The Days of the Deer by Liliana Bodoc Read Free Book Online Page A

expectantly. Behind her pile of cloaks, Wilkilén was
trying to work out whether what she had heard was related to the Owl Gateway.
    ‘The Brotherhood of the Open Air is experiencing days of great turmoil. They are trying to complete a difficult task in time and without making any mistakes. A very hard task, and one that
is to some extent impenetrable even to those of us who are helping to carry it out. Everything began when the Brotherhood decided it was imperative to send out some news. It seems that at the same
time, they decided this news was not to be spread to the four winds. The Supreme Astronomers advised that it should not be announced publicly, but be treated as a secret. That it should be passed
on surreptitiously so that it would only reach the recommended ears.’ At this, the Earth Wizard peered round at each of them in turn before he went on. ‘I mean that a piece of
enormously important news had to reach all parts of the Fertile Lands without any attention being drawn to it. And in addition, with hardly any time to do so. Did I already say that? Well, I am
telling you now: we have no time to spare. An important message, but it must remain concealed. Unusual activity on all the roads: but no one must notice! That is a hard thing to achieve, even for
Magic. I know that a complex network was created in Beleram, the city of the Supreme Astronomers, and that it spread from there like the points of a star. I also know that fortunately all the
messengers have reached their destination. All of them apart from the one coming here. Our messenger left Beleram before the others, but he had a long road to travel. Something must have held him
up ... Who knows? We will soon learn the reason for his delay, because he is almost here with us.’
    Like the vast majority of Husihuilkes, neither Dulkancellin nor anyone else in his family had ever seen a Zitzahay. What they knew about them and the Remote Realm came from stories or songs. The
idea that soon one of them would be there, stretching his hands out to the fire, made their hearts beat faster and left them speechless. A Zitzahay was arriving on the very same day that the rains
from the north of the Fertile Lands were about to start. Why had he made such a long journey? And on whose behalf? Kupuka had spoken of ‘recommended ears’. Were they the ones who were
supposed to hear the message? Kupuka talked of the Supreme Astronomers. The Astronomers were so far away! They were nothing more than an ordinary Husihuilke family with their corn bread and fire.
Even Dulkancellin preferred not to say anything, but to listen to what the Earth Wizard could explain to them.
    ‘The Astronomers gave a command, and immediately all the resources of Magic were set in motion to carry it out.’ Silence and consternation greeted Kupuka’s words. ‘This
task brings with it many risks. A piece of news had to secretly speed along the difficult roads of the Fertile Lands until it reached those chosen to hear it. Only them, and no one else. The news
could easily have become distorted on its journey, intentionally or otherwise. The secret could come out either through carelessness or by design. The messengers could lose their way or be
intercepted. As soon as great events appear on the horizon, errors and betrayal can spring up anywhere.’ At this, the Earth Wizard started to chew once again on the root he was holding. The
sweet juice he sucked from it gave him obvious pleasure.
    ‘Well then?’ said Dulkancellin, who was starting to grow impatient.
    ‘Well,’ Kupuka continued, ‘in order to protect the mission, precaution after precaution was taken. The news was sent in two different ways. Human messengers set out on land,
while other emissaries took routes unknown to man. The hawks sought me out. They took me to meet them on the other side of the Owl Gateway. On the day of the celebration in the Valley, I came down
from the mountain and walked there. Beyond the gate it