| Chapter 5: Thunder and Lightning |
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"Nassic," Covenant held him erect, hunted for some way to reassure him. "We're not going to harm you. Can't you see that?" Then another thought occurred to him. Remembering Linden's injury, his own bruises, he said, "Your hand's still bleeding. We've both been hurt. And I--" He almost said, I can't see what she sees. But the words stuck in his throat. "I've been away for a long time. Do you have any hurtloam?"
Hurtloam? Linden's expression asked. "Hurtloam?" queried Nassic. "What is hurtloam?" What is--? Distress lurched across Covenant's features. What--? Shouts flared in him like screams. Hurtloam! Earthpower! Life! "Hurtloam," he rasped savagely. "The mud that heals." His grasp shook Nassic's frail bones. "Forgive me, Ur-Lord. Be not angry. I--" "It was here! In this valley!" Lena had healed him with it. Nassic found a moment of dignity. "I know nothing of hurtloam. I am an old man, and have never heard the name spoken." "Damnation!" Covenant spat. "Next you're going to tell me you've never heard of Earthpower!" The old man sagged. "Earthpower?" he breathed. "Earthpower?" |