“Gracious Goddess, Lady of the Moon and Stars, be with her in the hour of her death,” Lara recited the words, as Mya started crying.
“Gracious Goddess, Lady of the Moon and Stars,” Anser took up the chant. “Full of forgiveness, forget her offenses and her flaws.”
Kalisa’s breaths were harsher now, and slowing. All attention was on the bed, but Joden caught a glimpse of Keir easing out of the room as all of the Xyians gathered around and continued the chant.
“Gracious Lady of the Moon and Stars, full of mercy, see her true repentance.” Lara glanced back at Joden.
He knew he should leave out of courtesy. Amyu walked toward the door. But he held back. When she died, would he see…?
Joden stepped back, toward the door but kept his eyes on the bed.
“Gracious Lady of the Moon and Stars, full of kindness, incline your ear to our plea.”
One last harsh breath and then… silence.
“Gracious Lady of the Moon and Stars, full of glory, guide her to a place in your garden
and let her dwell there in peace.” Master Eln closed Kalisa’s eyes, and gently pulled up the sheet to cover her face.
Joden stood silent, but there was nothing to see. No wisp of a ghost, no change in the room.
“I don’t understand,” Mya said, looking lost and bewildered. “Where did that anger come from? She never once spoke of it, never expressed it to us. How could she be so hateful?”
“Some of the herbs I gave her for pain,” Master Eln said quietly. “I didn’t expect they would affect her. I only meant to make her more comfortable.”
Joden caught the glance that Eln exchanged with Lara, and knew Eln’s words were not the truth. But they had the desired effect.
“Oh,” Mya’s face cleared of confusion, and Anser relaxed. “She had a long and fruitful life, but a hard one, seeing to all of our family.”
“Let me get you some tea,” Master Eln gestured to the door. “And then we will see to her.”
“We will lay her in the family burial grounds,” Anser helped Mya rise.
Joden slipped out as Lara stepped forward to make her farewells, with soft words and hugs. Amyu was waiting down the hall. They went out together into the morning air.
The cooler air felt good, but Joden was far more concerned with Amyu. Her face was pained, her eyes anxious. “She hated me,” she said. “How can someone hate like that?”
Joden wrapped an arm around her, offering as much comfort as he could. Amyu leaned into him and put her head on his shoulder.
Keir was a step away, leaning against the outer wall of the building, his arms folded over his chest. “Uppor,” he said. “She knew Uppor? Uppor the Trickster of the Plains?”
Joden nodded.
Amyu looked up, wide eyed. “So old,” she said. “Did her hate build over all those years? Such that she took her secrets to the snows? Did her hate blind her so to our need?”
“And you can see the power?” Keir’s voice was flat and abrupt. “Like a warrior-priest?”
Amyu stiffened in Joden’s arms, then stepped away to face Keir. “I do see the power,” she lifted her chin. “I do not know how to use it, or what it means, but yes. I see it. That does not make me a warrior-priest.”
Keir’s eyes were dark and brooding. He glanced at Joden, then looked down at his boots.
Joden tilted his head slightly. Amyu nodded, and stepped back. “I’ll see to the horses,” she said, and walked off.
Joden waited, looking at Keir, who hadn’t moved, his arms crossed over his chest.
Joden shifted then to take the same position next to his friend.
Keir looked up.
