Lute cleared his throat. “Alas,” he said, face and voice betraying nothing but the utmost sincerity, and perhaps a shade of sorrow. “There is magic and there is magic. I have no ability to find what is lost—”

“But I have,” Moonhawk said abruptly, and lay her hand briefly upon the woman’s head, feeling the warmth of the unraveling hair beneath her palm. “Peace on you, Sister,” she said “in traditional benediction. She took her hand away and met the woman’s incredulous stare with firm coolness.

“You are—Sing thanks to the Goddess! You are of the Circle?” The woman’s eyes shone with tears, with transcendent hope. “A priestess?”

“I am Moonhawk,” she said austerely. “Witch, Healer and Seer. I may find that which is lost, by the grace of our Lady.” She glanced aside, saw Lute watching her intently; returned her gaze to the woman. “There are certain items I require, in order to search most efficiently.”

“Certainly!” The woman cried. “Certainly—and you shall have them! You shall come—both of you shall come!—to my house, sup with us, sleep, you may have all I have. Only find her, Lady Moonhawk! Find my child.”

“I shall try,” said Moonhawk and felt a sudden chill.

* * *

THE WOMAN’S NAME was Aster and her house was a large one, set just above the village, with two goats In the front yard and a hen house in back. Taelberry twined up an arbor by the door, the heavy purple blossoms silking the air with fragrance.

“Here we are,” said Aster, leading them to the flower-hung porch and working the latch, “Lady Moonhawk, Master Lute—please be welcome in my home.”

“Peace on this house,” Moonhawk returned in proper ritual.

“Joy to all who live here,” Lute said sweetly, bowing his head in respect before stepping over the threshold.

Moonhawk followed, then the host, into a kitchen smelling of new bread and warm spices. By the hearth stood a slim and well-made young man, dejectedly stirring the stew pot. From another portion of the room hurried a girl: brown hair neatly done into a knot at her neck, sturdy hands drying themselves briskly on a clean white apron.