Page 117 of Sun Warrior

Mari spoke, feeling the cool silver power of the moon begin to rain into her body:

“Come, silver light—fill us to overflow

So those in our care your healing touch will know.”

Together Mari and Sora squeezed Danita’s hands, and then the two young Moon Women, joined by Danita’s soft-spoken, but earnest voice, finished the invocation.

“By right of blood and birth channel through me

The Goddess gift that is my destiny!”

Mari hadn’t known what to expect. She’d channeled moon magick her mama had invoked and had led Sora in drawing down the moon, but she’d never invoked the silvery light with another Moon Woman, and especially not someone as novice as Danita, so she was utterly surprised when a sweet, sparkling beam of energy filtered from above and settled over the three of them. It glistened downward, flowing first into Mari.

Mari felt the jolt as the pure, cold energy passed from her and into Danita.

“It’s okay,” Mari spoke quietly to Danita. “Relax and release it to Sora.”

Danita was chewing her bottom lip, brow furrowed in concentration, and in another heartbeat Sora began to smile. She nodded encouragement. “Yes, Danita! That’s it!”

“Ready to walk with us?” Mari asked.

Danita nodded tightly. “Yes. I think so.”

Joined by their hands, as well as their intentions, Mari and Sora and Danita began to move among the crowd. Mari and Sora gently touched bowed heads while Danita kept pace with them, her face a study in concentration. The Clanswomen smiled and whispered blessings to their Moon Women, including Danita’s name in their thanks, which almost caused the girl to lose concentration, but she caught herself and continued to channel moon magick.

Davis was the first of the Companions to bow his head before them.Mari didn’t hesitate. She placed her hand, cool and shining with the power of the moon, on his head and felt his body startle. He looked up at her, eyes filled with tears.

“I felt it! I felt the touch of the moon!” Davis exclaimed as Cammy barked happily.

O’Bryan moved to stand beside the Hunter. He grinned a little shyly at Sora and said, “I’ve been healed by Moon Woman magick before, but I don’t remember much of it. Would you mind if I felt a little of it again?”

Sounding much older than her years, Sora spoke the traditional Moon Woman blessing: “I Wash you free of all sadness and gift you with the love of our Great Earth Mother.” Then she rested her hand on O’Bryan’s bowed head.

The Companion sucked in a breath, and when he raised his head Mari thought that his face was almost glowing with pleasure.

“Thank you, Moon Woman,” he said in a voice that shook with emotion.

They continued to move among the crowd, touching the people with the most gentle Washing that Mari had ever experienced. When they finally stopped in front of Nik, Mari placed her hand on his bowed head.

“I Wash you free of all sadness and gift you with the love of our Great Earth Mother,” Mari spoke the ancient blessing softly and allowed her hand to linger longer than was strictly necessary.

He lifted his face, which beamed with love and pride. “Thank you, my Moon Woman!”

Together, Mari and Sora and Danita returned to the center of the circle before the bonfire that burned steadily, casting flickering shadows around the clearing. Sora and Mari finally let loose Danita’s hand. The girl staggered, and Bast was suddenly there, pressing into her side, chirping reassurance.

“Are you okay?” Sora asked.

“My, um, stomach is not so good.” Danita looked almost as pale as the moon.

“You should eat. You’ll feel better, even if you do throw up,” Mari said.

“I’ll be sure she gets something to eat and keep an eye on her.” Antreas seemed to materialize beside his equally silent Lynx.

Mari half expected Danita to refuse his help, but she nodded shakily and made no protest when he took her elbow and helped her toward the roasting turkeys.

“Clanswomen, you have a difficult choice to make,” Sora said when Danita was gone. “We won’t ask you to make it right now.”

“Think about what we’ve said. Ask us or Nik or Antreas any questions you might have about our journey,” Mari said. “But know that as dawn breaks six days from now our Pack will be leaving this place forever.” She paused as emotion threatened to overwhelm her. She felt Rigel’s comforting presence at her side and drew strength from her Companion before continuing. “I’ve lived in a burrow that has sheltered the Moon Women of Clan Weaver for generations. I’ve never known any other home. My mama is buried there. Sometimes I almost can’t bear to even think about going, because it’s like I’m leaving her.” Mari had to stop then and wipe tears from her face. In the respectful silence around her, she could hear several of the Clanswomen sniffling softly. She lifted her chin and continued in a voice that grew stronger and surer as she spoke. “But I’m not leaving Mama. She’ll always be with me—here.” Mari placed her hand over her heart. “I’ll take her love with me wherever I go. I want you to know I hope you decide to join us. I hope you take the love of generations of Earth Walkers with you, too, and use it to help us build a Pack that is kinder, wiser, and stronger than a Clan or a Tribe.”