in disbelief.
The spirit of Tearsong smiled at her daughter’s arrogance.
“Your status in life, whether chieftain or healer, priestess or
shepherd, has no influence on the judgment of the true gods.
And the true gods will be your final judges, not your tribe,
not your father, not myself. The true gods reward each
person in the afterlife according to his or her virtues, not
some circumstance of birth.”
Goldmoon shook her head, stunned. After Lore-man’s
betrayal and Hollow-sky’s attack, this was too much to bear.
An idea came to her. “This is some kind of test of my faith.
Oh, Mother, I will never turn from our gods. I will believe
in you always.”
A sad expression crossed Tearsong’s face. “Your love
for me is very great,” she said. “That is why I was chosen to
tell you of the true gods.”
Tears filled Goldmoon’s eyes, streaming down her
cheeks, dropping onto her robe, leaving dark marks on the
blue fabric. “But the spirits of the Que-shu will not obey me
after death if I am not a goddess – ” the princess argued,
feeling cheated.
Her mother’s tone sharpened impatiently. “You would
do better to be grateful now for the gift of life and all it has
to offer you, than to dwell on what power you will have in
death.” Death, even without godhood, had not robbed
Tearsong of her air of authority. Goldmoon was instantly
silent and looked down at the ground in shame.
Tearsong’s voice softened at the sight of her daughter’s
confusion and unhappiness. “Time grows short. Will you
listen to what I have to tell you, daughter?”
“Yes,” Goldmoon nodded, eager to please her mother,
lest she leave her.
“This place was really once the temple of one of the
true gods, Riverwind’s gods, a goddess known as the Great
Healer. Long ago, after the Cataclysm, people despaired and
abandoned their belief in the true gods. They must believe
again, or this world will be conquered by an ancient evil. I
have been sent to offer you the first of many tests. If you
pass these tests, you will, in time, serve the Great Healer
and lead people as her priestess, as a true healer.”
“Tell me what this test is, and I will accept it.”
“It will not be easy. If you pass this test, harder tests
will follow, tests that may break your spirit, others that may
destroy your body.”
Goldmoon straightened her back and answered proudly,
“I accept that.”
“Very well, daughter. The first test is this. You must
sacrifice these three things:
THAT WHICH HINDERS HEALING.
THAT WHICH HINDERS LOVING.
THAT WHICH HINDERS DARING.
“Let Riverwind guide you. He will be the leader of a
leader. It is foreseen that someday he will bring great power
to your hands.”
“But he already has, Mother,” Goldmoon said excitedly.
“He gave me this.” The princess removed the forever charm
and held it out for her mother to examine.
“That is the symbol of the Great Healer. It is powerful,
but only on these sacred grounds.” The vision of Tearsong
reached out and took the amulet. “When you have passed all
the tests set for you and have become a true servant of the
Great Healer, this amulet will be returned to you.” The
vision began to fade. “Farewell, daughter. I know you will
prove worthy of the honor bestowed upon you. Remember
that my love is with you always.” Then the vision was gone.
Goldmoon remained kneeling, still feeling the warmth
of her mother’s love and puzzling over the test her mother
had given her. She did not know how long she had been
silent when she heard Riverwind crying out her name. The
altar no longer glowed blue, and all about her was darkness.
When she turned toward Riverwind’s voice, she could see
the circular, red glow of their fire-beetle lantern.
“I’m over here,” the princess called out.
“Goldmoon! Are you all right?” the warrior asked as he
ran, limping, up to her. “Where have you been? Why didn’t
you answer me?”
“I’ve been here all along, holding the ceremony I came
to perform. I didn’t hear you call me.”
“I’ve been shouting your name for a long time now,”