Chapter X, Reading 1

In the days following Flindra's departure, Dakra had felt a profound emptiness in her heart and in her home.  The cottage felt empty without Eghero and her daughter.  She finally decided she wanted Leudh and his family to take over the big house and she would move into Leudh's smaller cottage.  Her things would fill the smaller home and she wouldn't feel so lonely.  At first, Leudh and Brehwan had argued against such a trade, but Dakra had insisted.  With the twins growing, Leudh and Brehwan really needed more space and Dakra wanted to feel a close coziness she couldn't have alone in the big house.  Leudh finally agreed and much of the autumn had been spent moving belongings from house to house.

The beginning of winter saw the trade completed and all grew comfortable and pleased with the move.  Dakra finally grew content again.  The pain of her loss was fading and frequent dreams of Flindra touched her heart with joy.  It was almost as if Flindra was sending loving thoughts to her through her dreams.  The situation grew into a comfortable routine.

With one dream, the comfort vanished.  Dakra had a nightmare and had spent the remainder of the night huddled in front of her hearth worrying about Flindra.  She knew in her heart, Flindra was in trouble or danger.  Her feelings of unease only intensified when Leudh admitted the next day that he'd had a similar nightmare.

Dakra was still worrying about Flindra as she readied for bed.  She added wood to the fire so it would warm the cottage for much of the night.  Her bedroom was a small space off the main room and Dakra was careful to leave the door open to share the warmth coming from the fire.  Before slipping beneath her blankets, she kneeled on a braided rag rug at her bedside.

"Dear Spirit," Dakra prayed.  "I don't know if there is really danger threatening Flindra or if my dream was just a silly nightmare, but please be with her wherever she is and guide her in whatever she is doing.  Be with my little one and keep her safe.  Thank you," she finished.

She then snuggled into bed and pulled the blankets to her chin.  Flindra's cat Icy had adopted Dakra and always curled up behind her knees once she was beneath the cozy blankets.  Dakra was comforted by the small spot of warmth and finally drifted to sleep.

Several hours before dawn, Dakra jerked awake and felt the dribble of clammy sweat tickle down her back as she sat up.  She knew she wouldn't be able to sleep again after such a terrible nightmare so she got up.  With a meow of protest, Icy jumped from the bed to follow her.  Dakra paused to put on a warm chamber robe and slippers.

The room was still a little unfamiliar and she was glad there were enough glowing embers in the fireplace to lend some light to the room.  She walked through the main room to the fireplace.  Kneeling in front of the fire, she added some small twigs to the coals and soon had a cozy fire burning.

"Dear Spirit, please be with her," she whispered as she added water to a kettle and placed it on the andiron.  "I don't know what is happening to Flindra, but I sense her danger.  Please help her."

She continued to whisper a prayerful conversation with the Spirit as she sipped a cup of tea and stared into the warming flames.  Her quiet meditation was interrupted by a knock on the door.  She was surprised to see Leudh push the door open.