Seaward by Susan Cooper Read Free Book Online Page B

moment, the air was full of singing; it was back again, the high sweet wordless music that had driven her from that world into this. But it was gentle now, as it had been at the first; soft, beckoning. And it was not in the room or in the house, but outside, in the sunshine and the trees.
    Cally turned instinctively to look out—and found herself face to face with a hooded figure in a blue robe, framed against the sky in the doorway, looking in.

CHAPTER 6
    C ally gasped, and jumped backwards away from the door. Beside her Ryan was standing stiff and tense, all the smiling lines of her face drawn straight. She was gazing at the figure in hostile challenge.
    â€œYou may not come in,” she said.
    The blue-robed figure raised one hand, and the music that filled the air died away. Then the hand went to the deep folds of the hood and pulled it down, and Cally saw that it was a woman who stood there. Against the bright sky her face was lost in shadow, but the sun blazed in her hair as if it were spun glass.
    â€œOho,” she said softly, looking down at the green-patterned floor. “Rhiannon, daughter of the Roane, you are not welcoming.”
    Ryan said, unmoving, “Nor shall I ever be.”
    â€œNot even for the sake of our Cally here?” The woman purposely moved so that the sunlight fell on her, and Cally caught her breath. It was the lined pale face, blue-eyed, oldyet ageless, of the woman who had come to take her father away.
    Ryan said in warning, “It is the Lady Taranis. Do not listen to her.”
    â€œBut I know her,” Cally said. “She took my father away to a hospital, by the sea. And my mother, to be with him.” She came forward eagerly. “Have you seen her? Is she all right?”
    â€œEverything is all right,” Taranis said, but she was looking past Cally, at Ryan, and there was a coldness in her blue eyes. She said sharply, “Do not hinder me. You have not the power.”
    â€œI have the power,” Ryan said. “This is my house.”
    â€œBut you are in my country—which none can leave without my willing it. As you know, Rhiannon.” She smiled, and there was a hint of malice in the smile that made Cally uneasy. But then the blue eyes were on hers again, shining with warmth. “Come with me, Cally. I will take you to the sea, to your mother and your father, and you will be safe again. All together.”
    Cally felt Ryan take her hand; small strong fingers, holding fast. “She will go,” Ryan said. “But in her own time, and her own way.”
    Cally could feel the force of Taranis’ nature reaching out for her like a wave. “Come,” said the soft coaxing voice. “Cally, come with me.”
    â€œDo not move,” Ryan said in her ear. “But hold out your hand to her, and ask her to take it.”
    â€œCome,” said the Lady Taranis.
    Cally reached out her hand. She said nervously, “Here.”
    Ryan said again at her ear, the lilt of her accent very strong now, “The patterning that I was telling you, the greening of the floor, it is a protection against all harm. None who would work harm may cross it. So now you may see.”
    Taranis smiled at Cally. “First you must come out.”
    Cally said nothing, but stood motionless with her hand outstretched, and Taranis’ pale beautiful face grew angry. For an instant she made as if to move forward, but it was as if she were on the other side of a glass wall, invisibly held back. Glaring at Ryan, she flung round towards the yard, her blue cloak swirling, and she called in a high clear voice, “Stonecutter!”
    He came with a great rumbling and shaking of the earth, the huge faceless forms of the People around him.
    â€œWhat have you been doing?” she said.
    He looked at her without emotion. “Building walls.”
    â€œBuild one round this house!” said Taranis fiercely. “Keep your Rhiannon inside it for