I frowned, recognizing this as a legitimate question.
“It was by my father’s will that I came here at this time, because of the Saxon raids,” I said slowly, and saw something like satisfaction flicker in Ganeda’s eyes. “But it has always been my destiny to return to Avalon,” I continued.
If there had been any doubt, that journey through the mists would have dispelled it. This was the magic at the heart of things that I had always known must be there. At that moment, I had recognized my heritage.
“To walk the path of a priestess is my truest desire…”
Ganeda sighed. “Beware what you wish for, lest you find it has indeed come to pass… Still, you have said the words, and in the end it is the Goddess who will decide whether to accept you, not I. So I bid you welcome here.”
There was a murmur of comment from the other priestesses at this grudging acceptance. I blinked back tears, understanding that my aunt did not want me here, and no doubt hoped that I would fail.
“But I will not faill I promised myself. I will study harder than any and become a great priestess—so famous they will remember my name for a thousand years!
Ganeda sighed. “Come.”
With my heart thumping so hard I feared it would wake Eldri, I started towards her. Ganeda opened her arms. She is scarcely bigger than me! I thought in surprise as I moved into the older woman’s reluctant embrace. The High Priestess had seemed so tall and stately before.
Then Ganeda gripped my shoulders and drew me hard against her breast. Eldri, crushed between us, woke with a sudden squirm and a yip of surprise. The priestess released me as if I had been a hot coal, and I felt the betraying colour flood into my face as the little dog poked her head up through the loose neck of my gown.
Someone stifled a giggle, but my own impulse to laugh died at Ganeda’s frown.
“What is this? Do you think to mock us here?” There was an undertone in the voice of the priestess like distant thunder.
“She is a faerie dog!” I exclaimed, my eyes filling with tears. “The Lake people gave her to me!”
“A rare and wonderful creature,” Cigfolla put in before Ganeda could speak again. “Such gifts are not bestowed lightly.”
From the other priestesses came a murmur of agreement. For a moment longer that mental thunder echoed in the air, then, as it became clear that most of the priestesses were viewing me with sympathy, Ganeda clamped down on her anger and managed a tight smile.
“A fine gift indeed,” she said thinly, “but the Hall of the Priestesses is not the place for her.”
“I am sorry, my lady,” I stammered, “I did not know where—”
“It makes no difference,” Ganeda cut me off. “The community is waiting. Go, greet the rest of your sisters now.”
With the puppy still peering out of my tunica, I went gratefully into Cigfolla’s arms, breathing in the lavender that scented her gown. The woman who stood next to her had the look of a paler copy of Ganeda. In her arms she held a little daughter whose hair blazed like a fire.
“I have seen your face in vision, little one, and I am glad to make you welcome! I am your cousin Sian, and this is Dierna,” she said softly. The little girl grinned toothily, as fair and fat a child as one might hope to find. Next to that flaming hair, her mother seemed even more pallid, as if she had given all her strength to her offspring. Or perhaps, I thought, it was growing up in the shadow of Ganeda that had sapped the strength from her.
“Hello, Dierna.” I squeezed the plump hand.
“I’m two!” proclaimed the little girl.
“You certainly are!” I answered after a moment’s confusion. Apparently that was the right answer, for Sian also smiled.
“You are very welcome to Avalon,” she said then, bending to kiss me on the brow.
At least one member of my mother’s family was glad to see me, I thought as I turned to the next woman in the line.