Page 219 of Circle of Days

Dee and her brother tethered their sheep, then Dee and Joia sat on the outside of the earth bank to talk. Dee said: “I spent the whole winter thinking about the future and our lives together.”

“So did I,” said Joia. She was nervous of what would come next. She knew only too well how Dee could shatter a loving moment with a devastating announcement.

“I know what I want to do,” said Dee, “and I hope you approve.”

That was ominous. “Tell me, tell me!”

Dee sighed. “I want to be a priestess.”

Joia gasped. It was the last thing she had expected. “But that’s wonderful!”

“Is it? Will you let me?”

“Of course! I can’t think of anything better!”

“But will I be all right as a priestess, do you think?”

“I know you will. Firstly, all the priestesses like you. Secondly, you always understand what I’m saying when I talk about the days of the year and the numbers. Most people can’t grasp it, and that includes a few priestesses who still can’t count properly.”

“I really want to learn all about it. I’m bored with sheep.”

“You will learn, and quickly. Oh, Dee, I can’t tell you how happy this makes me. I was ready to come and live with you in the North Hills and be a shepherdess.” Joia became serious for a moment. “And I would still do that, if you wanted me to. I had really made a resolution.”

“I’m so touched that you would give up everything for me. But it won’t be necessary.”

Joia lay flat on her back. It felt like resting after an all-day walk. She realized that she had been tense for a year. This was the first time she had relaxed. The sun on her body was sensual, and she wanted to make love.

She said mischievously: “Did you know that priestesses have to do what the High Priestess tells them?”

Dee grinned. “I might be a disobedient priestess.”

“No, you won’t. You’ll be lovely.”

“So we’ll be together from now on?”

“For ever and ever.”

“Or at least until we die.”

“Yes. Until we die.”

Seft woke his brothers at dawn on the day after midsummer.

Cam was the spokesman for the two, Olf not being good at speaking, but Cam always said what Olf wanted him to say. Now he protested: “It’s still dark!”

“Not quite. Get up. Don’t argue.”

Cam said: “We’re not going on this stupid mission.”

“In that case you’ll have to leave Riverbend.”

“You can’t throw your brothers out!”

“It won’t be me throwing you out. In Riverbend you have to work if you want to eat. You’ve been here before, and you’ve never done a stroke of work. The elders have their eye on you, and they’ve warned me. If you don’t come with me now, you’ll be gone from here by midday.”

They got to their feet reluctantly. He noticed that they had ignored his advice to wash.

They joined the stream of people crossing the plain to the Monument. Olf whined: “I can’t work with a bad arm.”