Chapter XI, Reading 5

Flindra laughed with joy when she witnessed the truth of Kewero's words.  She'd succeeded in hiding Rigga.  "I still feel the power shield about me.  Making Rigga invisible hasn't changed its effectiveness."

"You need to practice this aspect of your control for it would be best if you keep knowledge of Rigga a secret.  Try repeating this exercise daily until you have total control over this."

"I will."

"I think for the moment we are finished with Rigga.  Now we need to work on disguising your newfound confidence and power.  Right now, your true identity would be easy to discover.  You exude a level of power, which marks you as being something more than a woodsman's daughter.  Remember that the agents of the Ansu have not forgotten you.  Their efforts to stop you will only intensify as events move toward the time when our world must face the Kwetwer," Kewero cautioned.

"Have I really changed that much?"

"You have been changing and growing everyday since you arrived - most dramatically since your journey beyond the barrier."

"How can I disguise who I am?"

"In your mind you must become the person you are supposed to be.  If you are playing the part of a woodsman's daughter then you must think in your mind, know in your heart, that you are a simple rustic.  You also might be able to use Rigga to enhance that impression."

The two women continued to discuss various possibilities of Rigga's power shield in covering Flindra's identity.  Then the topic of discussion migrated to the nature of the crystal orb and how it could be used.

"I believe the ultimate power of the orb will only be revealed when it is needed," Kewero commented.  "Until that time, you will find it useful for more mundane tasks.  Your first encounter with the crystal sphere enabled you to contact me.  You will always be able to communicate with me.  You need only to look into the orb and think of me.  I will feel your thoughts and will come to this chamber."

"What about contact through our dreams, like I'm doing with Momma and Leudh?"

"It is surer and more effective to communicate directly with the crystals.  This is the most precise transfer of thought.  We can also be in contact with each other through our dreams.  However, this works best to transfer emotional thoughts.  You love your family dearly and it is that love which has made your communications possible."

"Is that how Momma and Leudh were able to reach me when I was in trouble?  They don't have a crystal but their thoughts reached me."

Kewero's face registered surprise.  "When were they in contact with you?"

Flindra took a deep breath before she began.  "My memory of the time after I broke through to the place beyond the barrier is confused, but some things stand out clearly.  I was numbed by the enormity of the knowledge of the Spirit, so numbed that I became hopelessly adrift in a place of nothingness.  I sank into that nothingness and found myself unable to escape, in truth, to do anything.  I was losing myself to the emptiness, when an image took root in my mind.

"The image became a clear awareness of the my home.  I could see, feel, and smell the familiar things of my childhood.  This vision provided an anchor, something concrete for me to grasp.  Fused throughout the image was the presence of Momma and Leudh.  I don't know how they knew I was in trouble or how they reached into my mind, but I do know that they saved me.  It was their efforts that brought me back from oblivion."

Kewero sighed as she pondered Flindra's story.  "Are you sure that Dakra and Leudh were the source of these thoughts?"

"I'm positive.  The thoughts were alive with their essence.  I could almost feel them."

"This is curious, my child.  The love you share with your foster family must be great indeed."

"It is."