Prophecy, Child of Earth by Elizabeth Haydon Read Free Book Online Page B

the population of the continent and much of the Cymrian civilization."
    'Definitely arse-rags," Jo said resoundingly. "Is there anything you need me to do while you're away?"
    Rhapsody smiled. "Now that you mention it, yes. Would you keep an eye on my Firbolg grandchildren for me?" Jo made a face and a gagging sound, which her sister ignored. "And don't forget your studies."
    'Sorry I asked," Jo muttered.
    'And look in on Elysian from time to time, will you? If the new plantings need water, give them a drink."
    Jo rolled her eyes. "You know I can't find Elysian." Rhapsody's house, a tiny cottage situated on an island in an underground grotto, was virtually impossible to discern by anyone except Achmed or Grunthor. The four companions kept its secret deliberately.
    'Get Grunthor to take you. Sorry these tasks seem so odious. What did you have in mind when you offered?"
    's pallid face lit up. "I can keep an eye on Daystar Clarion for you."
    Rhapsody laughed. "I'm taking my sword with me, Jo." Jo had long been
    • ted ^th the burning blade, watching the flames as though hypnotized.
    When they were traveling overland, Rhapsody had kept the sword out at night til Jo had fallen asleep, the starlight that radiated from the blade comforting her in the dark.

    'Oh."
    'After all, I might need it. You do want me to come back, don't you?" Rhapsody said, patting Jo's crestfallen face.
    'Yes," said Jo quickly; there was an unintended urgency in her voice. "If you leave me here alone among the Bolg I'll hunt you down and kill you."
    The sky in the east had faded to a soft pink, with a ribbon of palest yellow touching the edge of the horizon below it. Rhapsody closed her eyes, feeling the coming of the sun. At the edge of her hearing she could feel a musical note sound softly, wafting on the wind; it was re , the second note of the scale. In the lore of Singers, re was the portent of a peaceful day, a day without incident.
    Softly she began her morning aubade, the love song to the sun that her race, the Liringlas, sang to greet the daybreak. It was a song passed from mother to child, like the vespers that bade the sun Godspeed at the end of the day and welcomed the stars as they came forth in the twilight. To Rhapsody, the act of marking these ancient devotions was always a poignant one; it was the only way she had left of feeling close to the mother she missed more than anything else she had lost with the sinking of the Island.
    Beside her she could feel Jo begin to tremble as she listened to the song, and Rhapsody took her hand. The primordial song of mother-to-daughter passage was especially poignant to her, too. Jo had never known her mother, having been abandoned to the streets as a child. Rhapsody took the girl into her arms as the song came to its end.
    'She loved you, I know she did," she whispered. She had been trying to convince Jo of it for a long time.
    'Right," Jo muttered sardonically.
    'That was beautiful," said Ashe. Both women jumped. As always, they had not seen him approach. Rhapsody colored in embarrassment, her face taking on the same hue as the edge of the predawn horizon.
    'Thank you," she said, turning hurriedly away. "Are you ready?"
    'Yes. Achmed and Grunthor are right behind me. I assume they want to say goodbye."
    'Don't worry, I'll be back," Rhapsody said, giving Jo one more hug. "If we pass through Sepulvarta, the holy city where the Patriarch lives, I'll try to get you some more of those sweets you liked."
    'Thanks," said Jo, wiping her eyes with her sleeve defensively. "Now hurry up and leave so I can get out of this fornicating wind; it's stinging my eyes." t-As Grunthor hugged her goodbye, Rhapsody struggled not to gasp, but her face was turning an unhealthy shade of red in the giant's embrace. The panoramic vista of the Orlandan Plateau swam before her eyes, the crags of the Teeth tipping at a sickening angle. In her disconnected thoughts she wondered if this was something like being squeezed to death by a