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careful. Experience is the necessary teacher for all children growing to adulthood, filled with revelations
and discoveries, with disappointments and rewards, and with successes and failures. The trick is in
finding a balance to it all and then surviving to turn knowledge into wisdom. This will be doubly hard for
you, Mistaya, because yours will be the lessons and trials of three worlds, and you must be especially
careful how you go.
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I am not afraid, Mistaya said bravely.
I can tell this is so.
Mistaya frowned thoughtfully. Earth Mother, can you see what lies ahead for me? Can you see the
future?
The Earth Mother s silver eyes closed and opened slowly like a cat s. Oh, child, I wish I could. How
easy life would be. But I cannot. What I see are possibilities. The future may be this or that. Usually it
may be a handful of things. I see glimpses of dark clouds and rainbows in the lives of those who inhabit
my land, and sometimes I can forestall or alter what might be. The future is never fixed, Mistaya. For
each of us it is an empty canvas on which we must paint our lives.
Mother and Father believe we are in danger, the girl said. Is it true?
It is, the Earth Mother answered. One of those dark clouds of which I spoke comes toward you. It
will test your resolve and challenge your insight. It looks to be a very black cloud indeed, and you must
be wary of it. It is for this reason I brought you here to me tonight.
To warn me?
More than that, Mistaya. You have already been warned, and my own warning adds nothing. The
Earth Mother shimmered as one arm rose to point. The mud puppy who brought you to me is called
Haltwhistle. He has served me long and well. Your mother has known him since she was a child.
Haltwhistle is a fairy creature, come from the mists once upon a time to be my companion. Mud puppies
are able to live both in and out of the mists and serve who they choose. They are independent in making
their choice and loyal ever after. They have a very powerful form of fairy magic at their command. It is a
good magic, a magic of healing. It counteracts magics that are used to harm or destroy. It cannot protect
against them completely, but it can alter their effects so that they are not so severe. Haltwhistle s magic
does this for those he serves and sometimes for their friends.
Mistaya glanced down at Haltwhistle, who was looking up at her with great, soulful eyes. He seems
very nice, she said.
He is yours now, the Earth Mother said gently. I give him to you for the time it takes for you to grow
to womanhood. While you grow, Haltwhistle will be your companion and protector. He will keep you
safe from some of the harm that might be done by those dark clouds that come into your life.
Her arm fell away in a shimmer of moonlight. But understand this, Mistaya. Haltwhistle cannot protect
you against everything. No one can do that. If dark magic is used to harm you, he can become your
shield. But if the dark magic is your own, he can do nothing to help you. What you choose to do with
your life must be your responsibility. The consequences of your acts and decisions must be your own.
You will make mistakes and engage in foolish behavior, and Haltwhistle will not be able to stop you.
These are the lessons of growing up that you must endure.
Mistaya s brow furrowed, and her mouth tightened. I shall not make mistakes or behave foolishly if I
can help it, she insisted. I shall be careful of my choices, Earth Mother.
The other s strange eyes seemed suddenly sad. You will do the best you can, child. Do not expect
more.
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Mistaya thought. Have I magic that will help me? she asked impulsively. Magic of my own?
Yes, Mistaya, you do. And perhaps it will help you. But it may also cause you harm. You are at some
risk should you choose to use it.
But I don t even know what it is. How can I use it? How can it hurt me?
In time, the Earth Mother said, you will learn.
Mistaya sighed impatiently. Now you sound like Father.
It is time for you to go back, the Earth Mother advised, ignoring her complaint. Before you do, there
are a few things you must know about Haltwhistle. He will always be with you, but you will not always
see him. He keeps watch over you as he deems best, so do not despair if from time to time you cannot
find him. Also, you must never try to touch him. Mud puppies are not meant to be touched. Be warned.
Finally, remember this. Haltwhistle requires neither food nor water from you. He will look after himself.
But you must speak his name at least once each day. It may be spoken in any way you choose, but you
must say it. If you fail to do so, you risk losing him. If he does not feel needed, he will leave you and
come back to me. Do you understand all this?
Mistaya nodded firmly. I do, Earth Mother. Haltwhistle will be well cared for. She caught herself.
Earth Mother, I am traveling to see my grandfather in the lake country. What if he will not allow
Haltwhistle into his home? He is a very stern man and quite strict about some things.
Do not worry, child, the Earth Mother assured her. Mud puppies are fairy creatures. They come and
go when and where they choose. They cannot be kept out of any place they wish to visit unless powerful
magic is used. Haltwhistle will be with you wherever you go.
Mistaya glanced down at the mud puppy and smiled. Thank you, Earth Mother. Thank you for
Haltwhistle. I love him already.
Good-bye, Mistaya. The Earth Mother began to sink back down into the ooze. Remember what I
have told you, child.
I will, Mistaya called back. Good-bye. Then she shouted, Wait! When will I see you again?
But the elemental was already gone, disappeared into the earth. The marsh shimmered faintly with small
ripples in the moonlight where she had stood. The clearing was empty and silent.
Mistaya was suddenly sleepy again. It had been a wonderful adventure, and she was looking forward to
more. She yawned and stretched, then smiled down at Haltwhistle. Are you tired, too? she asked
softly. Haltwhistle stared at her. Let s go back to sleep. Okay, boy?
Haltwhistle wagged his tail tentatively. He didn t seem all that sure it was.
But Mistaya was already walking away, so the mud puppy dutifully followed after. Together, they went
back through the woods toward the camp and the fate that was waiting for them.
Spell Cast
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The crow with the red eyes, who in human form was Nightshade, sat high in the branches of a shagbark
hickory and watched Mistaya return out of the nighttime woods. The girl materialized abruptly, a silent,
stealthy shadow. Made blind to her presence by the Earth Mother s magic, the sentries did not spy her,
staring right through her as she passed, as if there were nothing to see. The girl moved quickly to her
blanket, wrapped it about herself, lay down, and closed her eyes. In seconds she was asleep.
The crow cast a sharp eye across the clearing and into the woods beyond. There was no sign of the mud
puppy. Well and good.
The presence of the mud puppy had upset Nightshade s plans. She had not anticipated its appearance [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
