Page 152 of Sun Warrior

Mari moved fast. She stood directly in front of Jaxom and Nik and the struggling Night Fever–filled Clansman. His head was lolling, and Mari could see through the tatters of clothing that remained on his body that his arms and legs were covered with oozing pustules. Then he raised his face again, blinking blindly around him, and Mari got a second shock.

It’s Mason! Jaxom’s younger brother! He is barely sixteen winters old!

With no more hesitation Mari lifted her arms as if she would cradle the not yet visible moon between the open palms of her hands. She closed her eyes and concentrated with all of her will, sketching within her mind a huge, silver moon and thick ropes of radiant power falling from it down, down, down, to wrap, glowing, around her. When she felt the cold power beginning to flow, she opened her eyes and recited:

“Moon Woman I proclaim myself to be!

Greatly gifted, I offer myself to thee.

By right of blood and birth channel through me

The Goddess gift that is my destiny!”

Mari reached forward at the same moment she imagined the ropes of silver moonlight power emptying into her, using her as a conduit, and pouring into Mason. She placed both hands on his head and murmured, “Mason, I Wash you free of all anger and sickness and gift you with the love of our Great Earth Mother.”

The cold cascaded through Mari’s body with such intensity it causedher teeth to chatter and her body to tremble. But she didn’t take her hands from Mason’s head. She didn’t allow her concentration to be broken. She kept the moonlight washing through her and into Mason, illuminating him with a light that made it appear as if his skin had turned silver, until finally the young man lifted his head and met her gaze.

His eyes were a healthy brown, though he looked more than a little confused. He blinked several times, smiled shyly, and in a voice that was raspy and weak replied with the traditional response, “Thank you, Moon Woman.”

Mari nodded in acknowledgment of Mason’s response and then swallowed several times, refocusing her energy. She turned to Jaxom, who was standing beside his brother, still supporting him, though she could see that Jaxom’s eyes were beginning to glow red and his skin was fully flushed with gray. Seeing her attention had shifted, he bowed his head to her. Mari placed her hands on him and focused on channeling more of the lifesaving moonlight.

“I Wash you free of all anger and sickness and gift you with the love of our Great Earth Mother,” she said.

Jaxom lifted his head immediately. His smile was radiant. “Thank you, Moon Woman! Thank you!”

Mari turned to Nik then. He was watching her with eyes filled with love. Mason was standing on his own by then, so Nik stepped toward Mari and knelt, bowing his head in the traditional manner of a Clansman waiting to be Washed by his Moon Woman.

Gently, Mari placed her hands on his head, thinking of how much she was coming to love and respect this unique man. She imagined the moon flooding him with health and healing as she intoned, “I Wash you free of all pain and infection and gift you with the love of our Great Earth Mother.”

His body glowed silver briefly, and then he lifted his head, his smile beaming up at her. “Thank you, my Moon Woman, my love!”

Mari meant to turn gracefully and move back to stand beside Sora so that they could continue Washing the Pack together, but her legsrefused to cooperate. Her graceful turn became a staggering near fall, and she was saved from ending up on her butt and being embarrassed in front of her new Pack by Rigel and Laru. They were there, pressing into her from each side, supporting her, filling her with love and strength. And Fala was there, too, as well as Cammy, lending their love and support. She could even feel Bast’s presence. Her feline energy felt completely different from the canines—wilder and more reminiscent of moon power with its cool strength.

Then Sora was in front of Mari, taking her hands and forcing her to look into her eyes. After Mari’s gaze focused on her, she said, “Bow your head.”

Too exhausted to argue, Mari did as her friend requested.

Sora released Mari’s hands and raised her own, cupping the unseen moon in her palms. In a voice strong and sure, she recited Leda’s invocation, word for word:

“Moon Woman I proclaim myself to be!

Greatly gifted, I bare myself to thee.

Earth Mother, aid me with your magick sight.

Lend me strength on this moonlit night.

Come, silver light—fill me to overflow

So those in my care your healing will know.

By right of blood and birth channel through me

The Goddess gift that is my destiny!”

Sora placed her hands on her friend’s head, and Mari felt a wonderful coolness flow into her body. It wasn’t the flood of power that she’d channeled into Mason and Jaxom and Nik. It was sweet and soothing, and it chased away the weakness within her. Mari stopped trembling. Her stomach, which had felt as if it were trying to turn itself inside out, calmed. She drew a deep, thankful breath and lifted her head, grinning at her friend.

“Thank you, Moon Woman!”