Consorts of Heaven by Jaine Fenn Page B

proof he is not from the uplands. The obvious solution would be for him to travel to the lowlands with the drove.’
    No one spoke up against the suggestion. Kerin pressed her lips together, fighting the urge to laugh out loud.
    Arthen added, ‘Assuming he is fit to travel. Kerin?’
    Her head felt light as thistledown. Possible disaster had become salvation: the drove would return Sais to his home. And it had been due, in part, to her! It suddenly struck Kerin that if she kept her wits about her, here was also her one chance to escape a life of unspoken secrets, small unkindnesses and constant drudgery.
    ‘He is recovering from a fever caught at the mere, master,’ she said to Arthen, ‘and his missing knowledge still causes him problems. I would say that though he can travel, it would go easier for him, and for the drovers, if he had someone to care for him.’ She paused, a tiny shiver going through her at her own temerity, then added, ‘Therefore I suggest that I be allowed to accompany the drove.’
    ‘What?’ said Lorar.
    Howen muttered, ‘A woman on the drove? Ridiculous!’
    Though unease rippled through the council, Arthen was still looking at her, indicating she retained the right to speak. She continued in a rush, ‘As well as caring for my patient, I would tend to my son’s needs. Damaru carries our hopes with him on his journey; I am sure that you would not wish his chance of success to be hurt by having suffered unduly from the rigours of the road. For myself, I would not be a burden on the men, nor would I ask that any concession be made for my sex.’
    Several men had their hands up, and most had expressions of indignation and disbelief on their faces.
    Arthen ignored the raised hands and addressed Cadmael. ‘What does your knowledge of the Traditions tell you? As I recall, a woman may travel if there is a good enough reason.’
    ‘Aye,’ said Cadmael, ‘that is my recollection too.’
    Kerin had given him a reason, and she suspected that, despite refusing her initial request to accompany Damaru, he would prefer her gone. It would be easier to face the winnowing times without her around. But was the reason good enough to convince his council? In the end, they were as easily led as their own herds.
    Bodfan’s attempts to gain the floor were almost comical. ‘Surely,’ he said when Arthen gave him leave to speak, ‘the last thing we should do in these troubled times is risk the displeasure of the Mothers? A woman asking to go on the drove is hardly a good reason.’
    Fychan put his hand up, and Kerin’s heart sank. ‘I agree that a woman’s word should not hold weight in council,’ he said. ‘But in this case her reasons have some merit. It is a woman’s place to care, and the drove will now carry two who require that care.’
    Kerin’s eyes widened in surprise at Fychan’s unexpected support. But he was in a minority. Lorar was shaking his head and muttering loudly, Bodfan looked like he had more to say against her, and none appeared to be willing to speak up for her.
    Though Arthen had now lent back so his face was in shadow, she knew he was watching her. Her mind raced, trying to find another argument the men might listen to. He had opened the way, but in the end he would not directly oppose the will of the majority.
    Next to her Sais swayed on his feet, his lips pressed into a thin line.
    When the mood of the hall changed, at first Kerin could not see the reason. Men became still and attention focused behind her. She turned.
    Damaru was wandering towards her, his expression unhappy. He must have come home to find the hut empty and wondered at the lack of his mother - and his dinner. She reached out to him. He let her hold him and rested his head on her shoulder with a sigh.
    Arthen stood. ‘I think,’ he said, relief evident in his tone, ‘that the Skymothers have just indicated the course they wish us to take.’ He put his palm out to show the skymetal disc. ‘All voices have