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late.
 You ll give my people magic?
 Not all of them, not yet. They would only use it to rule others. Besides, the powers of the wilder Spirits
are weakened in your city. Our strength comes from things of the earth, not things built by humans.
Filip contemplated how the Asermons had no temples for their rituals, how Bolan had told him that
man-made structures separated them from the Spirits. It was so different from his people, who built
elaborate temples to the deities.
His stomach sank, and he looked up at Horse.  Do our gods exist?
 They exist. Horse swung Her head toward the south.  They exist because you created them.
 That s not what I mean. He put his head in his hands.  But they must exist, outside of our minds.
They ve answered my prayers. I prayed for speed to beat my brother in the Ilion Games, and it worked.
During the drought I prayed for rain we all did and it worked.
 That s how you measure your gods strength? By how often they do your bidding? What about all the
times they didn t answer your prayers?
 I hadn t made a large enough sacrifice, he said,  or I d said the words in the wrong order. Or maybe it
was just their will.
 Why do you make excuses for them? If they are true gods, they don t need your apologies.
Filip felt the last of his old faith fade within him, yet nothing settled in its place.  I can t worship you.
Horse snorted.  I don t want your worship. I want your honor and your respect. I want you to give that
to every person and every creature you meet, but especially to me. I want you to hold my wisdom close
to your heart, or your head, or whatever you use to make decisions, so that you can find it when you
need it. She stepped back.  That s all. If you can accept that, if you can accept me as your Guardian
Spirit, then rise.
Filip dug his fingers into the sandy soil, one last attempt at resistance.
But he wanted to cross the chasm, not stand on its edge and peer across, or gaze with longing at its
rocky depths. Without his Spirit, he was alone. Without Alanka, he was lost.
He planted his hands on the ground and heaved his weight onto his foot. Then he stood, arms
spread for balance and to receive whatever entered them.  I m ready.
 Close your eyes, Horse said softly.
Filip obeyed, then felt himself waver. He stretched his arms wider to keep his balance, but did it too
quickly. His body wobbled and fell forward.
A soft, warm form caught him in time. He wrapped his arms around Horse s neck and curled his hands
around the long, coarse hair of Her mane. He sobbed without tears over his lost home, his inability to turn
back time.
When his breath came deep and even again, Horse spoke.
 Filip, the Spirits have given you a place of honor in their hopes. We expect much from you. In return I
give you the power to live inside the minds of other creatures, to feel the ground beneath their feet, the
wind through their feathers, the waves over their scales. With this power you shall connect to the land,
the air, the water, as few others have. She grumbled.  I daresay, no one needs this power more than
you.
A sudden warmth flowed through Filip, stealing his breath. His blood sang with freedom and power,
cleansing him with every heartbeat.
 We will always be with you, She whispered.  Never forget that.
She was gone. Filip sank onto the grass and rolled on his back. He stared at the blue sky, his mind
drifting with the clouds.
A vulture soared overhead, black-and-white wings catching the breeze like a sail. Filip closed his eyes
and opened his awareness to the creature.
It was hot and bright up here, and silent except for the wind s low whistle. The vulture was hungry but
not starving. The feathers at her wingtips rippled, letting her anticipate the slightest change in draft. The
world below was tiny and passive, like a war map empty of soldiers.
Is that thing dead? the vulture wondered. Saw it move a while ago. Down for closer look.
Filip saw himself flap his arm to show he was alive.
He disconnected, then watched from below as the vulture sailed away.
The sun cleared the treetops, and he realized it would burn him if he didn t dress and return to the shade.
Yet he lingered, turning his head to the side to shade his eyes.
A beetle crawled through the grass nearby, and Filip wondered what it would be like to have six legs
instead of one. Cautiously, his mind reached out to the insect. [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]

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