The Last of the Wilds

great debt.”

She shook her head. “You owe me nothing. I—”

:Auraya?

:Priest Magen?

:It is I. How fares the North River tribe?

:They are recovering well.

:I have just received bad news. The Siyee have brought three sick children to me. All have Hearteater. It seems they visited their sick friends, the ones we isolated just outside the Open, and caught the disease. I fear they have spread it further.

Auraya sighed.

:Then I had best return.

:You may wish to take a detour, he added. A Siyeefrom the North Forest tribe arrived just now. He reported that his people are sickening, too. I haven’t been able to discern whether it is the same disease or not.

:This is what I feared. Very well. I will visit this tribe on the way back. Will you and Danien be able to deal with the outbreak in the Open?

:We will try.

:Thank you, Magen.

Turning back to Speaker Veece, she managed a grim smile. “I have to leave,” she told him. “The disease has emerged in the Open again and the North Forest tribe is also sickening.”

The old man paled. “What will you do?”

“Talk to Leiard - I mean Wilar. I will return.”

Moving to the edge of the platform, she leapt off. As she searched for Leiard she sent out a mental communication.

:Juran?

:Auraya. How do the Siyeefare?

:The North River tribe has almost recovered, but I have just received news of two new outbreaks. I’m hoping Leiard will agree to deal with one.

:It is fortunate, then, that you are both there - though I still wonder at his reasons for entering Si. Have you considered that he might have gone there in the hopes of meeting you secretly?

She felt her face warm. She had avoided mentioning Leiard to Juran for as long as possible, not wanting to face questions like this.

:He did not greet me warmly, and he has not attempted to renew... anything.

:Good. I must go.

Leiard had just emerged from a bower. She dropped down to land beside him and he jumped with surprise.

“I just received some bad news,” she told him.

“What is it?”

“The North Forest tribe has a sickness. They don’t know if it’s Hearteater or not.”

His expression was grim. “And you want me to go there.”

“Yes. It has also reappeared in the Open, despite the best efforts of Sirri and the priests.”

He frowned. “So you want me to teach you to heal magically.”

She paused. Until she had Chaia’s permission, she hadn’t planned to ask again. Still, if Leiard was willing and she had time to ask Chaia again... “Yes.”

“Have you considered the possibility that the gods did not give you this ability because you weren’t meant to have it?” Leiard asked.

She blinked at him in surprise. Had he learned to read minds as well as hide his own?

“It is possible. I would have to consult them.”

He nodded. “If they agree, I will teach you.”

Her heart lifted and she smiled. “Just give me a moment.”

:Chaia?

She waited for an answer. Leiard had taken a step back, and a look of dismay had crossed his face, to be replaced with resignation. She called again and felt a powerful presense stir the magic of the world.

:Auraya.

It was not Chaia, but Huan.

:Huan, she said, surprised. Thank you for answering my call.

:You wish to learn this Dreamweaver’s healing Gift, the goddess stated.

:I do.

:I wish it were possible, but we cannot allow it. Magic of this nature upsets the balance of life and death in the world. If people understood what it could achieve and knew the White could perform it, their demands on you would be unreasonable.

Auraya’s stomach sank with disappointment.

:But the Siyee...?

:Will not all die. It is an unfortunate price they pay in order that the balance of life and death be maintained. You can only act swiftly to prevent the spread of this disease.

:And Leiard? Does he upset the balance of life and death?

:Yes, but he is but one Dreamweaver and, unlike you, not in a position of authority. The damage is minimal.

:He could teach others.

:He would fail. Few are capable of learning this Gift. You may be, but the consequences would be far greater.

She sighed. Then I must refuse his offer.

:Regretfully, yes.

As the goddess’s presence moved away, Auraya looked up at Leiard.

“They refused,” he stated.

“Yes.” She grimaced. “You were right. I was not meant to have this Gift.” She shook her head sadly. “I will go to the Open. It will take someone of authority to stop the disease from spreading there. The North Forest tribe is closest to this one. You had best deal with it.” She noticed he looked troubled. “What is it?”

He looked away. “I was planning to leave Si.”

She smiled in sympathy. “Hearteater has spoiled my plans too.” Then she frowned as she saw wariness in his gaze. “You still mean to leave? Oh... you were leaving because of me.”

His shoulders rose. “I am under orders to stay away from you.”

“Don’t be ridiculous!” She put her hands on her hips. “Juran would never want you to abandon the Siyee for the sake of... and I won’t be in the North Forest tribe anyway. Surely he didn’t tell you to leave whatever country I happen to enter.”

Leiard looked at the ground, then up at her. His eyes were hard. “Not exactly. He wasn’t all that specific.” He paused. “If I go to the North Forest tribe - if I stay in Si - will you promise me that I will not be harmed?”

She stared at him. Did he really fear retribution that much?

“Of course you won’t be harmed.”

“Promise me,” he said. “Swear it on the gods.”

She did not reply for several heartbeats, too dismayed at his distrust to speak. If this is what it takes for him to stay and help the Siyee...

“I swear, in the names of Chaia, Huan, Lore, Yranna and Saru, that while Leiard the Dreamweaver remains in Si helping the Siyee fight Hearteater he will not be harmed.”

Now it was his turn to stare at her. Slowly his face relaxed and he smiled.

“I can’t believe you did that,” he said. “For me.”

She let out a quick breath in exasperation. “I can’t believe you asked for it. Will you go to the North Forest tribe?”