THE VERY BEST OF KATE ELLIOTT preview: “A Simple Act of Kindness”
In celebration of the release of THE VERY BEST OF KATE ELLIOTT, we are sharing story excerpts from the collection.
Today’s preview comes from “A Simple Act of Kindness.”
Cloudsmassed, black and brooding, over the hills and the great length offorest that bordered the village of Sant Laon. They sat, almost as if
they were waiting, and the wind died down and tendrils of mist and
spatterings of rain were all that came of them through the day. At
evening mass, at a twilight brought early by the lowering clouds,
Deacon Joceran spoke solemnly of storms called up by unnatural means,
and she warned all the villagers to bar their doors and shutters that
night and to hang an iron knife or pot above the door and a sprig of
rosemary above the window“No
matter who knocks, invite no one in. May the Father and Mother of
Life bless us all this night.”So
it was that not one soul saw the woman ride into town just ahead of
the first fierce lashings of the storm. No one but Daniella.
For more on THE VERY BEST OF KATE ELLIOTT, visit the Tachyon page.
Cover art by Julie Dillon.
Design by Elizabeth Story.
