Free The Pool of Two Moons by Kate Forsyth

weeping, one laughing.
    "Cluricauns are immune to magic," Lilanthe said. "Although they have no magic o' their own, they have the ability to sense magic and to resist it."
    Enit glanced at her with interest. "Is that so?"
    "That is what my mam always taught me."
    "Indeed? I thought ye'd been brought up by your father."
    "I was. My mam was nearby, though. I often used to climb in her branches, and she would talk to me. She told me many things, about all the forest creatures, and what things were like afore ye humans came." There was bitterness in Lilanthe's voice. "I tried to run to her many times, but she was no' always there, and tree-changers do no' have strong family ties. She did no' understand why I would want to be near her."
    "While ye, o' course, wanted your mother like human children do."
    "Aye."
    "And tree-changers roam at will, do they no'? They have no villages or settlements? Nowhere ye could go?"
    "Nay. I've been looking, but when they are in tree-shape they're hard to find. Besides, they would no'
    want me. My mother always thought I was a very odd-looking creature."
    "Bonny lass ye are." Brun smiled at her, showing sharp, pointed teeth. Lilanthe was amazed to feel blood rushing to her face. Enit smiled and said, "Aye, she's a very bonny lass, if no' quite your average Islander. I'm interested ye woke so early. Look at the others, they still sleep soundly, and I'd bet a full crown that the Satyricorns are still fast asleep."
    "Satyricorns? Is that what they were? I've never see one afore."
    "Brun has been telling me the forests around here are infested with them. They come from Tireich originally, I believe."
    Enit ladled hot broth into a bowl for Lilanthe and broke her off some bread, her twisted fingers making the task difficult. "Brun says the Satyricorns were released here by soldiers. That makes me wonder whether Maya the Unknown is no' taking advantage o' their natural nastiness to keep these forests clear. Maintaining guards in these forests would be difficult—there are few paths and very few settlements. How much easier to let Satyricorns roam free, killing anyone who was silly enough to trespass."
    "But are they no' uile-bheistean? Surely the Banrigh would execute them?"
    "Maya has shown quite clearly she is prepared to make use o' those faery creatures that have qualities she needs."
    Lilanthe found she was shaking with anger, her resolve to fight against the Banrigh strengthened. Why should she be hunted down when the Banrigh let other uile-bheistean live?
    Enit nodded. "Indeed, it makes me angry also, my dear. Though I think ye will find most people will turn a blind eye to magic if it serves their purpose, no matter how devoutly they follow the Banrigh's Truth." Lilanthe slowly swallowed a mouthful of broth, then asked shyly, "How is it ye were able to cause us all to fall asleep? Surely that was magic?"
    "Indeed, it was, it's the song o' enchantment."
    "Are ye a witch, then?"
    "No' a Tower witch, nay. My mother was a skeelie, my father a traveling minstrel. I grew up deep in the forest and used to sing the birds to my hand and coneys into the cooking pot. I learnt the songs o'
    enchantment from a Yedda, who tried her best to bring me into the Coven. She said I had magic in my voice and could be a Yedda too if I gave up my freedom. I did no' want to bide, so I got in my wee cart and left, though Lizabet the Sea-Singer was angry that I should say her nay. I have lived as I wished, traveling and singing as I pleased, and now all my children and grandchildren do the same."
    "So ye have no' sung the song o' sleep for long syne?"
    "Nay, nor any song o' enchantment, though I find to sing at all is to work magic in some way. A spell like I cast today is far too dangerous to do lightly, and besides, I have no heart for it any more." Lilanthe wiped her bowl clean with the last remnant of bread and only then really looked around her. They were squatting on furs and old blankets piled on wide flagstones so