The Shining Falcon

Heart racing wildly, Maria spun about again, suddenly terrified that the two larches might be working some darkness behind her back. But there they stood, innocent of any trace of that obscene, impossible motion, two solid, stolid young trees. And now she realized mat there was space between them, just enough space to let her squeeze through, were she careful. This was hardly the time to worry about it! Hastily, Maria began to worm her way through…

And the two larches began, creaking, to move together, closing the gap between them, very plainly sentient, very plainly intent on crushing the life from her.

In a burst of sudden, desperate inspiration, Maria struggled against the ever‑increasing pressure till she could reach the neckline of her blouse and whip out the magic‑drenched silver chain. The larches froze, then seemed to flinch away, just enough to let her force her frantic way through to safety. But as soon as she'd passed, the motion resumed, and the two trees crashed together with such terrifying force that Maria nearly screamed.

Something grabbed at her skirt. She looked wildly over her shoulder, to find that the hem had been caught between the trees. Fighting down hysterical sobs, Maria tugged fiercely until it tore and she was free. But not safe: the forest was all around her, hostile…

Pure, primitive rage burned away her fear.

«Dammit, I've done you no harm. Enough!»

It wasn't working. The forest wasn't interested in any-thing she might say. But Maria remembered one other

«Leshy!» she shouted. «Leshy of the forest, I call upon you! Honor your debt!»

The forest grew very still, a mighty sentient beast holding its breath. And a voice, strange and cold and never human, said out of nowhere:

«I am here. What would you?»

Maria let out a shaken gasp. «Safe passage," she said, trying to keep her voice level. «Safe passage through your realm.»

«Indeed? You ask for no small thing, human-girl.»

«I saved your son's life, leshy! Surely that was no small thing, either!»

The trees about her stirred restlessly, and Maria tensed, wondering if she'd gone too far. Then she heard the faintest of rustling sounds, and realized to her amazement that the leshy was laughing.

«Ah, the nerve of these human-folk! The sheer, foolish, ignorant nerve!»

«That's as it may be," Maria replied sharply. «But will you honor your debt?»

«Why, I must. Stand as you are, human-girl, stand still.»

Something stirred in the darkness, something reached out a branch or a hand to her brow. She gasped and bit her lip as a burning like ice seared her forehead. But as soon as it had come, the pain was gone, and Maria reached up a tentative hand to touch her forehead. No harm seemed to have been done…

«Now you are marked," came the leshy's cool wind-whisper of a voice. ' 'Though it is nothing mortal eyes can see. Now the trees shall not crush you, the paths not disappear before your feet.»

Why did she feel he was mocking her? What was the leshy deliberately not telling her? She pondered a moment before speaking.

«That's well and good, leshy, and I do thank you. But what about those beings that might be living in the forest? Does the protection extend as far as — "

A hiss, sharp and angry and alien, made her flinch. Then the leshy spat out, «No more, human-girl! I have granted you enough! Go through the forest as you dare, but tarry no longer within man you must. Our debt is paid!»

With a wild laugh and rustling of leaves, he was gone. But Maria was almost sure someone else was watching her.

«Who's there?»

«Don't be afraid, mortal‑child," came a soft voice.

Maria blinked. «You're the leshy's wife, the lisunka!»

The being chuckled. «Indeed. Don't let my husband frighten you, human-girl. He brags and blusters, but forgets that I am as much the forest as he. Child, you did us the greatest of good when you saved my son. Now I, in turn, shall aid you.»

Maria felt a small, smooth object being forced into her hand. She peered down at it in the darkness. «A wooden egg?»

«Guard it well. Draw it out only when you are in despair and darkest peril.»

«But what is it? What does it do?»

«Guard it well!» the lisunka repeated. And then she too was gone, and Maria was alone in the night.

Chapter XXXVI

Vows

There were times when he could feel himself trying to swim back through the layers of darkness. At times Finist was vaguely aware of a chamber, his bedchamber… But it was difficult to hold to consciousness; he felt so weak, so ill… Blinking, trying in vain to clear his swimming vision, he managed to force heavy eyelids open long enough to dimly make out someone's face through the haze…

«Ljuba?» he whispered.

«Hush, cousin. Drink this.»

«No, I…» There had been something about the last drink she'd given him, something that seemed to be bewildering his wits. In a wild surge of defiance, he flung out an arm and sent the goblet flying. «No, cousin, I don't yield so very easily! I…»