Duality by Renee Wildes Read Free Book Online Page A

more than he could bear.
    This sprite was a rough-faced grandmotherly soul who radiated compassion. “ Just this world?”
    “Nay. This is my fault. I made her heal him when she was already weak from healing those from the battle. I cannot bear her death.”
    “The child be right. It was her choice. This guilt be not thine to bear. Let this not slow thee down. The danger to Moira be very real. Thou knowest death be not the end. Why dost thou fear so for this young one?”
    Loren swallowed. “We are sworn to life-debt. I cannot let her go. We have unfinished business, she and I.”
    “Thou hast done more than that, impulsive one. Be she more important than thy mission?” Ageless eyes studied him.
    Loren shook deep within. “Do not make me choose. The mission is mine. I accept that. I know you can help her if you wish it. I shall do anything you ask. Just let her live.”
    The sprite smiled. “ It be not in me to price a life. Go. Thou wilt see her again.”
    A mortal hand touched his arm, shaking him back to the forest surroundings. “We must go,” Xavier urged.
    “Thank you, great one.”
    “We shall return for you, Hani`ena and I.”
    Dara scowled at him. “Go.”
     
    ***
     
    Loren and Xavier disappeared from Dara’s view. Moments later hoofbeats faded away.
    She willed her body to stop shaking. Mag. She must return to Mag. There was no one else to care for the old woman’s inevitable departure from this life. Too weak to speak the words aloud, she focused until the surrounding world was but a shadow. Lady, let Your daughter hazel speak with me.
    The tree rustled. A tattered branch curled around her shoulders. A root wound about her legs. Warmth and peace seeped into her soul. The cold in her side and the weakness in her body fled afore the Light.
    “Fear not, little sister. Thy request be granted.” The voice of an old woman sounded in her head. “ This world be not done with thee yet, child of earth and fire.”
    Dara looked up at the tree trunk. For a moment she saw a time-weathered face within the bark, smiling at her. Her mind played tricks on her. She’d never been able to see the servants of the Lady Goddess afore. She’d never been able to hear them afore, either, but the tree had spoken to her. After all these years, why now?
    “Thou art closer to us than thou realize.”
    Well, that was clear as a mud-churned river crossing. Amusement brushed the edge of that thought as the tree released her. Dara did a quick scan and rose to her feet. Her full strength was restored. Even the recent burn from the cursed iron-blend blade was gone, without a scar. “ Thank You, lady.”
    “Thou art welcome. Our other daughter’s time hath come.”
    Unworthy sadness clung to her heart as she reentered her small hut and knelt aside Mag. Even knowing death wasn’t the end, she would miss the old woman’s uncommon sense. Lady, release her from this mortal shell. Welcome her home.
    Mag drew one last breath. A single, final rattle heralded abrupt silence. Dara dropped to her knees aside the bed. She pulled Moira’s amulet from around Mag’s neck, noting the wolf’s head with an eagle’s wings and curved beak as she placed it over her own head. Mag’s body must be burned in the old way. Only priests of the One Truth desecrated a body by burying it.
    She hesitated. Any fire would be seen. She must hurry. She changed back into her masculine disguise and gathered her medicine bags, a bedroll and her weapons.
    She glanced around her home. Impossible to give Mag a proper sendoff, without having three priestesses and her family present. Mag’s family was dead. ’Twas just Dara to provide for Mag’s afterlife. Although she knew what she had to do, sentiment warred with practicality. So many memories tied to one room.
    She made a torch from a piece of kindling swathed with oil-soaked wool. “The spirit of life is born in fire and by fire does the spirit return to Her Light. Light to Light, from this world to the