Motherstone by Maurice Gee Page A

Stonefolk, and commanded us to bury it so deep it would be lost until the end of time. Susan – ’ the Stonewoman seemed to be crying now, ‘Susan, we took it all, our Wisewomen and Wisemen, we took it and carried it far, to the very deepest place on O. There lies a pit that dives even deeper. None have ever found the bottom of it. We have dropped down pebbles, boulders, and never heard them strike. It drops forever. And there they cast the knowledge – into nothing. And came away believing it would never be known again.’
    Susan did not know what to say. The Stonewoman’s grief seemed excessive. But Thief understood it. He set up a trembling moan in time with her voice.
    ‘And now,’ the Stonewoman said, ‘it has come again. One has thought out all the words again, and all the symbols, and gathered up the parts – and he is not a man like Freeman Wells. He will use it. O will die.’
    ‘Why?’ Susan whispered. ‘Why will it?’
    ‘This Weapon will burn the hills and mountains. Burn living Stone. And …’
    ‘Yes, go on.’
    ‘The smoke will rise up and darken the sky – I do not understand it, this sky, but Freeman Wells, he said that the fiery orb that floats in it, that gives all life to those who dwell in Light, will hide itself and not be seen again, and all the darkened skies and all the seas will turn to poison. Stone too. Stone will sicken. Stone will die.’ The woman wept unashamedly. ‘And if there are two, and these Weapons meet, then a burning starts that will have no end. Everything will burn – and burn – and burn – and only dead ashes will be left. That will be O.’
    Susan crouched on the rock pile. She found her arm locked around Thief’s neck. The moaning of the Bloodcat filled her ears. She whispered, ‘Why did you wait? Why do you want me?’
    The Stonewoman sniffed and swallowed. Susan heard a bristly sound as she rubbed her face. ‘Freeman Wells said if this Weapon came, if men ever thought of it and put it together, then O was lost, unless –’ she sighed – ‘there was one who could stop it.’
    ‘Go on.’
    ‘One who knew the way to hold all Humankind in her hands.’
    ‘Her?’
    ‘He said her.’
    ‘And you think it’s me?’
    ‘It seemed to us – to our Wisewomen and Wisemen – that Susan Ferris was the one. Because she had the Mark on her wrist, because she held the Halves, because she stood by the Motherstone, wrapped in light. And if we are wrong – there is no other.’
    Thief leaned on Susan. He seemed to agree. She tried to understand what the Stonewoman said – there was a thing in it she already knew – but fear stopped her thinking.
    ‘How?’ she stammered. ‘Where do I go? And how much time?’
    ‘Little time. The word comes now. Let me listen. Through veins of Stone the whisper comes. Ah no! No! It is made. The Weapon is made. He tries it on forests and the hills. He burns it deep, and makes the rivers boil. Little time. He will go south, and attack the army of the Freemen. And now! And now!’ She gave a cry. ‘The word comes now. The Freemen learn the secret. They will make the Weapon. O is lost.’
    Thief gave a great wild howl.
    ‘Stop it, stop it, both of you,’ Susan cried. ‘I’ve got to think, I’ve got to know.’
    Thief fell silent, and slowly the sobbing of the Stonewoman stopped.
    ‘You said others would tell me what to do. Where are they? Where do I go?’
    ‘South,’ the Stonewoman said. ‘One day south. You will find a lake, where it meets the sea. Off the coast are islands – Thousand Isles, and among them one called Furthermost. Freeman Wells had his home there. And there is the tale of what you must do.’
    ‘How will I find it?’
    ‘At the place where fresh meets salt call for the People of the Sea. They will come, they will take you.’
    ‘Is that all?’
    ‘Yes. Go now. Go.’
    ‘I will. Stonewoman?’
    ‘I have a name now. I am Weeper.’
    ‘If anyone comes asking in a cave, asking for me, and if