Free The Pool of Two Moons by Kate Forsyth Page B

much magic happening for this Tower no' to come under notice."
    "Where are we going now? What are we doing?" Li-lanthe asked.
    "We came to the Tower o' Dreams because we had had news o' someone using the Scrying Pool here and we hoped it was one o' the Dream-Walkers returned. It seems clear, though, that it was the Celestine, and she is gone now. So we'll head into Blessem," the old woman replied. Immediately the cluricaun stopped his excited capers, his face ludicrously anxious. "Blessem bad," Brun said. "Blessem bad place for cluricauns."
    "I shall keep ye safe," Enit promised.
    Lilanthe was also shaking her head. "I canna go to Blessem. They will burn me if they find me. I'm an uile-bheist, remember. I canna go where there are soldiers."
    "I be uile-bheist too," Brun said in a puzzled tone of voice.
    "They will burn us if they find us. We canna go to Blessem!"
    "Be at peace, my bairns," Enit said. "I shall keep ye safe. Do no' look so fearful, lassie. I have smuggled witches and rebels all over the land for near twenty years now! Morrell's caravan has a false bottom where ye can lie if we should come into danger, or ye can lie on the roof, hidden by the carvings. Ye shall be far safer with me, for sure, than here in the forest with the Satyricorns on the hunt and Red Guards on their way. Besides, ye said ye wished to help us. I have a reason for turning back into Blessem."
    "What? Why is it so important? Canna we just stay here in the forest?"
    "I be afraid no', my dear. Even if I wanted to spend the rest o' my life outrunning Satyricorns, I wouldna. Nay, I have had disturbing news from Meghan. She says a Mesmerd was with the Red Guards that attacked her secret valley at Candlemas. Also that bairns with Talent are being stolen from their homes, and she thinks the Mesmerdean may have something to do with it. I want to find if this is true, that it is the Mesmerdean and no' just a rumor. If it is, then I fear Margrit o' Arran mun be behind it. She is a bad enemy to have indeed, and I need to be sure she is no' plotting something that will disrupt our plans."
    "What are Mes . . . Mes . . ."
    "The Mesmerdean are faery creatures o' the marshes. They are dangerous indeed, and if the NicFoghnan has somehow convinced them to aid her in her schemes, then we may be in trouble indeed. Why the Mesmerdean would consent to accompany redcloaks, or steal bairns from their bed, I have no idea. It seems strange indeed. Why would Margrit NicFoghnan want them to? What scheme o' hers does it further? These are questions I wish to find answers for, and so we travel into Blessem, where most sightings o' the Mesmerdean have occurred. Happen we may need to go into the marshes themselves to find the answers. We shall see."
    "But they will kill me if they find me . . ."
    "Lass, if ye wish to fight against the Ensorcellor, ye mun face danger and possible death. I canna make that choice for ye. I will do my utmost to keep ye and Brun safe, but blaygird times be with us. What is your choice? Will ye trust me and the Spinners, or will ye try your luck in the forest?" The tree-shifter was silent, her hands twisting together in her lap. "I shall come with ye," she said at last.
    "Though I feel sick with fear at the thought."
    "That's a brave lassie," Enit said. "Just remember, all our lives are forfeit if ye are discovered. I have no desire to end up fodder for the Awl's wicked fires either. We have many friends scattered through the countryside who will help us, and jongleurs come and go as they please. So do no' fear, I shall keep ye safe."
    The tree-shifter nodded, though her face was white and strained still. Enit patted her hand reassuringly, and said, "We'll get on the road at first light, and we'll plug our ears so I can sing the Satyricorn to sleep again. That would give us a few hours' head start. Brun, why do ye no' pack up what ye will need now so ye are ready to go?"
    The little, hairy creature nodded solemnly and began to gather his belongings