantkindness,butwhathesaidwhenhefinallyspokewas,“Ionlywantedtomakelovetoyou,”
“Youdid?”
“DidyouthinkIwasoneoftheireunuchs?ThatI’dcastratemyselfwithspellssoIcouldbeholy?WhydoyouthinkIdon’thaveastaff?WhydoyouthinkI’mnotattheSchool?DidyoubelieveeverythingIsaid?”
“Yes,”shesaid.“I’msorry.”Herhandwasstillonhisknee.Shesaid,“Wecanmakeloveifyouwant.”
Hesatup,satstill.
“Whatareyou?”hesaidtoheratlast.
“Idon’tknow.It’swhyIwantedtocometoRoke.Tofindout.”
Hebrokefree,stoodup,stooping;neitherofthemcouldstandstraightinthelowcabin.Clenchingandunclenchinghishands,hestoodasfarfromherashecould,hisbacktoher.
“Youwon’tfindout.It’salllies,shams.Oldmenplayinggameswithwords.Iwouldn’tplaytheirgames,soIleft.DoyouknowwhatIdid?”Heturned,showinghisteethinarictusoftriumph.“Igotagirl,atowngirl,tocometomyroom.Mycell.Mylittlestonecelibatecell.Ithadawindowlookingoutonaback-street.Nospells-youcan’tmakespellswithalltheirmagicgoingon.Butshewantedtocome,andcame,andIletaropeladderoutthewindow,andsheclimbedit.Andwewereatitwhentheoldmencamein!Ishowed‘em!AndifIcouldhavegotyouin,I’dhaveshowed‘emagain,I’dhavetaughtthemtheirlesson!”
“Well,I’lltry,”shesaid.
Hestared.
“Notforthesamereasonsasyou,”shesaid,“butIstillwantto.Andwecameallthisway.Andyouknowmyname.”
Itwastrue.Heknewhername:Irian.Itwaslikeacoaloffire,aburningemberinhismind.Histhoughtcouldnotholdit.Hisknowledgecouldnotuseit.Histonguecouldnotsayit.
Shelookedupathim,hersharp,strongfacesoftenedbytheshadowylantern-light.“Ifitwasonlytomakeloveyoubroughtmehere,Ivory,”shesaid,“wecandothat.Ifyoustillwantto.”
Wordlessatfirst,hesimplyshookhishead.Afterawhilehewasabletolaugh.“Ithinkwe’vegoneonpast...thatpossibility…”
Shelookedathimwithoutregret,orreproach,orshame.
“Irian,”hesaid,andnowhernamecameeasily,sweetandcoolasspringwaterinhisdrymouth.“Irian,here’swhatyoumustdotoentertheGreatHouse…”
III.Azver
Heleftheratthecomerofthestreet,anarrow,dull,somehowsly-lookingstreetthatslantedupbetweenfeaturelesswallstoawoodendoorinahigherwall.Hehadputhisspellonher,andshelookedlikeaman,thoughshedidnotfeellikeone.SheandIvorytookeachotherintheirarms,becauseafteralltheyhadbeenfriends,companions,andhehaddoneallthisforher.“Courage!”hesaid,andlethergo.Shewalkedupthestreetandstoodbeforethedoor.Shelookedbackthen,buthewasgone.
Sheknocked.
Afterawhilesheheardthelatchrattle.Thedooropened.Anordinary-lookingmiddle-agedmanstoodthere.“WhatcanIdoforyou?”hesaid.Hedidnotsmile,buthisvoicewaspleasant.
“YoucanletmeintotheGreatHouse,sir.”
“Doyouknowthewayin?”Hisalmond-shapedeyeswereattentive,yetseemedtolookatherfrommilesoryearsaway.
“Thisisthewayin,sir.”
“DoyouknowwhosenameyoumusttellmebeforeIletyouin?”
“Myown,sir.ItisIrian.”
“Isit?”hesaid.
Thatgaveherpause.Shestoodsilent.“It’sthenamethewitchRoseofmyvillageonWaygaveme,inthespringunderIriaHill,”shesaidatlast,standingupandspeakingtruth.
TheDoorkeeperlookedatherforwhatseemedalongtime.Thenitisyourname,”hesaid.“Butmaybenotallyourname.Ithinkyouhaveanother.”
“Idon’tknowit,sir.”
Afteranotherlongtimeshesaid,“MaybeIcanlearnithere,sir.”
TheDoorkeeperbowedhisheadalittle.Averyfaintsmilemadecrescentcurvesinhischeeks.Hestoodaside.“Comein,daughter,”hesaid.
ShesteppedacrossthethresholdoftheGreatHouse.
Ivory’sspellofsemblancedroppedawaylikeacobweb.Shewasandlookedherself.
ShefollowedtheDoorkeeperdownastonepassageway.Onlyattheendofitdidshethinktoturnbacktoseethelightshinethroughthethousandleavesofthetreecarvedinthehighdoorinitsbone-whiteframe.
Ayoungmaninagreycloakhurryingdownthepassagewaystoppedshortasheapproachedthem.HestaredatIrian;thenwithabriefnodhewenton.Shelookedbackathim.Hewaslookingbackather.
Aglobeofmisty,greenishfiredriftedswiftlydownthecorridorateyelevel,apparentlypursuingtheyoungman.TheDoorkeeperwavedhishandatit,anditavoidedhim.Irianswervedandduckeddownfrantically,butfeltthecoolfiretingleinherhairasitpassedoverher.TheDoorkeeperlookedround,andnowhissmilewaswider.Thoughhesaidnothing,shefelthewas
awareofher,concernedforher.Shestoodupandfollowedhim.
Hestoppedbeforeanoakdoor.Insteadofknockinghesketchedalittlesignorruneonitwiththetopofhisstaff,alightstaffofsomegreyishwood.Thedooropenedasaresonantvoicebehinditsaid,“Comein!”
“Waitherealittle,ifyouplease,Irian,”theDoorkeepersaid,andwentintotheroom,leavingthedoorwideopenbehindhim.Shecouldseebookshelvesandbooks,atablepiledwithmorebooksandinkpotsandwritings,twoorthreeboysseatedatthetable,andthegrey-haired,stockymantheDoorkeeperspoketo.Shesawtheman’sfacechange,sawhiseyesshifttoherinabrief,startledgaze,sawhimquestiontheDoorkeeper,low-voiced,intense.
Theybothcametoher.“TheMasterChangerofRoke:IrianofWay,”saidtheDoorkeeper.
TheChangerstaredopenlyather.Hewasnotastallasshewas.HestaredattheDoorkeeper,andthenatheragain.
“Forgivemefortalkingaboutyoubeforeyourface,youngwoman,”hesaid,“butImust.MasterDoorkeeper,youknowI’dneverquestionyourjudgment,buttheRuleisclear.Ihavetoaskwhatmovedyoutobreakitandlethercomein.”
“Sheaskedto,”saidtheDoorkeeper.
“But…”TheChangerpaused.
“WhendidawomanlastasktoentertheSchool?”
“TheyknowtheRuledoesn’tallowthem.”
“Didyouknowthat,Irian?”theDoorkeeperaskedher.
“Yes,sir.”
“Sowhatbroughtyouhere?”theChangerasked,stern,butnothidinghiscuriosity.
“MasterIvorysaidIcouldpassforaman.ThoughIthoughtIshouldsaywhoIwas.Iwillbeascelibateasanyone,sir.”
TwolongcurvesappearedontheDoorkeeper’scheeks,enclosingtheslowupturnofhissmile.TheChanger’sfaceremainedstern,butheblinked,andafteralittlethoughtsaid,“I’msure-yes-itwasdefinitelythebetterplantobehonest.WhatMasterdidyouspeakof?”
“Ivory,”saidtheDoorkeeper.“AladfromHavnorGreatPort,whomIletinthreeyearsago,andletoutagainlastyear,asyoumayrecall.”
“Ivory!ThatfellowthatstudiedwiththeHand?Ishehere?”theChanger
demandedofIrian,wrathily.Shestoodstraightandsaidnothing.
“NotintheSchool,”theDoorkeepersaid,smiling.
“Hefooledyou,youngwoman.Madeafoolofyoubytryingtomakefoolsofus.”
“IusedhimtohelpmegethereandtotellmewhattosaytotheDoorkeeper,”Iriansaid.“I’mnotheretofoolanybody,buttolearnwhatIneedtoknow.”
“I’veoftenwonderedwhyIlettheboyin,”saidtheDoorkeeper.“NowIbegintounderstand,”
AtthattheChangerlookedathim,andafterponderingsaidsoberly,“Doorkeeper,whathaveyouinmind?”
“IthinkIrianofWaymayhavecometousseekingnotonlywhatsheneedstoknow,butalsowhatweneedtoknow.”TheDoorkeeper’stonewasequallysober,andhissmilewasgone.“Ithinkthismaybeamatterfortalkamongthenineofus.”
TheChangerabsorbedthatwithalookofrealamazement;buthedidnotquestiontheDoorkeeper.Hesaidonly,“Butnotamongthestudents.”
TheDoorkeepershookhishead,agreeing.
“Shecanlodgeinthetown,”theChangersaid,withsomerelief.
“Whilewetalkbehindherback?”
“Youwon’tbringherintotheCouncilRoom?”theChangersaidindisbelief.
“TheArchmagebroughttheboyArrenthere.”
“But-butArrenwasKingLebannen-“
“AndwhoisIrian?”
TheChangerstoodsilent,andthenhesaidquietly,withrespect,“Myfriend,whatisityouthinktodo,tolearn?Whatisshe,thatyouaskthisforher?”
“Whoarewe,”saidtheDoorkeeper,“thatwerefuseherwithoutknowingwhatsheis?”
“Awoman,”saidtheMasterSummoner.
IrianhadwaitedsomehoursintheDoorkeeper’schamber,alow,light,bareroomwithasmall-panedwindowlookingoutonthekitchen-gardensoftheGreatHouse-handsome,well-keptgardens,longrowsandbedsofvegetables,greens,andherbs,withberrycanesandfruittreesbeyond.Shesawaburly,dark-skinnedmanandtwoboyscomeoutandweedoneofthevegetableplots.Iteasedhermindtowatchtheircarefulwork.Shewishedshe
couldhelpthematit.Thewaitingandthestrangenesswereverydifficult.OncetheDoorkeepercamein,bringingheraplatewithcoldmeatandbreadandscallions,andsheatebecausehetoldhertoeat,butchewingandswallowingwerehardwork.Thegardenerswentawayandtherewasnothingtowatchoutthewindowbutthecabbagesgrowingandthesparrowshopping,andnowandthenahawkfarupinthesky,andthewindmovingsoftlyinthetopsoftalltrees,onbeyondthegardens.
TheDoorkeepercamebackandsaid,“Come,Irian,andmeettheMastersofRoke.”Herheartbegantogoatacarthorsegallop.Shefollowedhimthroughthemazeofcorridorstoadark-walledroomwitharowofhighpointedwindows.Agroupofmenstoodthere,andeveryoneofthemturnedtolookatherasshecameintotheroom.
“IrianofWay,mylords,”saidtheDoorkeeper.Theywereallsilent.Hemotionedhertocomefartherintotheroom.“TheMasterChangeryouhavemet,”hesaid.Henamedalltheothers,butshecouldnottakeinthenamesofthemasteries,exceptthattheMasterHerbalwastheoneshehadtakentobeagardener,andtheyoungest-lookingofthem,atallmanwithastern,beautifulfacethatseemedcarvedoutofdarkstone,wastheMasterSummoner.Itwashewhospoke,whentheDoorkeeperwasdone.“Awoman,”hesaid.
TheDoorkeepernoddedonce,mildasever.
“ThisiswhatyoubroughttheNinetogetherfor?Thisandnomore?”
“Thisandnomore,”saidtheDoorkeeper.
“DragonshavebeenseenflyingabovetheInmostSea.RokehasnoArchmage,andtheislandsnotrue-crownedking.Thereisrealworktodo,”theSummonersaid,andhisvoicetoowaslikestone,coldandheavy.“Whenwillwedoit?”
Therewasanuncomfortablesilence,astheDoorkeeperdidnotspeak.Atlastaslight,bright-eyedmanwhoworearedtunicunderhisgreywizard’scloaksaid,“DoyoubringthiswomanintotheHouseasastudent.MasterDoorkeeper?”
“IfIdid,itwouldbeuptoyoualltoapproveordisapprove,”saidhe.
“Doyou?”askedthemanintheredtunic,smilingalittle.
“MasterHand,”saidtheDoorkeeper,“sheaskedtoenterasastudent,andIsawnoreasontodenyher.”
“Everyreason,”saidtheSummoner.
Amanwithadeep,clearvoicespoke:‘It’snotourjudgmentthatprevails,buttheRuleofRoke,whichwearesworntofollow.”
“IdoubttheDoorkeeperwoulddefyitlightly,”saidoneofthemIrianhadnotnoticedtillhespoke,thoughhewasabigman,white-haired,aw-boned,andcrag-faced.Unliketheothers,helookedatherashespoke.“IamKurremkarmerruk,”hesaidtoher.“AstheMasterNamerhere,Imakefreewithnames,myownincluded.Whonamedyou,Irian?”
“ThewitchRoseofourvillage,lord,”sheanswered,standingstraight,thoughhervoicecameouthigh-pitchedandrough.
“Isshemisnamed?”theDoorkeeperaskedtheNamer.
Kurremkarmerrukshookhishead.“No.But….”
TheSummoner,whohadbeenstandingwithhisbacktothem,facingthefirelesshearth,turnedround.“Thenameswitchesgiveeachotherarenotourconcernhere,”hesaid.“Ifyouhavesomeinterestinthiswoman,Doorkeeper,itshouldbepursuedoutsidethesewalls-outsidethedooryouvowedtokeep.Shehasnoplaceherenoreverwill.Shecanbringonlyconfusion,dissension,andfurtherweaknessamongus.Iwillspeaknolongerandsaynothingelseinherpresence.Theonlyanswertoconsciouserrorissilence.”
“Silenceisnotenough,mylord,”saidonewhohadnotspokenbefore.ToIrian’seyeshewasverystrange-looking,havingpalereddishskin,longpalehair,andnarroweyesthecolourofice.Hisspeechwasalsostrange,stiffandsomehowdeformed.“Silenceistheanswertoeverything,andtonothing,”hesaid.
TheSummonerliftedhisnoble,darkfaceandlookedacrosstheroomatthepaleman,butdidnotspeak.Withoutawordorgestureheturnedawayagainandlefttheroom.AshewalkedslowlypastIrian,sheshrankbackfromhim.Itwasasifagravehadopened,awintergrave,cold,wet,dark.Herbreathstuckinherthroat.Shegaspedalittleforair.WhensherecoveredherselfshesawtheChangerandthepalemanbothwatchingherintently.
Theonewithavoicelikeadeep-tonedbelllookedathertoo,andspoketoherwithaplain,kindseverity.“AsIseeit,themanwhobroughtyouheremeanttodoharm,butyoudonot.Yetbeinghere,Irian,youdousandyourselfharm.Everythingnotinitsownplacedoesharm.Anotesung,howeverwellsung,wrecksthetuneitisn’tpartof.Womenteachwomen.Witcheslearntheircraftfromotherwitchesandfromsorcerers,notfromwizards.Whatweteachhereisinalanguagenotforwomen’stongues.Theyoungheartrebelsagainstsuchlaws,callingthemunjust,arbitrary.Buttheyaretruelaws,foundednotonwhatwewant,butonwhatis.Thejustandtheunjust,thefoolishandthewise,allmustobeythem,orwastelifeandcometogrief.”
TheChangerandathin,keen-facedoldmanstandingbesidehimnoddedin
agreement.TheMasterHandsaid,“Irian,Iamsorry.Ivorywasmypupil.IfItaughthimbadly,Ididworseinsendinghimaway.Ithoughthiminsignificant,andsoharmless.Butheliedtoyouandbeguiledyou.Youmustnotfeelshame.Thefaultwashis,andmine.”
“Iamnotashamed,”Iriansaid.Shelookedatthemall.Shefeltthatsheshouldthankthemfortheircourtesybutthewordswouldnotcome.Shenoddedstifflytothem,turnedround,andstrodeoutoftheroom.
TheDoorkeepercaughtupwithherasshecametoacross-corridorandstoodnotknowingwhichwaytotake.“Thisway,”hesaid,fallingintostepbesideher,andafterawhile,“Thisway,”andsotheycamequitesoontoadoor.Itwasnotmadeofhornandivory.Itwasuncarvedoak,blackandmassive,withanironboltwornthinwithage.“Thisisthebackdoor,”themagesaid,unboltingit.“Media’sGate,theyusedtocallit.Ikeepbothdoors.”Heopenedit.ThebrightnessofthedaydazzledIrian’seyes.Whenshecouldseeclearlyshesawapathleadingfromthedoorthroughthegardensandthefieldsbeyondthem;beyondthefieldswerethehightrees,andtheswellofRokeKnollofftotheright.Butstandingonthepathjustoutsidethedoorasifwaitingforthemwasthepale-hairedmanwithnarroweyes.
“Patterner,”saidtheDoorkeeper,notatallsurprised.
“Wheredoyousendthislady?”saidthePatternerinhisstrangespeech.
“Nowhere,”saidtheDoorkeeper.“IletheroutasIletherin,atherdesire.”
“Willyoucomewithme?”thePatternersaidtoIrian.
ShelookedathimandattheDoorkeeperandsaidnothing.
“Idon’tliveinthisHouse.Inanyhouse,”thePatternersaid.“Ilivethere.TheGrove-ah,”hesaid,turningsuddenly.Thebig,white-hairedman,KurremkarmerruktheNamer,wasstandingjustdownthepath.Hehadnotbeenstandingthereuntiltheothermagesaid‘Ah.”Irianstaredfromonetotheotherinblankbewilderment.
Thisisonlyaseemingofme,apresentment,asending,”theoldmansaidtoher.“Idon’tlivehereeither.Milesoff.”Hegesturednorthward.“Youmightcometherewhenyou’redonewiththePatternerhere.I’dliketolearnmoreaboutyourname.”Henoddedtotheothertwomagesandwasnotthere.Abumblebeebuzzedheavilythroughtheairwherehehadbeen.
Irianlookeddownattheground.Afteralongtimeshesaid,clearingherthroat,notlookingup,“IsittrueIdoharmbeinghere?”
“Idon’tknow,”saidtheDoorkeeper.
“IntheGroveisnoharm,”saidthePatterner.“Comeon.Thereisanold
house,ahut.Old,dirty.Youdon’tcare,eh?Stayawhile.Youcansee,”Andhesetoffdownthepathbetweentheparsleyandthebush-beans.ShelookedattheDoorkeeper;hesmiledalittle.Shefollowedthepale-hairedman.
Theywalkedahalf-mileorso.TheKnollroseupfullinthewesternsunontheirright.BehindthemtheSchoolsprawledgreyandmany-roofedonitslowerhill.Thegroveoftreestoweredbeforethemnow.Shesawoakandwillow,chestnutandash,andtallevergreens.Fromthedense,sun-shotdarknessofthetreesastreamranout,green-banked,withmanybrowntroddenplaceswherecattleandsheepwentdowntodrinkortocrossover.Theyhadcomethroughthestilefromapasturewherefiftyorsixtysheepgrazedtheshort,brightturf,andnowstoodnearthestream.Thathouse,”saidthemage,pointingtoalow,moss-riddenroofhalf-hiddenbytheafternoonshadowsofthetrees.“Staytonight.Youwill?”
Heaskedhertostay,hedidnottellherto.Allshecoulddowasnod.
“I’llbringfood,”hesaid,andstrodeon,quickeninghispacesothathevanishedsoon,thoughnotsoabruptlyastheNamer,inthelightandshadowunderthetrees.Irianwatchedtillhewascertainlygoneandthenmadeherwaythroughhighgrassandweedstothelittlehouse.
Itlookedveryold.Ithadbeenrebuiltandrebuiltagain,butnotforalongtime.Norhadanyonelivedinitforalongtime,fromthefeelofit.Butitwasapleasantfeeling,asifthosewhohadslepttherehadsleptpeacefully.Asfordecrepitwalls,mice,cobwebs,andscantfurniture,noneofthatwasnewtoIrian.Shefoundabaldbroomandsweptoutabit.Sheunrolledherblanketontheplankbed.Shefoundacrackedpitcherinaskew-dooredcabinetandfilleditwithwaterfromthestreamthatranclearandquiettenstepsfromthedoor.Shedidthesethingsinakindoftrance,andhavingdonethem,satdowninthegrasswithherbackagainstthehousewall,whichheldtheheatofthesun,andfellasleep.
Whenshewoke,theMasterPatternerwassittingnearby,andabasketwasonthegrassbetweenthem.
“Hungry?Eat,”hesaid.
“I’lleatlater,sir.Thankyou,”saidIrian.
“Iamhungrynow,”saidthemage.Hetookahardboiledeggfromthebasket,cracked,shelled,andateit.
TheycallthistheOtter’sHouse,”hesaid.“Veryold.AsoldastheGreatHouse.Everythingisold,here.Weareold-theMasters.”
“You’renot,”Iriansaid.Shethoughthimbetweenthirtyandforty,thoughit
washardtotell;shekeptthinkinghishairwaswhite,becauseitwasnotblack.
“ButIcamefar.Milescanbeyears.IamKargish,fromKarego.Youknow?”
“TheHoaryMen!”saidIrian,staringopenlyathim.AllDaisy’sballadsoftheHoaryMenwhosailedoutoftheeasttolaythelandwasteandspitinnocentbabesontheirlances,andthestoryofhowErreth-AkbelosttheRingofPeace,andthenewsongsandtheKing’sTaleabouthowArchmageSparrowhawkhadgoneamongtheHoaryMenandcomebackwiththatring-
“Hoary?”saidthePatterner.
“Frosty.White,”shesaid,lookingaway,embarrassed.
“Ah.”Presentlyhesaid,“TheMasterSummonerisnotold.”Andshegotasidelonglookfromthosenarrow,ice-colouredeyes.
Shesaidnothing.
“Ithinkyoufearedhim.”
Shenodded.
Whenshesaidnothing,andsometimehadpassed,hesaid,“Intheshadowofthesetreesisnoharm.Onlytruth.”
“Whenhepassedme,”shesaidinalowvoice,“Isawagrave.”
“Ah,”saidthePatterner.
Hehadmadealittleheapofbitsofeggshellonthegroundbyhisknee.Hearrangedthewhitefragmentsintoacurve,thencloseditintoacircle.“Yes,”hesaid,studyinghiseggshells,then,scratchinguptheearthabit,heneatlyanddelicatelyburiedthem.Hedustedoffhishands.AgainhisglanceflickedtoIrianandaway.
“Youhavebeenawitch,Irian?”
“No.”
“Butyouhavesomeknowledge.”
“No.Idon’t.Rosewouldn’tteachme.Shesaidshedidn’tdare.BecauseIhadpowerbutshedidn’tknowwhatitwas.”
“YourRoseisawiseflower,”saidthemage,unsmiling.
“ButIknowIhave-Ihavesomethingtodo,tobe.That’swhyIwantedtocomehere.Tofindout.OntheIsleoftheWise.”
Shewasgettingusedtohisstrangefacenowandwasabletoreadit.She
thoughtthathelookedsad.Hiswayofspeakingwasharsh,quick,dry,peaceable.ThemenoftheIslearenotalwayswise,eh?”hesaid.“MaybetheDoorkeeper.”Helookedathernow,notglancingbutsquarely,hiseyescatchingandholdinghers.“Butthere.Inthewood.Underthetrees.Thereistheoldwisdom.Neverold.Ican’tteachyou.IcantakeyouintotheGrove.”Afteraminutehestoodup.“Yes?”
“Yes,”shesaiduncertainly.
“Thehouseisallright?”
“Yes-“
“Tomorrow,”hesaid,andstrodeoff.
Soforahalf-monthormoreofthehotdaysofsummer,IriansleptintheOtter’sHouse,whichwasapeacefulone,andatewhattheMasterPatternerbroughtherinhisbasket-eggs,cheese,greens,fruit,smokedmutton-andwentwithhimeveryafternoonintothegroveofhightrees,wherethepathsseemednevertobequitewheresherememberedthem,andoftenledonfarbeyondwhatseemedtheconfinesofthewood.Theywalkedthereinsilence,andspokeseldomwhentheyrested.Themagewasaquietman.Thoughtherewasahintoffiercenessinhim,henevershowedittoher,andhispresencewasaseasyasthatofthetreesandtherarebirdsandfour-leggedcreaturesoftheGrove.Ashehadsaid,hedidnottrytoteachher.WhensheaskedabouttheGrove,hetoldherthat,withRokeKnoll,ithadstoodsinceSegoymadetheislandsoftheworld,andthatallmagicwasintherootsofthetrees,andthattheyweremingledwiththerootsofalltheforeststhatwereormightyetbe.“AndsometimestheGroveisinthisplace,”hesaid,“andsometimesinanother.Butitisalways.”
Shehadneverseenwherehelived.Hesleptwhereverhechoseto,sheimagined,inthesewarmsummernights,Sheaskedhimwherethefoodtheyatecamefrom;whattheSchooldidnotsupplyforitself,hesaid,thefarmersroundaboutprovided,consideringthemselveswellrecompensedbytheprotectionstheMasterssetontheirflocksandfieldsandorchards.Thatmadesensetoher.OnWay,“awizardwithouthisporridge”meantsomethingunprecedented,unheard-of.Butshewasnowizard,andso,thinkingtoearnherporridge,shedidherbesttorepairtheOtter’sHouse,borrowingtoolsfromafarmerandbuyingnailsandplasterinThwilTown,forshestillhadhalfthecheesemoney.
ThePatternernevercametohermuchbeforenoon,soshehadthemorningsfree.Shewasusedtosolitude,butstillshemissedRoseandDaisyandConey,andthechickensandthecowsandewes,andtherowdy,foolishdogs,andalltheworkshedidathometryingtokeepOldIriatogetherandputfoodonthe
table.Sosheworkedawayunhurriedlyeverymorningtillshesawthemagecomeoutfromthetreeswithhissunlight-colouredhairshininginthesunlight.
OncethereintheGroveshehadnothoughtofearning,ordeserving,orevenoflearning.Tobetherewasenough,wasall.
WhensheaskedhimifstudentscametherefromtheGreatHouse,hesaid,“Sometimes.”Anothertimehesaid,“Mywordsarenothing.Heartheleaves.”Thatwasallhesaidthatcouldbecalledteaching.Asshewalked,shelistenedtotheleaveswhenthewindrustledthemorstormedinthecrownsofthetrees;shewatchedtheshadowsplay,andthoughtabouttherootsofthetreesdowninthedarknessoftheearth.Shewasutterlycontenttobethere.Yetalways,withoutdiscontentorurgency,shefeltthatshewaswaiting.Andthatsilentexpectancywasdeepestandclearestwhenshecameoutoftheshelterofthewoodsandsawtheopensky.
Once,whentheyhadgonealongwayandthetrees,darkevergreensshedidnotknow,stoodveryhighaboutthem,sheheardacall-ahornblowing,acry?-remote,ontheveryedgeofhearing.Shestoodstill,listeningtowardsthewest.Themagewalkedon,turningonlywhenherealizedshehadstopped.
“Iheard-“shesaid,andcouldnotsaywhatshehadheard.
Helistened.Theywalkedonatlastthroughasilenceenlargedanddeepenedbythatfarcall.
SheneverwentintotheGrovewithouthim,anditwasmanydaysbeforeheleftheralonewithinit.Butonehotafternoonwhentheycametoagladeamongastandofoaks,hesaid,“Iwillcomebackhere,eh?”andwalkedoffwithhisquick,silentstep,lostalmostatonceinthedappled,shiftingdepthsoftheforest.
Shehadnowishtoexploreforherself.Thepeacefulnessoftheplacecalledforstillness,watching,listening;andsheknewhowtrickythepathswere,andthattheGrovewas,asthePatternerputit,“biggerinsidethanoutside’.Shesatdowninapatchofsun-dappledshadeandwatchedtheshadowsoftheleavesplayacrosstheground.Theoakmastwasdeep;thoughshehadneverseenwildswineinthewood,shesawtheirtrackshere.Foramomentshecaughtthescentofafox.Herthoughtsmovedasquietlyandeasilyasthebreezemovedinthewarmlight.
Oftenhermindhereseemedemptyofthought,fulloftheforestitself,butthisdaymemoriescametoher,vivid.ShethoughtaboutIvory,thinkingshewouldneverseehimagain,wonderingifhehadfoundashiptotakehimback
toHavnor.Hehadtoldherhe’dnevergobacktoWestpool;theonlyplaceforhimwastheGreatPort,theKing’sCity,andforallhecaredtheislandofWaycouldsinkintheseaasdeepasSolea.ButshethoughtwithloveoftheroadsandfieldsofWay.ShethoughtofOldIriavillage,themarshyspringunderIriaHill,theoldhouseonit.ShethoughtaboutDaisysingingballadsinthekitchen,winterevenings,beatingoutthetimewithherwoodenclogs;andoldConeyinthevineyardswithhisrazor-edgeknife,showingherhowtoprunethevine“rightdowntothelifeinit”;andRose,herEtaudis,whisperingcharmstoeasethepaininachild’sbrokenarm.Ihaveknownwisepeople,shethought.Hermindflinchedawayfromrememberingherfather,butthemotionoftheleavesandshadowsdrewiton.Shesawhimdrunk,shouting.Shefelthisprying,tremuloushandsonher.Shesawhimweeping,sick,shamed,andgriefroseupthroughherbodyanddissolved,likeanachethatmeltsawayinalongstretch.Hewaslesstoherthanthemothershehadnotknown.
Shestretched,feelingtheeaseofherbodyinthewarmth,andherminddriftedbacktoIvory.Shehadhadnooneinherlifetodesire.Whentheyoungwizardfirstcameridingbysoslimandarrogant,shewishedshecouldwanthim;butshedidn’tandcouldn’t,andsoshehadthoughthimspell-protected.Rosehadexplainedtoherhowwizards’spellsworked‘sothatitneverentersyourheadnortheirs,see,becauseitwouldtakefromtheirpower,theysay’.ButIvory,poorIvory,hadbeenalltoounprotected.Ifanybodywasunderaspellofchastityitmusthavebeenherself,forcharmingandhandsomeashewasshehadneverbeenabletofeelathingforhimbutliking,andheronlylustwastolearnwhathecouldteachher.
Sheconsideredherself,sittinginthedeepsilenceoftheGrove.Nobirdsang;thebreezewasdown;theleaveshungstill.AmIensorcelled?AmIasterilething,notwhole,notawoman?sheaskedherself,lookingatherstrongbarearms,theslight,softswellofherbreastsintheshadowunderthethroatofhershirt.
ShelookedupandsawtheHoaryMancomeoutofadarkaisleofgreatoaksandcometowardsheracrosstheglade.
Hestoppedinfrontofher.Shefeltherselfblush,herfaceandthroatburning,dizzy,herearsringing.Shesoughtwords,anythingtosay,toturnhisattentionawayfromher,andcouldfindnothingatall.Hesatdownnearher.Shelookeddown,asifstudyingtheskeletonofalast-year’sleafbyherhand.
WhatdoIwant?sheaskedherself,andtheanswercamenotinwordsbutthroughoutherwholebodyandsoul:thefire,agreaterfirethanthat,theflight,theflightburning-
Shecamebackintoherself,intothestillairunderthetrees.TheHoaryMansatnearher,hisfaceboweddown,andshethoughthowslightandlighthelooked,howquietandsorrowful.Therewasnothingtofear.Therewasnoharm.
Helookedoverather.
“Irian,”hesaid,“doyouheartheleaves?”
Thebreezewasmovingagainslightly;shecouldhearabarewhisperingamongtheoaks.“Alittle,”shesaid.
“Doyouhearthewords?”
“No.”
Sheaskednothingandhesaidnomore.Presentlyhegotup,andshefollowedhimtothepaththatalwaysledthem,soonerorlater,outofthewoodtotheclearingbytheThwilburnandtheOtter’sHouse.Whentheycamethere,itwaslateafternoon.Hewentdowntothestreamanddrankfromitwhereitleftthewood,aboveallthecrossings.Shedidthesame.Thensittinginthecool,longgrassofthebank,hebegantospeak.
“Mypeople,theKargs,theyworshipgods.Twingods,brothers.Andthekingthereisalsoagod.Butbeforethatandafterarethestreams.Caves,stones,hills.Trees.Theearth.Thedarknessoftheearth.”
TheOldPowers,”Iriansaid.
Henodded.There,womenknowtheOldPowers.Heretoo,witches.Andtheknowledgeisbad-eh?”
Whenheaddedthatlittlequestioning“eh?”or“neh?”totheendofwhathadseemedastatementitalwaystookherbysurprise.Shesaidnothing.
“Darkisbad,”saidthePatterner.“Eh?”
Iriandrewadeepbreathandlookedathimeyetoeyeastheysatthere.“”Onlyindarkthelight,””shesaid.
“Ah,”hesaid.Helookedawaysothatshecouldnotseehisexpression.
“Ishouldgo,”shesaid.“IcanwalkintheGrove,butnotlivethere.Itisn’tmy-myplace.AndtheMasterChantersaidIdidharmbybeinghere.”
“Wealldoharmbybeing,”saidthePatterner.
Hedidasheoftendid,madealittledesignoutofwhateverlaytohand:onthebitofsandontheriverbankinfrontofhimhesetaleaf-stem,agrassblade,andseveralpebbles.Hestudiedthemandrearrangedthem.“NowImustspeakofharm,”hesaid.
Afteralongpausehewenton.“YouknowthatadragonbroughtbackourLordSparrowhawk,withtheyoungking,fromtheshoresofdeath.ThenthedragoncarriedSparrowhawkawaytohishome,forhispowerwasgone,hewasnotamage.SopresentlytheMastersofRokemettochooseanewArchmage,here,intheGrove,asalways.Butnotasalways.
“Beforethedragoncame,theSummonertoohadreturnedfromdeath,wherehecango,wherehisartcantakehim.Hehadseenourlordandtheyoungkingthere,inthatcountryacrossthewallofstones.Hesaidtheywouldnotcomeback.HesaidLordSparrowhawkhadtoldhimtocomebacktous,tolife,tobearthatword.Sowegrievedforourlord.
“Butthencamethedragon,Kalessin,bearinghimliving.
“TheSummonerwasamonguswhenwestoodonRokeKnollandsawtheArchmagekneeltoKingLebannen.Then,asthedragonboreourfriendaway,theSummonerfelldown.
“Helayasifdead,cold,hisheartnotbeating,yethebreathed.TheHerbalusedallhisart,butcouldnotrousehim.“Heisdead,”hesaid.“Thebreathwillnotleavehim,butheisdead.”Sowemournedhim.Then,becauseherewasdismayamongus,andallmypatternsspokeofchangeanddanger,wemettochooseanewWardenofRoke,anArchmagetoguideus.AndinourcouncilwesettheyoungkingintheSummoner’splace.Tousitseemedrightthatheshouldsitamongus.OnlytheChangerspokeagainstitatfirst,andthenagreed.
“Butwemet,wesat,andwecouldnotchoose.Wesaidthisandsaidthat,butnonamewasspoken.AndthenI…”Hepausedawhile.Therecameonmewhatmypeoplecalltheeduevanu,theotherbreath.WordscametomeandIspokethem.Isaid,HamaGondun!AndKurremkarmerruktoldthemthisinHardic:“AwomanonGont.”ButwhenIcamebacktomyownwits,Icouldnottellthemwhatthatmeant.AndsowepartedwithnoArchmagechosen.
Thekingleftsoonafter,andtheMasterWindkeywentwithhim.Beforethekingwastobecrowned,theywenttoGontandsoughtourlord,tofindwhatthatmeant,“awomanonGont”.Eh?Buttheydidnotseehim,onlymycountrywomanTenaroftheRing.Shesaidshewasnotthewomantheysought.Andtheyfoundnoone,nothing.SoLebannenjudgedittobeaprophecyyettobefulfilled.AndinHavnorhesethiscrownonhisownhead.
TheHerbal,andItoo,judgedtheSummonerdead.Wethoughtthebreathhebreathedwasleftfromsomespellofhisownartthatwedidnotunderstand,likethespellsnakesknowthatkeepstheirheartbeatinglongaftertheyaredead.Thoughitseemedterribletoburyabreathingbody,yethewascold,andhisblooddidnotrun,andnosoulwasinhim.Thatwasmoreterrible.Sowe
madereadytoburyhim.Andthen,byhisgrave,hiseyesopened.Hemoved,andspoke.Hesaid,“Ihavesummonedmyselfagainintolife,todowhatmustbedone.”’
ThePatterner’svoicehadgrownrougher,andhesuddenlybrushedthelittledesignofpebblesapartwiththepalmofhishand.
“SowhentheWindkeyreturned,wewerenineagain.Butdivided.FortheSummonersaidwemustmeetagainandchooseanArchmage.Thekinghadhadnoplaceamongus,hesaid.And“awomanonGont”,whoevershemaybe,hasnoplaceamongthemenonRoke.Eh?TheWindkey,theChanter,theChanger,theHand,sayheisright.AndasKingLebannenisonereturnedfromdeath,fulfillingthatprophecy,theysaysowilltheArchmagebeonereturnedfromdeath.”
“But-“Iriansaid,andstopped.
AfterawhilethePatternersaid,“Thatart,summoning,youknow,isvery…terrible.Itis…alwaysdanger.Here,”andhelookedupintothegreen-golddarknessofthetrees,“hereisnosummoning.Nobringingbackacrossthewall.Nowall.”
Hisfacewasawarrior’sface,butwhenhelookedintothetreesitwassoftened,yearning.
“So,”hesaid,“nowhemakesyouhisreasonforourmeeting.ButIwillnotgototheGreatHouse.Iwillnotbesummoned.”
“Hewon’tcomehere?”
“IthinkhewillnotwalkintheGrove.NoronRokeKnoll.OntheKnoll,whatis,isso,”
Shedidnotknowwhathemeant,butdidnotask,preoccupied:“Yousayhemakesmehisreasonforyoutomeettogether.”
“Yes.Tosendawayonewoman,ittakesninemages.”Heveryseldomsmiled,andwhenhediditwasquickandfierce.“WearetomeettoupholdtheRuleofRoke.AndsotochooseanArchmage.”
“IfIwentaway-“Shesawhimshakehishead.“IcouldgototheNamer-“
“Youaresaferhere.”
Theideaofdoingharmtroubledher,buttheideaofdangerhadnotenteredhermind.Shefounditinconceivable.“I’llbeallright,”shesaid.“SotheNamer,andyou-andtheDoorkeeper?”
“-donotwishThoriontobeArchmage.AlsotheMasterHerbal,thoughhedigsandsayslittle.”
HesawIrianstaringathiminamazement.ThoriontheSummonerspeakshistruename,”hesaid.“Hedied,eh?”
SheknewthatKingLebannenusedhistruenameopenly.Hetoohadreturnedfromdeath.YetthattheSummonershoulddosocontinuedtoshockanddisturbherasshethoughtaboutit.
“Andthe…thestudents?”
“Dividedalso.”
ShethoughtabouttheSchool,whereshehadbeensobriefly.Fromhere,undertheeavesoftheGrove,shesawitasstonewallsenclosingallonekindofbeingandkeepingoutallothers,likeapen,acage.Howcouldanyofthemkeeptheirbalanceinaplacelikethat?
ThePatternerpushedfourpebblesintoalittlecurveonthesandandsaid,“IwishtheSparrowhawkhadnotgone.IwishIcouldreadwhattheshadowswrite.ButallIcanheartheleavessayischange,change…Everythingwillchangebutthem.”Helookedupintothetreesagainwiththatyearninglook.Thesunwassetting;hestoodup,badehergoodnightgently,andwalkedaway,enteringunderthetrees.
ShesatonawhilebytheThwilburn.ShewastroubledbywhathehadtoldherandbyherthoughtsandfeelingsintheGrove,andtroubledthatanythoughtorfeelingcouldhavetroubledherthere.Shewenttothehouse,setouthersupperofsmokedmeatandbreadandsummerlettuce,andateitwithouttastingit.Sheroamedrestlesslybackdownhestreambanktothewater.Itwasverystillandwarminthelatedusk,onlythelargeststarsburningthroughamilkyovercast.Sheslippedoffhersandalsandputherfeetinthewater.Itwascool,butveinsofsunwarmthranthroughit.Sheslidoutofherclothes,theman’sbreechesandshirtthatwereallshehad,andslippednakedintothewater,feelingthepushandstirofthecurrentallalongherbody.ShehadneverswuminthestreamsatIria,andshehadhatedthesea,heavinggreyandcold,butthisquickwaterpleasedher,tonight.Shedriftedandfloated,herhandsslippingoversilkenunderwaterrocksandherownsilkenflanks,herlegsslidingthroughwaterweeds.Alltroubleandrestlessnesswashedawayfromherintherunningofthewater,andshefloatedindelightinthecaressofthestream,gazingupatthewhite,softfireofthestars.
Achillranthroughher.Thewaterrancold.Gatheringherselftogether,herlimbsstillsoftandloose,shelookedupandsawonthebankabovehertheblackfigureofaman.
Shestoodstraightupinthewater.
“Getout!”sheshouted.“Getaway,youtraitor,youfoullecher,orI’llcuttheliveroutofyou!”Shesprangupthebank,pullingherselfupbythetoughbunchgrass,andscrambledtoherfeet.Noonewasthere.Shestoodafire,shakingwithrage.Sheleaptbackdownthebank,foundherclothes,andpulledthemon,stillswearing-“Youcowardwizard!Youtraitoroussonofabitch!”
“Irian?”
“Hewashere!”shecried.“Thatfoulheart,thatThorion!”ShestrodetomeetthePatternerashecameintothestarlightbythehouse.“Iwasbathinginthestream,andhestoodtherewatchingme!”
“Asending-onlyaseemingofhim.Itcouldnothurtyou,Irian.”
“Asendingwitheyes,aseemingwithseeing!Mayhebe-“Shestopped,atalosssuddenlyfortheword.Shefeltsick.Sheshuddered,andswallowedthecoldspittlethatwelledinhermouth.
ThePatternercameforwardandtookherhandsinhis.Hishandswerewarm,andshefeltsomortallycoldthatshecamecloseupagainsthimforthewarmthofhisbody.Theystoodsoforawhile,herfaceturnedfromhimbuttheirhandsjoinedandtheirbodiespressedclose.Atlastshebrokefree,straighteningherself,pushingbackherlankwethair.Thankyou,”shesaid.“Iwascold.”
“Iknow.”
“I’mnevercold,”shesaid.“Itwashim.”
“Itellyou,Irian,hecannotcomehere,hecannotharmyouhere.”
“Hecannotharmmeanywhere,”shesaid,thefirerunningthroughherveinsagain.“Ifhetriesto,I’lldestroyhim.”
“Ah,”saidthePatterner.
Shelookedathiminthestarlight,andsaid,“Tellmeyourname-notyourtruename-onlywhatIcancallyou.WhenIthinkofyou.”
Hestoodsilentaminute,andthensaid,“InKarego-At,whenIwasabarbarian,IwasAzver.InHardic,thatisabannerofwar.”
“Azver,”shesaid.“Thankyou.”
Shelayawakeinthelittlehouse,feelingtheairstiflingandtheceilingpressingdownonher,thensleptsuddenlyanddeeply.Shewokeassuddenlywhentheeastwasjustgettinglight.Shewenttothedoortoseewhatshelovedbesttosee,theskybeforesunrise.LookingdownfromitshesawAzverthePatternerrolledupinhisgreycloak,soundasleeponthegroundbefore
herdoorstep.Shewithdrewnoiselesslyintothehouse.Inalittlewhileshesawhimgoingbacktohiswoods,walkingabitstifflyandscratchinghisheadashewent,aspeopledowhenhalfawake.
Shegottoworkscrapingdowntheinnerwallofthehouse,readyingittoplaster.Butbeforethesunwasinthewindows,therewasaknockatheropendoor.Outsidewasthemanshehadthoughtwasagardener,theMasterHerbal,lookingsolidandstolid,likeabrownox,besidethegaunt,grim-facedoldNamer.
Shecametothedoorandmutteredsomekindofgreeting.Theydauntedher,theseMastersofRoke,andalsotheirpresencemeantthatthepeacefultimewasover,thedaysofwalkinginthesilentsummerforestwiththePatterner.Thathadcometoanendlastnight.Sheknewit,butshedidnotwanttoknowit.
“ThePatternersentforus,”saidtheMasterHerbal.Helookeduncomfortable.Noticingaclumpofweedsunderthewindow,hesaid,“That’svelvet.SomebodyfromHavnorplantedithere.Didn’tknowtherewasanyontheisland.”Heexamineditattentively,andputsomeseedpodsintohispouch.
IrianwasstudyingtheNamercovertlybutequallyattentively,tryingtoseeifshecouldtellifhewaswhathehadcalledasendingorwasthereinfleshandblood.Nothingabouthimappearedinsubstantial,butshethoughthewasnotthere,andwhenhesteppedintotheslantingsunlightandcastnoshadow,sheknewit.
“Isitalongwayfromwhereyoulive,sir?”sheasked.
Henodded.“Leftmyselfhalfway,”hesaid.Helookedup;thePatternerwascomingtowardsthem,wideawakenow.
Hegreetedthemandasked,“TheDoorkeeperwillcome?”
“Saidhethoughthe’dbetterkeepthedoors,”saidtheHerbal.Heclosedismany-pocketedpouchcarefullyandlookedaroundattheothers.“ButIdon’tknowifhecankeepalidontheant-hill.”
“What’sup?”saidKurremkarmerruk.“I’vebeenreadingaboutdragons.Notpayingattention.ButalltheboysIhadstudyingattheTowerleft.”
“Summoned,”saidtheHerbal,drily.
“So?”saidtheNamer,moredrily.
“Icantellyouonlyhowitseemstome,”theHerbalsaid,reluctant,uncomfortable.
“Dothat,”theoldmagesaid.
TheHerbalstillhesitated.“Thisladyisnotofourcouncil,”hesaidatlast.
“Sheisofmine,”saidAzver.
“Shecametothisplaceatthistime,”theNamersaid.“Andtothisplace,atthistime,noonecomesbychance.Allanyofusknowsishowitseemstous.Therearenamesbehindnames,myLordHealer.”
Thedark-eyedmagebowedhisheadatthat,andsaid,“Verywell,”evidentlywithreliefatacceptingtheirjudgmentoverhisown.“ThorionhasbeenmuchwiththeotherMasters,andwiththeyoungmen.Secretmeetings,innercircles.Rumors,whispers.Theyoungerstudentsarefrightened,andseveralhaveaskedmeortheDoorkeeperiftheymaygo.Andwe’dletthemgo.Butthere’snoshipinport,andnonehascomeintoThwilBaysincetheonethatbroughtyou,lady,andsailedagainnextdayforWathort.TheWindkeykeepstheRoke-windagainstall.Ifthekinghimselfshouldcome,hecouldnotlandonRoke,”
“Untilthewindchanges,eh?”saidthePatterner.
“ThorionsaysLebannenisnottrulyking,sincenoArchmagecrownedhim,”
“Nonsense!Nothistory!”saidtheoldNamer.“ThefirstArchmagecamecenturiesafterthelastking.Rokeruledinthekings’stead.”
“Ah,”saidthePatterner.“Hardforthehousekeepertogiveupthekeyswhentheownercomeshome.”
“TheRingofPeaceishealed,”saidtheHerbal,inhispatient,troubledvoice,“theprophecyisfulfilled,thesonofMorrediscrowned,andyetwehavenopeace.Wherehavewegonewrong?Whycanwenotfindthebalance?”
“WhatdoesThorionintend?”askedtheNamer.
“TobringLebannenhere,”saidtheHerbal.“Theyoungmentalkof“thetruecrown”.Asecondcoronation,here.BytheArchmageThorion.”
“Avert!”Irianblurtedout,makingthesigntopreventwordfrombecomingdeed.Noneofthemensmiled,andtheHerbalbelatedlymadethesamegesture.
“Howdoesheholdthemall?”theNamersaid.“Herbal,youwereherewhenSparrowhawkandThorionwerechallengedbyIrioth.HisgiftwasasgreatasThorion’s,Ithink.Heusedittousemen,tocontrolthemwholly.IsthatwhatThoriondoes?”
“Idon’tknow,”theHerbalsaid.“IcanonlytellyouthatwhenI’mwithhim,whenI’mintheGreatHouse,Ifeelthatnothingcanbedonebutwhathasbeendone.Thatnothingwillchange.Nothingwillgrow.Thatnomatterwhat
curesIuse,thesicknesswillendindeath.”Helookedaroundatthemalllikeahurtox.“AndIthinkitistrue.ThereisnowaytoregaintheEquilibriumbutbyholdingstill.Wehavegonetoofar.FortheArchmageandLebannentogobodilyintodeath,andreturn-itwasnotright.Theybrokealawthatmustnotbebroken.ItwastorestorethelawthatThorionreturned.”
“What,tosendthembackintodeath?”theNamersaid,andthePatterner,“Whoistosaywhatisthelaw?”
“Thereisawall,”theHerbalsaid.
“Thatwallisnotasdeep-rootedasmytrees,”saidthePatterner.
“Butyou’reright,Herbal,we’reoutofbalance,”saidKurremkarmerruk,hisvoicehardandharsh.“Whenandwheredidwebegintogotoofar?Whathaveweforgotten,turnedourbackon,overlooked?”
Irianlookedfromonetotheother.
“Whenthebalanceiswrong,holdingstillisnotgood.Itmustgetmorewrong,”saidthePatterner.“Until-“Hemadeaquickgestureofreversalwithhisopenhands,downgoingupandupdown.
“What’smorewrongthantosummononeselfbackfromdeath?”saidtheNamer.
“Thorionwasthebestofusall-abraveheart,anoblemind.”TheHerbalspokealmostinanger.“Sparrowhawklovedhim.Sodidweall.”
“Consciencecaughthim,”saidtheNamer.“Consciencetoldhimhealonecouldsetthingsright.Todoit,hedeniedhisdeath.Sohedenieslife.”
“Andwhoshallstandagainsthim?”saidthePatterner.“Icanonlyhideinmywoods.”
“AndIinmytower,”saidtheNamer.“Andyou,Herbal,andtheDoorkeeper,areinthetrap,intheGreatHouse.Thewallswebuilttokeepallevilout.Orin,asthecasemaybe.”
“Wearefouragainsthim,”saidthePatterner.
Theyarefiveagainstus,”saidtheHerbal.
“Hasitcometothis,”theNamersaid,“thatwestandattheedgeoftheforestSegoyplantedandtalkofhowtodestroyoneanother?”
“Yes,”saidthePatterner.“Whatgoestoolongunchangeddestroysitself.Theforestisforeverbecauseitdiesanddiesandsolives.Iwillnotletthisdeadhandtouchme.Ortouchthekingwhobroughtushope.Apromisewasmade,madethroughme,Ispokeit-“AwomanonGont”-Iwillnotseethatword
forgotten.”
“ThenshouldwegotoGont?”saidtheHerbal,caughtinAzver’spassion.“Sparrowhawkisthere.”
TenaroftheRingisthere,”saidAzver.
“Maybeourhopeisthere,”saidtheNamer.
Theystoodsilent,uncertain,tryingtocherishhope.
Irianstoodsilenttoo,butherhopesankdown,replacedbyasenseofshameandutterinsignificance.Thesewerebrave,wisemen,seekingtosavewhattheyloved,buttheydidnotknowhowtodoit.Andshehadnoshareintheirwisdom,nopartintheirdecisions.Shedrewawayfromthem,andtheydidnotnotice.Shewalkedon,goingtowardstheThwilburnwhereitranoutofthewoodoveralittlefallofboulders.Thewaterwasbrightinthemorningsunlightandmadeahappynoise.Shewantedtocrybutshehadneverbeengoodatcrying.Shestoodandwatchedthewater,andhershameturnedslowlyintoanger.
Shecamebacktowardsthethreemen,andsaid,“Azver.”
Heturnedtoher,startled,andcameforwardalittle.
“WhydidyoubreakyourRuleforme?Wasitfairtome,whocanneverbewhatyouare?”
Azverfrowned.“TheDoorkeeperadmittedyoubecauseyouasked,”hesaid.“IbroughtyoutotheGrovebecausetheleavesofthetreesspokeyournametomebeforeyouevercamehere.Irian,theysaid,Irian.WhyyoucameIdon’tknow,butnotbychance.TheSummonertooknowsthat.”
“MaybeIcametodestroyhim.”
Helookedatherandsaidnothing.
“MaybeIcametodestroyRoke.”
Hispaleeyesblazedthen.Try!”
Alongshudderwentthroughherasshestoodfacinghim.Shefeltherselflargerthanhewas,largerthanshewas,enormouslylarger.Shecouldreachoutonefingeranddestroyhim.Hestoodthereinhissmall,brave,briefhumanity,hismortality,defenseless.Shedrewalong,longbreath.Shesteppedbackfromhim.
Thesenseofhugestrengthwasdrainingoutofher.Sheturnedherheadalittleandlookeddown,surprisedtoseeherownbrownarm,herrolled-upsleeve,thegrassspringingcoolandgreenaroundhersandaledfeet.She
lookedbackatthePatternerandhestillseemedafragilebeing.Shepitiedandhonouredhim.Shewantedtowarnhimoftheperilhewasin.Butnowordscametoheratall.Sheturnedroundandwentbacktothestreambankbythelittlefalls.Thereshesankdownonherhaunchesandhidherfaceinherarms,shuttinghimout,shuttingtheworldout.
Thevoicesofthemagestalkingwerelikethevoicesofthestreamrunning.Thestreamsaiditswordsandtheysaidtheirs,butnoneofthemweretherightwords.
IV.Irian
WhenAzverrejoinedtheothermentherewassomethinginhisfacethatmadetheHerbalsay,“Whatisit?”
“Idon’tknow,”hesaid.“MaybeweshouldnotleaveRoke.”
“Probablywecan’t,”saidtheHerbal.“IftheWindkeylocksthewindsagainstus…”
“I’mgoingbacktowhereIam,”Kurremkarmerruksaidabruptly.“Idon’tlikeleavingmyselfaboutlikeanoldshoe.I’lljoinyouthisevening.”Andhewasgone.
“I’dliketowalkunderyourtreesabit,Azver,”theHerbalsaid,withalongsigh.
“Goon,Deyala.I’llstayhere.”TheHerbalwentoff.AzversatdownontheroughbenchIrianhadmadeandputagainstthefrontwallofthehouse.Helookedupstreamather,crouchingmotionlessonthebank.SheepinthefieldbetweenthemandtheGreatHouseblattedsoftly.Themorningsunwasgettinghot.
HisfatherhadnamedhimBannerofWar.Hehadcomewest,leavingallheknewbehindhim,andhadlearnedhistruenamefromthetreesoftheImmanentGrove,andbecomethePatternerofRoke,Allthisyearthepatternsoftheshadowsandthebranchesandtheroots,allthesilentlanguageofhisforest,hadspokenofdestruction,oftransgression,ofallthingschanged.Nowitwasuponthem,heknew.Ithadcomewithher.
Shewasinhischarge,inhiscare,hehadknownthatwhenhesawher.ThoughshecametodestroyRoke,asshehadsaid,hemustserveher.Hedidsowillingly.Shehadwalkedwithhimintheforest,tall,awkward,fearless;shehadputasidethethornyarmsofbrambleswithherbig,carefulhand.Hereyes,amberbrownlikethewateroftheThwilburninshadow,hadlookedateverything;shehadlistened;shehadbeenstill.Hewantedtoprotectherand
knewhecouldnot.Hehadgivenheralittlewarmthwhenshewascold.Hehadnothingelsetogiveher.Whereshemustgoshewouldgo.Shedidnotunderstanddanger.Shehadnowisdombutherinnocence,noamourbutheranger.Whoareyou,Irian?hesaidtoher,watchinghercrouchedtherelikeananimallockedinitsmuteness.
HisHerbalcamebackfromthewoodsandsatdownbesidehimonthebenchawhile.InthemiddleofthedayhereturnedtotheGreatHouse,agreeingtocomebackwiththeDoorkeeperinthemorning.TheywouldaskalltheotherMasterstomeetwiththemintheGrove.“Buthewon’tcome,”Deyalasaid,andAzvernodded.
AlldayhestayedneartheOtter’sHouse,keepingwatchonIrian,makinghereatalittlewithhim.Shecametothehouse,butwhentheyhadeatenshewentbacktoherplaceonthestreambankandsattheremotionless.Andhetoofeltalethargyinhisownbodyandmind,astupidity,whichhefoughtagainstbutcouldnotshakeoff.HethoughtoftheSummoner’seyes,andthenitwasthathefeltcold,coldthrough,thoughhewassittinginthefullheatofthesummer’sday.Weareruledbythedead,hethought.Thethoughtwouldnotleavehim.
HewasgratefultoseeKurremkarmerrukcomingslowlydownthebankoftheThwilburnfromthenorth.Theoldmanwadedthroughthestreambarefoot,holdinghisshoesinonehandandhistallstaffintheother,snarlingwhenhemissedhisfootingontherocks.Hesatdownonthenearbanktodryhisfeetandputhisshoesbackon.“WhenIgobacktotheTower,”hesaid,“I’llride.Hireacarter,buyamule.I’mold,Azver.”
“Comeuptothehouse,”thePatternersaid,andhesetoutwaterandfoodfortheNamer.
“Where’sthegirl?”
“Asleep.”Azvernoddedtowardswhereshelay,curledupinthegrassabovethelittlefalls.
TheheatofthedaywasbeginningtolessenandtheshadowsoftheGrovelayacrossthegrass,thoughtheOtter’sHousewasstillinsunlight.Kurremkarmerruksatonthebenchwithhisbackagainstthehousewall,andAzveronthedoorstep.
“We’vecometotheendofit,”theoldmansaidoutofsilence.
Azvernodded,insilence.
“Whatbroughtyouhere,Azver?”theNamerasked.“I’veoftenthoughtofaskingyou.Along,longwaytocome.Andyouhavenowizardsinthe
Kargishlands,Ithink.”
“No.Butwehavethethingswizardryismadeof.Water,stones,trees,words…”
“ButnotthewordsoftheMaking.”
“No.Nordragons,”
“Never?”
“Onlyinsomevery,veryoldtales.Beforethegodswere.Beforemenwere.Beforemenweremen,theyweredragons.”
“Nowthatisinteresting,”saidtheoldscholar,sittingupstraighter.“ItoldyouIwasreadingaboutdragons.Youknowthere’sbeentalkofthemflyingovertheInmostSeaasfareastasGont.ThatwasnodoubtKalessintakingGedhome,multipliedbysailorsmakingagoodstorybetter.Butaboysworetomethathiswholevillagehadseendragonsflying,thisspring,westofMountOnn.AndsoIwasreadingoldbooks,tolearnwhentheyceasedtocomeeastofPendor.AndinoneIcameonyourstory,orsomethinglikeit.Thatmenanddragonswereallonekind,buttheyquarrelled.Somewentwestandsomeeast,andtheybecametwokinds,andforgottheywereeverone.”
“Wewentfarthesteast,”Azversaid.“Butdoyouknowwhattheleaderofanarmyis,inmytongue?”
“Edran,”saidtheNamerpromptly,andlaughed.“Drake.Dragon…”
Afterawhilehesaid,“Icouldchaseanetymologyonthebrinkofdoom…ButIthink,Azver,thatthat’swhereweare.Wewon’tdefeathim.”
“Hehastheadvantage,”Azversaid,verydry.
“Hedoes.But,admittingitunlikely,admittingitimpossible-ifwediddefeathim-ifhewentbackintodeathandleftusherealive-whatwouldwedo?Whatcomesnext?”
Afteralongtime,Azversaid,“Ihavenoidea.”
“Yourleavesandshadowstellyounothing?”
“Change,change,”saidthePatterner.Transformation.”
Helookedupsuddenly.Thesheep,whohadbeengroupednearthestile,werescurryingoff,andsomeonewascomingalongthepathfromtheGreatHouse.
“Agroupofyoungmen,”saidtheHerbal,breathless,ashecametothem.“Thorion’sarmy.Cominghere.Totakethegirl.Tosendheraway.”Hestoodanddrewbreath.“TheDoorkeeperwasspeakingwiththemwhenIleft.Ithink-“
“Hereheis,”saidAzver,andtheDoorkeeperwasthere,hissmooth,yellowish-brownfacetranquilasever.
“Itoldthem,”hesaid,“thatiftheywentoutMedra’sGatethisday,they’dnevergobackthroughitintoaHousetheyknew.Someofthemwereforturningback,then.ButtheWindkeyandtheChanterurgedthemon.They’llbealongsoon.”
Theycouldhearmen’svoicesinthefieldseastoftheGrove.
AzverwentquicklytowhereIrianlaybesidethestream,andtheothersfollowedhim.Sherousedupandgottoherfeet,lookingdullanddazed.Theywerestandingaroundher,akindofguard,whenthegroupofthirtyormoremencamepastthelittlehouseandapproachedthem.Theyweremostlyolderstudents;therewerefiveorsixwizard’sstaffsamongthecrowd,andtheMasterWindkeyledthem.Histhin,keenoldfacelookedstrainedandweary,buthegreetedthefourmagescourteouslybytheirtitles.
Theygreetedhim,andAzvertooktheword-“ComeintotheGrove,MasterWindkey,”hesaid,“andwewillwaittherefortheothersoftheNine.”
“Firstwemustsettlethematterthatdividesus,”saidtheWindkey.
Thatisastonymatter,”saidtheNamer.
“ThewomanwithyoudefiestheRuleofRoke,”theWindkeysaid.“Shemustleave.Aboatiswaitingatthedocktotakeher,andthewind,Icantellyou,willstandfairforWay.”
“Ihavenodoubtofthat,mylord,”saidAzver,“butIdoubtshewillgo-“
“MyLordPatterner,willyoudefyourRuleandourcommunity,thathasbeenonesolong,upholdingorderagainsttheforcesofruin?Willitbeyou,ofallmen,whobreaksthepattern?”
“Itisnotglass,tobreak,”Azversaid.“Itisbreath,itisfire.”
Itcosthimagreatefforttospeak.
“Itdoesnotknowdeath,”hesaid,buthespokeinhisownlanguage,andtheydidnotunderstandhim.HedrewclosertoIrian.Hefeltthewarmthofherbody.Shestoodstaring,inthatanimalsilence,asifshedidnotunderstandanyofthem.
“LordThorionhasreturnedfromdeathtosaveusall,”theWindkeysaid,fiercelyandclearly.“HewillbeArchmage.UnderhisruleRokewillbeasitwas.Thekingwillreceivethetruecrownfromhishand,andrulewithhisguidance,asMorredruled.Nowitcheswilldefilesacredground.NodragonswillthreatentheInmostSea.Therewillbeorder,safety,andpeace.”
Noneofthemagesansweredhim.Inthesilence,themenwithhimmurmured,andavoiceamongthemsaid,“Letushavethewitch.”
“No,”Azversaid,butcouldsaynothingelse.Heheldhisstaffofwillow,butitwasonlywoodinhishand.
Ofthefourofthem,onlytheDoorkeepermovedandspoke.Hetookastepforward,lookingfromoneyoungmantothenextandthenext.Hesaid,“Youtrustedme,givingmeyournames.Willyoutrustmenow?”
“Mylord,”saidoneofthemwithafine,darkfaceandawizard’soakenstaff,“wedotrustyou,andthereforeaskyoutoletthewitchgo,andpeacereturn.”
IriansteppedforwardbeforetheDoorkeepercouldanswer.
“Iamnotawitch,”shesaid.Hervoicesoundedhigh,metallic,afterthemen’sdeepvoices.“Ihavenoart.Noknowledge.Icametolearn.”
“Wedonotteachwomenhere,”saidtheWindkey.“Youknowthat.”
“Iknownothing,”Iriansaid.Shesteppedforwardagain,facingthemagedirectly.TellmewhoIam.”
“Learnyourplace,woman,”themagesaidwithcoldpassion.
“Myplace,”shesaid,slowly,thewordsdragging,“myplaceisonthehill.Wherethingsarewhattheyare.TellthedeadmanIwillmeethimthere.”
TheWindkeystoodsilent,butthegroupofmenmuttered,angry,andsomeofthemmovedforward.Azvercamebetweenherandthem,herwordsreleasinghimfromtheparalysisofmindandbodythathadheldhim.“TellThorionwewillmeethimonRokeKnoll,”hesaid.“Whenhecomes,wewillbethere.Nowcomewithme,”hesaidtoIrian.
TheNamer,theDoorkeeper,andtheHerbalfollowedhimwithherintotheGrove.Therewasapathforthem.Butwhensomeoftheyoungmenstartedafterthem,therewasnopath.
“Comeback,”theWindkeysaidtothemen.
Theyturnedback,uncertain.ThelowsunwasstillbrightonthefieldsandtheroofsoftheGreatHouse,butinsidethewooditwasallshadows.
“Witchery,”theysaid,“sacrilege,defilement.”
“Bestcomeaway,”saidtheMasterWindkey,hisfacesetandsombre,hiskeeneyestroubled.HesetoffbacktotheSchool,andtheystraggledafterhim,arguinganddebatinginfrustrationandanger.
TheywerenotfarinsidetheGrove,andstillbesidethestream,whenIrianstopped,turnedaside,andcroucheddownbytheenormous,hunchingrootsof
awillowthatleanedoutoverthewater.Thefourmagesstoodonthepath.
“Shespokewiththeotherbreath,”Azversaid.
TheNamernodded.
“Sowemustfollowher?”theHerbalasked.
ThistimetheDoorkeepernodded.Hesmiledfaintlyandsaid,“Soitwouldseem.”
“Verywell,”saidtheHerbal,withhispatient,troubledlook;andhewentasidealittle,andknelttolookatsomesmallplantorfungusontheforestfloor.
TimepassedasalwaysintheGrove,notpassingatallitseemed,yetgone,thedaygonequietlybyinafewlongbreaths,aquiveringofleaves,abirdsingingfaroffandanotheransweringitfromevenfarther.Irianstoodupslowly.Shedidnotspeak,butlookeddownthepath,andthenwalkeddownit.Thefourmenfollowedher.
Theycameoutintothecalm,openeveningair.TheweststillheldsomebrightnessastheycrossedtheThwilburnandwalkedacrossthefieldstoRokeKnoll,whichstoodupbeforetheminahighdarkcurveagainstthesky.
They’recoming,”theDoorkeepersaid.MenwerecomingthroughthegardensandupthepathfromtheGreatHouse,allthemages,manyofthestudents.LeadingthemwasThoriontheSummoner,tallinhisgreycloak,carryinghistallstaffofbone-whitewood,aboutwhichafaintgleamofwerelighthovered.
WherethetwopathsmetandjoinedtowinduptotheheightsoftheKnoll,Thorionstoppedandstoodwaitingforthem.Irianstrodeforwardtofacehim.
“IrianofWay,”theSummonersaidinhisdeep,clearvoice,“thattheremaybepeaceandorder,andforthesakeofthebalanceofallthings,Ibidyounowleavethisisland.Wecannotgiveyouwhatyouask,andforthatweaskyourforgiveness.Butifyouseektostayhereyouforfeitforgiveness,andmustlearnwhatfollowsontransgression.”
Shestoodup,almostastallashe,andasstraight.Shesaidnothingforaminuteandthenspokeoutinahigh,harshvoice.“Comeupontothehill,Thorion,”shesaid.
Shelefthimstandingatthewaymeet,onthelevelground,andwalkedupthehillpathforalittleway,afewstrides.Sheturnedandlookedbackdownathim.“Whatkeepsyoufromthehill?”shesaid.
Theairwasdarkeningaroundthem.Thewestwasonlyadullredline,the
easternskywasshadowyabovethesea.
TheSummonerlookedupatIrian.Slowlyheraisedhisarmsandthewhitestaffintheinvocationofaspell,speakinginthetonguethatallthewizardsandmagesofRokehadlearned,thelanguageoftheirart,theLanguageoftheMaking:‘Irian,byyournameIsummonyouandbindyoutoobeyme!”
Shehesitated,seemingforamomenttoyield,tocometohim,andthencriedout,“IamnotonlyIrian!”
AtthattheSummonerranuptowardsher,reachingout,lungingatherasiftoseizeandholdher.Theywerebothonthehillnow.Shetoweredabovehimimpossibly,firebreakingforthbetweenthem,aflareofredflameintheduskair,agleamofred-goldscales,ofvastwings-thenthatwasgone,andtherewasnothingtherebutthewomanstandingonthehillpathandthetallmanbowingdownbeforeher,bowingslowlydowntoearth,andlyingonit.
OfthemallitwastheHerbal,thehealer,whowasthefirsttomove.HewentupthepathandkneltdownbyThorion.“Mylord,”hesaid,“myfriend.”
Underthehuddleofthegreycloakhishandsfoundonlyahuddleofclothesanddrybonesandabrokenstaff.
“Thisisbetter,Thorion,”hesaid,buthewasweeping.
TheoldNamercameforwardandsaidtothewomanonthehill,“Whoareyou?”
“Idonotknowmyothername,”shesaid.Shespokeashehadspoken,asshehadspokentotheSummoner,intheLanguageoftheMaking,thetonguethedragonsspeak.
Sheturnedawayandbegantowalkonupthehill.
“Irian,”saidAzverthePatterner,“willyoucomebacktous?”
Shehaltedandlethimcomeuptoher.“Iwill,ifyoucallme,”shesaid.
Shereachedoutandtouchedhishand.Hedrewhisbreathsharply.
“Wherewillyougo?”hesaid.
“Tothosewhowillgivememyname.Infirenotwater.Mypeople.”
“Inthewest,”hesaid.
Shesaid,“Beyondthewest.”
Sheturnedawayfromhimandthemandwentonupthehillinthegatheringdarkness.Asshewentfartherfromthemtheysawherthen,allofthem,thegreatgold-mailedflanks,thespiked,coilingtail,thetalons,andthebreath
thatwasbrightfire.OnthecrestoftheKnollshepausedawhile,herlongheadturningtolookslowlyroundtheIsleofRoke,gazinglongestattheGrove,onlyablurofdarknessindarknessnow.Thenwitharattleliketheshakingofsheetsofbrassthewide,vanedwingsopenedandthedragonsprangupintotheair,circledRokeKnollonce,andflew.
Acurloffire,awispofsmokedrifteddownthroughthedarkair.
AzverthePatternerstoodwithhislefthandholdinghisrighthand,whichhertouchhadburnt.Helookeddownatthemenwhostoodsilentatthefootofthehill,staringafterthedragon.“Well,myfriends,”hesaid,“whatnow?”
OnlytheDoorkeeperanswered.Hesaid,“IthinkweshouldgotoourHouse,andopenitsdoors.”
ADescriptionofEarthsea
PEOPLESANDLANGUAGES
PEOPLE
THEHARDICLANDS
TheHardicpeopleoftheArchipelagolivebyfarming,herding,fishing,trading,andtheusualcraftsandartsofanonindustrialsociety.Theirpopulationisstableandhasneverovercrowdedthelimitedhabitablelandavailabletothem.Famineisunknownandpovertyseldomacute.
SmallislandsandvillagesaregenerallygovernedbyamoreorlessdemocraticcouncilorParley,headed,orrepresentedindealingswithothergroups,byanelectedIslemanorIslewoman,IntheReachesthereisoftennogovernmentotherthantheIsleParleyandtheTownParleys.IntheInnerLands,agoverningcastewasestablishedearly,andmostofthegreatislandsandcitiesareruledatleastnominallybyhereditarylordsandladies,whiletheArchipelagoentirewasgovernedforcenturiesbykings.Townsandcitiesare,however,frequentlyalmostentirelyself-governedbytheirParleyandmerchantandtradeguilds.
Thegreatguilds,sincetheirnetworkcoversalltheInnerLands,answertonooverlordorauthorityexcepttheKinginHavnor.
Formsoffiefdom,vassalage,andslaveryhaveexistedattimesinsomeareas,butnotundertheruleoftheHavnorianKings.
Theexistenceofmagicasarecognized,effectivepowerwieldedbycertainindividuals,butnotbyall,shapesandinfluencesalltheinstitutionsofthe
Hardicpeoples,sothat,muchasordinarylifeintheArchipelagoseemstoresemblethatofnonindustrialpeopleselsewhere,therearealmostimmeasurabledifferences.Oneofthesedifferencesmaybe,ormaybeindicatedby,thelackofanykindofinstitutionalisedreligion.Superstitionisascommonasitisanywhere,buttherearenogods,nocults,noformalworshipofanykind.RitualoccursonlyintraditionalofferingsatthesitesoftheOldPowers,inthegreat,universallycelebratedannualfestivalssuchasSunreturnandtheLongDance,inthespeakingandsingingofthetraditionalsongsandepicsatthesefestivals,and,perhaps,intheperformanceofspellsofmagic.
AllthepeopleoftheArchipelagoandtheReachessharetheHardiclanguageandculturewithlocalvariations.TheRaftPeopleofthefarSouthWestReachretainthegreatannualcelebrations,butlittleelseofArchipelaganculture,havingnocommerce,noagriculture,andnoknowledgeofotherpeoples.
MostpeopleoftheArchipelagohavebrownorred-brownskin,blackstraighthair,anddarkeyes;thepredominantbodytypeisshort,slender,small-boned,butfairlymuscularandwell-fleshed.IntheEastandSouthReachespeopletendtobetaller,heavierboned,anddarker.ManySouthernershaveverydarkbrownskin.MostArchipelaganmenhavelittleornofacialhair.
ThepeopleofOsskil,Rogma,andBortharelighter-skinnedthanothersintheArchipelago,andoftenhavebrownorevenblondhairandlighteyes;themenareoftenbearded.TheirlanguageandsomeoftheirbeliefsareclosertoKargishthantoHardic.ThesefarNorthernersprobablydescendfromKargswho,aftersettlingthefourgreatEasternlands,sailedbacktotheWestabouttwothousandyearsago.
THEKARGADLANDS
InthesefourgreatislandstothenortheastofthemainArchipelago,thepredominantskincolorislightbrowntowhite,withhairdarktofair,andeyesdarktoblueorgrey.
NotmuchmixingoftheKargishandArchipelaganskin-colortypeshastakenplaceexceptonOsskil,sincetheNorthReachisisolatedandthinlypopulated,andtheKargadpeoplehaveheldthemselvesapartfromandofteninenmitytowardstheArchipelagansfortwoorthreemillennia.
ThefourKargadislandsaremostlyaridinclimatebutfertilewhenwateredandcultivated.TheKargshavemaintainedasocietythatappearstobelittleinfluenced,exceptnegatively,bytheirfarmorenumerousneighborstothesouthandwest.
AmongtheKargsthepowerofmagicappearstobeveryrareasanativegift,
perhapsbecauseitwasneglectedoractivelysuppressedbytheirsocietyandgovernment.Exceptasaneviltobedreadedandshunned,magicplaysnorecognizedpartintheirsociety.ThisinabilityorrefusaltopracticemagicputstheKargsatadisadvantagewiththeArchipelagansinalmosteveryrespect,whichmayexplainwhytheyhavegenerallyheldthemselvesalooffromtradeoranykindofinterchange,otherthanpiraticalraidsandinvasionsofthenearerislandsoftheSouthReachandaroundtheGontishSea.
DRAGONS
Songsandstoriesindicatethatdragonsexistedbeforeanyotherlivingcreature.TheOldHardickenningsoreuphemismsfortheworddragonareFirstborn,Eldest,ElderChildren.(ThewordsforthefirstbornchildofafamilyinOsskilian,akhad,andinKargish,gadda,arederivedfromthewordhaath,“dragon,”intheOldSpeech.)
ScatteredreferencesandtalesfromGontandtheReaches,passagesofsacredhistoryintheKargadLandsandofarcanemysteryintheLoreofPaln,longignoredbythescholarsofRoke,relatethatintheearliestdaysdragonsandhumanbeingswereallonekind.Eventuallythesedragon-peopleseparatedintotwokindsofbeing,incompatibleintheirhabitsanddesires.Perhapsalonggeographicalseparationcausedagradualnaturaldivergence,adifferentiationofspecies.ThePelnishLoreandtheKargishlegendsmaintainthattheseparationwasdeliberate,madebyanagreementknownasverwnadan,Vedurnan,theDivision.
TheselegendsarebestpreservedinHur-at-Hur,theeasternmostoftheKargadLands,wheredragonshavedegeneratedintoanimalswithouthighintelligence.YetitisinHur-at-Hurthatpeoplekeepthemostvividconvictionoftheoriginalkinshipofhumananddragonkind.Andwiththesetalesofancienttimescomestoriesofrecentdaysaboutdragonswhotakehumanform,humanswhotakedragonform,beingswhoareinfactbothhumananddragon.
HowevertheDivisioncameabout,fromthebeginningofhistoricaltimehumanbeingshavelivedinthemainArchipelagoandtheKargadLandseastofit,whilethedragonskepttothewesternmostisles-andbeyond.Peoplehavepuzzledattheirchoosingtheemptyseafortheirdomain,sincedragonsare“creaturesofwindandfire,”whodrownifplungedunderthesea.Buttheyhavenoneedtotouchdowneitheronwateroronearth;theyliveonthewing,aloftinair,sunlight,starlight.Theonlyuseadragonhasforthegroundissomekindofrockyplacewhereitcanlayitseggsandrearthedrakelets.Thesmall,barrenisletsofthefarthestWestReachsufficeforthis.
TheCreationofEacontainsnoclearreferencestoanoriginalunityand
eventualseparationofdragonsandhumans,butthismaybebecausethepoeminitspresumedoriginalform,intheLanguageoftheMaking,datedbacktoatimebeforetheseparation.ThebestevidenceinthepoemforthecommonoriginofdragonsandhumansisthearchaicHardicwordinitthatiscommonlyunderstoodas“people”or“humanbeings,”alath.Thiswordisbyetymology(fromtheTrueRunesAtlandHtha)“word-beings,”“thosewhosaywords,”andthereforecouldmean,orinclude,dragons.Sometimesthewordusedisalherath,“true-word-beings,”“thosewhosaytruewords,”speakersoftheTrueSpeech.Thiscouldmeanhumanwizards,ordragons,orboth.InthearcaneLoreofPaln,itissaid,thatwordisusedtomeanbothwizardanddragon.
DragonsarebornknowingtheTrueSpeech,or,asGedputit,“thedragonandthespeechofthedragonareone.”Ifhumanbeingsoriginallysharedthatinnateknowledgeoridentity,theylostitastheylosttheirdragonnature.
LANGUAGES
TheOldSpeech,orLanguageoftheMaking,withwhichSegoycreatedtheislandsofEarthseaatthebeginningoftime,ispresumablyaninfinitelanguage,asitnamesallthings.
Thislanguageisinnatetodragons,nottohumans,assaidabove.Thereareexceptions.Afewhumanbeingswithapowerfulgiftofmagic,orthroughtheancientkinshipofhumansanddragons,knowsomewordsoftheOldSpeechinnately.ButtheverygreatmajorityofpeoplemustlearntheOldSpeech.Hardicpractitionersoftheartmagiclearnitfromtheirteachers.Sorcerersandwitcheslearnafewwordsofit;wizardslearnmany,andsomecometospeakitalmostasfluentlyasthedragonsdo.
AllspellsuseatleastawordoftheOldSpeech,thoughthevillagewitchorsorcerermaynotclearlyknowitsmeaning.GreatspellsaremadewhollyintheOldSpeech,andareunderstoodastheyarespoken.
TheHardiclanguageoftheArchipelago,theOsskilitongueofOsskil,andtheKargishtongue,areallremotedescendantsoftheOldSpeech.Noneoftheselanguagesservesforthemakingofspellsofmagic.
ThepeopleoftheArchipelagospeakHardic.Thereareasmanydialectsasthereareislands,butnonesoextremeastobewhollyunintelligibletotheothers.
Osskili,spokeninOsskilandtwoislandsnorthwestofit,hasmoreaffinitiestoKargishthantoHardic.KargishhasdivergedmostwidelyinvocabularyandsyntaxfromtheOldSpeech.Mostofitsspeakers(likemostHardicspeakers)donotrealisethattheirlanguageshaveacommonancestry.
Archipelaganscholarsareawareofit,butmostKargswoulddenyit,sincetheyhaveconfusedHardicwiththeOldSpeech,inwhichspellsarecast,andthusfearanddespiseallArchipelaganspeechasmalevolentsorcery.
WRITING
WritingissaidtohavebeeninventedbytheRuneMasters,thefirstgreatwizardsoftheArchipelago,perhapstoaidinretainingtheOldSpeech.Thedragonshavenowriting.
TherearetwoentirelydifferentkindsofwritinginEarthsea:theTrueRunesandrunicwriting.
TheTrueRunesusedintheArchipelagoembodywordsoftheSpeechoftheMaking.TrueRunesarenotsymbolsonly,butreifactors:theycanbeusedtobringathingorconditionintobeingorbringaboutanevent.Towritesucharuneistoact.Thepoweroftheactionvarieswiththecircumstances.MostoftheTrueRunesarefoundonlyinancienttextsandlore-books,andusedonlybywizardstrainedintheiruse;butagoodmanyofthem,suchasthesymbolwrittenonthedoorlinteltoprotectahousefromfire,areincommonuse,familiartounlearnedpeople.
LongaftertheinventionoftheTrueRunes,arelatedbutnonmagicalrunicwritingwasdevelopedfortheHardiclanguage.Thiswritingdoesnotaffectrealityanymorethananywritingdoes;thatistosay,indirectly,butconsiderably.
ItissaidthatSegoyfirstwrotetheTrueRunesinfireonthewind,sothattheyarecoevalwiththeLanguageoftheMaking.Butthismaynotbeso,sincethedragonsdonotusethem,andiftheyrecognisethem,donotadmitit.
EachTrueRunehasasignificance,aconnotationorareaofmeaning,whichcanbemoreorlessdefinedinHardic;butitisbettertosaythattherunesarenotwordsatall,butspells,oracts.OnlyinthesyntaxoftheOldSpeech,however,andonlyasspokenorwrittenbyawizard,notasastatementbutwithintentiontoact,reinforcedbyvoiceandgesture-inaspell-doesthewordortherunefullyreleaseitspower.
Ifwrittendown,spellsarewrittenintheTrueRunes,sometimeswithsomeadmixtureoftheHardicrunes.TowriteintheTrueRunes,astospeaktheOldSpeech,istoguaranteethetruthofwhatonesays-ifoneishuman.Humanbeingscannotlieinthatlanguage.Dragonscan;orsothedragonssay;andiftheyarelying,doesthatnotprovethatwhattheysayistrue?
ThespokennameofaTrueRunemaybetheworditsignifiesintheOldSpeech,oritmaybeoneoftheconnotationsoftherunetranslatedintoHardic.ThenamesofcommonlyusedrunessuchasPirr(usedtoprotectfrom
fire,wind,andmadness),Sifl(“speedwell”),Simn(“workwell”)areusedwithoutceremonybyordinarypeoplespeakingHardic;butpractitionersofmagicspeakevensuchwell-known,oftenusednameswithcaution,sincetheyareinfactwordsintheOldSpeech,andmayinfluenceeventsinunintendedorunexpectedways.
Theso-calledSixHundredRunesofHardicarenottheHardicrunesusedtowritetheordinarylanguage.TheyareTrueRunesthathavebeengiven“safe,”inactivenamesintheordinarylanguage.TheirtruenamesintheOldSpeechmustbememorisedinsilence.Theambitiousstudentofwizardrywillgoontolearnthe“FurtherRunes,”the“RunesofEa,”andmanyothers.IftheOldSpeechisendless,soaretherunes.
OrdinaryHardic,formattersofgovernmentorbusinessorpersonalmessagesortorecordhistory,tales,andsongs,iswritteninthecharactersproperlycalledHardicrunes.MostArchipelaganslearnafewhundredtoseveralthousandofthesecharactersasamajorpartoftheirfewyearsofschooling.Spokenorwritten,Hardicisuselessforcastingspells.
LITERATUREANDTHE
SOURCESOFHISTORY
Amillenniumandahalfagoormore,therunesofHardicweredevelopedsoastopermitnarrativewriting.Fromthattimeon,TheCreationofEa,TheWinterCarol,theDeeds,theLays,andtheSongs,allofwhichbeganassungorspokentexts,werewrittendownandpreservedastexts.Theycontinuetoexistinbothforms.Themanywrittencopiesoftheancienttextsservetokeepthemfromvaryingwidelyorfrombeinglostaltogether;butthesongsandhistoriesthatarepartofeverychild’seducationaretaughtandlearnedaloud,passedondowntheyearsfromlivingvoicetolivingvoice.
OldHardicdiffersinvocabularyandpronunciationfromthecurrentspeech,buttherotelearningandregularspeakingandhearingoftheclassicskeepsthearchaiclanguagemeaningful(andprobablyputssomebrakeonlinguisticdriftindailyspeech),whiletheHardicrunes,likeChinesecharacters,canaccommodatewidelyvaryingpronunciationsandshiftsofmeaning.
Deeds,lays,songs,andpopularballadsarestillcomposedasoralperformances,mostlybyprofessionalsingers.Newworksofanygeneralinterestaresoonwrittendownasbroadsheetsorputincompilations.
Whetherperformedorreadsilently,allsuchpoemsandsongsareconsciouslyvaluedfortheircontent,notfortheirliteraryqualities,whichrangefromhightonil.Looseregularmeter,alliteration,stylisedphrasing,andstructuringbyrepetitionaretheprincipalpoeticdevices.Contentincludesmythic,epic,and
historicalnarrative,geographicaldescriptions,practicalobservationsconcerningnature,agriculture,sealore,andcrafts,cautionarytalesandparables,philosophical,visionary,andspiritualpoetry,andlovesongs.Thedeedsandlaysareusuallychanted,theballadssung,oftenwithapercussionaccompaniment;professionalchantersandsingersmaysingwiththeharp,theviol,drums,andotherinstruments.Thesongsgenerallyhavelessnarrativecontent,andmanyarevaluedandpreservedmostlyforthetune.
Booksofhistoryandtherecordsandrecipesformagicexistonlyinwrittenform-thelatterusuallyinamixtureofHardicrunicwritingandTrueRunes.Ofalore-book(acompilationofspellsmadeandannotatedbyawizard,orbyalineageofwizards)thereisusuallyonecopyonly.
Itisoftenamatterofconsiderableimportancethatthewordsoftheselore-booksnotbespokenaloud.
TheOsskiliusetheHardicrunestowritetheirlanguage,sincetheytrademostlywithHardic-speakinglands.
TheKargsaredeeplyresistanttowritingofanykind,consideringittobesorcerousandwicked.Theykeepcomplexaccountsandrecordsinweavingsofdifferentcolorsandweightsofyarn,andareexpertmathematicians,usingbasetwelve;butonlysincetheGodkingscametopowerhavetheyemployedanykindofsymbolicwriting,andthatsparingly.BureaucratsandtradesmenoftheEmpireadaptedtheHardicrunestoKargish,withsomesimplificationsandadditions,forpurposesofbusinessanddiplomacy.ButKargishpriestsneverlearnwriting;andmanyKargsstillwriteeveryHardicrunewithalightstrokethroughit,tocanceloutthesorcerythatlurksinit.
History
Noteondates:Manyislandshavetheirownlocalcountofyears.ThemostwidelyuseddatingsystemintheArchipelago,whichstemsfromtheHavnorianTale,makestheyearMorredtookthethronethefirstyearofhistory.Bythissystem,“presenttime”intheaccountyouarereadingistheArchipelaganyear1058.
THEBEGINNINGS
AllweknowofancienttimesinEarthseaistobefoundinpoemsandsongs,passeddownorallyforcenturiesbeforetheywereeverwritten.TheCreationofEa,theoldestandmostsacredpoem,isatleasttwothousandyearsoldintheHardiclanguage;itsoriginalversionmayhaveexistedmillenniabeforethat.Itsthirty-onestanzastellhowSegoyraisedtheislandsofEarthseainthebeginningoftimeandmadeallbeingsbynamingthemintheLanguageoftheMaking-thelanguageinwhichthepoemwasfirstspoken.
Theocean,however,isolderthantheislands;sosaythesongs.
BeforebrightEawas,beforeSegoy
badetheislandsbe,
thewindofdawnblewonthesea…
AndtheOldPowersoftheEarth,whicharemanifestatRokeKnoll,theImmanentGrove,theTombsofAtuan,theTerrenon,theLipsofPaor,andmanyotherplaces,maybecoevalwiththeworlditself.
ItmaybethatSegoyisorwasoneoftheOldPowersoftheEarth.ItmaybethatSegoyisanamefortheEarthitself.Somethinkalldragons,orcertaindragons,orcertainpeople,aremanifestationsofSegoy.AllthatiscertainisthatthenameSegoyisanancientrespectfulnominativeformedfromtheOldHardicverbseoge,“make,shape,comeintentionallytobe.”Fromthesamerootcomesthenounesege,“creativeforce,breath,poetry.”
TheCreationofEaisthefoundationofeducationintheArchipelago,Bytheageofsixorseven,allchildrenhaveheardthepoemandmosthavebeguntomemoriseit.Anadultwhodoesn’tknowitbyheart,soastobeabletospeakorsingitwithothersandteachittochildren,isconsideredgrosslyignorant.Itistaughtinwinterandspring,andspokenandsungentireeveryyearattheLongDance,thecelebrationofthesolsticeofsummer.
AquotationfromitstandsattheheadofAWizardofEarthsea:
Onlyinsilencetheword,
onlyindarkthelight,
onlyindyinglife:
brightthehawk’sflight
ontheemptysky.
ThebeginningofthefirststanzaisquotedinTehanu:
Themakingfromtheunmaking,
theendingfromthebeginning,
whoshallknowsurely?
Whatweknowisthedoorwaybetweenthem
thatweenterdeparting.
Amongallbeingseverreturning,
theeldest,theDoorkeeper,Segoy…
andthelastlineofthefirststanza:
ThenfromthefoambrightEabroke.
HISTORYOFTHEARCHIPELAGO
THEKINGSOFENLAD
ThetwoearliestsurvivingepicorhistoricaltextsareTheDeedofEnlad,andTheSongoftheYoungKingorTheDeedofMorred.
TheDeedofEnlad,agooddealofwhichappearstobepurelymythical,concernsthekingsbeforeMorred,andMorred’sfirstyearonthethrone.ThecapitalcityoftheserulerswasBerila,ontheislandofEnlad.
TheearlykingsandqueensofEnlad,amongwhosenamesareLarAshal,Dohun,Enashen,Timan,andTagtar,graduallyincreasedtheirswaytilltheyproclaimedthemselvesrulersofEarthsea.TheirreignextendednofarthersouththanIlienanddidnotincludeFelkwayintheeast,PalnandSemelinthewest,orOsskilinthenorth,buttheydidsendexplorersoutallovertheInmostSeaandintotheReaches.ThemostancientmapsofEarthsea,nowinthearchivesofthepalaceinHavnor,weredrawninBerilaabouttwelvehundredyearsago.
ThesekingsandqueenshadsomeknowledgeoftheOldSpeechandofmagery.Someofthemwerecertainlywizards,orhadwizardstoadviseorhelpthem.ButmagicinTheDeedofEnladisanerraticforce,nottobereliedon.Morredwasthefirstman,andthefirstking,tobecalledMage.
MORRED
TheSongoftheYoungKing,sungannuallyatSunreturn,thefestivalofthewintersolstice,tellsthestoryofMorred,calledtheMage-King,theWhiteEnchanter,andtheYoungKing.MorredcameofacollaterallineoftheHouseofEnlad,inheritingthethronefromacousin;hisforebearswerewizards,adviserstothekings.
ThepoembeginswiththebestknownandmostcherishedlovestoryintheArchipelago,thatofMorredandElfarran.Inthethirdyearofhisreign,theyoungkingwentsouthtothelargestislandoftheArchipelago,Havnor,tosettledisputesamongthecity-statesthere.Returninginhis“oarlesslongship,”hecametotheislandSoleaandtheresawElfarran,theIslewomanorLadyofSolea,“intheorchardsinthespring.”Hedidnotcontinueonto
Enlad,butstayedwithElfarran.Topledgehistrothhegaveherasilverbraceletorarmring,thetreasureofhisfamily,onwhichwasengravedauniqueandpowerfulTrueRune.
MorredandElfarranmarried,andthepoemdescribestheirreignasabriefgoldenage,thefoundationandtouchstoneofethicandgovernancethereafter.
Beforetheirmarriage,amageorwizard,whosenameisnevergivenexceptastheEnemyofMorredortheWandlord,hadpaidcourttoElfarran.Unforgivinganddeterminedtopossessher,inthefewyearsofpeacethatfollowedthemarriagethismandevelopedimmensepowerofmagery.Afterfiveyearshecameforthandannounced,inthewordsofthepoem,
IfElfarranbenotmyown,IwillunsaySegoy’sword,
Iwillunmaketheislands,thewhitewaveswillwhelmall.
Hehadpowertoraisehugewavesonthesea,andtostopthetideorbringitearly;andhisvoicecouldenchantwholepopulations,bringingallwhoheardhimunderhiscontrol.SoheturnedMorred’speopleagainsthim.Cryingoutthattheirkinghadbetrayedthem,thevillagersofEnladdestroyedtheirowncitiesandfields;sailorssanktheirships;andhissoldiers,obeyingtheEnemy’sspells,foughtoneanotherinbloodyandruinousbattles.
WhileMorredsoughttofreehispeoplefromthesespellsandtoconfronthisenemy,Elfarranreturnedwiththeiryear-oldchildtohernativeisland,Solea,whereherownpowerswouldhestrongest.ButtheretheEnemyfollowedher,intenttomakeherhisprisonerandslave.ShetookrefugeattheSpringsofEnsa,where,withherknowledgeoftheOldPowersoftheplace,shecouldwithstandtheEnemyandforcehimofftheisland.“Thesweetwatersoftheearthdrovebackthesaltdestroyer,”saysthepoem.Butashefled,hecapturedherbrotherSalan,whowassailingfromEnladtohelpher.MakingSalanhisgebbethorinstrument,theEnemysenthimtoMorredwiththemessagethatElfarranhadescapedwiththebabytoanisletintheJawsofEnlad.
Trustingthemessenger,Morredenteredthetrap.Hebarelyescapedwithhislife.TheEnemypursuedhimfromtheeasttothewestofEnladinatrailofruin.OnthePlainsofEnlad,meetingthecompanionswhohadstayedloyaltohim,mostofthemsailorswhohadbroughttheirshipstoEnladtoaidhim,Morredturnedandgavebattle.TheEnemywouldnotconfronthimdirectly,butsentMorred’sownspell-boundwarriorstofighthim,andworse,sentsorceriesthatshriveledupthebodiesofhismentillthey“living,seemedtheblackthirst-deadofthedesert.”Tosparehispeople,Morredwithdrew.
Asheleftthebattlefielditbegantorain,andhesawhisenemy’struenamewritteninraindropsinthedust.
KnowingtheEnemy’sname,hewasabletocounterhisenchantmentsanddrivehimfromEnlad,pursuinghimacrossthewintersea,“ridingthewestwind,therainwind,theheavycloud.”Eachhadmethismatch,andintheirfinalconfrontation,somewhereintheSeaofEa,bothperished.
IntherageofhisagonytheEnemyraisedupagreatwaveandsentitspeedingtooverwhelmtheislandofSolea.Elfarranknewthis,assheknewthemomentofMorred’sdeath.Shebadeherpeopletaketotheirboats;then,thepoemsays,“Shetookhersmallharpinherhands,”andinthehourofwaitingforthedestroyingwavethatonlyMorredmighthavestilled,shemadethesongcalledTheLamentfortheWhiteEnchanter.Theislandwasdrownedbeneaththesea,andElfarranwithit.Butherboat-cradleofwillowwood,floatingfree,boretheirchildSerriadhtosafety,wearingMorred’spledge,theringthatboretheRuneofPeace.
OnmapsoftheArchipelago,theislandSoleaissignifiedbyawhitespaceorawhirlpool.
AfterMorred,sevenmorekingsandqueensruledfromEnlad,andtherealmincreasedsteadilyinsizeandprosperity.
THEKINGSOFHAVNOR
AcenturyandahalfafterMorred’sdeath,KingAkambar,aprinceofSheliethonWay,movedthecourttoHavnorandmadeHavnorGreatPortthecapitalofthekingdom.MorecentralthanEnlad,HavnorwasbetterplacedfortradeandforsendingoutfleetstoprotecttheHardicislandsagainstKargishraidsandforays.
ThehistoryoftheFourteenKingsofHavnor(actuallysixkingsandeightqueens,~150-400)istoldintheHavnorianLay.Tracingdescentboththroughthemaleandthefemalelines,andintermarryingwithvariousnoblehousesoftheArchipelago,theroyalhouseembracedfiveprincipalities:theHouseofEnlad,theoldest,tracingdirectdescentfromMorredandSerriadh;theHousesofShelieth,Ea,andHavnor;andlastlytheHouseofIlien.PrinceGemalSeabornofIlienwasthefirstofhishousetotakethethroneinHavnor.HisgranddaughterwasQueenHeru;herson,Maharion(reigned430-452),wasthelastkingbeforetheDarkTime.
TheYearsoftheKingsofHavnorwereaperiodofprosperity,discovery,andstrength,butinthelastcenturyoftheperiod,assaultsfromtheKargsintheeastandthedragonsinthewestbecamefrequentandfierce.
Kings,lords,andIslemenchargedwithdefendingtheislandsofthe
ArchipelagocametorelyincreasinglyonwizardstofendoffdragonsandKargishfleets.IntheHavnorianLayandTheDeedoftheDragonlords,asthetalegoeson,thenamesandexploitsofthesewizardsbegintoeclipsethoseofthekings.
Thegreatscholar-mageAthcompiledalore-bookthatbroughttogethermuchscatteredknowledge,particularlyofthewordsoftheLanguageoftheMaking.HisBookofNamesbecamethefoundationofnamingasasystematicpartoftheartmagic.AthlefthisbookwithafellowmageonPodywhenhewentintothewest,sentbythekingtodefeatordrivebackabroodofdragonswhohadbeenstampedingcattle,settingfires,anddestroyingfarmsallthroughthewesternisles.SomewherewestofEnsmer,AthconfrontedthegreatdragonOrm.Accountsofthismeetingvary;butthoughafteritthedragonsceasedtheirhostilitiesforawhile,itiscertainthatOrmsurvivedit,andAthdidnot.Hisbook,lostforcenturies,isnowintheIsolateToweronRoke.
Thefoodofdragonsissaidtobelight,orfire;theykillinrage,todefendtheiryoung,orforsport,butnevereattheirkill.Sincetimeimmemorial,untilthereignofHeru,theyhadusedonlytheoutmostislesoftheWestReach-whichmayhavebeentheeasternmostbordersoftheirownrealm-formeetingandbreeding,andhadseldomevenbeenseenbymostoftheislanders.Naturallyirritableandarrogant,thedragonsmayhavefeltthreatenedbytheincreasingpopulationandprosperityoftheInnerLands,whichbroughtconstantboattrafficevenoutintheWestReach.Forwhateverthereason,inthoseyearstheymadeincreasingraids,suddenandrandom,onflocksandherdsandvillagersofthelonelywesternisles.
AtaleoftheVedurnanorDivision,knowninHur-at-Hur,says:
Menchosetheyoke,
dragonsthewing.
Mentoown,
dragonsnothing.
Thatis,humanbeingschosetohavepossessionsanddragonschosenotto.But,asthereareasceticsamonghumans,somedragonsaregreedyforshiningthings,gold,jewels;onewasYevaud,whosometimescameamongpeopleinhumanform,andwhomadetherichIsleofPendorintoadragonnursery,untildrivenbackintothewestbyGed.ButthemaraudingdragonsoftheLayandthesongsseemtohavebeenmovednotsomuchbygreedasbyanger,asenseofhavingbeencheated,betrayed.
Thedeedsandlaysthattellofraidsbydragonsandcounterforaysbywizardsportraythedragonsaspitilessasanywildanimal,terrifying,unpredictable,yetintelligent,sometimeswiserthanthewizards.ThoughtheyspeaktheTrueSpeech,theyareendlesslydevious.Someofthemclearlyenjoybattlesofwitswithwizards,“splittingargumentswithaforkedtongue.”Likehumanbeings,allbutthegreatestofthemconcealtheirtruenames.InthelayHasa’sVoyage,thedragonsappearasformidablebutfeelingbeings,whoseangerattheinvadinghumanfleetisjustifiedbytheirloveoftheirowndesolatedomain.Theyaddressthehero:
Sailhometothehousesofthesunrise,Hasa.
Leavetoourwingsthelongwindsofthewest,
leaveustheair-sea,theunknown,theutmost…
MAHARIONANDERRETH-AKBE
QueenHeru,calledtheEagle,inheritedthethronefromherfather,DenggemaloftheHouseofIlien.HerconsortAimanwasoftheHouseofMorred.WhenshehadruledthirtyyearsshegavethecrowntotheirsonMaharion.
Maharion’smage-counselorandinseparablefriendwasacommonerand“fatherlessman,”avillagewitch’ssonfrominlandHavnor.ThemostbelovedherooftheArchipelago,hisstoryistoldinTheDeedofErreth-Akbe,whichbardssingattheLongDanceofmidsummer.
Erreth-Akbe’sgiftsinmagicbecameapparentwhenhewasstillaboy.Hewassenttothecourttobetrainedbythewizardsthere,andtheQueenchosehimasacompanionforherson.
MaharionandErreth-Akbebecame“heartsbrothers.”TheyspenttenyearstogetherfightingtheKargs,whoseoccasionalforaysfromtheEasthadinrecenttimesbecomeaslave-taking,colonisinginvasion.Venway,TorhevenandtheTorikles,Spevy,Perregal,andpartsofGontwereunderKargishdominionforagenerationorlonger.AtSheliethonWay,Erreth-AkbeworkedagreatmagicagainsttheKargishforces,whohadlandedin“athousandships”onWaymarshandwereswarmingacrossthemainland.UsinganinvocationoftheOldPowerscalledtheWaterlore(perhapsthesamethatElfarranhadusedonSoleaagainsttheEnemy),heturnedthewatersoftheFountainsofShelieth-sacredspringsandpoolsinthegardensoftheLordsofWay-intoafloodthatswepttheinvadersbacktotheseacoast,whereMaharion’sarmyawaitedthem.NoshipofthefleetreturnedtoKarego-At.
Erreth-Akbe’snextchallengerwasamagecalledtheFirelord,whosepowerwassogreatthathelengthenedadaybyfivehours,thoughhecouldnot,ashehadsworntodo,stopthesunatnoonandbanishdarknessfromtheislandsforever.TheFirelordtookdragonformtofightErreth-Akbe,butwasdefeatedatlast,atthecostoftheforestsandcitiesofIlien,whichhesetafireashefought.
ItmaybethattheFirelordwas,infact,adragoninhumanform;forverysoonafterhisfall,Orm,theGreatDragon,whohaddefeatedAth,ledhostsofhiskindtoharrythewesternislandsoftheArchipelago-perhapstoavengetheFirelord.Thesefieryflightscausedgreatterror,andhundredsofboatscarriedpeoplefleeingfromPalnandSemeltotheInnerIslands;butthedragonswerenotdoingasmuchdamageastheKargs,andMaharionjudgedtheurgentdangerlayintheeast.Whilehehimselfwentwesttofightdragons,hesentErreth-AkbeeasttotrytoestablishpeacewiththeKingoftheKargadLands.
Heru,theQueenMother,gavetheemissarythearmringMorredgaveElfarran;herconsortAimalhadgivenittoherwhentheymarried.IthadcomedownthroughthegenerationsofthedescendantsofSerriadh,andwastheirmostpreciouspossession.Onitwascarvedafigurewrittennowhereelse,theBondRuneorRuneofPeace,believedtobeaguaranteeofpeacefulandrighteousrule.“LettheKargishkingwearMorred’sring,”theQueenMothersaid.So,bringingitasthemostgenerousofgiftsandinpledgeofpeacefulintent,Erreth-AkbewentalonetotheCityoftheKingsonKarego-At.
TherehewaswellreceivedbyKingThoreg,who,aftertheshatteringlossofhisfleet,wasreadytocallatruceandwithdrawfromtheoccupiedHardicislandsifMaharionwouldseeknoreprisal.
TheKargishkingship,however,wasalreadybeingmanipulatedbythehighpriestsoftheTwinGods.Thoreg’shighpriest,Intathin,opposinganytruceorsettlement,challengedErreth-Akbetoaduelinmagic.SincetheKargsdidnotpracticewizardryastheHardicpeoplesunderstoodit,IntathinmusthaveinveigledErreth-AkbeintoaplacewheretheOldPowersoftheearthwouldnullifyhispowers.TheHardicDeedofErreth-Akbespeaksonlyoftheheroandthehighpriest“wrestling,”until:
theweaknessoftheolddarknesscameintoErreth-Akbe’slimbs,
thesilenceofthemotherdarknessintohismind.
Longhelay,forgetfulofbrightfameandbrotherhood,
long,andonhisbreastlaytherune-ringbroken.
Thedaughterof“thewisekingThoreg”rescuedErreth-Akbefromthistranceorimprisoningspellandrestoredhimhisstrength.HegaveherthehalfoftheRingofPeacethatremainedtohim.(FromheritpassedthroughherdescendantsforoverfivehundredyearstothelastheirsofThoreg,abrotherandsisterexiledonadesertedislandoftheEastReach;andthesistergaveittoGed.)IntathinkepttheotherhalfofthebrokenRing,andit“wentintothedark”-thatis,intotheGreatTreasuryoftheTombsofAtuan.(ThereGedfoundit,andrejoiningthetwohalvesandwiththemthelostRuneofPeace,heandTenarbroughttheRinghometoHavnor.)
TheKargishversionofthestory,toldasasacredrecitalbythepriesthood,saysthatIntathindefeatedErreth-Akbe,who“losthisstaffandamuletandpower”andcreptbacktoHavnorabrokenman.Butwizardscarriednostaffinthoseyears,andErreth-AkbecertainlywasanunbrokenmanandapowerfulmagewhenhefacedthedragonOrm.
KingMaharionsoughtpeaceandneverfoundit.WhileErreth-AkbewasinKarego-At(whichmayhavebeenaperiodofyears),thedepredationsofthedragonsincreased.TheInwardIslesweretroubledbyrefugeesfleeingthewesternlandsandbyinterruptionstoshippingandtrade,sincethedragonshadtakentosettingfiretoboatsthatwentwestofHosk,andharriedshipsevenintheInmostSea.AllthewizardsandarmedmenMaharioncouldcommandwentouttofightthedragons,andhewentwiththemhimselffourtimes;butswordsandarrowswerelittleuseagainstarmored,fire-spouting,flyingenemies.Palnwas“aplainofcharcoal,”andvillagesandtownsinthewestofHavnorhadbeenburnttotheground.Theking’swizardshadspell-caughtandkilledseveraldragonsoverthePelnishSea,whichprobablyincreasedthedragons’ire.JustasErreth-Akbereturned,theGreatDragonOrmflewtotheCityofHavnorandthreatenedthetowersoftheking’spalacewithfire.
Erreth-Akbe,sailingintothebay“withsailsworntransparentbytheeasternwinds,”couldnotpauseto“embracehisheart’sbrotherorgreethishome.”Takingdragonformhimself,heflewtobattlewithOrmoverMountOnn.“Flameandfireinthemidnightair”couldbeseenfromthepalaceinHavnor.Theyflewnorth,Erreth-Akbeinpursuit.OvertheseanearTaon,Ormturnedagainandthistimewoundedthemagesothathehadtocomedowntoearthandtakehisownform.Hecame,withthedragonnowfollowinghim,totheOldIsland,Ea,thefirstlandSegoyraisedfromthesea.Onthatsacredandpowerfulsoil,heandOrmmet.Ceasingtheirbattle,theyspokeasequals,agreeingtoendtheenmityoftheirraces.
Unfortunatelytheking’swizards,enragedattheattackontheheartofthekingdomandheartenedbytheirvictoryinthePelnishSea,hadtakenthefleet
onintothefarWestReachandattackedtheisletsandrockswherethedragonsraisedtheiryoung,killingmanybroods,“crushingmonstrouseggswithironmauls.”Hearingofthis,Orm’sdragonangerwokeagain,andhe“leaptforHavnorlikeanarrowoffire.”(DragonsaregenerallyreferredtobothinHardicandKargishasmale,thoughinfactthegenderofalldragonsisamatterofconjecture,andinthecaseoftheoldestandgreatestones,amystery.)
Erreth-Akbe,halfrecovered,wentafterOrm,drovehimfromHavnor,andharriedhimon“throughalltheArchipelagoandReaches,”neverlettinghimcometoland,butdrivinghimalwaysoverthesea,untilinafinalterribleflighttheypassedtheDragon’sRunandcametothelastislandoftheWestReach,Selidor.There,ontheouterbeach,bothexhausted,theyfacedeachotherandfought,“talonandfireandwordandsword,”until:
theirbloodranmingled,makingthesandred.
Theirbreathceased.Theirbodiesbytheloudsea
layentangled.Theyentereddeath’slandtogether.
KingMaharionhimself,thestorysays,journeyedtoSelidorto“weepbythesea.”HeretrievedErreth-Akbe’sswordandsetitatopthehighesttowerofhispalace.
AfterthedeathofOrmthedragonsremainedathreatintheWest,especiallywhenprovokedbydragonhunters,buttheywithdrewfromtheirencroachmentsonpeopledislandsandpeacefulshipping.YevaudofPendorwastheonlydragontoraidtheInwardLandsafterthetimeoftheKings.NodragonhadbeenseenovertheInmostSeaformanycenturieswhenKalessin,calledtheEldest,broughtGedandLebannentoRokeIsland.
MahariondiedafewyearsafterErreth-Akbe,havingseennopeaceestablished,andmuchunrestanddissentwithinhiskingdom.ItwaswidelysaidthatsincetheRingofPeacewaslosttherecouldbenotruekingofEarthsea.MortallywoundedinbattleagainsttherebellordGehisoftheHavens,Maharionspokeaprophecy:“Heshallinheritmythronewhohascrossedthedarklandlivingandcometothefarshoresoftheday.”
THEDARKTIME,THEHAND,ANDROKESCHOOL
AfterMaharion’sdeathin452,severalclaimantscontestedthethrone;noneprevailed.Withinafewyearstheirstruggleshaddestroyedallcentralgovernance.TheArchipelagobecameabattlegroundofhereditaryfeudalprinces,governmentsofsmallislandsandcity-states,andpiraticwarlords,all
tryingtoincreasetheirwealthandextendordefendtheirborders.Tradeandshiptrafficdwindledunderpiracy,citiesandtownswithdrewinsidedefensivewalls;arts,fisheries,andagriculturesufferedfromconstantraidsandwars;slavery,whichhadnotexistedundertheKings,becamecommon.Magicwastheprimaryweaponinforaysandbattles.Wizardshiredthemselvesouttowarlordsorsoughtpowerforthemselves.Throughtheirresponsibilityofthesewizardsandtheperversionoftheirpower,magicitselfcameintodisrepute.
Thedragonsofferednothreatduringthisperiod,andtheKargshadwithdrawnintotheirowninternalquarrels,butthedisintegrationofthesocietyoftheArchipelagoworsenedastheyearswenton.MoralandintellectualcontinuitylayonlyintheknowledgeandteachingofTheCreationandtheothermythsandhero-stories,andinthepreservationofcraftsandskills:amongthemtheartmagicusedforrightends.
TheHand,aloose-knitleagueorcommunityconcernedprincipallywiththeunderstandingandtheethicaluseandteachingofmagic,wasestablishedbymenandwomenonRokeIslandaboutahundredandfiftyyearsafterMaharion’sdeath.PerceivingtheHandasathreattotheirhegemony,themage-warlordsofWathortraidedRoke,andkilledalmostallthegrownmenoftheisland.ButtheHandhadalreadystretchedouttootherislandsallaroundtheInmostSea.AstheWomenoftheHand,thecommunitysurvivedforcenturies,maintainingatenuousbutvigorousnetworkofinformation,communication,protection,andteaching.
Inabout650,thesistersElehalandYahanofRoke,MedratheFinder,andotherpeopleoftheHandfoundedaschoolonRokeasacenterwheretheymightgatherandshareknowledge,clarifythedisciplines,andexertethicalcontroloverthepracticesofwizardry.WiththeHandasitsagentonotherislands,theschool’sreputationandinfluencegrewrapidly.ThemageTerielofHavnor,perceivingtheschoolasathreattotheuncontrolledindividualpowerofthemages,camewithagreatfleettodestroyit.Hewasdestroyed,andhisfleetscattered.
ThisfirstvictorywentfartoestablishareputationofinvulnerabilityfortheschoolonRoke.
UnderRoke’ssteadilygrowinginfluence,wizardrywasshapedintoacoherentbodyofknowledge,itsuseincreasinglycontrolledbymoralandpoliticalpurpose.WizardstrainedattheschoolwenttootherislandsoftheArchipelagotoworkagainstwarlords,pirates,andfeudingnobles,preventingraidsandforays,imposingpenaltiesandsettlements,enforcingboundaries,andprotectingindividuals,farms,towns,cities,andshipping,untilsocialorderwasre-established.Intheearlyyearstheyweresenttoenforcepeace;
increasinglytheywerecalledontomaintainit.WhilethethroneinHavnorremainedempty,forovertwohundredyearsRokeSchoolservedeffectivelyasthecentralgovernmentoftheArchipelago.
ThepoweroftheArchmageofRokewasinmanyrespectsthatofaking.Ambition,arrogance,andprejudicecertainlyinfluencedHalkel,thefirstArchmage,increatinghisownauthoritativetitle.Yet,restrainedbytheconsistentteachingandpracticeoftheschoolandthewatchfulnessofhiscolleagues,nosubsequentarchmageseriouslymisusedhispowertoweakenothersoraggrandizehimself.
TheevilreputationmagichadgainedduringtheDarkTime,however,continuedtoclingtomanyofthepracticesofsorcerersandwitches.Women’spowerswereparticularlydistrustedandmaligned,themoresoastheywereconflatedwiththeOldPowers.
ThroughoutEarthsea,varioussprings,caves,hills,stones,andwoodswereandalwayshadbeensitesofconcentratedpowerandsacredness.Allwerelocallyfearedorvenerated;somewereknownfarandwide.
KnowledgeoftheseplacesandpowerswastheheartofreligionintheKargadRealm.IntheArchipelago,theloreoftheOldPowerswasstillpartoftheprofound,commonbasisofthoughtandreverence.Onalltheislands,theartsmostlypracticedbywitches,suchasmidwifery,healing,animalhusbandry,dousing,miningandmetallurgy,plantingandgrowingspells,lovespells,andsoon,ofteninvokedordrewupontheOldPowers.ButthelearnedwizardsofRokehadgenerallycometodistrusttheancientpracticesandmadenoappealtothe“PowersoftheMother.”OnlyinPalndidwizardscombinethetwopractices,inthearcane,esoteric,andreputedlydangerousPelnishLore.
Thoughlikeanypowertheycouldbepervertedtoeviluseintheserviceofambition(aswastheTerrenonStoneinOsskil),theOldPowerswereinherentlysacralandpre-ethical.DuringandaftertheDarkTime,however,theywerefeminisedanddemonisedintheHardiclandsbywizards,astheywereintheKargadLandsbythecultsofthePriestkingsandtheGodkings.Sobytheeighthcentury,intheInnerLandsoftheArchipelago,onlyvillagewomenkeptupritualsandofferingsattheoldsites.Theyweredespisedorabusedfordoingso.Wizardskeptclearofsuchplaces.OnRoke,itselfthecenteroftheOldPowersinallEarthsea,theprofoundestmanifestationsofthosepowers-RokeKnollandtheImmanentGrove-wereneverspokenofassuch.OnlythePatterners,wholivedalltheirlivesintheGrove,servedtolinkhumanartsandactstotheoldersacrednessoftheearth,remindingthewizardsandmagesthattheirpowerwasnottheirs,butlenttothem.
HISTORYOFTHEKARGADLANDS
ThehistoryoftheFourLandsismostlylegendary,concerninglocalstrugglesandaccommodationsofthetribes,city-states,andsmallkingdomsthatmadeupKargishsocietyformillennia.
Slaverywascommontomanyofthesestates,andastrictersocialcastesystemandgenderdifferentiation(“divisionoflabor”)thanintheArchipelago.
Religionwasaunifyingelementevenamongthemostwarliketribes.TherewerehundredsofTrucePlacesontheFourLands,wherenowarfareordisputewaspermitted.KargishreligionwasadomesticandcommunityworshipoftheOldPowers,thechthonicorgaeanforcesmanifestasspiritsofplace.Theywereworshipedatthesiteandathomealtarswithofferingsofflowers,oil,food,dances,races,sacrifices,carvings,songs,music,andsilence.Worshipwasbothcasualandritual,privateandcommunal.Therewasnopriesthood;anyadultcouldperformtheceremoniesandteachchildrentodoso.Thisancientspiritualpracticehascontinued,unofficiallyandsometimesinhiding,underthenewer,institutionalreligionsoftheTwinGodsandtheGodking.
Ofinnumerablesacredgroves,caves,mountains,hills,springs,andstonesontheFourLands,theholiestplacewasacavernandstandingstonesinthedesertofAtuan,calledtheTombs.Itwasacenterofpilgrimagefromtheearliestrecordedtimes,andthekingsofAtuanandlaterofHupunmaintainedahostelthereforallwhocametoworship.
Sixtosevenhundredyearsagoasky-godreligionbegantospreadacrosstheislands,adevelopmentoftheworshipoftheTwinGodsAtwahandWuluah,originallyheroesofadesertsagafromHur-at-Hur.ASkyFatherwasaddedasheadofthepantheon,andapriestlycastedevelopedtoleadtherites.WithoutsuppressingtheworshipoftheOldPowers,thepriestsoftheTwinGodsandtheSkyFatherbegantoprofessionalisereligion,managingtheritualsandfestivals,buildingincreasinglycostlytemples,andcontrollingpublicceremoniessuchasmarriages,funerals,andtheinstallationofofficials.
ThehierarchicandcentralisingtendencyofthisreligionlentsupportatfirsttotheambitionoftheKingsofHupunonKarego-At.Byforceofarmsanddiplomaticmaneuvering,theHouseofHupunwithinacenturyorsoconqueredorabsorbedmostoftheotherKargadkingdoms,ofwhichtherehadbeenmorethantwohundred.
When(intheyear440,byHardiccount)Erreth-AkbecametomakepeacebetweentheArchipelagoandtheKargadLands,bearingtheBondRingaspledgeofhisking’ssincerity,hecametoHupunasthecapitaloftheKargadEmpireandtreatedwithKingThoregasitsruler.
ButforsomedecadesthekingsofHupunhadbeeninconflictwiththehighpriestandhisfollowersinAwabath,theHolyCity,fiftymilesfromHupun.ThepriestsoftheTwinGodswereintheprocessofwrestingpowerfromthekingsandmakingAwabathnotonlythereligiousbutthepoliticalcenterofthecountry.Erreth-Akbe’svisitseemstohavecoincidedwiththefinalshiftofpowerfromthekingstothepriests.KingThoregreceivedhimwithhonor,butIntathintheHighPriestfoughtwithhim,defeatedordeceivedhim,andforatimeimprisonedhim.TheRingthatwastobondthetwokingdomswasbroken.
Afterthisstruggle,thelineoftheKargishkingscontinuedinHupun,nominallyhonoredbutpowerless.TheFourLandsweregovernedfromAwabath.ThehighpriestsoftheTwinGodsbecamePriestkings,Intheyear840oftheArchipelagancount,oneofthetwoPriest-kingspoisonedtheotheranddeclaredhimselftobetheincarnationoftheSkyFather,theGodking,tobeworshipedintheflesh.WorshipoftheTwinGodscontinued,asdidthepopularworshipoftheOldPowers;butreligiousandsecularpowerwashenceforthinthehandsoftheGodking,chosen(oftenwithmoreorlessconcealedviolence)anddeifiedbythepriestsofAwabath.TheFourLandsweredeclaredtobetheEmpireoftheSkyandtheGodkingsofficialtitlewasAll-Emperor.
ThelastheirsoftheHouseofHupunwereaboyandgirl,EnsarandAnthil.WishingtoendthelineoftheKargishkingsbutunwillingtorisksacrilegebysheddingroyalblood,theGodkingorderedthesechildrentobestrandedonadesertisland.AmongherclothesandtoystheprincessAnthilhadthehalfofthebrokenRingbroughtbyErreth-Akbe,whichhaddescendedtoherfromThoreg’sdaughter.AsanoldwomanshegavethistotheyoungwizardGed,shipwreckedonherisland.Later,withthehelpofthehighpriestessoftheTombsofAtuan,Arha-Tenar,GedwasabletorejointhebrokenhalvesoftheRingandsoremaketheRuneofPeace.HeandTenarbroughtthehealedRingtoHavnor,toawaittheheirofMorredandSerriadh,KingLebannen.
Magic
AmongtheHardic-speakingpeopleoftheArchipelago,theabilitytodomagicisaninborntalent,likethegiftformusic,thoughfarrarer.Mostpeoplelackitentirely.Inafewpeople,perhapsoneinahundred,itisalatent,cultivabletalent.Inaveryfewpeopleitismanifestwithouttraining.
ThegiftformagicisempoweredmainlybytheuseoftheTrueSpeech,theLanguageoftheMaking,inwhichthenameofathingisthething.
Thisspeech,innatetodragons,canbelearnedbyhumanbeings.Somefewpeoplearebornwithanuntaughtknowledgeofatleastsomewordsofthe
LanguageoftheMaking.Theteachingofitistheheartoftheteachingofmagic.
ThetruenameofapersonisawordintheTrueSpeech.Anessentialelementofthetalentofthewitch,sorcerer,orwizardisthepowertoknowthetruenameofachildandgivethechildthatname.Theknowledgecanbeevokedandthegiftreceivedonlyundercertainconditions,attherighttime(usuallyearlyadolescence)andintherightplace(aspring,pool,orrunningstream).
Sincethenameofthepersonistheperson,inthemostliteralandabsolutesense,anyonewhoknowsithasrealpower,poweroflifeanddeath,overtheperson.Oftenatruenameisneverknowntoanybodybutthegiverandtotheowner,whobothkeepitsecretalltheirlife.Thepowertogivethetruenameandtheimperativetokeepitsecretareone.Truenameshavebeenbetrayed,butneverbythenamegiver.
Somepeopleofgreatinnateandtrainedpowerareabletofindoutthetruenameofanother,oreventohaveitcometothemunsought.Sincesuchknowledgecanbebetrayedormisused,itisimmenselydangerous.Ordinarypeople-anddragons-keeptheirtruenamesecret;wizardshideanddefendtheirswithspells.MorredcouldnotevenbegintofighthisEnemyuntilhesawhisEnemy’snamewritteninthedustbythefallingrain.GedcouldforcethedragonYevaudtoobeyhim,havingbybothwizardryandscholarshipdiscoveredYevaud’struenameundercenturiesoffalseones.
MagicwasawildtalentbeforethetimeofMorred,whoasbothkingandmageestablishedintellectualandmoraldisciplinefortheartmagic,gatheringwizardstoworktogetheratthecourtforthegeneralgoodandtostudytheethicalbasesandconstraintsoftheirpractice.
ThisharmonygenerallyprevailedthroughthereignofMaharion.IntheDarkTime,withnocontroloverwizardlypowersandwidespreadmisuseofthem,magiccameintogeneraldisrepute.
THESCHOOLONROKE
Theschoolwasfoundedinabout650,asdescribedabove.TheNineMastersormaster-teachersofRokewereoriginally:
Windkey,masterofthespellscontrollingweather
Hand,masterofallillusions
Herbal,masteroftheartsofhealing
Changer,masterofthespellsthattransformmatterandbodies
Summoner,masterofthespellsthatcallthespiritsofthelivingandthedead
Namer,masteroftheknowledgeoftheTrueSpeech
Patterner,dwellerintheImmanentGrove,masterofmeaningandintent
Finder,masterofthespellsoffinding,binding,andreturning
Doorkeeper,masteroftheenteringandleavingoftheGreatHouse
ThefirstArchmage,Halkel,abolishedthetitleofFinder,replacingitwithChanter.TheChanter’staskisthepreservationandteachingofalltheoraldeeds,lays,songs,etc.,andthesungspells.
Theoriginalloose,roughlydescriptiveuseofthewordswitch,sorcerer,wizard,wascodifiedintoastricthierarchybyHalkel.Underhisrules:
Witcherywasrestrictedtowomen.Allmagicpracticedbywomenwascalled“basecraft,”evenwhenitincludedpracticesotherwisecalled“higharts,”suchashealing,chanting,changing,etc.Witchesweretolearnonlyfromoneanotherorfromsorcerers.TheywereforbiddentoenterRokeSchool,andHalkeldiscouragedwizardsfromteachingwomenanythingatall.HespecificallyforbadetheteachingofanywordoftheTrueSpeechtowomen,andthoughthisproscriptionwaswidelyignored,itledinthelongruntoaprofound,long-lastinglossofknowledgeandpoweramongthewomenwhopracticedmagic.
Sorcerywaspracticedbymen-itsonlyrealdistinctionfromwitchery.Sorcererstrainedoneanother,andhadsomeknowledgeoftheTrueSpeech.SorceryincludedbothbasecraftsasdefinedbyHalkel(finding,mending,dowsing,animalhealing,etc.)andsomehigharts(humanhealing,chanting,weatherworking).AstudentwhoshowedagiftforsorceryandwassenttoRokefortrainingwouldfirststudythehighartsofsorcery,andifsuccessfulinthemmightpursuehistrainingintheartmagic,especiallyinnaming,summoning,andpatterning,andsobecomeawizard.
Awizard,asHalkeldefinedtheterm,wasamanwhoreceivedhisstafffromateacher,himselfawizard,whohadtakenspecialresponsibilityforhistraining.ItwasusuallytheArchmagewhogaveastudenthisstaffandmadehimwizard.ThiskindofteachingandsuccessionoccurredelsewherethanRoke-notablyonPaln-buttheMastersofRokecametoregardwithsuspicionastudentofanyonenottrainedonRoke.
Mageremainedanessentiallyundefinedterm:awizardofgreatpower.
ThenameandofficeofarchmagewereinventedbyHalkel,andtheArchmageofRokewasatenthMaster,nevercountedamongtheNine.Avitalethicalandintellectualforce,thearchmagealsoexertedconsiderablepoliticalpower.
Onthewholethispowerwasusedbenevolently.MaintainingRokeasastrongcentralising,normalising,pacificelementinArchipelagansociety,thearchmagessentoutsorcerersandwizardstrainedtounderstandtheethicalpracticeofmagicandtoprotectcommunitiesfromdrought,plague,invaders,dragons,andtheunscrupuloususeoftheirart.
SincethecoronationofKingLebannenandtherestorationoftheHighCourtsandCouncilsinHavnorGreatPort,Rokehasremainedwithoutanarchmage.Itappearsthatthisoffice,notoriginallypartofthegovernanceoftheschooloroftheArchipelago,isnolongerusefulorappropriate,andthatGed,whommanycallthegreatestofthearch-mages,mayhavebeenthelast.
CELIBACYANDWIZARDRY
RokeSchoolwasfoundedbybothmenandwomen,andbothmenandwomentaughtandlearnedthereduringitsfirstdecades;butsinceduringtheDarkTimewomen,witchery,andtheOldPowershadallcometobeconsideredunclean,thebeliefwasalreadywidespreadthatmenmustpreparethemselvestowork“highmagic”byscrupulouslyavoiding“basespells,”“Earthlore,”andwomen.Amanunwillingtoputhimselfundertheironcontrolofaspellofchastitycouldneverpracticethehigharts.Hecouldbenomorethanacommonsorcerer.Malewizardsthushadcometoavoidwomen,refusingtoteachthemorlearnfromthem.Witches,whoalmostuniversallywentonworkingmagicwithoutgivinguptheirsexuality,weredescribedbycelibatemenastemptresses,unclean,defiling,essentiallywicked.
Whenin730thefirstArchmageofRoke,HalkelofWay,excludedwomenfromtheschool,amonghisNineMastersonlythePatternerandtheDoorkeeperprotested;theywereoverruled.Formorethanthreecenturies,nowomantaughtorstudiedattheschoolonRoke.Duringthosecenturies,wizardrywasanhonoredart,conferringstatusandpower,whilewitcherywasanuncleanandignorantsuperstition,practicedbywomen,paidforbypeasants.
Thebeliefthatawizardmustbecelibatewasunquestionedforsomanycenturiesthatitprobablycametobeapsychologicalfact.Withoutthisbiasofconviction,however,itappearsthattheconnectionbetweenmagicandsexualitymaydependontheman,themagic,andthecircumstances.ThereisnodoubtthatsogreatamageasMorredwasahusbandandfather.
Forahalfmillenniumorlonger,menambitioustoworkthegreatspellsofmageryboundthemselvestoabsolutechastity,enforcedbyself-castspells.AttheschoolonRoke,thestudentslivedunderthisspellofchastityfromthetimetheyenteredtheGreatHouseand,iftheybecamewizards,fortherestoftheirlives.
Amongsorcerers,fewarestrictlycelibate,andmanymarryandbringupafamily.
Womenwhoworkmagicmaypracticeperiodsofcelibacyaswellasfastingandotherdisciplinesbelievedtopurifyandconcentratepower;butmostwitchesleadactivesexuallives,havingmorefreedomthanmostvillagewomenandlessneedtofearabuse.Manypledge“witch-troth”withanotherwitchoranordinarywoman.Theydonotoftenmarrymen,andiftheydo,theyarelikelytochooseasorcerer.