Page 88 of The Seeker
“It’s the difference between Sabine telling you a memory and you magically seeing through her eyes. You sense what she sensed. Feel what she felt.” Meera smiled. “It’s hard to describe. If we ever… Well, you might see someday. I might be able to show you.”
“If we ever what?”
Meera rose and walked to the door. “We shouldn’t disappear for too long.”
“If we ever what, Meera?”
Her smile teased him. “We don’t want to be rude.”
“Meera!”
She walked out the door.
Blasted woman. She was going to drive him mad, and he’d enjoy every minute.
They gatheredaround a fire where a stew of some kind bubbled, and Atawakabiche roasted long spears of meat that Rhys highly suspected came from a reptile. He didn’t ask. She didn’t say. It smelled good, and that was all he would think about.
“My people built this mound,” she said. “A long time ago. There used to be more houses. Of course, there used to be more people.”
“Our house is very comfortable, sister.”
Rhys began, “Atawakabiche—”
“Heavens.” She grimaced. “Your tongue sounds like it is tripping over itself. You can call me Ata.”
“Thank you, Ata.” Rhys smiled. “How have you remained hidden for so long? Is it all magic?”
“Look around.” The darkness was already falling. “This place—this wilderness—will turn you around. It’s bigger than most humans will admit. Once they’re inside, most lose sense of direction. The magic helps, but it’s almost unnecessary. The older ones, they came across me more often. But they were like me. They wanted to be left alone. Respected those who wanted the same.” She waved a hand. “I had no quarrel with them.”
“Modern people?”
“Magic,” she said. “Strong magic. I use earth magic to keep them away.”
“So you’re an earth singer.”
“My mother was an earth singer. She and her sisters made these mounds we’re standing on.”
“And you were a warrior,” Rhys said. “Are you of Mikael’s blood?”
Ata smiled. “You aren’t a fool. You know that most of this land is filled with Uriel’s children, even those who came from the south like me. Uriel’s children are special. We can have many gifts.”
Rhys desperately wanted to ask what hers were. Which blood made Irina warriors? Which lines should be trained in martial magic if not for Mikael’s blood? Uriel’s children were known in Irina tradition to be flexible in their gifts, often changing roles throughout their lives. Were Uriel’s children the key?
“What was your first gift?” Meera asked. “Mine was memory. Were you always a warrior?”
“No,” Ata said. “I wasn’t.” She turned the meat. “You are mated, but it is a new mating. I don’t see deep ties of magic between you. Only the beginnings of them.”
“We are not mated,” Rhys said. “Though we arereshon.”
“Rhys is correct,” Meera said.
Ata waved her hand. “You are mates, whether you’ve sung the magic or not. I can see the soul-tie. It is one of my gifts, seeing ties that way. It was why my brother and I were such successful warriors. I could always tell who were the most influential soldiers in a group. I could see where loyalties lay and target those whose loss would affect our enemy most.”
That was utterly fascinating and Rhys was dying to know more, but he didn’t want to guide the conversation. Ata wanted to speak to Meera. Meera wanted to speak to Ata. He’d have to approach the martial magic in that context.
“Mother, you know I am asomasikara. I am hoping to record your language before you decide to fade. You may be the last speaker.”
Ata sat up straight. “Why?”
