| Chapter 6: The Questsimoon |
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Linden stared. Her companions started in surprise. The Haruchai were poised on the balls of their feet. Covenant's mouth opened and closed involuntarily.
But Honninscrave faced the approaching woman and bowed as if she were worthy of worship. She stopped before them. Her smile radiated power of such depth and purity that Linden could hardly bear to look at it. The woman was a being who transcended any health-sense. Softly, she said, "I am pleased that you so desire our goodwill." Her voice also was music; but it did not explicate the ringing in Linden's mind. "I am Daphin." Then she nodded to Honninscrave's bow. "You are Giants. We have known Giants." Still the bells confused Linden, so that she was not sure of what she was hearing. Daphin turned to Brinn. "You we do not know. Perhaps the tale of your people will interest us." The chiming grew louder. Daphin was gazing directly at Linden. Linden had no control over the sound in her head. But she almost gasped in shock when Daphin said, "You are the Sun-Sage." Before Linden could react or respond, the woman had turned to Covenant. He was staring at her as if his astonishment were a wound. At once, her smile fell. The bells clammered like surprise or fear. Distinctly, she said, "You are not." As the questers gaped at her, she suddenly melted down into the grass and was gone, leaving no trace of her passage on the wide lea. |