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As he moved away, she felt a twinge of anxiety. Once more she started to
consider all the possible outcomes of this meeting with the Pentadrians.
Dedicated Servant Renva grasped the hand of Servant Vengel and held tightly as
he hauled her up over the top of the ridge. He steadied her as she struggled
to stand. The ground was a mess of grooves and sharp protruding stones and
there was no flat surface to stand on.
When she had caught her balance, she looked around. The ridge was high enough
to give her a view of the terrain ahead. She groaned as she saw exposed ridges
and shadowed ravines extending toward the mountains ahead.
This is a nightmare! she thought. Surely only winged creatures can live here.
It s as if the land is doing its best to repel us.
She wished she could oblige it, but she had her orders to follow. The Siyee
were primitive folk, she had been told. Simple people with simple ways were
easy to impress. Whether she could persuade them to worship the Five Gods
depended on how impressed they were with the Circlians and their false gods.
But we ve got to reach them first.
It would be much easier if they came to her. She had glimpsed them in the
distance from time to time. Often she had the feeling they were watching her
and her companions, yet they never came within hailing distance.
Simple people are often fearful, she reminded herself. We were their enemy a
few months ago. They will regard us as invaders.
Turning away from the view, she began making her way along the ridge top.
 Dedicated Servant Renva, Vengel called.
She turned to see him staring into the distance. He glanced at her, then
pointed. Looking in the direction he indicated, she searched the sky, but saw
nothing.
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 What is it? she asked.
 Siyee, Vengel replied.  Flying low. Between the trees and us.
She looked lower, but it took some time before she saw them. Flying shapes too
large to be birds glided among the tree tops, too far away for her to make out
details. There were more than ten of them and they were coming directly toward
her.
 I see them. She considered her position. Whether the Siyee were coming to
talk or fight, she ought to be with her people. Since the others wouldn t make
it to the ridge in time, that meant returning to the narow ravine below.
She walked back to Vengel s side and leaned over the edge.
 Go back down, she called to the Servant climbing the rope. The man frowned
and started to descend. She looked at Vengel.  Stay here and see if you can
get their attention, but be ready in case they attack.
Vengel nodded. His face was grim, but he said nothing as she started to
descend. He had enough Skill in magic to protect himself from arrows.
Once she had reached the floor of the ravine, Renva gathered the others
together.
 There is a group of Siyee heading our way, she told them.  They may be
coming to meet us; they may not be aware of us at all. We should be prepared
for an attack, just in case.
The unSkilled carriers and less Skilled Servants moved to the center of the
group. All were silent as they waited. Vengel gave a shout and all looked up
to search the sky.
Winged shapes flashed behind the tops of the trees. Renva caught glimpses of
eyes staring down at her suspiciously. They circled overhead, their confidence
not a little intimidating. She saw a larger figure wingless and white and her
throat went dry.
The White sorceress. Nekaun warned me that she might come. She touched the
star pendant hanging against her chest.
:Nekaun!
The pause that followed was short, but felt like an eternity.
:Renva. I see you have met the Siyee.
:In the process of meeting, she corrected. The White sorceress accompanies
them.
:That is no surprise. So long as no violence is done, she won t attack you.
Proceed.
Renva swallowed. I hope he s right. She took a deep breath and forced herself
to call out.
 People of the Sky. Siyee. We do not wish to harm anyone. Come down so we may
speak to you.
The forest echoed with the flying people s whistles. Strange words were mixed
with the piercing calls. They were talking, she guessed. She did not expect
them to understand her, but hoped they d hear peaceful intent in her voice.
The White sorceress probably did understand. It was said they could read
minds.
 I am Dedicated Servant Renva and these are my companions. We have come a long
way in the hopes of becoming your friends, she told them.  We have& 
Leaves stirred as three of the Siyee dove through the tree tops. They landed
on branches high above and stared down at Renva and her people. She heard a
voice behind her.
 If your intentions are peaceful, why did you not learn the local language
before you came?
Renva spun around. The White sorceress stood on a lower branch of a tree, not
far away.
 There was no one to teach us, Renva replied.  Or we would have.
The White sorceress looked upward and spoke a string of strange words. One of
the Siyee above replied. The White sorceress smiled faintly, then met Renva s
eyes again.
 I am here as protector and translator only. Speaker Sirri, leader of the
Siyee, wishes to know why you have entered Si uninvited.
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Renva looked up at the Siyee who had spoken. A woman leads them. Interesting.
 We come to make peace with the Siyee.
The White sorceress translated. Or at least I hope she is, Renva thought. How
will I know if she mistranslates my words in her favor?
:Take care how you phrase your questions, Nekaun advised.
The Siyee leader spoke.
 Speaker Sirri says:  If you wish to make peace, leave us be. Leave and do not
return,  the White sorceress said.
 Will you not give us a chance to mend the rift between our people? Renva
asked.
Another of the Siyee responded. [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]