The Golden Swan Read Online Free PDF Page B

home, the ancient folk. There I spoke with the goddess once on her mountain of the moon. The name of that island is Elwestrand. Wild swans fly there. But you cannot go there unless she sends one of her swimming ships for you.”
    Frain’s face sagged. “Why, it sounds as if I must go there nevertheless,” he whispered.
    â€œI think not. But we will speak to her soon and see what she has to say to you.”
    â€œWhere? How?” Frain rose to his feet in his excitement, and Trevyn could not help smiling.
    â€œAs soon as the weather has broken and you are strong. In a suitable place. Patience!”

Chapter Four
    The thaw came, and then the early spring sun. Catkins sprouted on the twigs. Frain felt ready to travel, so on a bright morning we made our way out of Nemeton. Trevyn and Frain rode in cavalcade and I walked by Trevyn’s side. Once out of town, on the wealds, they put their horses to the trot, and I ran. I had learned to run again, on two legs now, and it felt glorious to be out in the air again, reveling in the tangle of lusty springtime smells and the feel of strong limbs—but my speed was pitiful compared to what it once had been.
    I can barely keep up , I complained to Trevyn, and he slowed the pace.
    â€œBy human standards,” he said, “you are an extraordinary runner. Certainly the fastest I have ever seen.”
    Having only two legs is a bother , I mourned.
    â€œWell, then, ride, as I do. You will have four again.”
    I faced the prospect doubtfully. Even my own human height was still sometimes dizzying to me, and the horse was higher yet. Still, I knew they could not always be waiting for me.
    â€œOr share a mount with me,” Trevyn added.
    I felt Frain’s chilly glance on me. At once pride took over, and I got on a horse of my own. I learned to ride within a few minutes. It was not hard. I had only to keep my balance and try to come to agreement with the steed. I spoke to the horse as I would to any fellow creature, and I never learned a man’s way of dominating it. No matter. We rode pleasantly. By midmorning we crested the uplands and paused to look back on Nemeton. We could see for miles the course of the deep river that flowed down from the Great Eastern Forest, and just beyond the city we could see anchorage and the masts of ships and the gray glint of the sea. But we turned our backs on the sea for the time, riding toward the north and west.
    We were going to a place just at the southern skirts of the Forest, a place where the river forked and formed a sort of island, where there was a sacred grove. The Wyrdwood, it was called. If the goddess had to be summoned she was more likely to come amiably there than anywhere else in Isle.
    I grew to enjoy riding over the next few days. It was indeed rather like having four legs again. I think Frain liked riding too. He needed only one hand to hold the reins, and he could do it as well as anyone. In fact, he rode as well as Trevyn. It was not hard to tell that he had been a prince, that he had been born to ride. But he would not wear a sword. Trevyn had brought him one with a cloak when we were making ready, and he had refused it.
    â€œThe shield arm won’t work for me anymore. I have no defense,” he said, shrugging. “I do better to stay out of trouble.”
    Trevyn had raised his brows at this talk of defenselessness, but of course he could not tell Frain he knew better. “It is only for show in Isle anyway,” he had said. “Wear it. You are of rank.”
    â€œI gave up both rank and swordsmanship some years ago,” Frain had said.
    So he rode swordless. What an oddling he was. I did not care, I liked him. There was the bond on us, but I liked him for himself as well. Alas, he felt no such liking for me. He stiffened with discomfort when I rode beside him.
    â€œ Nille tha riste , Dair,” Trevyn told me privately. “Do not despair.”
    We came to the holy