Dragonspell - Donita K. Paul [20]
“I did that!” Kale jerked around to see Granny Noon’s face. “I did! Right after the last grawlig attack. She said not to worry about being sick to my stomach, and I asked her how Paladin feels about killing.”
Granny Noon nodded and then placed her hands on Kale’s head, firmly moving it so she could continue shaping the side cut.
“You see, you’re already picking it up. Now for guarding your thoughts. It’s best to put this little measure in place and keep it there. You never know who’ll be listening.”
“Is it difficult? Can I do it right away? It is uncomfortable knowing Leetu can hear everything I think.”
“Well, she doesn’t.”
“No?”
“No. Most of the time, Leetu Bends is thinking about something else. Unless a thought is startling, listening to another’s mind requires focusing. Now, to guard against eavesdropping, say this in your mind, ‘My thoughts belong to me and Wulder.’”
“That’s all?”
“Did you expect some long chant of mumbo jumbo?”
Kale quickly repeated the phrase to herself and then answered her mentor’s question.
“I thought I’d have to imagine walls or something.”
Granny Noon chortled and put the shears back in her ample pocket.
“Well, you will learn.”
Again, I see how right Master Meiger was. I don’t know anything. As soon as the thought crossed her mind, she looked to see Granny Noon’s reaction.
The old woman dipped a hand in the tub, then shook droplets from her fingers as she pulled it out. She twisted her face in disgust. “Too cold. I’ll add some more hot water.”
It works! Kale hid her smile by ducking her head. Then she saw the pile of dark curls circling the stool. Her hands flew to her hair, and her fingers explored the soft ringlets covering her head in a snug cap. A small mirror hung on the wall. Kale hopped off her seat to take a look.
“It’s practical,” said Granny Noon.
“I look…”
“Well?” Granny Noon stood with a hand on her hip, and her serious face tipped toward Kale as she waited.
Kale gazed in the mirror, unable to form exactly what she saw into words.
“Ahem!” said Granny Noon as she turned away. “You look pretty, child. Without all that wild hair taking over the looks of you, you can see the fine eyes, the pert nose, the strong chin, and the lovely smile.”
The old emerlindian stepped over to the fireplace. With her hand protected by a thick cloth, she picked up a large kettle, one that seemed too big for such a small lady. She had no trouble hoisting it high and pouring steaming water into the tub. Kale had lifted many such kettles as a village slave. She knew how heavy they were and wondered again just how old the dark emerlindian could be. Granny Noon put the kettle aside and sat at her spinning wheel.
“You get yourself into that tub before the water gets cold again.” Her bossy voice held a mother’s note of tenderness.
Kale went behind the screen and shed her clothes, listening to Granny Noon’s melodious words as she climbed into the warm water.
“To get into a mind that is blocked, you think these words, ‘In Wulder’s service, I search for truth.’ If you are going to listen to the thoughts of someone you know is wicked, you must protect yourself. Say, ‘I stand under Wulder’s authority.’ Of course, you don’t have to say these things precisely as I teach them to you, but it’s good to stick pretty close to the original, so you don’t accidentally leave yourself vulnerable.”
“But what if someone wicked wants to hear my thoughts? Can’t he just say those words and get into my mind? What good does it do to block someone who knows how to unblock the block?”
Granny Noon’s soft chuckle mingled with the whir of her spinning wheel. “Child, the forces of evil cannot call upon Wulder’s authority and use His power. Now, Kale, repeat the three phrases I’ve told you so far.”
Kale leaned back in the tin tub. Her head rested against the rim, and she closed her eyes to concentrate.
“My thoughts belong to me and Wulder. In Wulder’s service, I search for truth. I stand under Wulder’s authority.” I guess