The Wittering Way Read Online Free Page A

Saffron were there, both small but heavily muscled from herb work. Saffron looked like her mother, Airgialla, and while both of them had Airgialla’s deep green eyes and golden hair, Lemon had the more square jaw of a male Meab. Both fammies were female, healthy and clear in appearance.
    I turned to Memo and Talew of Lore join. Memo was Avapeony’s closest friend, almost a sister, so I knew her well. Talew had been birthed later and I’d never had the opportunity to get close to him. Memo’s fammie, a young male named Higen, boldly approached and nudged me in welcome.
    Capel from Song join stood alone, the only representative of her join. Tiny and petite like others of her join, her long, unruly blond curls seemed to overpower her slight body. Yet she had sung for us at Beltane many times, and I knew the power of her large voice. Her fammie, Walsh, was a powerful seer and had often brought Capel to our cottage to share insights with my mother.
    Striding up from the rear was RoseIII himself, the son of Olive, Mother of Thorn join. His mother was a very powerful, very old wit. She alone had caused the final Human to stumble from our lands just before the Silver Veil was put into place. Her powers of bewitchment were strong.
    And Yewsy, my dear, dear Yewsy, made seven. All were prepared for travel, as well, each carrying a parcel of their possessions and a path bag of magic.
    “But, I...” I was made voiceless by their courage and support.
    “Avapeony was my birth mate,” Memo reminded me, the set of her small mouth determined.
    I was taken aback. And uncharitably worried. How much would so many of them slow me down? I also understood, somewhat bitterly, that I would be responsible for their safety.
    Safety. I shook my head at my outlandish thoughts. It was insane to think that some tribe of the Meab peoples would hurt another tribe. Afton brushed against me and I had a sudden awareness, surely from him. The Brinc clan had killed my join. They had taken my sister from me.
    I glanced at RoseIII and nodded a welcome. Olive was an influential wit, and I was surprised that his join would allow involvement in this endeavor.
    “Your Mothers permit—”
    “They know, but are not joyful,” RoseIII said, his gaze meeting mine. “They worry about harm befalling us, but such violence cannot be allowed. A meeting of Meab wit has been called.”
    “And the Mothers stay for that,” I said, nodding my understanding.
    “And the grown men and very young of the joins stay to feed and care for the Mothers and for one another,” he replied.
    I knew the ways of wit and knew the Mothers would never stop conversing until a resolution was reached. This new resolution, and maybe even others, would be broached to Brinc much as the earlier treaty had been. War would be avoided at all cost. The rescue of Avapeony had to be left to us, those in maiden and youth stages only, just finding our wit. I knew that usually such discovery of personal magic was very potent but quite often hard to predict and control. I shook my head in doubt. Then again, perhaps our smaller senses would pose less a threat than older wits descending upon the Brinc village.
    “Do you think she’s still...” Lemon drew my attention. He stepped forward and impaled me with his bright green eyes. His sister Saffron took his arm and pulled him close for security.
    Yes, I could protect these young friends. And they would protect me. Together we would be stronger than any one of us alone. This was right and true.
    I extended my hand and they moved forward, our eight hands clasping, our fammies flattening out and joining in a circle surrounding us. I felt the energy of the earth rise in us. Trees danced in our forest surroundings and leaves spiraled in a caper of joy. I felt the others’ trepidation but I found my own elation, which I tried to share. The future wasn’t revealed but I found new faith in the assurances of the forest Lares. That would have to be enough.
    I