the moon behaves as normal.”
“Well, that’s probably right, anyway.” Jotin laughed and Trynor joined in.
“Yes, of course, but not for the mystical reasons they think.” He paused and looked around, “Where was I?”
“Going to see an oracle,” said Jotin.
“Oh, yes. Lovely night. Thyme scented air, moonlight, the works. Gorgeous, but she didn’t pay it any attention, just rushed on up to the top of the little hill. I would have tripped on the loose stones if I’d had to do it in a body, but she was young and nimble.
Planidi was waiting in the circular sanctuary making her preparations. She raised a bronze rod towards the waxing moon and held the double-headed axe at its end so that from her viewpoint its points touched those of the moon. She closed her eyes and started an incantation to the Mother, who she assumed watched over her and everybody else on the island. When Alessia arrived Planidi drew a circle in the dust with the end of her rod and motioned the girl into it, where she knelt, her face raised to the crescent of light that showed that the Mother was listening.
“Ask your question now, daughter, while Diktynna’s light shines on you. The Mother will always answer those who seek her wisdom in the right way.” She put nine polished marble pebbles into Alessia’s hands and Alessia raised the Speaking Stones towards the moon, as she recited the old familiar words:
“Mother of all, mother of all your daughters, who guides us and gifts to us all our power, which is your power, help me now.” She paused, searching for the best words to use, although she correctly suspected that the ‘Mother’ already knew what was in her heart. “Help me now to decide should I go? Should I study under Mikolos of Malatos, to craft the precious gold?” She stopped again, wondering if that was enough, “or should I stay and continue to learn from my father? I think I would be better with gold than clay.” She stopped, aghast at having given her opinion to the Mother, who she thought knew far more than her. Of course we do! Planidi had divined the answers to everything for all of Alessia’s sixteen years. “I ask this humbly and that I may play my proper role in harmony with the spirits of the places where I will belong, and for the greater wonder of all children of the mother. I will follow your decision. So be it.” She bowed her head.
“Well said. Now throw the stones.”
Alessia raised her face and hands to the moonlight and tossed the pebbles up in the air. They fell around her except for one, which fell between her bare breasts and nestled there gleaming. Planidi gasped and her hand flew to her mouth.
“Don’t say it” I said. I was standing just outside the circle, invisible to the living humans, drawn into the proceedings despite my best intentions. “Don’t tell my girl anything about stones to the heart, or about the one that fell outside the circle either.” Planidi’s head swung round and when she saw the stone lying behind Alessia, outside the circle, her grip on her rod tightened and she raised it towards the moon as though to defend herself.
“Oh, goodness, stop this now,” I said, “There’s no need to tell her nonsense. The stones mean nothing, you know that. You’re just well tuned in to us. So listen again, please, and stop inventing superstitions. Just tell her to go to Mikolos’ studio. She’s right, she would be very good with intricate work. Don’t let a good skill go to waste. It’s a straightforward life for her this time, it’s all planned, but she’d be more fulfilled and happy with the gold than with clay.” Planidi said nothing. Her black curls moved a little in the night air and we could all hear the crickets in the valley making the soft air loud.
“Guide of Planidi the Oracle, we need you!” I moved to stand nearer to the motionless woman. As I passed Alessia I murmured to her, “don’t worry, we’ll get her talking in a moment. Be patient.”
As soon as I spoke I could see a deep purple light forming at one side of the sanctuary and moving forwards towards Planidi. “How can I help you, Trynor?”
“Make sure Planidi doesn’t dramatise her stones again. Nothing bad will happen to Alessia, it’s all arranged. She should go to Malatos, she’d be right at home with gold and