Lore of Witch World (Witch World Collection of Stories) (Witch World Series)

by Andre Norton

  Hertha stared down. Her eyes were tearing, perhaps the grit of the wind storm had irritated them. She blinked and blinked furiously, fighting against that distortion of her sight. Then she could see clearly.

  Her daughter's face was red with effort, her eyes screwed shut as she howled, flailing at the air with the fists she had managed to loose from her swaddling.

  A red face, but—

  Hertha's fear melted away. This was no changeling! She had won! The curse was gone. The eyes in the baby's face opened. They were dark, but there was no alien knowledge in them, just as that anger-reddened skin held no scaled patch of brown.

  “Free! She is free!” Hertha crooned, rocking the baby, cradle and all, against her as she swayed back and forth. Firm hands clasped her shoulders. Dimly she realized that a new strength had come, that she was no longer alone.

  “You freed her.” His voice was clear to her.

  She turned her head to look at him, all her gratitude swelling up within her like an inner fire.

  “With you only could I have done it.”

  “Did you think I would not help?” He looked stern, harsh and hard, in the failing light. But that was not Trystan in truth, that she was sure of. For the first time in days, months, even years which she could remember, Hertha let her stiff independence seep away, allowed herself the precious safety of his hold.

  “With you only,” she repeated softly. She knew from the light suddenly aglow in his eyes, the softening of his lips that he heard. “Many are Gunnora's gifts—many and good.”

  “May her name be praised,” he said then, though Gunnora was the holder of women's Power and no man worshiped at her shrine. “She has given us both much in this hour. My lady, it grows dark, shall we go?”

  Hertha looked at Elfanor. Whatever rage had possessed her at the sundering of the dark power was gone. The baby blinked sleepily.

  “Yes,” Hertha cried. “Let us go—home!”

  The delight in his face was such at her words that she believed she had nothing else to wish for.

  Table of Contents

  Cover

  The world has changed

  Also By Andre Norton

  Title

  Copyright

  Table Of Contents

  Introduction

  Spider Silk

  Sand Sister

  Falcon Blood

  Legacy From Sorn Fen

  Sword of Unbelief

  The Toads of Grimmerdale

  Changeling

  Table of Contents

  Cover

  The world has changed

  Also By Andre Norton

  Title

  Copyright

  Table Of Contents

  Introduction

  Spider Silk

  Sand Sister

  Falcon Blood

  Legacy From Sorn Fen

  Sword of Unbelief

  The Toads of Grimmerdale

  Changeling