Heart of the Hill by Andrea Spalding

tools.”
    Vivienne tensed and cloaked herself in the dark anonymity of the Portal. Zorianna must not learn that she too had knowledge of a Wise One’s tool.
    Zorianna’s voice hardened. “Now keep your part of our bargain, Vivienne. I demand to enter the Portal.”
    â€œAnd if it remains closed?”
    â€œI WILL DESTROY YOU.”
    Vivienne’s voice held a hint of amusement. “You know you cannot destroy either the Portal or its Keeper.”
    â€œI cannot, but if I report to the Dark Being, she will shatter both you and your Portal. Reconsider, Vivienne. Would you not rather deal with me?”
    â€œI would. I was testing you. You care not for Gaia, only for the power it might give you. Gaia’s destruction is still an option in your heart, Zorianna.”
    Zorianna stamped her foot. “All right, I will promise. I swear on the stars that I will not destroy Gaia. I wish to find the tool hidden here, to bend Gaia’s inhabitants to my will and to learn their powerful Earth Magic. Does that satisfy you, Portal Keeper? It is the truth.”
    Vivienne smiled in the darkness. Humans were not easily used, nor was their Earth Magic. She thought fleetingly of the Crystal Cave, then re-cloaked her thoughts in blackness. The staff was well hidden. Neither she, nor the Myrddin, knew what Earth Magic had been used to make the magic seal. Zorianna would fail. Vivienne’s smile broadened. She would enjoy watching Zorianna deal with the humans. Both were in for a shock! And if Zorianna discovered the importance of the Crystal Cave? Any tampering would bring down the wrath of the Myrddin. That too would be interesting!
    Finally Vivienne spoke. “Yes, Zorianna. You may enter Gaia.”

CHAPTER FIVE

S TORIES OF O LD
    The track beneath Holly’s feet gave at each step with a little sigh. The sensation was pleasant, almost springy, and much more fun than walking on pavement. At first Holly stepped slowly and carefully, testing each step in case she sank into the marsh beneath, but the track makers knew their job. The woven mat of branches, though it dipped at each footfall and sometimes water oozed between the cracks, diffused her weight, so she could walk through the marsh with confidence.
    The trail seemed long, for the track wound its way through the reeds. At first Holly was glad to hide, but as the trail lengthened, she grew anxious and kept parting and peering between reeds on either side, trying to see her destination while remaining hidden. The day was hot, insects buzzed and bit, and sweat beaded Holly’s face and trickled down the back of her neck. Pausing to wipe her face, she heard faint voices. Slowly she crept forward. The ground grew firmer. The track had brought her to a low mud bank, and the reeds gave way to an alder thicket and brambles. She peered through the branches.
    Three round wooden huts stood in a clearing. Holly crept into the thicket to observe.
    â€œArto…leave well alone.” It was a girl’s voice, high with tension. “Utha will kill you.”
    A young man, dressed in skins like the others Holly had seen, stepped from the open doorway of the middle hut. He wore a roughly woven blanket across one shoulder and a bow and quiver full of arrows across his back. In addition he carried a spear in one hand and a dagger in his belt. In his other hand he cradled a small bronze bowl.
    A young woman, a baby bound on her back, erupted from the hut and grasped his arm. “No, Arto…the Lady’s cup is not worth it. Avalon is no more, so why risk Utha’s wrath.”
    Arto brushed her gently aside. “I must. The cup was the Lady’s sacred sacrifice. Utha should have left it in the lake.”
    The woman threw up her hands in a gesture of despair.
    Arto rested his hands on her shoulders. “You know Utha did wrong, Gwyn. You are still a believer though the Lady left us. You partook in the ceremonies. We all sipped the white