Then without warning, no-man’s-mare jumped forward and plunged neck-deep into the water.
A great wave came up, covered it, receded and it could be seen swimming, its head out of the water, while Pauvla Agrippa’s loosened yellow hair floated behind. No one moved. Another wave rose high, descended, and again the horse was seen swimming with head up, and this time Pauvla Agrippa’s hands were parted and lay along the water as though she were swimming.
The most superstitious among them began crossing themselves, and one woman dropped on her knees, rocking from side to side; and still no one moved.
And this time the wave rose, broke and passed on, leaving the surface smooth.
That night Tasha picked up Pauvla Agrippa’s sleepy boy and standing in the doorway prayed to the sea, and this time she found comfort.
SIX SONGS OF KHALIDINE
To the Memory of Mary Pyne
The flame of your red hair does crawl and creep
Upon your body that denies the gloom