Chantelle

CHAPTER 1

"I CAN'T DO THIS," Chantelle said, tears flowing down her cheeks.

"Conceentrate," her mentor said, gently. "You can. We weel be here for you eef anytheeng goes wrong."

Sighing, Chantelle closed her eyes and thought about the task she had just been given. Her throat ached, her head ached and she was hungry. Opening her mouth wide, she took a deep breath, filling her lungs as full as possible and counted to twenty. Just when she felt they would burst, she exhaled, blowing as hard as she could and then coughed.

"See! Now was that so hard?"

"Yes, it was awful. I thought my lungs were going to explode."

Syblis laughed, more at the child's pout than what she had said.

"Cherié, eet eez eempossible for lungs to explode by seemply breathing een air. Now, one more time and we weel be feenished for the day."

"Can we get something to eat if I do it right this time?" Chantelle begged, giving Syblis a pitiful look.

Ruffling her hair, Syblis nodded.

"Ah, my poor child. I have been remiss haven't I? No wonder you are so weak. Eet's been at least four hours seence you last ate."

"You're mocking me," Chantelle accused and then giggled. "But I am hungry. Singing is hard work."

"Oui, eet eez very hard. We weel eat and then play. Tomorrow your voice weel be stronger."

"Mama said tomorrow was a holiday. I can't work on a holiday."

"I know of no holiday. Perhaps you are meestaken."

"Uh uhhh! Mama Doreen said it's a middle summer thing. We're supposed to celebrate with big fires. She and I went and picked calenders yesterday."

"Calenders?"

"Yes, you know, little yellow flowers. They're supposed to heal people."

"Ah, you mean calendula, Cherié. Marigolds."

"That's them. Syblis, why does Mama Doreen need flowers to heal? Isn't that what singing does?"

"Not everyone eez a Seenger. Both of your mamas can heal weeth song but there are many theengs that can help the seek and eenjured... and remeember, Chantelle, we must use our geeft judeeciously."

"I don't know what ju... judeeshlee means," Chantelle said.

"Eet means wisely. Our songs are for those who call to us."

"Why? I mean I don't need to sing to heal. I healed my dog, Alice, just thinking she was okay. I think things okay all the time and they are."

"You have a special geeft and a good heart. Unfortunately, some people aren't so kind as you. For now eet eez fine to heal the aneemals but you mustn't let anyone know you do thees."

"But —"

Syblis grasped Chantelle's chin in her right hand and looked sternly into the child's eyes.

"You must obey me, leetle one. Promeese me you weel not heal anyone weethout first asking me or your mamas."

"I... I promise," Chantelle stuttered, her eyes wide with surprise. Syblis never got angry. "Are you mad at me?"

"No, Cherié, I'm not angry. Eef I frightened you, I am sorry."

Giving Syblis a big smile, Chantelle relaxed.

"Can we eat now?"

Laughing, Syblis shooed her away with her hands.