The Pearl of the Soul of the World - By Meredith Ann Pierce Page 0,68
caught hers. Did he know? Did he guess?
"So the war is done," the duarough mage said, "and Irrylath is Avaric's king. But what of you, child?
What will you do now?"
Aeriel could not reply. She wanted so to go to Irrylath, to take his hand, but she felt the radiance of the pearlstuff in her blood intensify: a warning. The Lady Syllva, her color regained, left Hadin and turned to Aeriel.
"I and my train return soon to Esternesse," she said. "But most of my sons must stay behind, each to aid his Ion in the rebuilding of the West. Only Hadin returns with me, for your native Pirs already has a sovereign."
The Lady held out her hand to Aeriel.
"Will you not come with us, dear child, lend Hadin and me your company? Esternesse will be a lonely place without his brothers."
The Lady's eyes invited her, her smile hopeful yet sad.
"It is to my rue that I bore only sons—never a daughter to be my heir. You are my niece, the daughter of my birthsister, who once ruled my dominion in my stead. Come across the Sea-of-Dust with us," she said. "Be heir to the Ladyship of Esternesse."
Aeriel shook her head, refusing the other's hand. "If it is the law in Esternesse that says no man may rule as Lord, then it is an unjust law. If it is merely custom, let it be custom no more. It is Hadin who shall be with you in Esternesse. Make him your heir."
Syllva and her youngestborn exchanged a glance.
"Since you wish it," the Lady replied at last, "it will be so."
Hadin bowed to Aeriel, his face full of wonder and delight. One by one, his Istern brothers came forward, each accompanying his Ion. The wolf of Bern spoke first.
"Come rule in my land, which was so pleasant once. Together, we shall make it so again."
Aeriel shook her head. "Let him who was your rider rule your land."
Red Arat, one arm bandaged in a sling, came forward beside Elverlon.
"Be queen of my strange and wondrous land, Aeriel," the cockatrice urged.
Shaking her head, she answered, "Let Arat rule for me."
Dappled Zambulon came forward, Syril at his side.
"Mine is the fairest land by far," the winged panther purred. "I and my people would welcome you."
Again she shook her head. "Let that be Syril's task."
Brass-colored Terralon approached, accompanied by Syril's birthbrother, Lern.
"You spent your childhood in my land, great Aeriel," said the gryphon of Terrain. "Return. Be sibyl on the altar-cliffs of Orm, before whom even the satrap bows."
Sadly, Aeriel cast down her eyes. "The sibyls of Orm are no more, I fear, and your consort the sfinx has deposed the satrap for trafficking in slaves. Let Lern replace him as ruler in my stead."
Drawing near, Poratun in purple robes beckoned her from beside Ranilon.
"You have never seen my land," the winged salamander said. "But it is marvelous strange and fair.
Come sample it and be its queen."
Regretfully, Aeriel turned away. "Give the crown to Poratun."
Lastly, her own brother Roshka came forward beside the bronze stag Pirsalon. Hadin, who had been that Ion's rider during the war, stood back holding the reins of Nightwalker, Roshka's steed. This time it was the man who spoke and not the Ion.
"Erryl, my sister," said Roshka, "now called Aeriel, you are our father's firstborn and the right heir in Pirs. Return with me to take your place as suzeranee."
With the greatest sorrow yet, Aeriel shook her head. "It is true I am Pirs's rightful heir. But you have been its crown prince all the years that I was lost, a slave in Terrain. Be suzerain in my stead, brother. It is what I wish."
Roshka bowed and fell back a pace as the others had done. Another came forward, laughing, then.
"So, little pale one," Orrototo chided, her desert walking stick in hand. Aeriel eyed the cinnamon-colored chieftess of the Ma'ambai and felt her spirit ever so gently lift. "You are refusing all honors and offers of crowns. Could it be, having accomplished your task, you now wish to rest?"
Wearily, Aeriel closed her eyes. If only she might rest. The dark chieftess touched her cheek.
"Come with me," she said. "Wander the dunes of Pendar as once you did. There, everyone goes where she wishes, and everyone is free."
But Aeriel could only shake her head. "Chieftess, my task is not yet done, and I am not yet free."
The other's eyes grew rueful, but at last she, too, fell back. Talb the Mage spoke.