The Secret of Spring by Piers Anthony, Jo Anne Taeusch Page A

dressed in the long loose tunic uniform of all the Companions of New Moon. Spring guessed her age somewhere between fourteen and sixteen. She was a humanoid, and a rather pretty one, at that. Spring wondered what such a young woman would be doing devoting her life to service in this secluded Order? Well, they all had their reasons.
    " Iolanthe ," Spring repeated. "Yes, Flower."
    "You know the meaning?" the girl asked, pleased. "It's an Old World name, from the ancient times."
    Spring nodded. "Greek. I've made a study of botany, plants, and flora. It's sort of a crossover study, though most of the scientific names are in Latin. Another ancient language from that era." Spring sat down the cup and leaned back against the pillow.
    "I should not be taxing your strength with questions.
    Companion Alma is always admonishing me for my glib tongue. You need solitude after your ordeal. I will return later for the cup." She turned to go.
    "No, stay. Actually, I would appreciate some company. My father was the only family I had, and I feel so alone now." I olanthe looked at the older girl with compassion. "Have you had any sleep?" she asked.
    "I don't know. Yes, I think so," Spring answered. Awake, asleep, what was the difference? Nothing would change, she thought.
    "I don't think you have slept at all. I am going to request some medication for you right now," the young girl said, and opened the door.
    "No, please don't do that," Spring said. "I don't like to take drugs of any type. But, if you will hand me the small pouch from the tray on the table, I will do some relaxation exercises with my crystals. That works just as well." I olanthe brought the pouch, and stood by curiously while Spring removed several small stones and held them in her palm.
    "Jewels!" Iolanthe exclaimed, obviously impressed.
    Spring smiled. "Not exactly. These are healing stones. They aren't worth all that much monetarily. Their value lies in their application. My father-my father was a renowned crystallogist . I assisted him in his practice on our home planet until-until I came here," she finished, tears glistening in her eyes.
    "How do the stones work?" asked Iolanthe , hoping to take Spring's mind off the sad subject for a few moments.
    Spring held up a small purple gem. "This is an amethyst," she explained, pressing it to the small space on her forehead between the eyes. "I place it here, on my sixth chakra . Chakra is a term for an energy center. Some people refer to this spot as the third eye, because it is the center for intuition and spiritual awakening. I don't want to confuse you. Let's just say there are chakras that correspond to various parts of the body, and different stones work for each."
    "But, what do they do for you?" Iolanthe pressed, glad to have Spring expressing an interest in anything again. For days, she had stayed alone and silent in her room, hardly acknowledging Iolanthe's presence.
    "To put it simply, they contain energy, and so can project thought, heal, protect, whatever the intent of the user. Now I will visualize a peaceful scene, and attempt to sleep."
    "Yes, that is good," Iolanthe said. She stayed for a short while watching as Spring shut her eyes and breathed deeply, closing out her surroundings. The servant girl walked quietly through the door, closing it behind her.
    Spring tried to concentrate on the visualization, but all she could see was her father's face. Her father. He had always been her strength. How was she to go on alone without him? The deep sorrow swelled up to sweep over her again as she remembered the last time they had been together.
    Word had reached her through the Society that her father was dead. The official version was that he had been fatally injured in a Turbocar accident, but a trusted source revealed that his office had been found in shambles and traces of blood were definitely his. Spring knew it had been no accident.
    It had to be Zygote. He had friends in high posts who could have easily initiated a