Lightnings Daughter by Mary Herbert (read me a book txt) 📕

cousin's. He pretends to be a supporter of the Fon, but he has been helping me." The Pra Deshian actual y rubbed his hands together and chuckled. It was obvious he was delighted to be back in the midst of the intrigue and political scheming.

"What do we say if we meet anyone at the warehouse?" Gabria asked.

"Say nothing." He glanced at the sun through the tree branches. "By the time al of you get there, the warehouse will be empty except for my cousin. He usually works late. He will know who you are."

Athlone grunted. "Do you trust this man?"

"Totally. His daughter is my son's wife. He knows what I will do to her if he betrays me."

The travelers were quiet for a time as they studied Khan'di's map. The Pra Deshian mounted his horse. "Remember. The fifth warehouse." He spurred his horse back to the path.

"Be careful, Khan'di Kadoa," Gabria called after him.

He glanced back, hiding his pleasure at the concern in her voice. "You, too, Sorceress." Reluctantly Athlone, Gabria, and Tam dismounted from Eurus and Nara. The chieftain wiped out Khan'di's map with a leafy branch while the others unloaded one of the packhorses and secreted most of the traveling gear and tents in a dense thicket.

Gabria was wearing her riding skirts that afternoon, so she brought out a long, cotton scarf and wrapped it like a veil over her head and across her mouth and nose. In her travel-stained garments, she would pass as a simple clanswoman. While she gathered a few belongings out of the packs for herself and Tam, someone bumped into her. Gabria turned and came face to face with Athlone.

The chief was as dirty and travel-worn as she and stil bore the evidence of his recent battle. His face had lost its swelling and he could see out of both eyes, but the bruises were colorful shades of blue, green, and yellow.

Gabria decided his bruises and his newly sprouted beard gave him a raffish look. Hesitantly she touched his arm. "You look like a border ruffian,” she teased.

For a moment, he almost gathered her in his arms. He turned toward her, lifting his hands to caress her face, then he saw Sayyed standing close behind her with a strange glint in his black eyes. Athlone's impulse faltered in a rush of renewed doubts. His hands fell back to his sides.

To hide his confusion, he patted Eurus, then swung up on his gray stal ion. "Mount up, you motley plains rats. Let's ride." His warriors grinned at him and sprang to obey.

"Bregan, you and I will ride with Lady Gabria. Piers, you go with Tam, Sayyed, and Secen. You two,"

Athlone said to the last warriors, "are on your own. Go first. Don't get lost and don't stop to chase the women." The two warriors saluted and trotted out of the woods.

Gabria threw her arms around Nara's neck. The world suddenly shimmered through the blur of her tears. "By Amara, I am going to miss you,” she whispered to the mare.

Nara gently pressed her head against Gabria's back, enfolding the woman in the curve of her neck.

And I you.

"I don't want to do this. It doesn't feel right."

I will be close. You only have to call.

Gabria sniffed and smiled lopsidedly. "Like in the marshes?" she asked, remembering that awful day she'd been forced to leave Nara behind to seek the Woman of the Marsh alone.

Yes, but this time you have friends with you. Trust them. They love you. I wil be waiting when you are ready for me.

Gabria nodded. Lovingly she traced the white lightning mark on Nara's shoulder before she patted her again and stepped away. A sharp nudge almost knocked her over. She twisted around and found the foal nearly stepping on her feet, Tam hanging onto his wispy mane. Treader sat beside her, his ears drooping.

"Good-bye to you, too, little fellow,” Gabria said.

The colt whinnied shrilly in reply.

Gabria was about to take Tam's hand, but the girl's stricken expression made her pause. The child's dark eyes were huge, and a trail of tears had blazed tracks through the dirty smudges on her cheeks.

She doesn't want to leave us, a light, childlike voice said in Gabria's mind.

The sorceress started in surprise; this was the first time the colt had sent his thoughts to her. She knelt by Tam. "You must understand,” she said to the girl, "we are going to a big city. We cannot take the Hunnuli. It would be too dangerous for them, and for us, as wel ."

Treader barked. She thinks she'l never see the horses again if she goes away.

"They will wait for us,” Gabria explained patiently. "When we return from the city, they'l come down from the hil s and greet us." She took Tam's chin and lifted her head up until the girl had to look at her. "All you'll have to do is whistle and they'll come." She smiled. "You can whistle, can't you?"

The little girl grinned through her tears and nodded.

She wants to know if we wil be gone long, Treader growled.

"No. Only a few days. All right?"

The colt bobbed his head, Treader woofed loudly, and Tam let go of the Hunnuli's mane to take Gabria's hand.

"That was some conversation," Athlone remarked as Gabria settled Tam on Piers's horse.

"Do you know what's really amazing? Tam never once opened her mouth. She can send her thoughts to these animals just like the Hunnuli do."

"Good gods," Athlone exclaimed. "Is that a natural part of her talent or something she learned to do?"

"I don't know," Gabria said. "I hope we can find out one of these days. It certainly is a useful ability."

The little girl sniffed loudly and wiped her nose on her sleeve, then she waved good-bye to the Hunnuli and settled comfortably against Piers's back.

Gabria touched the healer's