Soarers Choice (80 page)

Dainyl
stood in the doorway, listening, as Lystrana hovered beside the railed bed set
in the small room. Outside, the wind whispered, and heavy spring snow fell
across the holding he had begun to build, not that he had ever expected to be a
herder, but the nightsheep were more tractable than pteridons, and only those
with Talent could manage them. Only a former alector to whom the soarers had
given the specific knowledge on how to turn that wool into a fabric softer than
linen, yet more durable than shimmersilk, and more precious than gems. He
listened to the lullaby.

Londi’s
child will know fair faces. Duadi’s child will form life’s graces. Tridi’s
child will cross the years, but Quattri’s must conquer fears. Quinti’s daughter
will prove strong, while Sexdi’s will set right from wrong. Septi’s child will
find new lands, but Octdi’s will meet their hard demands. Novdi ‘s child must
find the able, while Decdi’s child will yet rule the Table. You, precious
child, I praise the most, for you will be the future’s host, to raise bright
banners high under the green and silver sky.

Dainyl
waited until she turned. “You have to go, don’t you? Again.”

The
soarer who had been his wife nodded. I cannot come often, for the lifeforce and
the web are weak, and weaker still for me here. They will be for many years,
but they will recover, now.

Soarers
did not cry, but he felt the sorrow as she turned from the bed and the sleeping
child.

In
moments, she was gone.

Dainyl
slipped out of Kytrana’s chamber and outside onto the narrow porch. There, for
a time, he stood looking eastward through the darkness in the direction of the
Aerial Plateau. Although it was shrouded in clouds, he could sense its
solidity, and the flickering presence of the remaining ancients, a presence
that included one who had been an alectress, and one who had survived through
her Talent and bequeathed most of her lifeforce to her daughter.

The
ancients had made their choice, and in turn Lystrana had made hers, for the
sake of Kytrana — a soarer’s choice.