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CROWN OF FLAME

In the autules followed an ancient path through the sky on their journey south for the winter, the sa in ages long dark tothe great frothing river that flowed frolaciers to the sea, and over a cluster of smar Hills of Mirwell Province, located on the western border of Sacoridia

Perhaps the raptors were relieved when they saw the hills bulging on the horizon, for they were landave loft to wings that hadthe toil of the journey They hovered on updrafts over the rounded, weathered su an eye out for prey, rate, or an unwary rodent

This year, the raptors, with their sharp vision, spotted so the mountains: humans Numerous humans had taken up residence on one of the su the trees and rocks, wood s in the air, voices carried by the wind, and e power down there, sorasp, but definitely so that ruffled their feathers

Whatever it was, the concerns of the raptors rested with their own journey south, not with the affairs of humar Hills, and would soon leave the land of Sacoridia to its winter, the Earth wheeling beneath the trailing edges of their wings

As soon as the woreeted by the excited voices of children They clustered around her, all chattering at once, tugging on her skirt for attention, showing her where a baby tooth was newly hed and patted heads, the crinkles around her eyes and

It was a , but the cold breezes swept over the top of the s leaves about her feet in whorls, and loosening a lock of steel gray hair from her braid She tired of the wind, but the children didn’tit as they passed south The mountain her people camped on was aptly named Hawk Hill

“No, aht now I need to see Ferdan Ferdan? Where are you?”

A towheaded boy raised his hand and the woh the children to reach hie of dirt on his chin His shirt was not buttoned correctly, as if he had dressed himself

“How is your mum today?” she asked She knelt to rebutton his shirt and straighten it out

“Not too good,” the boy said “Coughing real bad”

When the woman finished with his shirt, she stood and pressed a pouch fragrant with herbs into the boy’s small hand “Tell her to take this with her tea, a pinch thrice daily, no s Keep water stea in a pot nearby for her to breathe It will make her easier You understand? Be careful not to burn yourself” When Ferdan’s expression of worry did not alter, she tousled his hair and said, “I’ll be along to visit her this afternoon Now you go and see that your mum has some of that tea”

“Yes, Grandmother,” Ferdan said, and he darted off to a lean-to draped with a stained blanket used both for privacy and to keep out the weather, the pouch clutched to his breast

She would see to it his edy that any child should lose their mum She shook her head and turned her attention to the rest of the children “Isn’t it time you went to your lessons with Master Holdt?” There hining and groaning from the children, but no real rebellion, and she shooed the

Only one child reirl as the wohter, Lala Lala was too si with the other children Nor did she talk So randmother or played by herself

While the worandmother by blood, she was also known as Grandmother to all her people in the encampment She birthed their babies, provided them with medicines when they were sick, cared for their wounds, and counseled thee and family She also led them in their spiritual beliefs When it came time to flee Sacor City and seek safe haven, it was her they had looked to; it was her they followed on the grueling journey across the country all the est to Mirwell Province, so their way through the unforgiving wilderness of the Green Cloak Forest It had not been easy, and not all survived the journey, but those who did expressed their gratitude for her foresight and wisdom

She was a silad to be of co Sacor City had reat deal of upheaval and sacrifice They’d left behind trades, businesses, respectable posts in the community; farms, homesteads, and houses She had worried , but learned over the ensuing rand adventure for the out in the wilds of the countryside, and the older boys liked to play “outlahich usually involved the “king” and hiswhen the outlaws slew the enemy with the sticks they used for swords The eusto