Into the Dark Lands by Michelle Sagara West Page A

he saluted her. “Congratulations, Erin. You’ve managed to achieve power-use and continue to fight.” He frowned as he met her confused stare. “You did that on purpose, didn’t you?”
    Did what? She shook her head. It was the only time that she had ever done well enough to receive Telvar’s praise—and she had no idea what he was talking about.
    â€œBright Heart, girl. You’ve a power, then.” His frown deepened. He’d seen the pale green glow that had briefly touched her—the signature of Lernari magic. And he could guess at its use. But if she’d summoned it unknowing ... She must be very
much her mother’s child. Healing blood; Lernan’s truest legacy. Why do they train her in warrior arts? He paused a moment. Kerlinda is at the front.
    â€œErin!”
    Both the master and his student turned at the sound of the familiar voice. Surprise kept Telvar’s customary—legendary—reaction to interruption of his lessons at bay. He even managed not to frown as Erin threw down her weapon and leaped out of the drill circle.
    â€œMother!”
    Kerlinda was already kneeling, arms spread wide to catch her daughter in midflight. She was dirt-stained, the edge of her cloak as muddy as her booted feet. Her hair, once long and glorious, was now cropped closely about her ears for practicality’s sake. Even so, there was no mistaking who she was. She felt her daughter’s thin arms close tightly around her neck and smiled breathlessly over Erin’s shoulder at any who cared to watch their reunion.
    Telvar was one. He knew well what Kerlinda was feeling, and the fact that she was still alive to feel it almost brought a smile to his lips. Almost—he was, after all, still in the middle of a lesson.
    â€œKredan.”
    The entire class turned back to the drill circle at the clipped word.
    â€œI see that you’ve learned enough to be able to ignore what’s being done. Come. Enter the circle.”
    Kredan groaned wordlessly. If he could ever manage to school his facial expression, he’d be set.
    Only Telvar watched Kerlinda and Erin depart. Arm in arm, heads bent together in quiet whispering that even his ears could not catch all of, they made their way home.
    Â 
    But it was different; having her mother’s quiet presence instead of Katalaan’s noisy one. Kerlinda had invited Katalaan to stay, but the older woman had demurred, wanting Erin to have the chance to be alone with her mother.
    And that’s how Erin felt—alone.
    The moment they entered their house together her mother had gone strange and silent, as if the walls were too small, too tight.
    â€œMother?”
    â€œHmmm? Oh, Erin.” Kerlinda smiled dimly. She turned
away, running her hands along the rail of the stairs. “Have you changed the house around?”
    â€œNo!”
    â€œI’m sorry, I didn’t mean to criticize.” She brushed her fingers through her short hair and began to pull her boots off. “I just wondered.”
    Erin said nothing.
    After a moment, Kerlinda looked up. “Erin, I didn’t mean anything by it.” She was pale, and the rings under her eyes were dark. “I’m fine; it’s good to be home.”
    Erin wanted it to be true, but her mother looked so different. Thinner. Harsher.
    â€œCan I—can I get you something?”
    â€œNo. Not for the moment. I’ll take care of it myself.” Her mother paused. “Is everything in the same place?”
    Katalaan had rearranged much of the kitchen with Erin’s help, but Erin still nodded. She wanted her mother to feel at home.
    But although her mother stayed for two weeks, she never seemed as if she truly belonged there. And Erin didn’t know how to ask her why.

chapter three
    â€œ Belf, why were they made? ”
    Belfas looked up to see Erin as she paced across the lawn. This was the second time in his life that Erin had