Larantyne Page 2

  *You failed Her because you belong to Me,* a voice said in his head.

  Kirel rocked back on his heels. That voice! It spoke to something deep in his soul, filling him with a sense of comfort and wonder. Slowly, he turned towards the second wall to face the altar of Awenn, the Mother.

  "I—I'm sorry," Kirel said aloud, "I'm afraid I don't understand."

  The Mother laughed at him. *Silly boy. Your mother served My Warrior face. Anyone could see you're not suited to Iona's bloodthirsty ways, though. You're the nurturer, the caring one. Although don't get me wrong, you will fight as fiercely as a mother lion for one you love.*

  "Indeed," Kirel nodded slowly. "My mother never told me much about Your other faces. She only told me about the Warrior and how much she missed speaking with her own goddess. She never even told me where to find You, only that she'd come from a land far away."

  *And you found Me anyway. I am glad to greet you at last, My little strayed lamb. You are well come to this place. The land and the people have need of you, as do I.*

  "I beg your pardon?" Kirel cocked his head as if to hear better, although the voice sounded purely internal.