“This complex and engrossing companion to The Seer and the Sword can be read independently. Lovers of fantasy will gravitate to its magic, its compelling characters, and its classic struggles between good and evil. Recommend this fine offering to fans of Diana Wynne Jones and David Eddings.”
—School Library Journal
“The richness of imaginative design is sure to appeal to many readers of fantasy.” — Voice of Youth Advocates
“Four young people divided by geography, class, and philosophy come together in the dream realm to fight the powers of darkness. . . . The tale works well both as a
sequel [to The Seer and the Sword] and on its own. Solid and satisfying.”
—Kirkus Reviews
“The fantasy world is full of intriguing details.” — The Bulletin
Victoria Hanley has traveled extensively and now lives in Colorado with her family.
so
-nI!
00 ;
Dell
oo
CD
(/)
VJI
O
o
o
o
>
Sara ran through the Keep. Everywhere she went, the walls tumbled into choking dust. Students stood transfixed while she tried in vain to get them to move. “Run!" she yelled. They looked at her with vacant eyes as the walls fell around them.
A dark shape swooped toward her. She ran on while a cold grayness seeped around her, slowing her, squeezing her lungs. Enveloped by shadow, she doubled over. A sharp, cold claw touched her back.
Someone grabbed her arm with a warm hand. Dorjan. Fight," he said. “Fight." A strange girl stood beside him, holding a stone that gave off golden light. “Use the light," Dorjan said. “Use it to fight with."
Somehow, Sara understood him. She reached toward the stone, pulling its light into herself. Strength filled her; light poured from her hands. She clenched her fists and began to dance, punching the dark sky, facing the deadly, dark bird. When she shook her fists, fiery bursts of gold flew toward the bird. With a hideous cry, it flapped away.
ALSO AVAILABLE FROM DELL LAUREL-LEAF BOOKS
THE SEER AND THE SWORD, Victoria Hanley
THE GOLDEN COMPASS. Philip Pullman
THE SUBTLE KNIFE, Philip Pullman
THE AMBER SPYGLASS, Philip Pullman
THE GIVER, Lois Lowry
THE DARK HORSE, Marcus Sedgwick
THE SQUIRE’S TALE, Gerald Morris
THE DOOR IN THE WALL, Marguerite de Angeli
Acknowledgments
Thanks go to:
My daughter. Rose, who read at least six versions of this story, and gave enthusiastic encouragement as well as on-the-mark criticism; my son, Emrys, for his wise questions and suggestions; my husband, Tim, for believing in good outcomes; my mother, Ane, for helping me through; and my father, Tim, who read the manuscript with an engineers eye.
All of the following people have read various drafts of this book or portions thereof; each has provided valuable commentary and encouragement: my sisters Bridget and Peggy, Bonnie Callison (thanks for the coffee and conversation too!), Mary Ann Fisher, Bella Pearson, Ben Sharpe, Cynthia Torp, and the members of Colorado Word Weavers: Carol Berg, Krista Brakhage, Virginia Cross, Linda Kinsel, and Shirley Wilsey. Special thanks to Hannah Mahoney.
Thanks also to Sophie Hicks, for representing me, and to Trina Schart Hyman, magnificent artist. Immoderate gratitude goes to the two editors of The Healers Keep —David Pickling and Regina Griffin. Thank you for your perceptive insight!
THE EASTERN KINGDOMS
Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2018 with funding from Kahle/Austin Foundation
https://archive.org/details/healerskeepOOvict
SLIVIIA
THE HEALER'S KEEP
^ E LLA^
V\ ^
^ ii
UK 5 ^ A ^
^ A.
i^-
A *>#'
5
A V,
>i A'
' 4 a A A A
^ ^ ii ii A *“6 A ii
;d A ^ ^ ^
A^UlfiO ^ Ring
ii"aI
^ ri«G a M a AAa
A -fA IV
A A A A Aa
sGi A *W
*^A
'A
A/
A
? A
■' a "^ forest A^ a ^
s
THE SEVEN SACRED RINGS
