Under a Starless Sky

N’Ma’s village, Midelay, was built into the side of a cliff, with one narrowing path up, followed by an S shaped bridge that led to the main entrance. The bridge had no walls or barricade. Those who didn’t follow the heart would not arrive at the gate. Anyone who used a torch or a staff light would likely be shot the moment the touched the bridge. Three guards emerged and came out onto the bridge. One came silently forwards. Lanore stepped forwards. Lanore brought her hands together and bowed.

“Forgive my intrusion at this time of night, but I wish to see N’Ma,” Lanore said.

“Lanore,” the guard said. “I hear your voice, and my heart recognizes you. Come in out of the dark.”

They followed the guard in, and only after the doors were closed did the lights come up. Wall torches fueled by gas. The guards measured the travelers under the light and found the information consistent with their hearts. Eirwen was a strange bird. She was ghost white, thick muscles, tall, and blond, and considered one of the ugliest women to ever show up this side of Tamor. Her continued existence was due to N’ma’s mercy. She was found and raised into the light of the Heart Path clan, and though she would likely never rise higher than village guard, she was esteemed for her courage. Her courage made up for her ugliness. Compared to the others, she was an alien.

“Your attendants seem too old to be in training,” Eirwen said.

“We’re not training,” Tesh said.

“Forgive me. I see no injuries, and I assumed an explanation,” Eirwen said. “Shey will escort you to N’Ma. Toli will escort your attendants to a room.”

“You assume we will be separated,” Tesh said.

“She assumed right. I will speak with N’Ma alone,” Lanore said. “Go, rest. Thank you for accompanying me.”

“It is our duty,” Tesh said.

Lanore bowed. She followed Shey down a corridor, up a corridor, up a winding stairs, over to a room where she was offered a place to bathe, fresh linen, and then brought to another room where she was left to herself. There was a fireplace. A table with fruits and cheese. She warmed herself by the fire.

N’Ma entered. She did so without knocking. Her face was old, but her eyes seemed much younger than her face. If asked, she would explain if you use your heart to peer into the darkness, your eyes will stay young. She measured the room with her heart before entering in further. She avoided eye contact, going past Lanore to the fire to warm her hands.

“What’s the matter, child,” Neri asked.

“I’m concerned. I felt movement, and distress. Surely it’s too soon for such activity,” Lanore said.

“Have you been thinking about re-absorption?” Neri asked.

“No, N’Ma! I plan to bring it to full term, and share life,” Lanore affirmed.

“Tian!” N’Ma called out.

Tian, her apprentice, was suddenly in the door way. “Yes, N’Ma. How may I serve you?”

“Fetch me a lavender candle, two of the sandal wood scent sticks, lilac mint drops, and the rose oil,” N’Ma said.

a valve and fresh water flowed into a basin, down a path, and dropped into a hole that took it out. Neri washed her hands to the elbows in a ritualistic manner, chanting a few sacred

table. She didn’t need to be asked to sit. It was part of the ritual. She was once as

touch

wouldn’t have even asked the patient or client for permission, but would have just

course,

of articulation. She continued this down to the neck. She pulled the string and allowed her dress to fall to her waist. She extended arms, and moved the limb through its points of articulation, even the fingers, and came back to feel under the armpits. She examined the breast. She moved her to lay down. The cold stone caused her back to arch. N’Ma reached in and felt the small of her back, traced up to the stomach, feeling, tapping. He held her hand over the stomach for a moment, as if trying to discern something. She followed the sternum up to the heart and placed her hand over the heart. She came up again to her mouth, smelling, and pushed on her

the gums. Neri went to her desk and unwrapped a thin piece of amber, which had the strange property of

a seat at her desk. She closed her eyes and thought for a

changed any of

Nean,”

mating occur indoors

Lanore said. “In the ocean, actually. The father is Nevin, one of the sailors

Still, babies conceived in play were healthier than the other kind, and water-born children seemed to have an easier transition. She continued

something bothering you?”

is fine, N’Ma,” Lanore

frowned. “Are you certain? No troubles with your new apprentice?

intelligent young woman. She will make a fine replacement for me, or perhaps even run

safety of your child can account for…” Neri

and retrieved a wand with a crystal embedded in it. She lit it and examined between Lanore’s legs. When Neri finished, she again washed her hands, and asked Lanore to

don’t detect an infection,” N’Ma

you that. I feel fine. My heart is

a physical abnormality,

Lanore quivered.

that other place… “Johnny Get Your Gun…” Now why would I be fixating on that? Oh my god! No Eyes. My Eyes! No Ears, no sounds. I can’t hear and I can’t

my god!” Lanore said. “Tell me

laid her back on the bed and again put her ears against Lanore’s

of your

had one

the fire, inviting Lanore to do the same. Lanore came to the chair by the fire and sat, adjusting her dress, pulling

“Is it

Neri came out of the fire and stared at Neri. “It is neither good nor bad. It is

“What is

“I tasted fear,” Neri

not afraid,” Lanore