Powers That Be, Mary Perkins [different e readers .txt] 📗

the ones on the other three sides of the cavern had appeared where we had walked only moments before.

My heart began to beat fast once again and I reached toward Mem to point out what I could see with my own eyes. My expression must have been comical to him, because he chuckled again.

"Wren", he said, before I could utter a word, "all is well. Trust your father. Trust me!"

His voice filled my mind with blue and purple and I calmed instantly, if only for the moment.

"Come, Glyn, gather some wood and build us a fire! Willow, you can find that water,  we need a drink! Wren, little bird, sit with me here. I will tell all of you a story."

He walked toward a group of stones in the center of the cave and sat down. I hesitated a bit as Glyn and Willow headed in opposite directions. Glyn's fire dart kept the darkness at bay, but my heart literally ached from the lack of Tarven's light. I knew if I stayed here very long, I would die. And I also knew that Glyn and Willow would fade away too.

I walked to the stones and sat down next to my father, trying to control my fear and heartache.

"Wren, you are so brave when you fight for us." Mem said, pulling me close. "Why is it that you doubt me now, when I say we are safe?"

"There's a mountain between me and my Power, Father! I am defenseless without the suns!" My voice cracked with tears when I answered.

"I know, bird. Be calm." Mem chuckled again, softly. "East Powers are so sensitive!" he whispered this last as if to himself.

Before I could form the words to show my offense at that, Willow and Glyn were back. Glyn held an armful of broken branches that he dropped in front of us. I realized that we set on two of a circle of six stones. The cavern was a nearly perfect circle.

We sat on a circle within a circle.

Glyn had placed the firewood in the exact center. He lit a fire dart and the brush caught and began to burn brightly. The heat and life from the fire warmed my aching body.

 

Willow stepped forward and offered us water in heavy but deep cups of stone.

"Ahh, Willow and Glyn," Mem said, "thank you! Sit now and I will tell you a story."

I drank deeply of the water and listened to my father's voice.

 

 

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Publication Date: 11-24-2013

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