I stumble down the stairs, feeling
still less. At the bottom, Pohs is waiting for me, a bowl and a mug
in hand. I take the water first, hoping it will soothe the ache and
sting. It doesn't, much, but feels good anyway.
Pohs takes the mug when I'm done, and
hands me a bowl steaming with something dark and a spoon. I start
putting it in my mouth. It burns, nicely, and I glance up at Pohs.
“I had some curry left over from a
few bells ago, and I mixed it in once I'd sung this stew. Thought
you'd appreciate it.” I do, and say so.
“You sang a long and beautiful song,
Mahd. It inspired all of us. Nearly a thousand bells went by while
you were up there. Brek has said you're to take a bed in the Tower
of Silence for a while. And thank you, Mahd, it has been wonderful
to hear you.” Another smile, and I am alone.
The walk to the Tower of Silence is a
short one, but nearly more than I can manage, even with curried stew
supporting me. Twice I lean against a wall and simply breathe for a
few moments.
Singer Lenn greets me with a blanket at
the door to the Tower. I've never served here, but the Silence is
taken very seriously, I'm given to understand. Healing is not of my
nature. I'm not sure why, and sometimes I wish it was.
But we are as we are sung, and I am who
I am. With that thought, I lay myself on the bed that Lenn takes me
to. Dreams shortly follow, gray and confused.
279
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