102. Raven Crown Chapters 10, 11 and 12
A murdered guardian. A stolen sapphire. A raven with opinions.
Brie must gather the Jewels of Tambor—learning courage, cunning, and a strength she never knew she possessed—all while braving a twisted foot, a lack of trust, and impossible odds. Meanwhile, Dogmar, known as Jackal, will do anything to claim the throne…until a stolen jewel begins to unravel everything she believes about strength and survival.
Transcript
Chapter 10, Jackal.
2
:I crouch next to the sea cliff
and watch the ship sail away.
3
:It's been some time since
anything has made me happier.
4
:For now, at least I am free of my father.
5
:Of course, if I come across any
dragons that recognize me, my
6
:whereabouts will be sent to my
father in Ultan via carrier pigeon.
7
:still, I don't have to see the man
or hear him bellow for the next few
8
:weeks, at least, my nostrils flare.
9
:All I have to do is find those stones.
10
:The men searched into the night,
but didn't locate the girl.
11
:Now it's up to me.
12
:I look around with disgust
at the dingy forest.
13
:By the jewels.
14
:The girl has scampered
like a rodent into a hole.
15
:I grip my teeth and wonder
how best to catch a rodent.
16
:brie.
17
:I lean against a tree with my cloak
tight around my shoulders and stare
18
:out to the sea through the morning fog
gray sits slumped elbows on his knees,
19
:his hands buried in his thick red hair.
20
:When I see the dragon
ship, I nudge him silently.
21
:We watch it go after some time?
22
:Grace speaks.
23
:What shall we do?
24
:Good question.
25
:I've been wondering the same thing.
26
:I could gather the chickens and
goats manage at the dugout alone.
27
:I know I could, but when the
dragons return a what then?
28
:I think of the leather bound envelope
in Nona's bundle of all the years she
29
:spent gathering information about the
jewels, and now that that knowledge
30
:is mine, can I find them without her?
31
:The question weighs me down until it
dawns on me that my ability to complete
32
:the task has nothing to do with it.
33
:I can't just sit here, succeed or not.
34
:I've got to try.
35
:I'm going to ultan.
36
:I blurt out.
37
:Gray looks at me like I'm crazy.
38
:Come on, Raven.
39
:Ultan is miles from here.
40
:Your foot will never make it.
41
:I'm annoyed that Greg keeps calling
me Raven, but the idea that he thinks
42
:I can't get to Ultan is infuriating.
43
:I will too.
44
:Make it, but as I say the
words, I feel slightly sick.
45
:One bad infection in my foot,
and I'll lose my whole leg.
46
:Literally, if the infection
were to spread, it could kill
47
:me, but I hold my resolve.
48
:I'm perfectly capable of
taking care of myself.
49
:Do you even know how to get to Ultan?
50
:I have known as Map I Snap.
51
:Once again, I feel a paying
of doubt for the love of rats?
52
:Can I get there?
53
:With just the map, I groan
knowing I should have paid more
54
:attention to Nona's lessons.
55
:Even still, I jet out my jaw.
56
:Nona and I were on our way to
find the jewels of Tambor so
57
:that we could stop Reagan thorn.
58
:Now that she's gone, it's up to me.
59
:Gray looks confused.
60
:What are you talking about?
61
:I explained about the jewels and how Nona
believed they could prevent Reagan thorn
62
:from putting a puppet queen on the throne
And when exactly is this Coronation?
63
:Gray asks On the next full moon,
he shakes his head but doesn't
64
:comment about the lack of time.
65
:And do you believe anyone who finds these
gems and lives by their whatever it is,
66
:vibration will have some kind of power?
67
:Gray asks with obvious skepticism.
68
:don't act like I'm crazy.
69
:Nona was the one who told me,
and she didn't exactly say power.
70
:She said you could
commune with the whisper.
71
:I mean, the hesperian
72
:Grace sits silently and I see
him trying to work things out.
73
:Ma and PA must have believed
all this, or they wouldn't have
74
:been willing to follow Nona.
75
:But why didn't they ever tell me?
76
:I feel some satisfaction knowing
I'm not the only one that was
77
:kept in the dark, probably because
they didn't want me to find out.
78
:There's some connection between
the stones and my parents.
79
:Nona refused as usual to
give me an explanation.
80
:Come on, Raven.
81
:I've worked in the gem pits.
82
:All my don't call me raven.
83
:I snap.
84
:gray holds out his hand
in a placating fashion.
85
:Look, I've heard that some of the old
digger wives use crystals in healing
86
:remedies, and I think most diggers would
agree gems have special properties.
87
:But this vibration thing, I don't think
I'm going to find the jewels of tambo.
88
:I cut in and I'll get them to
ultan no matter what you think.
89
:Gray's eyes flick towards my foot.
90
:I know what he's thinking in a huff.
91
:I stock towards the bundles there.
92
:I pull out Nona's map.
93
:It's drawn in black ink
on brownish oil skin.
94
:I kneel to unroll it on the ground.
95
:I am here.
96
:I mumble pointing to a small X on
the northern coast and Ultan is.
97
:I run my finger down the coastline here.
98
:I stop beside the largest harbor in
Tambor, devastated by the distance.
99
:Gray comes up beside me quickly.
100
:I roll up the map, not wanting
him to know just how far it is.
101
:I'm going with you, he says.
102
:Why I demand gray crosses his arms
over his chest because someone has
103
:got to keep you out of trouble.
104
:I glare at him until the stern
line of his lips turns into a
105
:sheep dog grin, gray's grin.
106
:I turn away before
relief shows on my face.
107
:Well, I would never admit it.
108
:Gray has gotten me out
of more scrapes than one.
109
:I would be glad to have him
along, even if I don't like it.
110
:Come if you want.
111
:I say just don't slow me down.
112
:I glance around.
113
:First, we need to lighten Nona's bundle.
114
:Gray kneels beside me as I
rummage through the contents.
115
:I hate leaving anything of Nona's
behind, but taking all of her
116
:belongings isn't practical.
117
:I question a heavy book
covered in Kaf skin.
118
:I remember when Nona bought
it from the Banjara Pedler.
119
:I'd like to leave this.
120
:It's written in the ancient language,
which is gibberish to anyone except Nona.
121
:That's not true.
122
:Grace says some of the
older Banjara can read it.
123
:He's right.
124
:Nona used to discuss the
translation of certain words with
125
:the Pedler when he passed through.
126
:While not all of the words are the
same as the Banjara native tongue,
127
:he was able to clarify some of
the meanings in the LXi gloss.
128
:The book Nona used as a
translation reference.
129
:Still, I don't see the point in
lugging such a heavy book when
130
:it's nearly impossible to read Yet.
131
:What about Nona's reason for everything
As I'm pondering the question, I
132
:notice the symbol embossed on the
cover and my mouth drops open.
133
:It's the strange moon symbol, the
one inked on Reagan thorn's forearm.
134
:I flip open the cover.
135
:I can't read the ancient language,
let alone pronounce it, but the word
136
:written on the first page stands
out like a blister on a big toe.
137
:Corvex corona.
138
:I say astonished.
139
:That's what Reagan Thorn said.
140
:After picking up the ruby, I wet my lips.
141
:Could I translate this
book if I really tried?
142
:no doubt.
143
:Nona's LXi Gloss is in the
envelope, but I hate translation.
144
:there's a twinge in my gut, and once
again, I know that I should have paid
145
:more attention to Nona's lessons.
146
:I slammed the book closed.
147
:We're keeping this, I go back
to searching Nona's bundle,
148
:her pouch of flint and steel.
149
:I drop into my own bag.
150
:Next I find 16 beeswax candles.
151
:keeping to, I put the rest aside.
152
:Sure.
153
:I won't need more.
154
:I find an exceptionally
heavy pair of stockings.
155
:To my amazement, I discovered that one
of them is filled with silver shekels.
156
:Where did she get those gray asks?
157
:I shake my head in disbelief.
158
:There seems to be no end to the
things Nona kept hidden, and
159
:I thought I knew her so well.
160
:I put the stockings aside and
continue searching her bundle.
161
:Nona has an extra tunic and shirt.
162
:I'm wondering if I should trade
them for my own worn clothing.
163
:When I find Nona's Red Paisley shawl,
my eyes sting at the side of it.
164
:The shawl was Nona's favorite.
165
:I lifted to my face, but instead
of soft folds, I find a hard lump.
166
:Startled.
167
:I shake it out, something drops
to the forest floor, my lips part
168
:and my eyes open wide Beside me
in the leaves is another stone,
169
:chapter 11, Brie.
170
:I pick up the honey colored jewel.
171
:Nona had two.
172
:I gasp.
173
:Gray leans close.
174
:What are you talking about?
175
:Look, I show him the stone.
176
:It's uncut like the ruby, but larger.
177
:I clutch it to my chest, wondering
if it will speak to me, if it
178
:will help me know what to do.
179
:Gray must be sufficiently impressed
because he doesn't say a word.
180
:I wait but hear nothing sense, nothing.
181
:I let my hands drop to those
who can feel its power.
182
:I suppose this jewel is of incredible
worth, but to me it's just another stone.
183
:I'm disappointed, but not surprised.
184
:This isn't the first time I've
waited for inspiration and gotten
185
:nothing yet as I hold the gem,
I feel a surge of determination.
186
:Just because I can't feel the
vibrations doesn't mean I'm useless.
187
:Surely a little of known as preparation
has rubbed off staring at the envelope.
188
:I set my jaw.
189
:I'll study, I mean, really study
anything to keep Reagan thorn from
190
:destroying more of what I love.
191
:Wondering what Nona would do.
192
:I glance around.
193
:An idea comes to me with a
small knife hanging at my waist.
194
:I carve a notch in my staff.
195
:gray, looked surprised.
196
:What'd you do that for?
197
:Last night was the full moon.
198
:I've only got 28 days until it's full
again, I'm going to keep track of time
199
:by cutting a notch for every day that
passes Can't you just watch the moon?
200
:yes, but sometimes it's hard to tell an
almost full moon from the real thing.
201
:This will ensure that I get it right.
202
:I'm confident Nona would approve.
203
:I return my attention to her bundle
and find her old wooden comb.
204
:It's of no use to me with all
the trinkets tied in my hair.
205
:I am setting it aside.
206
:When a noise causes me to grab my
staff, I'm in a fighting stance.
207
:When the sound registers and I
snort, show yourself you Manji, bird.
208
:There's a rustle of feathers.
209
:as grim swoops out of the
tree landing in front of me.
210
:Despite the fright he caused,
I'm elated to see him.
211
:He must be happy to see me as well
because he bows his head and lets
212
:me dig my fingers into the rough of
feathers at the back of his neck.
213
:I should have known you to escape.
214
:I say as I scratch.
215
:I hope he poked old Reagan thorn
in the eyes before he left.
216
:Sh I cut gray off.
217
:Something in the forest
has caught my attention.
218
:I wait.
219
:Then I see it.
220
:A lone figure walking through
the trees some distance off.
221
:One of the dragons has stayed
behind fear coils in my gut.
222
:I hope our voices haven't carried.
223
:Let's go.
224
:I mouth gray nods.
225
:I tie the stone in Nona shawl
and stuff it into my bundle.
226
:There's no time for sorting now,
so I gather everything, even the
227
:items I already plan to leave behind
and cram them into Grazes bundle.
228
:It makes his load huge, but he'll manage.
229
:Now what I want to study the map,
read some of Nona's papers, make
230
:a plan, but we have to move now.
231
:With a blink.
232
:I recall Nona heading northeast.
233
:She must have known of a jewel in
that direction with a quick motion.
234
:I signal gray to follow me and
take off on an animal track
235
:through the thick underbrush.
236
:Hoping it will make us hard to follow
237
:jackal, curse the rodent, I think
as I crawl through another thicket.
238
:While I learn to track with
the dragons, it isn't my forte.
239
:Only the long strands of blonde hair
snagged in the bushes assure me I'm on
240
:the right course when late afternoon
proves to be more of the same.
241
:I wise up to her game.
242
:There must be an easier way.
243
:I check the course of the sun.
244
:So far she's been heading northeast.
245
:The only thing in that
direction is the village of ska.
246
:Even if she's going somewhere else,
she'll need to stop there to resupply.
247
:I could take a more direct
route and arrive first.
248
:Then the Dragon Station there
could enlist his men to find her.
249
:Of course, it may take some persuasion
to convince the dragon he should help.
250
:But persuasion is my specialty.
251
:I leave the thicket and blaze my own way.
252
:Brie just before dark.
253
:I stop to watch our trail.
254
:When I'm satisfied we
aren't being followed.
255
:I find an opening in the thicket
big enough to camp and sag.
256
:Wey gray drops his bundle and
runs an arm across his face.
257
:Was taking all those animal
trails really necessary?
258
:Only if you don't want to get caught.
259
:I reply gray flops to the ground.
260
:It was miserable.
261
:He groans.
262
:Let's hope the dragon feels the same way.
263
:I say while digging in Gray's bundle.
264
:There I find Nona's Small Cook Pot.
265
:If you're not too tired, we
need some water for supper.
266
:I hold out the pot.
267
:We are beside a small rocky
stream in a part of the
268
:Norwood I've never been before.
269
:Under normal circumstances,
I'd be elated to be here.
270
:But tonight it makes me despondent.
271
:Soon we'll be out of the Norwood for good.
272
:with a grunt.
273
:Gray gets to his feet.
274
:I knew he could rouse himself
for food while he's gone.
275
:I light a small fire with only the driest
twigs to keep the smoke at a minimum.
276
:When gray returns, I place a
flat rock on each side of the
277
:flame and balance the pot on top.
278
:As the water heats, I drop in
sun dried mushrooms and zucchini.
279
:Then add carrots, onions, and a
little salted fish Grim arrives,
280
:obviously wanting supper.
281
:Shoo, I say flinging a hand at him.
282
:There isn't enough for you.
283
:He flops into a tree and looks down on us.
284
:as we wait for the stew to cook.
285
:I remove my boot and
begin rubbing my foot.
286
:The inside edge is so painful.
287
:I suck in a breath as I touch it.
288
:Easy does it?
289
:Girl, I whisper.
290
:If I were at the dugout, I'd
stay off of it for a day or
291
:two, but that isn't an option.
292
:Tomorrow will be more of the same.
293
:Soon the stew is bubbling
like a little bird.
294
:I prefer small meals throughout
the day, but as I've hardly eaten
295
:recently, I'm certain I could
eat the whole pot by myself.
296
:I remove the stew from the fire and
hand gray, a wooden spoon with relish.
297
:He digs in.
298
:I follow suit, but
pause and smack my lips.
299
:needs a little spice, don't you think?
300
:Tastes fine to me.
301
:Grace says and shovels
in another spoonful.
302
:Slow down.
303
:This is all the food
we have for the night.
304
:Make it last.
305
:He stops with the spoon
halfway to his mouth.
306
:This is it.
307
:I don't answer as I dig in his bundle.
308
:Ah, here we go.
309
:I unie the string on a large linen bag
and sprinkle a good amount of reddish
310
:orange capsicum powder into the pot.
311
:That should do I taste the soup again?
312
:Hmm.
313
:Much better.
314
:Gray resumes, his greedy eating,
but stops after a couple of
315
:bites to grab his water skin.
316
:I watch an amusement after a few gulps.
317
:He forces a laugh.
318
:Did you set fire to my mouth on purpose?
319
:Maybe it will teach
you not to eat so fast.
320
:Grace Snorts still up to
your old Raven Tricks.
321
:I see.
322
:I know Gray is referring to the pranks
I used to play on him when we were kids.
323
:I roll my eyes.
324
:I'm not a Raven.
325
:I say and continue eating.
326
:after a couple more bites, the burning
in my own mouth is quite intense as well.
327
:Maybe I did put in too much capsicum.
328
:I say drawing a cooling
breath across my tongue.
329
:gray, sees the beads of sweat
forming on my forehead, and
330
:gives me his sheep dog grin.
331
:You better watch out, or one day
you'll kill someone with that stuff.
332
:I stifle a laugh and almost choke.
333
:I don't think so.
334
:Well, who knows?
335
:Maybe and just like that, despite
my resolve to never trust him again.
336
:I'm being all chummy with gray.
337
:Grim still sitting in the tree, makes
a T totalling sound as if he approves.
338
:I glance at the bird, don't comment
on things that aren't your business, I
339
:want to say, but I keep my mouth shut
After we've eaten, I would like nothing
340
:more than to lie down, but I can't.
341
:Not yet.
342
:Chapter 12, Brie, I
open known as en envelope.
343
:There has got to be something here that
will tell me where to find the jewels.
344
:I search the stack of parchments ignoring
anything written in the ancient language,
345
:which is more than half the documents.
346
:when I come across a parchment
penned in Nona's hand, I get
347
:excited, Look, here's a list.
348
:I'm about to read it out loud,
but the first word stops me
349
:while my reading isn't bad.
350
:It's not that great either.
351
:After a moment, I figure it out Sapphire.
352
:I say golden yellow as the sun.
353
:I look at gray.
354
:Who's more familiar with gems than I am.
355
:Aren't sapphires blue?
356
:Gray nods usually, but they
come in other colors as well.
357
:I unie the stone from Nona Shawl,
so this must be the sapphire I
358
:say rolling it in my fingers.
359
:After a moment, I drop it into the folds
of my skirt and look back at the parchment
360
:Characteristics I read carefully to
get the words correct, wisdom, balance,
361
:knowledge, spiritual development.
362
:Intellect stimulates
concentration and peace of mind.
363
:I pause and look at gray.
364
:Those words describe Nona,
don't you think he nods?
365
:Do you suppose with the stone in her
possession, she absorbed its essence.
366
:Gray looks doubtful.
367
:I've worked in the gem pits all my life.
368
:I don't think I've absorbed anything
from the stones, but if the jewels
369
:of Tambo are flawless, that
would make them more powerful than
370
:ordinary gems, don't you think?
371
:Gray shrugs.
372
:I look back at the stone in my lap.
373
:I don't know why, but
it makes sense to me.
374
:At these words I blink,
375
:Is it a coincidence that I feel as if,
if understand I pick up the sapphire
376
:and roll it in my fingers again, or
am I under the influence of the stone?
377
:It beats me, but anything that
makes you smarter is a good thing.
378
:Grace says, his eyes twinkling.
379
:very funny.
380
:I reply after returning
the sapphire to my lap.
381
:I look at Nona's list again,
Ruby, I continue reading.
382
:Beat red Characteristics, encourages
passion and a zest for life.
383
:Balances the heart and instills
confidence and goodness.
384
:Pero Green as new grass.
385
:Characteristics, unknown location.
386
:See Porras letter.
387
:I stare at the last word, what
letter and who is Zipporah?
388
:I flip through the papers until
I find a yellowed parchment
389
:signed with the name Zipporah.
390
:The body of the letter is written
by an inexperienced hand, so it's
391
:hard to decipher, but I scan the
lines for anything that stands out.
392
:One particular word catches my
attention, partly because there is
393
:a large ink splat next to it, and
partly because it seems familiar.
394
:Naja, I say aloud looking at gray.
395
:Do you know that word?
396
:Yeah.
397
:He says Fremont told us about a Ram
wa where the mabu worship a snake.
398
:God called Naja.
399
:I frown.
400
:What's a ram?
401
:Wat gray scratches his head.
402
:Do you know the word monastery?
403
:Everything snaps together then.
404
:Yes.
405
:And now I remember Fremont's story.
406
:Let's see if the Ram Wat
is marked on the map.
407
:I unroll the oil skin while gray stirs
the dying embers to produce more light.
408
:Together we scan for the Ram Wat of na.
409
:There it is.
410
:I point to the barely legible
words that have been written above
411
:the village labeled Sir Pesca.
412
:Nona wrote it in herself.
413
:Grace says, must mean
the Ram Wat is important.
414
:I draw an excited breath and look.
415
:It's in a northeasterly direction.
416
:From the dugout, I run my finger
from the ex to Nona scribbled word.
417
:My mind races like a swallow after a gnat.
418
:Does this mean the Pero
is at the Ram Wat of Naja?
419
:Gray looks thoughtful.
420
:It's possible, but why wouldn't she just
write the location on the parchment?
421
:Maybe she wasn't sure.
422
:I hold my finger to the map.
423
:Guessing at the distance we travel today
and figuring how far we would have to go.
424
:It will take us two days to get there.
425
:I say.
426
:Three minimum gray
replies giving me a look.
427
:let me worry about my foot.
428
:I snap gray size and changes the subject.
429
:Do we have enough food?
430
:I am not sure.
431
:Let's see.
432
:Gray and I dig through our bundles
until we find all the food.
433
:Three days worth, I say No way,
a day and a half at the most.
434
:Grace says with a frown,
how much do you eat?
435
:Clearly more than you think.
436
:He glares at me until finally
the glare turns to a grin.
437
:I roll my eyes.
438
:This may be a long trip.
439
:We seem to have picked up our bickering
right where we left off in the old days.
440
:Gray must be remembering those
days as well, or he wouldn't
441
:have such a bemused expression.
442
:Great eyesight.
443
:We better be on the lookout for
mushrooms and berries or we'll go hungry.
444
:Don't worry.
445
:If there's anything edible
along our way, I'll find it.
446
:Grace says, I sigh again.
447
:Every part of my body is tired and I wish
with all my heart that Nona was here.
448
:The longing must show on my face.
449
:What is it?
450
:Gray asks Nona is all I can say.
451
:Gray reaches out and
puts his arm around me.
452
:I stiffen at his touch,
but don't pull away.
453
:What would Nona do if she was here?
454
:He asks.
455
:I think of Nona.
456
:Nona, who always knew what to do.
457
:She would tell us a story.
458
:I say in a whisper, then do it.
459
:Grace says, squeezing my shoulders.
460
:I push him away.
461
:No, Come on, you can recite
all of Nona's stories by heart.
462
:You've heard them a million times.
463
:I close my eyes.
464
:Yes, I know Nona's stories.
465
:She made sure of that,
but I'm not a teller.
466
:That's Nona's job.
467
:Come on, Raven.
468
:It will do you good.
469
:I'm about to rail on him for
calling me Raven, but the look in
470
:his eyes reminds me that I'm not
the only one who lost someone.
471
:Maybe a story would take both
our minds off what has happened.
472
:I give a slight nod.
473
:I'll try.
474
:Gray leans against a tree and
pulls me back against his chest.
475
:He's warm and a part of me wants to relax
against him, but I refuse pushing away.
476
:I wrap my cloak around
my shoulders instead.
477
:It takes some time to get the first
words out, but slowly I begin the tale.
478
:I know the best.
479
:The story, Nona always made sound a
little bit different from the others.
480
:Noona was the only child
of an elderly couple.
481
:The husband and wife were overjoyed
when she came into their lives.
482
:I begin.
483
:The words feel strange in my mouth.
484
:Nona should be here.
485
:She's the one that makes
the story sound right.
486
:I close my eyes and try to
hear her to use the same voice.
487
:When Noona was only a few weeks old,
Malta, her father wrapped her in a fox
488
:pelt and took her out to the giant oak in
the center of the village for a blessing.
489
:I bless you with wisdom and discernment.
490
:He said in his rough voice.
491
:I also bless you to be strong
and persuasive of men, but most
492
:important, I bless you with a heart
that can hear the voice of the His
493
:Kona's father was a very wise man.
494
:If a dispute over a goat or a
piece of land arose, the villagers
495
:would ask Malta for his counsel.
496
:but they were troubled by the blessing
and mumbled as Malta finished and
497
:held noona up for the people to see.
498
:As I speak, the words
begin to flow more easily.
499
:The story feels warm and
comfortable, and I find myself
500
:relaxing just a little towards gray.
501
:When father and baby returned
home, Malta's wife, RA, put her
502
:hands in the air and wailed, what
have you done to our daughter?
503
:Malta was surprised.
504
:He had merely given his
daughter a blessing.
505
:RA was beside herself, exclaiming
that Malta had cursed their
506
:daughter, not given her a blessing.
507
:Daughters should be blessed
to help their mothers and to
508
:bring children into the world.
509
:Not to be persuasive of men.
510
:Ra said Malta frowned and reminded
his wife that he had also blessed
511
:their daughter to be strong.
512
:This only brought more whales from
RA, who insisted that men wanted
513
:beautiful wives, not strong ones.
514
:Malta grabbed RA around the waist
and pulled her down on his lap.
515
:in his gentle way, he assured
her that Nama was already
516
:beautiful just like her mother.
517
:And he explained that he didn't choose
the words of the blessing, but spoke
518
:the words given to him by the hesperian.
519
:I hear gray's breathing,
grow slow and deep.
520
:I think he may have fallen asleep,
but when I look at him, he gazes back
521
:at me expectantly, so I continue.
522
:Ra knew her husband could
hear the voice of the Hesper.
523
:When other people were baffled by a
problem, Malta would retire to his
524
:room and always return with a solution.
525
:She had learned to trust her husband's
word yet this time it seemed he had gone
526
:too far and she sobbed on his shoulder.
527
:When Malta found there was no consoling,
his wife, he stood and told Ra.
528
:He would give her a blessing as well.
529
:With his hands on her head.
530
:He told her that she would raise a
wise and industrious daughter that
531
:someday in the eternities would
become a goddess in the blessing.
532
:Malta told his wife to have
peace and know that through her
533
:influence, OMA would be wonderful.
534
:I glance at Gray again to see that
his eyes are closed, but the moment
535
:I stop talking, they pop open.
536
:So I go on.
537
:When Malta finished the blessing, he
kissed his wife on the cray of her
538
:head and left to attend his duties.
539
:RA sat still for a time and
pondered what her husband had said.
540
:How could she raise a daughter
that would become a goddess?
541
:Yet Malta had said she could.
542
:Oma began to fuss in her basket.
543
:RA picked her up and held
the child to her breast.
544
:Feeling the infant in her arms
filled her with so much love.
545
:It overflowed
546
:And tears began to roll down her
cheeks and splash on Kona's face.
547
:The baby looked up at her mother
and RA saw deep into her eyes.
548
:She knew at that moment that Nicona
would indeed become a goddess one day.
549
:ra, whispered in the baby's
ear that she wouldn't tell the
550
:other women about the blessing.
551
:They would just be jealous
and think her a fool.
552
:Malta's words would be a secret.
553
:I only know how to be
a mother and a friend.
554
:RA said, I don't know how to be
a goddess, but Malta says, I can
555
:teach you what you need to know.
556
:I'll do my best.
557
:I stop at the rasp of Gray's breath.
558
:This time he has fallen asleep.
559
:I give him a push and he
topples over onto his bed.
560
:Roll there.
561
:He grumbles and starts to snore.
562
:I wrap my cloak tighter
and lie down myself.
563
:I'm so tired.
564
:I should fall straight
to sleep, but I don't.
565
:One particular worry keeps
circulating in my mind.
566
:What will I do when I
reach the Ram Wat of Naja?
