Mistress Of Masks (Book 1) Read Online Free PDF Page B

unexpected is that when you remained entranced for a dangerous period of time, the pool guardians intervened to prevent your drowning. This they have never done before.”
    “Yes, I’m very grateful.”
    The oracle waved aside her gratitude, as if it were of no consequence. “Is this why you merited my time, Eydis Ironmonger? Because Server Parthenia thought I should see for myself the young woman the guardians saw fit to save?”
    “No, Great One,” Parthenia interrupted. “I would not have troubled you, were it not for a more serious matter.”
    The oracle closed her eyes and breathed deeply. “This young woman has been gifted with the lifetouch,” she stated.
    Eydis started. “How did you know about that?” she asked. Immediately, she felt foolish. She was addressing an oracle after all.
    But the oracle did not appear offended. “I felt it before you entered the room. The knowledge that something momentous had happened. From Server Parthenia’s mind, it was not difficult to unearth the fate of the clay dog at the temple door.”
    At the sickening memory, Eydis wiped her palms on her clothes. They wouldn’t feel really clean of that dog’s blood until she could get to some water and give them a thorough scrubbing.
    “Do not be so disturbed,” said the oracle. “There is no wrong in giving life to stone. What you have is a gift, not a curse.”
    “A gift I never had until bathing in the pool in the grove,” Eydis pointed out.
    The oracle shrugged. “You have brought yourself to the First Mother’s attention today. It sometimes happens suddenly like this.”
    “So what exactly is the lifetouch?” Eydis asked. “Someone said it is spoken of in a legend?”
    “In many legends,” corrected the oracle. “But not a great deal is known of that skill today. It was thought no mortal would have the gift again. Strange that the Mother chose you as the first receiver in centuries. This leads us to the greatest question.”
    “Question?” Eydis repeated. “What question?”
    The oracle leaned forward. “Tell me, Eydis Ironmonger, what makes you so special?”
    “I am sure I don’t know,” Eydis said honestly. “I cannot say why I was spared by the pool guardians or why I was given the lifetouch.”
    Apparently this wasn’t the desired answer. The oracle conferred softly with Parthenia.
    After a moment, Parthenia instructed, “Come nearer, Pilgrim Eydis. The oracle would examine you more closely.”
    Eydis obeyed, walking between the heaped coals and foggy steam grates. The intense heat made her skin feel dry and tight. Why did the oracle expose herself to such discomfort?
    “My gift comes in pain,” said the oracle, as though sensing her question. “The greater discomfort born by my body, the more perfect harmony I have with the Mother.”
    Eydis nodded, pretending to understand. She stood directly before the raised platform now.
    “Turn your head,” the oracle commanded.
    Eydis obeyed.
    There was an audible gasp from Server Parthenia. “It cannot be,” the server murmured. “First the lifetouch and now this.”
    “What is it?” asked Eydis, suddenly nervous. “Is there something wrong with my face?”
    She put a hand to her cheek but felt nothing amiss.
    “Server Parthenia is surprised to see you have been masked,” answered the oracle. If she shared her server’s astonishment, her flat tone didn’t betray it.
    “I don’t understand,” said Eydis, confused.
    “It seems the First Mother saw fit to give you more than one gift while you were in the sacred pool,” said the oracle. “Aside from the lifetouch, she has given you the power to disguise faces, including masking your own as that of another. You do not realize it, but you are doing it even now.”
    “But I’m not trying to do anything.”
    “You do not have to try. Simply let your mind wander and the mask appears. With practice you will learn to control this ability.”
    “Whose features am I wearing right now?” Eydis