could be rich and powerful, but they would rather go to the Pits.'
'Cultivating the land would have repercussions. Wild animals would die, soil would be washed into the sea, rivers would silt up, and cities would breed more people to pollute the air with smoke and cut trees for building and burning. For a while things would be good, but your descendants would pay the price.'
The King scowled, leaning forward. 'Just whose side are you on, anyway?'
'Why do you say they're uncaring?'
'Because they will not lift a finger to help a drowning child! They stand by while villages die of plague, crops fail and people starve when they could so easily save them.'
This was a tough one. Talsy had problems with it herself. 'But what have you done to earn their care? Why should they help people who don't even help each other? I've seen children starving on the streets of Horran, and no Trueman had the decency to save them, so why should Mujar?'
'We do the best we can, but sometimes there is not enough food. Mujar could make our crops grow well enough to feed everyone. It is not that we do not care, but they certainly do not.'
'That's not true. Farmers grow more than enough food, but they won't allow those with no money to eat it. They'd rather plough it back into the soil.'
He shook his head, tapping the table. Clearly she was annoying him. 'That is economics, and it is harsh, I agree. If the Mujar helped, there would be no need for anyone to starve. But why will they stand by and let an innocent child drown, without lifting a finger to help? Tell me that, if you can.'
Talsy hesitated. 'Perhaps… it was the child's fate.'
'That does not mean you should not try to change it.'
Talsy thought about the young prince Chanter had saved, whom the Hashon Jahar had killed only a few months later. Also, Horran, whose fate Chanter had also delayed. Yet he had saved her when she had almost drowned, and then the sherlon had rescued her, too. She was not being allowed to die, while others did not seem able to avoid it. There was a lesson in there somewhere. She remembered the tormented Kuran, dying because of Truemen's cruelty, and the strange creatures that had appeared after Rashkar had fallen, beasts that Truemen would have slaughtered or enslaved. Her race had sealed its fate long before the Mujar had arrived. She had the answer, although it grieved her to say it. The King shifted, waiting.
She said, 'They were not worthy.'
Talsy woke on warm sand, surf pounding the shore nearby. Chanter lay beside her, propped up on one elbow, most of his lean length clear of the sand.
He smiled. 'So, you're back.'
Sitting up, she gazed at the peaceful vista of sea and sand, sky and mewling gulls. Everything was the same, as if no time had passed, although it seemed like hours had gone by. She turned to the smiling Mujar, who chewed a blade of grass.
'What happened to me?'
Chanter spat the grass out and sat up, looking serious. 'I believe you were tested.'
'By whom?'
'The gods.'
She snorted. 'Why would they do that?'
'Because I chose you.'
Talsy stared at him. 'Was it real?'
'I don't know.'
'Did I pass?'
His smile returned, showing even white teeth. 'If I had a mirror, I'd show you.'
'Show me what?'
'The Mujar mark on your forehead.'
She rubbed her brow. 'What does it look like?'
'A circle with a cross through it.'
'What colour?'
He laughed and lay back in the sand. 'You've just passed the gods' test and changed the fate of the world, but you're worried about the colour of the mark on your forehead?'
Talsy grinned and pounced on him, holding him down. 'Tell me, or I won't let you up.'
'You're cruel. You don't deserve to be chosen.'
Dozens of questions itched in her mind, sparked by his comments, yet she would not be side-tracked, and thumped him. 'Tell me!'
'Blue, okay?'
She leant on his chest. 'Now tell me how I've changed the fate of the world.'
'No. First tell me what you learnt.'
She thought about the visions, if that was what they were. 'Well, the Mujar in the Pits are trapped in sticky black stuff.'
'Earth blood.' He grimaced. 'No wonder they can't get free.'
'What's earth blood?'
'The sticky black stuff.'
She thumped him again. 'Don't be funny.'
'No, you're right, it's not funny.' He sobered. 'Earth blood is found deep underground, in the Pits, obviously. It's the most powerful source of Dolana, like concentrated Earthpower. It burns, but it's foul stuff, and very dangerous for Mujar.'
'The Hashon Jahar control Dolana.'
'Really? That's interesting. Only Dolana?'
'I think so. That's all I saw.'
He pondered. 'Hmm. What else?'
'Mujar won't help Truemen because they're not worthy.'
'Ah.' He raised a finger. 'That, I knew.'
'You didn't tell me when I asked you.'
'You weren't ready to know. It must be hard for you to accept, even now.'
Talsy sighed. 'I've seen what Truemen have done. It's not only the way they treat Mujar, they treat everything badly. They have no respect for animals or plants and trees. They take and destroy, kill and enslave, giving nothing back.'
'They?' His brows rose.
'I don't want to think of myself as a Trueman. Can't I be Mujar?'
He laughed. 'I'm afraid not, my little clan. But you have the mark of the Mujar, so the gods agree with me.'
'So, tell me more.'
'Well, it's a double-edged sword, as they all are.' He paused, considering her. 'The Mujar mark means you'll never be able to hunt and kill again, but it also means that beasts will no longer fear you. The souls, like the Kuran, will not harm you. They may even help you, if you ask nicely.'
'Why were you struck down and stuck to the sand?'
He squirmed, looking away. 'Well, that was sort of punishment, if you like. I guess they never expected it to happen, so when I marked you they were a little angry.'
'What did they do?'
'Just gave me a good talking to, told me I was a naughty boy and sent me back to watch over you.'
Talsy grinned at his flippant tone. Although he had become friendlier in the time they had spent together, she had sensed his reticence in his guarded looks and the questions he would not answer. Now his demeanour was open and friendly, and gentle affection shone in his eyes.
'But I wasn't here,' she pointed out.
'Of course you were. Only your spirit left.'
'Oh. You mean I was unconscious?'
'Sort of.' He chuckled. 'You did a lot of moaning and muttering.'
She pulled a face. 'How have I changed the fate of the world, and what does it mean to be chosen?'
