Whisper and Rise Read Online Free Page A

Places
     
    Anticipating the journey made my night restless and long. I had never left Aisling before. I had never been anywhere. When I managed to sleep, anxiety crept into my dreams and presented horrible images of what awaited me. I started missing my bed, while its comfort still warmed me; the familiarity of the village, that I hadn’t left yet; and my family, though they were sending me away.
    While I imagined dark creatures lurking in the forest of Taylor’s Ridge, I also thought of Sean and the quest he had once made for me over that mountain. Those thoughts were my only comfort and allowed us to be together again—if only in my mind. I smiled at Sean’s memory and caressed the diamond on my necklace, the same diamond he had once kissed with an offering of courage.
    The sun arrived too early. I remained in bed, listening to the morning bird songs while my stomach twisted in fear of the day, and I tried to imagine a reason to stay home. This was an adventure I didn’t want or ask for and my head ached from the night’s torment. As Mother’s baking filled the house with smells of bacon and fresh biscuits, offering a remedy to my pain, I dressed in a sturdy brown riding skirt, an old linen shirt that was down soft from many washings, and supple leather boots. My finest green gown I’d carefully rolled into my travel pack, along with my comb and ribbons to dress my hair before the wedding. Despite my earlier misgivings, I suddenly felt eager for a change of scenery. Moon Season had stolen the colors from my world, leaving me feeling as washed out as a pale grey river stone. Now, for the first time since those terrible dark days, I felt a glimmer of my old enthusiasm for life. This journey would be an adventure, and I was suddenly looking forward to it.
    Mother was in the kitchen, rosy-faced from leaning over the stove. From the smell of things, she must have been up since dawn.
    “Good morning,” I greeted her, inhaling the succulence with a yawn.
    Mother presented me with a goblet of cold cider and a smile. “How did you sleep?”
    “I didn’t much,” I admitted. I suspected she knew the answer anyway. I drank from the goblet—the sweet apple taste offered refreshing encouragement. “I’m nervous.”
    Mother kept her back turned while she sliced a pile of dawnberries, but I could tell she was smiling when her cheeks rose. “You’ll have a wonderful time.” She placed her knife on the counter. “I’d love to see DarMattey.”
    “Then come with me,” I said. “We’ll attend the wedding together.”
    As my heart began to rise, Mother pulled me close and hugged me. “We all have a purpose and a place. Mine is here. Yours is unknown. Go and find it.”
    I knew she was trying to sound wise, but her words didn’t make sense to me. Even her hug felt awkward, as if she didn’t want me near her. Before I could clear my hesitations, Father entered from the back door.
    “Maeia’s ready for you,” he told me, boasting a grin. “I brushed her coat clean. What’s bothering her?” Father whispered and nodded toward the pantry where Mother was making a fussy racket, banging pots and canisters around the shelves.
    “I don’t know,” I whispered back. “She’s been odd for days.”
    “The journey will be good for both of you.” He tossed a leather purse into my hands. It was heavy and jingled when I caught it. “That’s for you. You might need it in DarMattey.”
    Puzzled, I opened the purse and lifted a couple copper coins. “Money?” I asked. “Why will I need money?”
    My family had traded horses since before I was born, and Father had collected plenty of coins like this from his dealings. In Aisling, practical trading involved substance and useful things. Few villagers used money, since most possessed none.
    “They don’t barter much in DarMattey,” answered Father, chuckling as I examined the odd designs in the copper. “You’ll need food while you’re there.”
    “Sianna will