“Yes,” Now those grey eyes were focused on him, intent and lovely. Simus took a moment to enjoy their beauty even as he answered the unasked question.
“Have I told you of Amyu?”
Cadr first knewof it when Lightning Strike jerked in his saddle. He pulled his horse to a stop as the others slid from their saddles, taking out their bowls and shields.
Gilla rode up, whistling for the warcats, who bounded out of the grass to sprawl at the horses’ feet.
“Got it,” Night Clouds cried.
Cadr pressed in, everyone trying to look in the bowl at the same time. He caught a glimpse of a woman’s back. She was kneeling in a cave, before ritual bowls. She cast a quick look behind her, but it was enough.
“Amyu,” Cadr said, grabbing Lightning Strike’s shoulder. “That’s Amyu. That’s Xy.”
They watched as Amyu stood, taking up a strange sword that sparkled blue.
“But where is she?” Sidian asked. “Can you see more?”
Night Clouds nodded, frowning, staring at the bowl.
“Give us room,” Lightning Strike said, and others moved back. Cadr stayed glued to his side. Sidian and Rhys both leaned in closer.
The scene in the bowl shifted to reveal the cave and the mountain side.
“What is—?” Lightning Strike exclaimed.
Sidian started to explain mountains, and caves. Cadr ignored them, kneeling at Night Clouds’ side. “See that,” he pointed, careful not to touch the bowl. “It’s a path.”
Night Clouds nodded, and the scene blurred as it rushed down the mountainside. The trees finally opened up, to show a wide grassy area, filled with large animals.
“What are those?” Lightning Strike asked.
“Cows,” Rhys said. “They’re like large gurtles. I can portal there.” he added.
Cadr looked up at Lightening Strike. “Do we go?”
“We go.”
Amyu held herposition, blinking against the fading glare, waiting for her breath to return. An odd tickle burned between her shoulder blades. She glanced behind herself, but there was no one there.
She turned back, and looked down.
The sword was whole.
“Heyla,” She cried, her voice ringing on the stone walls. But even as the sound faded, she stared at her hands. There was no change, no glow, all seemed as it was, all but the sword.
Giddy with joy, she reached for the sword hilt, almost afraid it would shatter again as she lifted it.
The blade was heavier than she expected, but it was straight and true and so blue within its depths it seemed to glow. She rose to her feet, forgetting everything else in her excitement. With a deep breath, she faced the back wall of the tunnel.
She held the sword up and stretched out her other hand with the Ring of Xy displayed. “Let the protectors of Xy arise to my call!” she proclaimed, and waited, breathless.
Nothing happened.
Chapter Thirty-One
Amyu stood there, dumbfounded. Sword in one hand, the ring on the other, feeling the fool.
She cleared her throat, and called again. “Let the protectors of Xy arise to my call!”
