The Pool of Two Moons by Kate Forsyth Page B

than just food to them; it was the flesh and blood of the earth, filled with power. He knew a tide had turned in them as well.
    After they had eaten, Jorge carefully opened the magic circle and doused the fire, then said in a trembling voice, "My bairns, we must find shelter. I need to sleep. Soldiers are close . . . We must hide. Ye must watch over me, my spirit has traveled far tonight and I am tired. Very tired." He felt their anxiety but could do nothing to help them; he rested his aching head on his hand, trying to control the surging of his heart which beat so loud he thought they all must hear it. Through the pounding he heard Dillon giving orders and the sound of the children's feet as they ran to obey him. Finn's high voice said, "There's a cave only a few ridges ahead, I be sure o' it ... Can we support him?" Then he felt hands under his armpits and he was being supported on all sides by small, loving hands. Letting them lead him, he stumbled along, still clutching the dagger in his hand, the raven croaking with concern as he flew overhead.
    Lilanthe lay on the grass, staring up at the dawn-streaked sky. Soon the camp of jongleurs would be stirring and she would have to hide. Now, however, she was free to enjoy the first stirring of the morning. The forests and glades of Aslinn were home to many birds and animals that hopped and scampered about her, quite unafraid. They knew the tree-shifter was as much a creature of the forest as they were.
    "Lilanthe!" The sound of the jongleur's voice startled the animals, who scurried away into the underbrush. Dide the Juggler slipped into the glade, carrying a steaming wooden bowl. "It's hot . . ." he tempted. She tensed, toes curling. Her feet were broad, brown and knotty, and she tried to hide them whenever Dide came near. After a moment he laid the bowl down and backed off a few paces. She only ventured to pick up the bowl when he was a full six feet away, and then she ate frantically, spooning the food into her mouth without pause.
    "Ye'll burn your tongue," he said.
    She did not answer, only hunching her form closer around the bowl. He lay on his back and began to juggle six golden balls into the air. She watched the balls in fascination as they spun in patterns of ever-increasing complexity. "We'll be splitting from the other carts soon," he said conversationally. "Ye'll be able to come with us then if ye want." She scraped the bowl clean and put it down with a sigh. The golden balls began to chase each other in a high-rising circle. "Would ye like that? Joining our caravan, I mean?"
    She did not answer for a long time and he concentrated on juggling. Then she said slowly, "I do no' like your father."
    "Neither do I much, sometimes," Dide replied cheerfully. "There's no need to fret yourself, though, it's all bluster. If he likes ye—and I canna see any reason why he should no'—he'll treat ye like a banrigh." Lilanthe said nothing, twisting the hem of her grubby smock around in her thin, twiggy fingers. "Enit will no' let anything happen to ye. She keeps Da in good order, do no' worry about that." He got to his feet, rubbing the sparse beard that itched his chin. "Lilanthe, I have to go. Will ye think about traveling more closely with us? These forests are no' really safe, ye ken." Lilanthe smiled at the thought she might not be safe in the forest, but nodded.
    As darkness fell that night, the jongleurs boiled up a side of salted pork, broached the barrel of whisky, then sang the evening away. Lilanthe crouched beneath one of the caravans, watching and listening in delight. The music got into her blood and made her want to sing and dance too, especially when Dide played his guitar. Perched on a fallen log, playing like a demon, his music was irresistible. One by one the other jongleurs began to dance, twirling in the firelit darkness until Lilanthe could barely lie still. Even the youngest of the children bobbed up and down on the spot and clapped his plump hands, while