Holder of Lightning

Thraisha gave a series of pants that translated as laughter to Jenna’s ear. "And you have a stone that gives you power?" she said, mimicking Jenna’s tone of astonishment. "Why, the land is full of stones." She laughed again. "The sea has changed as the land has changed, and things swim under the waves that have not been glimpsed since the last change of currents. Did you think that you humans were the only ones who could tap the power above or who could use the slow magics? The gods made us all; why should they gift only you?" The seal lifted her gray, bristled muzzle. "I am First for the Saimhoir as you are First for your kind. I understand your pain; I have endured it also."

With the words, a foaming, cresting wave of force rose from within Thraisha and enveloped Jenna.

For a moment, as the false surf swept over her, Jenna felt the memory of the Filleadh, the agony she’d felt as she’d opened all the clochs na thintri to the mage-lights. . and at the same time she saw herself as Thraisha, undergoing the same brutal trial under-neath the sea and nearly dying as the energies tore at her. It had been worse for Thraisha, Jenna realized-she had nearly succumbed, saved only by her bull mate who had lifted her to the surface and held her above the water for long hours as Thraisha lay senseless. Jenna cried out, a wail of her own remembered torment all mingled with Thraisha’s suffering as she sank to her knees in front of the seal, not caring that the rocks were wet or that the spray from the slow breakers washed over her legs and cloca. Her arm ached and throbbed, the fingers of her right hand knotting as muscles cramped and protested. Thraisha lurched forward and Jenna cradled the seal’s head against her breast as she might a child, her breath choked with a sob. She heard Ennis start forward behind her, then stop as the bull roared once at him in warning.

"We are closer than sisters of the milk," Thraisha said softly. "We know, you and I. We know. ." Thraisha’s head pulled away and Jenna reluctantly let her go. "Bradan an Chumhacht isn’t Lamh

Shabhala; what it gives me is not what the stone gives you," the seal said to her. "One gift it brings to me is a small foretelling, a glimpse of possibilities. I am seer and this is what I've seen: our fates our linked together, my sister-kin. That's why I wanted to meet you."

"What do you mean? How are we linked?"

Thraisha moved her head from side to side with a gurgling wail. "That I don't know. I can't see it. But I know we will be together again, and in one vision of those possible futures, we die together. I've seen Bradan an Chumhacht swim from my dying mouth and Lamh Shabhala fall to the ground from your hand."

The bull roared loudly behind them and Thraisha gave a snort. "Your people are coming and I must go now. We'll talk again." With a lurch and a roll, the seal turned to leave. The bull waited, but the other female and the pup had already slipped back into the water, calling to Thraisha.

"Wait!" Jenna cried. She stumbled to her feet, Ennis running forward to help her up. "I want to know more."

"You will," Thraisha called. "We both will, when it's time." Thraisha was at the water's edge; she half-fell, half-dove into the water. The bull lumbered after her. A moment later, her sleek head reappeared. "Beware the storm," Thraisha called to her. "It doesn't follow you; it travels with you."

"Thraisha. .!"

The blue seals dove as one. She could see their muscular bodies just below the surface, seeming to fly in the water, as graceful in their element as they were clumsy on the land.

"Mages!"

The voice came from the wharf. Jenna and Ennis turned as one, Jenna releasing her hold on the cloch at the same time. As the cloch-vision left her, the brilliance seemed to wash out of the world, leaving the colors muted and gray. The Banrion was standing there looking down toward them. Moister Cleurach stood next to her; behind, their luggage was being loaded into Uaigneas. "Consorting with seals isn't something I expected of the First Holder," Aithne commented. "I especially didn't expect to hear you growling and wailing like one of them. Will we find you chirping at gulls, as well?" She didn’t wait for an answer. "The captain says we should sail now, while the tide is running out. We’re boarding."

The Banrion gestured to them and strode purposefully toward the ship, the gardai falling into place alongside her. Moister Cleurach stared a mo-ment longer, then followed her.

"Jenna. .?" She glanced back to the water, its rolling surface now Unbroken. Thraisha and her companions had vanished. Ennis’ hand stroked her right arm, trailing down the stiff flesh and falling away again "We need to go." She nodded.