Chapter Nine, Reading 2

Flindra soon realized she was watching her own history. It began with her recent past and moved slowly to her beginning. It was if she was reading the book of her life from the back pages to the front. Everything was faithfully recorded on this strange canvas of shifting lights. She saw her months in the caverns studying with Kewero, her dangerous trek to the Northern Reaches, her coming of age under the gentle guidance of Eghero and Dakra. The images of Flindra's entire life passed before her.
She was filled with a deep awareness of love and comfort. She loved her family and was loved in return and these memories reinforced that knowledge. Her happy childhood was a glorious blessing of the Spirit.
The ever-changing patterns then progressed to a time before her conscious memories. Flindra now lived through the emotional agony of her parents’ tragic end and going further, she witnessed her own birth as seen through their memories. She was more than a spectator watching the unfolding story of their lives, for she experienced the intensity of their thoughts and emotions. Flindra knew them and felt the love they held for her and the passion they felt for each other. They were no longer strangers to her. She loved them.
Her entire family history unfolded on the stage around her. Generation after generation played out their lives. She noticed that there was a tremendous variety in her ancestor's lifestyles. The memories of their lives would provide much knowledge to draw upon if she needed it and she felt a deep and abiding kinship with them. Her roots were deep and strong and would give her great strength.
The saga continued to unfold until Flindra realized she was witnessing the lives of King Meldh and Queen Kwenth. She saw their valiant but futile struggle against the Ansu. Their heroic courage was a source of inspiration and great pride. Flindra drew the memory close to her heart for she knew it would give her strength against some future time when her own courage might fail her.
Back in time she went and her sense of kinship grew to include those far beyond the history she had known. She shared life with them and felt a growing relationship with all humankind.