Silence and Stone Read Online Free PDF

doghouse.
    That made Alida uneasy—faeries were not usually fond of dogs.
    Dogs ran through the forest barking.
    They scared the deer and the birds. And they trampled flowers.
    Grown-up faeries tricked dogs.
    She had seen her mother magically lift a startled dog—moving it back a long way, then letting it sink gently to the ground.
    It had run off, barking.
    Alida remembered her father lifting heavy field stones without touching them too.
    But she didn’t know how to work magic yet, so she just stood still, watching the little door of the doghouse, ready to run since she couldn’t fly.
    But no dog came out of the little house.
    Once she was sure she was alone, Alida wandered through the garden.
    There were wood’s herbs planted everywhere. Meadow flowers had been mixed with roses and tall purple irises.
    Alida stared at the roses.
    There were a hundred blooms, at least.
    She couldn’t see anyone, but she wanted to make sure.
    â€œHello?” she said, raising her voice. “Ruth Oakes? Are you here? Is anyone here?”
    There was no answer.
    Alida glanced at the house, the barn, and the doghouse. Then she plucked a single rose.
    She ate it as fast as she could. When there was still no sound from inside, she picked another bloom and ate it, too.
    Then a third.
    And a fourth.
    She tried to make the fifth one drop into her hand without touching it.
    She couldn’t.
    But maybe she would be able to learn magic soon.
    By the barn, she found a rain barrel. She dipped up rainwater in her hands and drank as much as she could hold.
    Then she walked back to the front porch.
    There was nothing left to do but wait.
    She sat down on the steps, facing the road.
    The sun was going down by the time Alida finally heard the squeaking of wooden wagon wheels.
    She hid, watching.
    A sleek bay horse pulled the wagon around the corner and down the path that led to the barn behind the house.
    Alida could hear women’s voices, then a dog barking, then silence. She waited, scared, hoping thedog wouldn’t come running back around the house on its own.
    It didn’t.
    And when she heard two women laughing, her fear eased.
    Their voices got a little louder, then Alida heard the sound of the back door opening and closing.
    She waited.
    Before long she saw lantern light coming from the windows. Then she gathered her courage and knocked on the door.
    The voices stilled.
    There was a silence, then a sliding sound, and the door opened a little. “Who is there?”
    â€œMy name is Alida,” she said, standing in the shadows.
    â€œI am Ruth Oakes,” the woman said, leaning out, squinting. “Are you ill? Are you in need of my help?”
    â€œNo,” Alida said, and finally understood why the girl in Ash Grove had thought she might be sick. Ruth Oakes was a healer.

    â€œAre you by yourself, child?”
    It was a different voice. Someone she couldn’t see.
    â€œYes,” Alida answered.
    Ruth smiled. “Come in.” She opened the door wider. “Are you hungry?”
    Alida pulled her shawl closer and picked up her blanket, hugging it against her chest. Then she went up the steps. Ruth stood back to let her in.
    The cottage was neat and clean. It smelled of herbs, bread, and meat stew. Human food.
    â€œThis is my friend Molly Hamilton,” Ruth said.
    Alida nodded, smiling nervously at the woman who stood by the hearth, stirring whatever was in a big black pot.
    â€œPlease join us for supper,” Molly said, standing up. Her hair was white, but her back was straight, and she walked with a quick, firm step. So did Ruth. Their cheeks were rosy from the night air.
    â€œA boy named Gavin told me to come here,” Alida said, and both Ruth and Molly turned to look at her.
    â€œAre you the—?” Molly whispered, and stopped.
    â€œOf course she is,” Ruth interrupted. “Gavin found her!” She gestured toward a chair.
    Alida sat, careful to keep her