Valmir screamed. He pressed his hands to his head. Though she wanted to stop and comfort him, she couldn't. She had to reach the Jewel before the beat stopped.

"I must go this way."

When Valmir didn't answer, she turned. He lay on the ground, his body curled into a ball. He who would be her Chosen might die, but if she stopped, Earda would be lost. The choice made her heart ache, but she had to leave him.

She walked toward a deep cleft in the rock. The beat became a staccato, until every part of her pulsed. Darkness enfolded her. She continued forward and saw a glow that brightened until she was blinded by its brilliance.

She lifted the jewel from its niche. Colors radiated from the heart of the gem. She stood entranced until the cries of the land and the despair of the people intruded.

The White hung from a chain of six braided metal strands. She put the chain over her head.

What now, she wondered. There is but the cold stone of the cave for a bed. There is no one to guide her through the ritual of bonding. But the daily drills Tana had forced her to perform showed her the way. She pressed the White to her chest and then to her forehead.

Swirling. Whirling. She hurtled into the dazzling, blinding, illuminating light.

Earda-mountains, hills, plains, desert, ocean sh.o.r.es. Seas, rivers, streams, lakes and ponds. Gra.s.sland, forest and all manner of growing things. Rain, snow, ice. Bright sun. Pale Sister Moons. Stars forming patterns in the night sky.

Control. She sucked in a deep breath. Return to the cave.

The screams of the Hills became the ocean's roar, the sound of the wind, the rasp of sand, the noises of the beasts of the land, the cries and laughter of myriad peoples. All the sounds of Earda blended into a single sustained note.

She inhaled the fragrance of flowers, the pungent aromas of medicinals and spices, the earthy aromas of living things. The scents, both pleasant and unpleasant, permeated her senses. Beneath her, she felt cold stone, heated sand and warm earth. The velvet touch of gra.s.s, the whisper of a baby's breath, the touch of a lover's lips. She touched all of Earda and felt it touch her back.

Sensations ceased. Her immersion was complete. She gazed into the light of the Jewel and watched it separate into an array of colors. Red, violet, blue, green, yellow, orange repeated to infinity. She brushed the Jewels of Earda and heard them sing.

Once more, she whirled into the dazzling white and found herself in the cave. For a time, she paused to gather strength and purpose. When she felt replete, she rose and went outside. The Hills were silent for the cries lived in her. Both moons rode high in the sky. Soon dawn would arrive and she would face her cousin and the Black. Confidence filled her.

"Liara." Andalor. Why is he here? Where is Valmir? "Do not think to challenge me." "I have come to serve ye." "And Valmir?" "With me. He cannot hear or see." Liara strode toward the sound of the minstrel's voice. He cradled Valmir's head on his lap. Liara knelt and called on the power of the Jewel.

Valmir opened his eyes. "Liara. The screams are gone."

She nodded.

"Ye have the White." He eased into a sitting position. "I was deafened by the sounds and blinded by the

light." His eyes narrowed. "Minstrel, why are ye here?"

"To help Liara. Reena has changed."

Valmir glanced at Liara. "Do ye believe him?"

"Aye. He has done part of what he was meant to do. We must go, for we need to be on the palisades

by dawn."

Andalor helped Valmir stand. "What will happen to Reena?"

"I don't know."

His shoulders slumped. "Do what ye must. I would rather see her dead than as she is now."

CHAPTER 36.

From The Queen's Diary I can sense her presence in the palace but no matter how hard the Guards search, they do not find her. My labor pains have begun. The mages have surrounded the room but no man other than my Chosen-her Chosen-can be in the room. He must be here to name the child. The Healer has arrived and I must remove the Black.

Reena leaned forward and studied the faces of the Holders. Phila appeared confident. The Red and Green Holders had hidden their faces beneath cowls yet they still looked like the hags she had named them. Gila's violet eyes were as round as a hooter's. Behind the Holders, Gregor and six mages stood.

For a moment, she yearned for Andalor. His place was at her side, not as a prisoner. Her anger rose. He was a traitor and when the battle ended, he would suffer a traitor's fate.

She stiffened. The Jewel throbbed. She raised her hand. "The White is alive and bonded to its Holder."

"How do ye know?" Gila asked.

"Foolish child. The very air crackles with energy," Waika said.

Reena smiled. "Fear not. Today, ye will stand with the victorious."

"Count not before 'tis over," Lippa said.

"Leave your doubts in your tent," Reena said.

"She is but being practical," Phila said. "Ye must face every possibility and explore all options."

Reena fought the urge to destroy the Orange Holder. "Gregor, what say the mages?"

"Ye will have the victory, my Queen. Are ye not your mother's daughter? She who wrested the Black from its Holder?"

She laughed. He did not know that secret either. "I am."

"Your half...your cousin has little chance to master the White. I say ye summon her and those who stand at her side."

"Not yet. When she comes and cries a challenge, it will be soon enough to show her she has not the skill to control the Yellow and the Blue. Fetch the minstrel so he can show me their faces." She turned to her honor Guards. "Ye and ye."

A short time later, they returned with one of their fellow Guards. "The minstrel is gone. This one was in his place." Reena's eyes narrowed. "Timir, what have ye to say?" "The last time I checked him, he was unconscious. Then he attacked me and dragged me into the tent." "Is this how ye repay me? I made ye one of my personal Guards. How long has he been gone?"

He shrugged. "Both moons were still in the sky the last time I checked him."

She toyed with her Jewel. 'Twas not the time to waste her power. "Bind him and return him to where ye found him. I'll deal with this traitor later."

Gregor smiled. "'Tis good ye do not waste strength, for the time to move is upon us. See, the sky lightens."

She laughed. "May the dawn hasten."

The Commandant returned and saluted. "The prisoner is secured. Should I dispatch a hand to search for the minstrel?"

Reena shook her head. "'Tis too late to stop him, and though he seeks to betray me, he is my Chosen. There is no way he can harm me."

"But he will tell your cousin what ye plan."

"He has no knowledge of what I mean to do." She reached for the horse's reins. One of the Guards helped her mount. "My cousin knows I'm here. I'm sure the White is as aware as the Black."

"The Jewels are your domain, my Queen," Gregor said. "The mages and I can but lend ye support and

use our powers to enhance your creations."

Reena stared at the faces in the row of mages. Her eyes widened. She knew one of them and he wasn't a mage. Who was he? The memory eluded her and there was no time to question him. As the sun rose over the horizon, she turned her mount toward the cliffs.

See what ye face, cousin, she thought. Ten decans of Earda's best fighters. Seven mages. Four Holders and the Black. The sight of her company should strike fear in her cousin's paltry band. The Black throbbed. Her unbound hair swirled in the breeze. Wild laughter spilled from her lips. My cousin has four, five if the minstrel has reached her.

For a moment, she faltered. Andalor's face flashed in her thoughts. His copper-tinted eyes shone with sadness and his face showed disapproval. She stiffened. How dare he question my actions? I am the Queen.

She raised her Jewel. "The Queen rides."

"The Queen rides to victory." The Guards roared the words.

CHAPTER 37.

Sayings of the People If ye must fight, make sure the quarrel has meaning for more than yourself. To fight for the rights of others takes more courage than a fight for selfish reasons.

Disa stood at the edge of the rock ledge where she and Nalor had spent the night. The Hills no longer screamed. Did that mean Liara had the White?

"The Queen rides."

"The Queen rides to victory."

The cries reverberated through the rocks. Disa clutched the Yellow. Where was Liara?

Nalor fired the first of the fire arrows. The brand could barely be seen in the light from the rising sun. Disa used her Jewel to enhance the flames. Twelve times, she touched the arrows with the power of the Yellow.

Tents blazed. The gra.s.s caught fire and burned away from the palisades. Horses screamed and milled wildly.

Disa watched the orderly lines of the Queen's Guards change into a chaotic melee. Her hand faltered. Were people being hurt by her actions? When she'd used the Jewel against the dire wolves, she'd been protecting her friends. Was that her reason now? Her arm steadied. Today, she fought not only for her friends but also her land and her people.

The Yellow throbbed. "Come. Come to me."

Her grip on the Jewel tightened. "I will not ally myself with one who destroys. Liara and the White have my allegiance and power."

"Come. 'Tis all right. 'Tis Liara. Join me on the plain and we will end the Black's thrall on the land."

Below her, she saw a way down to the plain. A hand grasped her arm, "Where are ye going?"

"Liara calls."

"Are ye sure 'tis her?"

She nodded. "The Black called first and I refused. When Liara called, I was answered."

"Then I will lead the way. Your protection was given into my hands. 'Tis good we fight on the plains. 'Tis better for those who use sword, spear and knife." He climbed down and reached for her. "How fares Stilenta?"

"She comes, too."

"There is a bond between us."

Disa nodded. "I know. She will fare well. She has strengths I do not have and her skill with the Jewel is great."

"Do ye think Liara has her full power?"

"Of that I've no doubt." She touched his hand, and for an instant let him feel Liara's power.

"Aye, I see what ye mean." He grinned and moved to the next ledge. "To the plains, Milady Holder." He raised his voice to a bellow. "Beware, for we come!"

CHAPTER 38.

From The Lore of the Jewels Take a strand of the White and weave a strand from each of the other Jewels through it. Form a net with the light of the Jewels. Use the net to circle the land. If there is a missing color, take two strands of one of the others and weave a cord to catch the missing gem. Then ride the light into the missing gem's core to cleanse any distortion found there.