Mistress of Dragons Read Free Page B

Mistress smiled again. “Then it seems you have done what
is needful, Melisande. I will go to the Sanctuary to prepare. You return to the
Eye to keep watch. When the dragon’s head fills the bowl and it seems that you
cannot hide from his sight, the beast will be nearly upon us. Come to the
Sanctuary, for we will have need of you.”
    The
Mistress did not let loose her grip. She kept fast hold of her with her hand
and her dark, bright eyes.
    “This
will be your test, Melisande. I have faith in you. Have faith in yourself.”
    “I
will try, Mistress. I have much yet to learn.” The Mistress’s hand relaxed, her
touch grew gentle, caressing. “Your time will be soon, Melisande.”
    “No,
Mistress, do not say so,” Melisande said, truly grieved. “You will be with us
many years—”
    The
Mistress’s smile grew sad, poignant. She shook her head. “We are always given
to know our time, Melisande. So it will be with you, when your hour comes.”
    The
Mistress gave Melisande’s hand a brisk pat. “Still, that hour will not come
today. Now we must prepare to meet our foe. Go do your duty, Daughter. I will
take up mine. And remember, as you can see the dragon, so he can use his magic
to see you. Do not let him intimidate you.”
    The
Mistress gave a gesture of dismissal. Melisande bowed her way out and the
Mistress shut the door behind her.
    Melisande
paused a moment in the fragrant darkness. As she closed her eyes and prayed
silently to the Mistress for courage, the thought came to her that soon she
would have no one to pray to. She would be the Mistress and all prayers would
come to her. The thought was startling, daunting. She wondered why it had never
occurred to her until that moment.
    “Probably
because I assumed the Mistress must live forever.”
    Her
prayer ended suddenly, half-spoken. If her time to be a goddess was coming
soon, she had best get used to acting on her own.
    She
pulled the bell rope to alert the guards to throw open the bronze doors.
Blinking in the bright sunlight, she drew in a deep breath of fresh air. The
warriors had manned the battlements that ran along the tops of all four walls.
Other warriors were carrying the last of the children to safety. Melisande saw
the little girls clinging to the warriors, their arms clasped around them
tightly, their sleep-drenched eyes wide with the novelty of it all, and she
smiled at them reassuringly. The “cows” followed closely, soothing those
children who were fearful, telling them to pray to the Mistress.
    The
members of the Sisterhood were waiting outside to be admitted to the Sanctuary.
At Melisande’s nod, they filed past her, out of the sun, into the darkness.
They wore their white robes, their cowls cast over their heads, their eyes
lowered, their hands clasped in prayer.
    Absorbed
in their prayers, they did not speak to Melisande, nor did she speak to them.
She continued on her way, hastening back to the Chamber of the Eye. As she
passed out the wicket gate, she saw Bellona, walking the battlements,
inspecting every warrior, making certain that all were ready. Glancing down,
Bellona caught sight of Melisande and the two shared a smile and a loving
glance, then each went back to her duties.
    Walking
the path in the sunlight, Melisande looked back at that little girl, who had
summoned the magic in the darkness. She looked back at the little girl and her
self-doubt vanished. She sent her blessing to that far distant child, and went
with confidence to face the dragon.
     

2
    MELISANDE
KNELT DOWN AGAIN BESIDE THE BOWL that was the Watchful Eye. She paused a moment
before she looked into the water to try to calm herself and focus her
thoughts—a difficult task. Her thoughts refused to stay in this quiet, sacred
place, but ran away back up the mountain, to Bellona, to the Mistress, to the
sisters, wondering how they were faring, wondering if there was anything she
should have done that she had left undone, wondering if the little girls were
safe . .