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  Then—from the forest at her back sounded that call she had heard in the past—on the over mountain road, outside her tower-room prison, from the sky when she and Ylon were near this same spot. She heard the flap of wings—wings so large that they blotted out for an instant that slice of moon. Her hands went to free the mirror her only hope of any defense against attack. Anisgar, Ylon had named it—but she did not know really what it might be or in what way it was tied to the forest. That it truly was she believed.

  It flapped over her head and then was gone into the dark nor though she waited, it did not return. At last she trudged on but she listened for more than the small noises of the night.

  She tramped without pausing. Oddly enough she had no desire for either food or rest tonight. The lizards fed richly on the insects her boots stirred into the air. Until, at length, they came to perch on her shoulders. The third's light weight settled on her cap, she felt its claws hook through the knitted wool into her hair.

  The moon wore its way down. Though the night breeze was chill she felt too warm with constant exercise. Now the first palid streaks across the sky fore-told day. Should she seek out a hiding place or was she close enough to Leela's holding to keep on? Twilla was debating that when she saw ahead one of those areas of hard-packed soil, which marked a field's boundary. She hurried her pace sure that she had found the outer limits of the place she sought.

  The lizards once more took wing, flying a little before her. She caught the thick scent of sheep as she skirted the wall. Though she had seen or heard no dog on her former visit she wondered if one was kept for herding. The wind was in her face so her scent was not being carried to the farm. The lining of sun streaks on the horizon and the fresh light of early morning showed her there were indeed sheep moving in the field this earthen wall bounded. She guessed in what direction the home must lie.

  Two more fields, one with a small saggy-coated horse hardly more than a pony in size and which snorted and jerked its fore feet from the ground as one of the lizards took off and skimmed closely over it as if drawn by curiosity.

  The sound made by the pony brought two other draft animals away from a water trough where they had been drinking. These were surely plough horses, looking doubly tall as they trotted to their small companion, the three of them now staring in Twilla's direction.

  She slipped around the corner of the field wall and came upon the lane which must lead to the house. On the other side of more walled but well-tended fields stretched the stubble of grain ragged on the ground.

  The smell of smoke reached her. Not the clean odor of burning wood, but a nose-tickling assault which brought a hastily stiffled sneeze out of her. There was the farmyard, its earth churned and cut by hooves and feet. At the farm-side stood what could only be the house, for the other two buildings to one side lacked the trim, well-kempt look of that third one.

  Smoke rose lazily from the chimney. Twilla had just time to drop to the ground when the door swung open and out came Leela, a pail in hand. She went to the well and set about lowering its bucket for water.

  But Leela's face! A dark bruise disfigured the cheek nearest to Twilla, and the fishergirl moved slowly, grunted a little when she had to empty the heavy bucket into her pail as if that action caused her pain. Had Leela been—beaten!

  28

  TWILLA HESITATED AND remained in hiding. If Leela's husband was in the house she had no intention of trying to reach the fishergirl. She watched Leela return, bearing her pails. The door closed behind her.

  The three lizards had settled on a stone which helped to mark the entrance to the yard, and their coloring so matched the rock that she could hardly detect them. She had not made any plans, was merely following her desire to speak with Leela. Now she must adapt as best she could to what she found here. If Leela had suffered punishment for her part in the fighting about the fire she could well be in no mood to risk any chance of communication with Twilla.

  Twilla started as the door of the house opened again with some force and a man stamped out. He was scowling as he turned and growled:

  “Keep to your hearth, woman. If I have to pay any more fines for troubles you have a hand in, you'll pay in turn. See that you remember that!”

  He slammed the door behind him with the same force with which he had thrown it open, and tramped heavily across the muddy yard toward one of the smaller buildings. Twilla remained crouched where she was. There was no other place of even partial concealment she could see.

  The farmer came out of the building and started toward the field where she had seen the draft animals, a coil of harness across one shoulder. She watched him halter the two horses, lead them out and back toward the farmyard. Once there they were hitched to a two-wheeled wagon and left while he returned to the house.

  He jerked open the door and his voice once more carried clearly:

  “I go to Roamnors. Keep to your own tasks and look sharp at what you do.”

  If Leela answered, Twilla could not hear. The man shut the door once again and came to the cart, climbing in and turning the horses toward the gate. Twilla crouched smaller, wishing that she had the same ability as the lizards to fade into her surroundings.

  She watched him down the lane, the horses plodding along at a slow pace which he did not try to hasten. Once she saw him look back over his shoulder, his scowl still plain to read, as if he suspected some disobedience to his orders.

  He was out of sight before Twilla moved. She had made up her mind. If this man whom Leela had shown a liking for earlier turned sour in his manner toward her, then certainly she might be more ready to listen to Twilla.

  The girl darted across the muddy yard and was at the door. Reaching out she rapped on it as hard as she could.

  “Who comes?” Leela's voice was distorted by the barrier between them.

  “One with a message,” Twilla improvised.

  The door opened, hardly wider than a space through which she could slip. But without a welcome she would not attempt that. Leela might have been so treated that she lost her former good standing with her husband.

  “You!” Leela's recognition came quickly. “What are you trying, Healer? To get me whip-flayed?”

  “They have beaten you?” Twilla swallowed. “What—”

  Leela gave the door another push widening the opening.

  “Lord Harmond lessoned us well—” She twitched her shoulders and then grimaced. “His sergeant knows how to lay on the stripes—not enough that we cannot work, but well enough to make us mark his orders. Also he laid fines on our men and they repaid us for that.”

  “Because of the fight—”

  “That—we mishandled his men and he did not take well to that—it shamed him—and them. And because we did not accept well what that shark priest would do. That priest had powers greater than even Lord Harmond—and the Lord resented that also. But—why did you come? If they nose you out you'll have to deal with more than a whip sore-back—Lord Harmond will have you to the stake doubtless.”

  Twilla felt the weight of the pouch she carried. Would Leela, any of the women listen to her? She knew no way of approaching the subject except baldly open.

  “Your man bears you ill will?”

  Leela grimaced again. “A fine sets not well on any man, nor does the ill will of his Lord. Johann believes that all those whose women fought back will be marked in Lord Harmond's memory as untrustworthy.”

  She had retreated further into the room and Twilla followed her, daring to close the door behind. At least Leela had not ordered her out and seemed willing to air her grievances.

  “What of Wandi?”

  Leela shrugged. “Her mam is dead or perhaps they would not have taken her so easily. Her da—well, he is in the punishment cells for resisting the priest's will.”

  “And she?”

  Leela licked her lips. “Rutha took her and for that was shame-marched and beaten in the town square. Since the priest was dead now she dared to claim her and Rutha gives her ho
use room.”

  “Why did they take her for sacrifice?”

  “Why ask that, Healer? Was she not in the demon's lair and came forth unharmed? The priest claimed she was a spy for the forest.”

  “There are no demons in the forest,” Twilla said slowly.

  “So, Healer? You have been there—can one believe you? What if you are now so changed also?”

  Leela had dropped down upon a stool, no longer looking at Twilla but staring sullenly at the small fire on the hearth.

  “The priest is dead.” Twilla tried another approach.

  Leela looked up. “By your hand, that is what you would say?”

  “I would rather say that evil met its just reward. You, Leela, cannot have me believe that you would willingly give any child to torment and death. Nor would have any of the women who stood with you at the fire. When his power was broke you proved that. Or is there another priest of darkness to tie you once more?”

  Leela spat into the fire. “None, but there are those who still hold belief in his powers. And the Lord Harmond is disturbed because the Dandus was sent to him with certain orders. They think his power might well have given us the forest.”

  “There is no giving of the forest.” Twilla felt free now to take another stool and drop her pouch on the table standing between them. “Those who live with the trees want nothing but to be left alone.”

  “Have they not sent blindness and wit-lack upon us?” Leela flared up.

  “Only upon those who went within the boundaries of their land to take trees. Think, Leela, have there been any attacks upon the farms?”

  “Wandi was taken—”

  “And returned when it was discovered that one had broken forest law,” answered Twilla. “Was she maimed or wit-blasted when she returned?”

  Slowly the other shook her head. “That was why,” she said, “the priest named her demon taken.”

  “What do you think of me, Leela? Do you judge me to be a demon under the skin? You cannot believe that the Dandus priest had a right to rule here—remember all we were taught in childhood about the evil they spread in the old days.”

  “Yes.” Leela turned a little on her stool to face Twilla and once more met the other girl eye to eye. “Why are you here, Healer? If you are taken—you will face far worse than any lessoning by lash. No, we were not followers of the Dandus belief—but there are some who are and who would cry out for a like death for his slayer. Some of those are in high places. And Lord Harmond will not allow his rule to be questioned. What have you come to learn?”

  Twilla drew a deep breath. “To learn the thoughts of the women. Over mountain would any husband allow his wife to be misused—add to that brutality of his own? Johann gave you that bruise, Leela, did he not?”

  The fishergirl's hand went to her cheek. “He was angry that they took a third of his crops for a fine, and he had worked very hard to gather them. To him the fault was mine.”

  “How many women suffered beatings?” Twilla demanded.

  “Ten of us, we who were well to the fore and the first to attack the guards.”

  “And none among the men protested?”

  “Lord Harmond's wrath was great—they were unarmed—his soldiers could have cut them down with ease. And—”

  “And some of them felt as Johann that their wives deserved what they received.”

  Leela twisted a little and then gasped as if she were in pain. “That, too,” she agreed.

  “The women need not be helpless,” Twilla fingered the pouch. “They can put an end to this struggle. Those of the forest want only to be left alone—they have power and they will use it if they are pushed, but only if they are pushed. This I swear is the truth.”

  Leela sat silent for a long moment. “Wood is needed,” she said slowly. “And there is the gold in the stream.”

  “There is also trade—not stealing,” Twilla replied curtly. “No living tree may be taken, but with every wind there are storm-killed ones brought down. The gold—what if there could be an exchange of metal arranged?”

  “They sent you here to say this?”

  “Their women sent me.”

  “Their women—the witch ones who took our men! Why do they want our goodwill?”

  “The men taken, as I have said, were invaders. Just as our people would capture any who ravaged your farms. The women send this as their message—let there be a truce between us wherein things may be spoken openly and answered in truth.”

  “Lord Harmond would say no to that.”

  “If Lord Harmond found that he had few followers how would he decide?”

  “He has the right to call up all men for service. And that he has done—within a twelve days Johann and the rest must report to him.”

  “The farms are scattered. What if the men on them did not appear? How could he round up such?”

  Leela shook her head slowly. “It would be death for those who did not obey.”

  “Not if Lord Harmond were otherwise occupied. And I tell you the truth, Leela, do you think that a power strong enough to turn the Dandus priest's darkness back on him is going to allow Lord Harmond to do what he will without any check?”

  “You have joined the demons!” Leela's voice held a grim note.

  “I have joined no one, I am seeking peace. As a healer I cannot slay except when I am faced by the foul powers of the Dark as I was by the fire. No, I do not speak of my power but those of the forest have more than tangible weapons with which to defend themselves. And they will—if Lord Harmond brings destruction upon them.

  “Leela,” Twilla pulled at the thong which fastened the bag, “I have brought you a free gift from the forest women.” She shook out one of the lockets. “She who wears this will have nothing to fear from any man who is close to her. He will listen to what she says, he will not lift hand to her, and what she wishes she can have.”

  Leela stared down at the locket. “This be mage dealings. What has any woman to do with such?”

  “She can save lives, her home. I swear to you, Leela, that there is no dark work here. Men who are prone to violence can be brought to think better of it. Do you not want Johann to be as you thought him when last we met, or do you want him to continue as I have seen and heard him this day.”

  Leela put out a finger very slowly but did not quite touch the locket. She raised her head to look again at Twilla and there were tears gathering in her blue eyes.

  “We were—happy. Happy ‘til that Dandus priest sent out the word. Yes, it is true, the women—most of them—were angry. We bear children to live not to die in torment. And he—I swear this, Twilla, that one took pleasure in what he did!”

  “Such is the nature of the Dark,” Twilla nodded.

  “Johann protested when we women were herded like sheep but our men were also under guard. Then—then when the priest was gone and we got our freedom—We could only hold that for awhile. When they took us Lord Harmond singled out our men and told them to keep their women in order or suffer more fines—and we were beaten and shame marched.

  “Johann—somehow he changed. Healer, when the priest went to whatever hell waited for him, could part of his spirit remain to touch men?”

  Twilla's hands arose to her mirror. She shivered. That was something she had not thought of, if it were the truth then there was worse than she thought to come.

  “I do not know,” she replied slowly. “But, if it is true, then, Leela, this amulet will prove of double value to you. It will perhaps also allow you to free any shadow which has touched Johann.”

  “Amulet—we had such for sea faring—there were the Eyes of Dood, the Nine Tailed Serpent. You wore them for luck.” Her hand arose again to touch the swollen cheek. “If—if the dark has touched Johann, then I shall fight for him! And I shall try the worth of this.” She reached out to take up the amulet.

  Twilla sighed with relief. She had never been certain that she could do as Karla and Catha expected and get even this far with her persuasion.

/>   “Leela,” she leaned forward a little against the table edge, “there are more—more for women who have suffered the wrath of Lord Harmond and their own men.” She shook the bag a little and it gave forth a jingle.

  “How may these be given to those who can use them best?”

  “Market day—” Leela replied promptly. “Johann may try to leave me here but if this will help me do as you say, get him to listen to me, then I shall go in with him. There are those I think I can trust, to them I shall give these and the word. Twilla, I have trust in you and the truth you say you have told me. Let it be so!”

  “It is so! Speak to Johann, tell the others to speak to their men—speak of a truce, a chance to bargain. Lord Harmond can have his soldiers but the will of the people may do much to delay any plans he has made.”

  “What can be done I shall. If this gives me back the Johann I knew—then Twilla you have played healer well as I have seen you do so before!”

  “So—and who are you who comes sneaking into a man's house?”

  Twilla slued about on her stool. She heard Leela gasp. That door which had been slammed so hard before was now opened without a creak and they had been too immersed in their talk to hear it. There stood the man Twilla had seen, as she thought, out of sight earlier.

  Now he strode over the threshold, scowling.

  “Scalla favored me with remembering that I must have the coppers to pay for the feed,” he continued. “So I catch you again in ill-doing, woman. And who is this lad you have brought to shame my house?”

  Twilla was on her feet to face him, hand on mirror, though she had no desire to injure Johann.

  “The hearthwife brings no shame upon you,” she said swiftly. “I am a healer—”

  “Paugh! There are no healers—not here. What farm have you run from?” He approached her a sly twist to his mouth. “Your master will be out after you, and he'll be thankful to me for your taking.”