Trudi Canavan - Priestess of the White (Age of the Five Trilogy, Book 1)

PRIESTESS OF THE WHITE

Age of Five Book One

Trudi Canavan

An Imprint of Harper Collins Publishers

Table of Contents

EOS

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the authors imagination or are used fictitiously and are not to be Construed as real. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

An Imprint of HarperCollinsPublishers

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New York, New York 10022-5299

This book was originally published in Australia in 2005 by Voyager, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers.

Copyright 2005 by Trudi Canavan

ISBN-13: 978-0-06-081570-7

ISBN-10: 0-06-081570-1

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All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews. For information address Eos, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers.

First Eos paperback printing: January 2006

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10 987654321

TO PAUL

PRIESTESS OF THE WHITE

Book One of a phenomenal new epic fantasy trilogy,

AGE OF THE FIVE,

by international bestselling author

TRUDI CANAVAN

A brutally powerful blast

battered her shield

In a land on the brink of peace watched jealously by a ruthless cult from across the sea and beset by hidden enemies five extraordinary humans must serve as sword and shield of the Gods.

Auraya is one.
Her heroism saved a village from destruction; now Auraya has been named Priestess of the White. The limits of her unique talents must be tested in order to prove her worthy of the honor and grave responsibility awarded to her. But a perilous road lies ahead, fraught with pitfalls that will challenge the newest servant of the gods. An enduring friendship with a Dreamweaver a member of an ancient outcast sect of sorcerer-healers could destroy Aurayas future. And her destiny has set her in conflict with a powerful and mysterious, black-clad sorcerer with but a single purpose: the total annihilation of the White. And he is not alone

Auraya put all her concentration into drawing and channeling magic. The Pentadrian watched her intently, showing no sign of effort as his onslaught grew ever stronger. Then she found she could no longer draw magic fast enough to counter his attack. White light dazzled her as he broke down her defenses. She knew a brief instant of pure agony. Staggering backwards, she gasped for air and looked down at herself. She was alive and, to her surprise, unhurt.

Flee! Jurans communication was like a shout in her mind. He is stronger. There is nothing more you can do .

The knowledge hit her like a physical blow. The Pentadrian could kill her. She felt a wave of terror and hastily created another shield. Looking up at the sorcerer she saw him smiling broadly. So much for immortality , she found herself thinking. People are going to remember me as the shortest-lived immortal in history. Theyll make jokes about me She took a few steps toward the side door and encountered an invisible force.

No, no, the Pentadrian said. You are not leaving.

Prologue

Auraya stepped over a fallen log, taking care that no crinkle of crushed leaves or snapping of twigs betrayed her presence. A tug at her throat warned her to look back. The hem of her tawl had caught on a branch. She eased it free and carefully chose her next step.

Her quarry moved and she froze.

He cant have heard me , she told herself. I havent made a sound .

She held her breath as the man rose and looked up into the mossy branches of an old garpa tree. His Dreamweaver vest was dappled with leafy shadows. After a moment he crouched and resumed his examination of the underbrush.

Auraya took three careful steps closer.

Youre early today, Auraya.

Letting out a sigh of exasperation, Auraya stomped to his side. One day Im going to surprise him , she vowed. Mother took a strong dose last night. Shell sleep late.

Leiard picked up a piece of bark, then took a short knife from a vest pocket, slid the point into a crack and twisted it to reveal tiny red seeds inside.

What are they? she asked, intrigued. Though Leiard had been teaching her about the forest for years there was always something new to learn.

The seed of the garpa tree. Leiard tipped out the seeds and spread them in his palm. Garpa speeds the heart and prevents sleep. It is used by couriers so they can ride long distances, and by soldiers and scholars to keep awake, and

Falling silent, he straightened and stared into the forest. Auraya heard a distant snap of wood. She looked through the trees. Was it her father, come to fetch her home? Or was it Priest Avorim? He had told her not to speak to Dreamweavers. She liked to secretly defy the priest, but to be found in Leiards company was another matter. She took a step away.

Stay where you are.

Auraya stilled, surprised at Leiards tone. Hearing the sound of footsteps, she turned to see two men step into view. They were stocky and wore tough hide vests. Both faces were covered in swirls and dashes of black.

Dunwayans , Auraya thought.

Stay silent, Leiard murmured. I will deal with them.

The Dunwayans saw her and Leiard. As they hurried forward she saw that each carried an unsheathed sword. Leiard remained still. The Dunwayans stopped a few steps away.

Dreamweaver, one said. Are more people in the forest?

I do not know, Leiard replied. The forest is large and people seldom enter.

The warrior gestured with his sword toward the village. Come with us.

Leiard did not argue or ask for an explanation.

Arent you going to ask whats going on? Auraya whispered.

No, he replied. We will find out soon enough.

Oralyn was the largest village in northwestern Hania, but Auraya had heard visitors grumble that it wasnt particularly big. Built on the summit of a hill, it overlooked the surrounding fields and forest. A stone Temple dominated the rest of the buildings and an ancient wall encircled all. The old gates had been removed over half a century ago, leaving misshapen stumps of rust where hinges had once been.

Dunwayan warriors paced the wall and the fields outside were empty of workers. Auraya and Leiard were escorted along equally empty streets to the Temple, then directed inside. Villagers crowded the large room. Some of the younger men wore bandages. Hearing her name, Auraya saw her parents and hurried to their side.

Thank the gods youre alive, her mother said, drawing Auraya into an embrace.

Whats happening?

Her mother sank to the floor again. These foreigners made us come here, she said. Even though your father told them I was sick.

Auraya undid the ties of her tawl, folded it and sat down on it. Did they say why?

No, her father replied. I dont think they intend to harm us. Some of the men tried to fight the warriors after Priest Avorim failed, but none were killed.

Auraya was not surprised that Avorim had been defeated. Though all priests were Gifted, not all were powerful sorcerers. Auraya suspected there were farmers with more magical ability than Avorim.

Leiard had stopped by one of the injured men. Would you like me to look at that? he asked quietly.

The man opened his mouth to reply, but froze as a white-clad figure moved to stand beside him. The injured man glanced up at Priest Avorim then shook his head.

Leiard straightened and looked at the priest. Though Avorim was not as tall as Leiard, he had authority. Auraya felt her heartbeat quicken as the two men stared at each other, then Leiard bowed his head and moved away.