Shadows of the Dark Crystal Read Online Free

beginning of a new unum.
    Maudra Laesid was reclining in a hammock chair, swinging herself gently with her single foot while her husband filled and lit a pipe made of a hollowed Nebrie tusk. Seated on a floor cushion, back straight, was Tavra, hands formally resting on her pointed knees while she suffered the inescapable gaze of the Drenchen wise woman. Naia kept quiet on careful feet, circling the room to sit on a stool near her mother’s hammock. The atmosphere of the room was tense, though Naia was grateful to be on her mother’s side. She had many times been the subject of such a stare, and she did not envy Tavra one bit.
    â€œNow that we’re all here,” Laesid began, “Tavra of Ha’rar. Although we offered our hearth and home to you, it seems now there’s more to your story than you’ve said.”
    â€œMy apologies,
maudra
,” Tavra said. “I only—”
    Laesid cut her short with a swift hand wave. “I could go onand on and draw it out from you bit by bit in the soft-speak the All-Maudra and all you Silverfolk from the north prefer, but here in Sog, we Drenchen have little time for it.” Laesid’s voice grew powerfully serious. “Tell us why you’re here, and in particular what it has to do with my son, Gurjin.”
    Naia expected Tavra’s voice to grow reedy as it had during the banquet. Instead, though, the woman drew a calm breath, closed her eyes, and exhaled before meeting Laesid’s gaze with a steady, practiced eye.
    â€œI am a soldier, sent by All-Maudra Mayrin,” she said. She glanced at Naia, not so much with accusation but only with knowing. “Your daughter must have told you that much by now. Her dreamfasting is stronger than most her age.”
    â€œShe did, and it is. But I prefer water fresh from the spring,” Laesid said. “On what errand did the All-Maudra send you?”
    â€œThough I would have preferred this to have come to light in a manner less embarrassing—”
    â€œHard-talk,” said Bellanji. “Get to it!”
    Laesid raised an eyebrow in agreement, and Naia felt a pinch of pleasure from seeing Tavra squirm. The Vapra hesitated, drawing her fingers in toward her palms, resolute.
    â€œYour son and another castle guard, Rian of Stone-in-the-Wood, have been accused of treason by the Skeksis Lords. Their crime is spreading lies against the Castle of the Crystal and Ha’rar. When called to trial, instead of facing justice, they fled. Neither have been seen since. I was going to tell you on the morning, after formalities. I apologize.”
    Naia’s breath caught in her chest, ears burning and eyes darting to her mother. The castle had been entrusted to the Skeksis since the beginning of time, and in turn they shared the ancient task of protecting it with the Gelfling. It was all part of the great Song of Thra, the endless harmony of all things existing as they should. To fall out of tune was only possible through powerful darkness and corruption. Gurjin may have been arrogant about his duty at times, but he took it seriously—it was impossible, Naia wanted to shout, that he might betray the Skeksis, the castle, and the Heart of Thra that resided there. Naia pressed her tongue firmly against the roof of her mouth, forcing herself to be still and let her mother lead.
    â€œWell, better late than never,” Laesid said, acknowledging the apology but hardly accepting it. If she felt the same defensive surprise as Naia, she hid it well, leaning back in her hammock and tapping her forefinger against her lips. “So. You came here to see if Gurjin the treasonist came home to hide?”
    Tavra sighed, dipping her chin in a grave nod.
    â€œYes. Not even the Lords skekLach and skekOk have seen him, and they have been taking the census these past unum. Counted every Gelfling south of the Black River, and no sign—Rian and Gurjin have fled like snow in summer. If I do not