Free The Realms of the Gods by Tamora Pierce Page B

girl smiled, then asked, “How do we find them?”
    The Stormwing looked at Weiryn. “I’m sure a map can be drawn—unless you plan to cage them?”
    â€œDa, Ma, please listen,” pleaded Daine. “Humans and People need us. I’ve friends that would risk their lives for me and Numair. If you won’t help us, then we’ll muddle along on our own—but we can’t just sit here, seeing them in visions, and laze about.”
    The god sighed and rubbed his antlers. “No—no, I won’t cage them.”
    Sarra wiped her eyes. “Not even a day I’ve had to talk to you. But I know you can’t sit idly by when them you care for are in trouble.”
    â€œLord Rikash,” the house cat said, “they will need help to cross the Sea of Sand.”
    The immortal sidled, digging into his perch with steel claws. “I will see what can be done. It will take persuasion.” He looked from Daine to Numair, frowning. “Be careful,” he told them. “The Divine Realms are perilous. Maybe Queen Barzha is right, and I am getting sentimental, but I would hate to see anything happen to either of you.” Jumping into the air, he took flight, blowing waves of stench over the table.

FOUR
    TRAVELERS
    â€œForget sentimentality,” the badger grumbled. “ I’d like to see him lose that smell.”
    â€œAnd from a badger, that’s saying a great deal,” quipped Queenclaw.
    â€œI will go with them,” said Broad Foot. Everyone stared at him. “I can’t transport them, but I can act as guide and protector. The three of us should manage.”
    â€œThe four of us,” the badger told him. “I will come as well. I haven’t put so much time into looking after this young one to stop now.”
    â€œLord Weiryn, will you and Sarra come with us?” Numair asked.
    Daine’s mother smiled wistfully. “As a new goddess, I’m bound to Weiryn’s lands for a century.”
    â€œAs am I, for requesting her admittance here,” added Weiryn. “You will do well with the badger and Broad Foot.”
    â€œIf we’re to leave today, I’d best get a little extra hunting done,” commented the duckmole, and vanished.
    â€œI will join you tomorrow morning,” the badger said. “There are a few things to deal with at my sett before I go.” He, too, vanished.
    â€œMa, Da,” the girl said thoughtfully, “are there horses we might trade for, or buy? We’d go faster than afoot.”
    â€œNo, dear one,” Sarra replied. “Every horse in the Divine Realms belongs to itself, or its herd. They do not serve anyone.” She rose. “I’d best pack your things—no, Daine, I don’t need help. You’d only be in my way.”
    â€œBesides,” added Weiryn, also getting to his feet, “I need you both to come with me.” He led Daine and Numair inside.
    â€œWhat about making horses?” Numair asked. “Could you—”
    â€œNo,” Weiryn said flatly. “Any being created in the Divine Realms belongs to itself and serves no one else. You would be lucky if such a horse only dumped you in the dirt. It might take you for a ride that would last a century of mortal time.”
    In the main room, he opened a door that the girl was positive hadn’t been there the day before. It gave onto a small, dark chamber that was more like a shed than a room. Here, to her surprise and delight, she saw a wood-carver’s tools, staffs, boxes of feathers, boxes of arrowheads, coiled strings, and completed bows.
    Weiryn ran long brown fingers over the finished weapons, checking the feel, rejecting this one and that. “These are my gifts to those I favor.” He selected an ebony-colored bow with startlingly pale horn nocks over both tips. “And if my own daughter isn’t one I favor, who is?” He laid the stave across his palms,