Dragons of the Valley - Donita K. Paul [87]
Hollee put her back to the same statue and helped. “Do people come to this cave?”
“No,” said Fenworth. “There is no way in or out. That shall be our project.”
“You want people to come? What if they—”
“Steal the statues? We’ll set up a watch of dragons to prevent that. But this gift of Wulder’s must be seen. We can’t hide the cornerstone now that we have a proper place to display it.”
“Why not? I thought the idea was to hide them so they couldn’t be taken.”
“A temporary situation. In the end, these statues will cause thinkers to contemplate the completeness of Wulder’s world. Feelers will experience the solidarity of His love. Doers will be forced to stop and recognize a power beyond themselves, a purpose underlying their many actions.”
Librettowit gestured to the beautiful crystals surrounding them. “This will be a library of eternal truth, a museum of knowledge of Wulder, and a sanctuary for those who need His healing touch.”
Hollee clenched her hands together, trying to contain her excitement. Fenworth called for her help, and she let the energy flow into their task.
With a few small adjustments, they had Day’s Deed situated so that the farmer’s extended hand touched the fingers of the female kimen in Evening Yearns. The o’rant in Morning Glory connected Evening Yearns and Day’s Deed. Fenworth, Librettowit, and Hollee maneuvered the heavy statues until they brushed one another with the slightest of touch in exactly the right formation.
A hum rose from the statues as if their unity generated an energy force.
“This is different,” said Fenworth. He looked at his librarian. “They have never hummed before, have they?”
Librettowit shook his head. “I don’t believe so.”
“Then we have finally arranged them in precisely the correct formation.”
Hollee stood back and wondered at the sensation. Like the giant light globe Fenworth had produced, these statues made her clothing shimmy. But the feeling penetrated her body as well, and she began to feel in every ounce of her slim frame as if her nerves were coming awake.
“Oh,” she said. “It feels like my foot was asleep and is waking up, only all over.”
Fenworth nodded. “You’ll get used to it. But I hope you never lose the marvel of Wulder that pulse represents.”
Librettowit came around to where Hollee stood and put his hand down. She immediately took hold of a finger. His smooth skin seemed out of place on such a large hand. Hollee reminded herself that the tumanhofer turned more pages in a book than he built campfires.
She glanced up to see that he looked down, observing her. She smiled.
He winked. “It’s a wonderful thing we do. Serving Wulder has taken me many astounding places. I’ve heard songs so beautiful that my heart almost stopped beating. I’ve smelled air more alive than the trees around me. I’ve tasted the foods of many a culture, and I’ve felt the extremes of hot and cold, smooth and rough, weak and strong. The books that I read are amazing, but the real world is incredible. I’m a lazy old fellow who is content in Fenworth’s library. But Wulder knows my soul must be fed, and He brings me to places such as this.”
Fenworth spoke to his light. “Put yourself out for a moment, if you please. But don’t go far. I’ll have need of you soon.”
The globe blinked out. Only the lightrocks illuminated the three statues. The eerie blue glow reflected off the stone surfaces.
Hollee gasped. “They look like they will dance, talk. They look so real.”
Fenworth pursed his lips as he looked them over. He strolled around them. Librettowit and Hollee followed, enjoying the artwork from every side.
The wizard cleared his throat. “If they move, I’m leaving. It will be proof that my old brain has overcooked from all the ideas I’ve been brewing in there. Verrin Schope has a rare talent, talent that can only be given by Wulder. But only Wulder can bring stone to life. These rocks start talking, and I’m going into retirement.”
Hollee giggled. “On that island?”
“Maybe.”
Fenworth restored the light globe and pulled off his traveling wizard mantle. “We’re going to