Page 7 of Sightwitch

Soon after, the Head Sister joined us, her expression grim—though she tried to act relaxed, regularly slumping her shoulders and breathing deep.

I know her too well, though. I may not have the Sight, but Hilga was my mentoring Sister for the first six years I was here. Right up until she was named head of the Convent and then creaking old Sister Rose became my mentor instead.

Hilga was scared.

The four of us waited until the sun had fully risen.

Tanzi never came.

So of course, I did not sleep and did not dream.

Where is Tanzi? What if she’s hurt? And all alone with no one to help her? There is no way for a non-Summoned Sister to get inside the mountain, so I cannot find her.No onecan find her.

Curse me. I must go to the observatory now. It is time for morning prayers.

Please, Sirmaya, please. Show us where Tanzi is in the scrying pool. Or better yet, Summon me.

I beg you to. Please,I beg you.

MEMORIES

Trina and Gaellan were summoned after the prayers today. No visions of Tanzi in the pool; just more spirit swifts.

Two of them came for two Serving Sisters.

I don’t understand.

Ryber Fortiza

Y18 D155 — 3 days since Tanzi was Summoned

DREAMS

No dreams and no sleep.

Tanzi still hasn’t returned. Nor Trina, nor Gaellan.

MEMORIES

Three more Serving Sisters were Summoned today.

What is happening? Why is Hilga acting so calm?

And why why why has no one come back from the mountain?

All Sisters enter the mountain two times in their lives. First, to receive the Goddess’s gift of Sight.

Second, for sleeping.

Sightwitches do not die. Instead, when our bodies fail us, we enter the mountain and Sirmaya enfolds us into her embrace. We sleep for all eternity, and the magic she gave us returns to her.

None of us knows precisely how that happens, since Sisters who sleep are hardly going to return and explain it all. Yet wedoknow it happens to each and every one of us.

Tanzi can’t be sleeping, though. Nor can the other Summoned Sisters. The spirit swifts don’t appear for that, and we sleep only when our bodies can no longer continue.

So again: What is happening? I want to know where Tanzi is. I want to know that she’s all right.

Sirmaya, I will giveanythingfor my Threadsister’s safe return. Please, please, please.