Voice of the Gods

“I’m sorry.”

Auraya shrugged and sat down beside the woman. “I have a spare.”

“Not any more. That’ll never come out.”

Examining the spots, Auraya shrugged again. “If magic doesn’t work I’ll just have to order new clothes - and I’m sure the Priests here have a few spares in reserve. How did your meeting with the tribe leaders go?”

Sirri grimaced. “Not well. Who’d have thought trade with landwalkers would make some of us turn greedy.”

Auraya said nothing. The difficulties the Siyee had endured in the past had forced them to look after each other or perish. The lands returned to them by the Torens had been developed in ways the Siyee hadn’t had the numbers or knowledge to try, and now they found themselves arguing over sudden and unevenly distributed wealth. It was not landwalkers that had made some turn greedy.

“I’ve been wondering if we should consult the gods on the matter,” Sirri continued. “Leave the decision in their hands.”

“Better to sort it out yourselves,” Auraya replied.

Sirri’s eyebrows rose. “Why is that?”

Auraya frowned as she realized she could not provide an answer Sirri would accept. Have I come to distrust the gods so much I would warn others to have nothing to do with them? I’m starting to sound like a Wild.

“The gods would expect you to do all you could before consulting them,” she replied. She looked at Sirri. “But I guess you’re telling me you have.”

Sirri smiled. “Yes. But maybe you’re right. Maybe we should try harder. Have some berries. They’ve just come in season.”

They both scooped up a handful and began eating. Auraya thought of Jade. She would have liked these berries. I suppose she is still making her way out of Si.

She was surprised to find she missed the woman’s company. Though domineering and moody, Jade had been full of interesting anecdotes and knowledge. Auraya smiled. Jade might have been immensely old, but Auraya had managed to surprise her a few times.

“I wonder if there’s a way to remove the void,” Auraya remembered saying one night. “Perhaps if magic was drawn from another place and released here it could be filled in.”

Jade had stared at her in surprise. “I hadn’t thought of that.”

Finishing her handful of berries, Sirri began talking about the tribes fighting over the mines. Though she had heard it all the previous night, Auraya let the woman talk through it again, knowing Sirri simply needed to air her frustration.

:Auraya.

She jumped at the voice in her mind, then looked down at her priest ring. Juran was calling her through it. Well, I no longer have to wonder if shielding my mind prevents it working.

:Juran? she replied.

:Yes. Where are you?

:In the Open.

:Is Speaker Sirri with you?

:She is.

:I have something to request of her. Will you speak for me?

:Of course.

“Speaker Sirri,” Auraya interrupted. “Juran of the White wishes me to communicate a request to you.”

Sirri froze, mouth open. Then, as she recovered from the surprise, she straightened, smiled and nodded. “Tell him I’m listening - and give him my greetings and good wishes.”

:Give her my thanks, Juran said. Recently we have discovered a Pentadrian plot in Jarime in which citizens of our city were murdered and others tricked into converting to the Pentadrian religion.

Auraya relayed this to Sirri.

:We have unearthed Pentadrian plots in Toren and Genria, and are investigating other reports of their operations. Their aim has been to quietly subvert the rule of these lands, while luring Circlians into abandoning the gods and worshipping theirs by offering positions of power to those without Gifts. Have Pentadrians or suspicious foreigners been seen in Si recently?

“Not recently,” Sirri replied. “Not since last spring, when we requested Auraya’s help. We have kept a watch on our shores ever since. The only visitors have been Elai.”

:I hope you are right. We have long debated what action would be appropriate in response to the Pentadrian attacks in our cities. If we ignore them, they may grow bolder. They may attempt to reenter your land. They will certainly try to subvert others again. We must let them know they can’t attack us without retaliation. Will you help us?

“Of course,” Sirri replied. “What can we do?”

:Huan herself suggested we attack them in their own land. Speed and surprise will be essential, so your Siyee warriors came to mind straightaway. The target was then obvious: the breeding stock of the black birds.

Sirri’s eyes widened. “That would be a risky and... daring attack. I trust you know where the breeding stock are?”

:In an isolated town, far from major Pentadrian cities. We will send maps and information about the town, the daily routine of the breeders and their birds - everything your warriors will need.

Auraya realized her heart was racing. Juran was asking the Siyee to take a great risk. They would enter enemy lands. If they failed, nobody could help them.

“I will go with them,” she said.

Sirri frowned. “Juran will... oh! Of course. You were speaking for yourself, Auraya. Thank you.”

:You may go with them if you wish, Juran said. But the gods forbid you to use your Gifts to help the Siyee or hinder the enemy. This must be a strike made by the Siyee, not by a White or even an ex-White.

Auraya gave a gasp of disbelief.

:Do you really expect me to let them die if they are attacked? she asked silently.

:The gods do, Juran replied. This strike is as much a symbolic act as it is an attempt to hurt the enemy. If you cannot obey the gods in this you should not accompany the Siyee.

:Can I heal them if they’re injured?

Juran paused.

:I suppose that would not negate the symbolism of the attack.

Auraya scowled.

:I suppose it would be an even better symbolic gesture if the Siyee all died in the attack. A noble sacrifice, and all that.

:Of course it wouldn’t be better. To strike and escape would be much stronger proof of our ability to retaliate.

“Well?” Sirri asked.

Realizing she hadn’t relayed Juran’s words since he had revealed that she was forbidden to use her Gifts, Auraya grimaced in apology. “Sorry. The gods have decided I can heal the Siyee, but do nothing else. I can’t fight the Pentadrians.”

“Well,” Sirri said grimly, “that is better than nothing.”

:Will the Siyee go? Juran asked.

“As always I must consult the Speakers of the tribes,” Sirri replied. “Though I doubt they would refuse something we agreed to in our alliance. When will this attack take place?”

:Not for some months. We must get the maps and instructions to you first.