Tony Chapelle - Truthmaker

Fliss sat next to Minnie and the little one, letting the soft yet clear notes of song fall into her ears. She closed her eyes. As always, she felt as though her inner self was being gently caressed by the sound of Lornas voice and by the hint of yearning in the melody.

Yes, these were her favourite times. And yet

As the song came to an end, the little girl chuckled with delight. Like Fliss and Minnie, she had been transfixed while Lorna sang, but as the final notes sounded she reminded everyone of her presence.

When Maia listens to you singing, Lorna, I think she is closer to you than she is to me, Minnie said, but without bitterness. She smiled and stroked her daughters hair, a mass of wayward mahogany curls.

Fliss smiled, too, watching them. Maia, not long out of infancy, yet already so much a part of things. She completes us, Fliss thought. The sisterhood, and our purpose. Our world. There is nothing more we need. And yet

She felt again the tug of that mysterious restlessness that had been gradually building in her over the past few weeks. She shook her head, trying to rid herself of any negative thoughts.

There is something troubling you, Fliss, a gentle voice prompted. Fliss looked up to see Lornas unseeing eyes turned towards her. It was less a question than a statement.

No, she replied, automatically. But it was a lie, and she knew Lorna would pick up on the uncertainty behind it. Fliss sighed. Well, yes, there is, she conceded. But I cant tell you what it is, as I dont even know what it is myself. A feeling, no more than that. Its silly

No, its not silly, Lorna said. There is something stirring. Some trouble. I, too, feel it. It must be from the other side.

Of course. The other side. It was not something that any of them wished to think about, this hint of danger. Troubles were what they had left behind, on the other side of the wall. On this side, all was peaceful, all was harmonious. Especially since Lorna had taken over responsibility for the wall, ensuring that it stayed strong and impenetrable. This far up, near the crest of the ridge with the wall just beyond, Fliss could look out at the other side and keep watch for any threats, although there didnt appear to be any, not that she could see.

It was over two years since Fliss and Minnie, with help from others, had brought Lorna safely from her Morisette prison in Galp and helped her through the weakening wall so she could take over as guardian from the dying Old One.

With a deep and personal wrench, Fliss remembered another who had been with them then, and had suffered all the dangers they had faced, but who had not survived. Lornas twin brother, Kirt. Or Keef, as he came to be known to them. Along with Lorna, he had been the last of the Despiners the last of the family that had enslaved Fliss and Minnie, both. She should have hated him, but the feelings she had for him at the end, as she saw him die, were far from hatred. And of course, Despiner or not, she could never hate Lorna. But then, unlike Kirt, Lorna had never shown any of that overweening pride in her heritage. She had never truly been a Despiner.

Fliss soon put aside the twinge of unease. After all, it was not as though it should surprise them that something was brewing on the other side. The other side had been seething with turmoil and power plays for years. Whatever it was this time, though, it could not threaten them. Not with the beautiful barrier protecting them, invisible except for the shimmering reflection of the suns rays on certain days at certain times.

No, there were really no grounds for her touch of gloom. Perhaps the cause lay within? The lack of someone special in her life, someone like Kirt might have become if he had not died. But there was no use wishing. Besides, she had another mission to undertake that day a pleasant one that involved a walk of a little over an hour and, she hoped, some well-earned praise at the end of it.

Before Shoo had moved back to her village, she had shown Fliss how to weave on the loom she had constructed and set up in the compound. It was just one of many skills that Shoo had taught her, and Fliss was eager to show the older woman the results of her instruction: a sizeable bolt of fine linen cloth that was ready to be dyed. It was for this reason, as well as to collect supplies, that Fliss set out for the village.

The path was well-trodden, at times threading its way through dense clusters of trees, their canopies providing a cooling shade. Although the path rose and fell, the overall trend was downward, as her destination was near the head of a sheltered and narrow valley.

As she neared the village pausing at one of her favourite lookout points to take in the patchwork of fields, the partly hidden stream and the cluster of dwellings around the village common Fliss was filled, as always, with feelings of gratitude and security and belonging. For although this was not her land, not where she had been born and suffered, it had been her refuge for some time now, and she had learned to love the tranquillity, the daily rhythms, the gentle hospitality of the villagers.

She had been told of other villages further afield, some of them down by the coast; but she had not ventured beyond this one, the village where Shoo now lived, relieved of her burden of caring for the Old One. Not that the older woman had considered it to be a burden. To Shoo, it had been far more like a sacred trust. Now, as Flisss steps carried her to the nearest of the cottages, there she was, the matronly figure, hurrying towards her.

I hoped you would come today! Shoo exclaimed, arms held wide in greeting.

Since she had moved back to the village, the weariness of heavy responsibility had lifted from Shoo. Many of her fifty or so years had seemed to fall away, and a quiet cheerfulness had replaced her habitual caution and solemnity. It was not the village of her birth that was some distance further west but she had chosen instead to stay here, closer to Lorna and the compound, and she had been warmly welcomed by the village headwoman, who was an old friend.

Im here partly for supplies, Fliss explained, after sharing an embrace, but mainly to talk with you and to see what you think of my attempt at weaving. If you have the time.

I will always have time for you, dear girl! I cant tell you how much I look forward to your visits to learn how Lorna fares, and to keep up with news of Minnie and the little one. If you hadnt appeared today, I might well have walked up to find out for myself.