The Mothers of the Sky were perhaps the most influential force in the history of Shale. Forget the Old Men, forget the Council. It was the Mothers that ruled, and they did so with subtlety and force.
THE CITY OF DRIFT 1400 MILES NORTH OF THE ROIL
Margaret couldn’t understand what was happening. They’d clambered off Pinch to see Kara Jade, safe and sound, both of them on edge for signs of betrayal, and now here David seemed to be flirting with a Mother of the Sky.
She glanced over at Kara Jade. Margaret gestured at David and the older woman, and Kara Jade shrugged. It was as though they had ceased to exist.
“We thought you were in trouble,” Margaret said.
“A misunderstanding, no more,” Mother Graine said, suddenly back in the conversation.
“Yes, yes, misunderstanding,” Kara Jade said.
Margaret wasn’t very fond of misunderstandings. She looked over at David, and he stood there, still looking very confused, and not a little flustered.
Mother Graine smiled. “We’ve ammunition for your weapons, even Chill should you wish it; our artisan chemists are among the best in the world. Though where you’re headed I doubt you will require either.”
“My guns and my blades kill humans just as well as they kill creatures of the Roil.”
Mother Graine patted her arm gently. “Of course they do, my dear. I’m sure you could kill with a glance.”
Though if that were true, Mother Graine would be on the ground twitching out her last. “I’ll take whatever you can spare,” Margaret said. “We’ve long miles to the north.”
“Yes, you do,” Mother Graine said. “And though I’ve not set foot upon the earth in an age, the way to Tearwin Meet is familiar, and perilous. Even to think on it for too long is dangerous. There are forces there that will ruin your mind should you let them.” She sighed. “But that is for another time.”
“I’d hear it now, if I could.”
“Yes, I know, you must be anxious to begin the real journey. We are all anxious to see an end to this, but there are other things we must consider first.” Mother Graine looked over at David. “Tonight. We will discuss them tonight.”
She left, walking back through the crowd, and they parted for her like water is parted by the bow of a boat: swiftly, elegantly and almost without thought.
“Now, there goes a woman with the weight of the world on her shoulders,” David said.
Margaret watched after her. “So, she would have us believe.” With her gone the crowd began to relax.
“Where are the other Mothers?” David asked.
“Mother Graine has always been the foremost voice,” Kara said. “But these last months the Mothers have all but disappeared. We are bred to trust them, almost as much as we distrust the earth below, but even that acceptance has been stretched to its limits.”
“So you don’t think we will see them here?”
“No, not even for you and Miss Penn over there. There is something going on, I guess, plans. Maybe even a new weapon against the Roil,” Kara Jade said. “A single Mother is common. Indeed, Mother Graine is all we have seen in the past few weeks. Now, I really must introduce you to a few people before we get you into your rooms. Unless you'd rather go straight there.”
Margaret shook her head furiously. “I've been cooped up inside for days. I’m rested enough.”
That proved a mistake.
After being stuck with just David, these crowds came as a shock. At first it was exciting, almost energising, but soon, all these people — even with Kara offering some protection — were exhausting. All that noise, questions of the south, of the true fall of Tate: Margaret was forced to consider things that she had been avoiding for weeks.
Finally, Kara Jade led them out of the scrum to rooms within the Caress, and the crowd did not follow. This was the oldest building in Shale, it demanded quiet and respect — and sometimes it got them.
A single doorway connected David and Margaret's rooms. Kara nodded to it, and grinned most salaciously.
“That door won’t be opened, I guarantee it,” Margaret said primly.
“Of course,” Kara said, “from you I would believe it. Though I'd watch this one, seems he can even charm a Mother of the Sky.”