Chapter XI, Reading 6

"I can only guess that the Spirit must have used your family and your mutual love to rescue you from your peril.  Have you contacted them through the crystal since your experience?"

"No I haven't.  I was respecting your advice to leave the orb alone until we determined what had happened to me."

"Perhaps you should contact them.  The orb cannot harm you - your power level has increased so much since your ordeal.  You might be able to get more information on this mind link with your family from them."

"I would like to thank them for their help, but how can I ask them questions?  I just visit their dreams - leave them messages."

"I used to think that was the limit of the connection.  Your experience with your foster family suggests that I was wrong and I suspect you can do much more.  The connection between you and your family is strong enough for them to know of your danger.  Just as importantly, they were able to contact you with just their love to guide them.  Don't limit your mind by accepting untested boundaries."

"All right."

"If you don't mind I would like to stay here to observe what happens, if you don't find it to be a violation of your privacy."

Flindra laughed and reached over to touch her mentor's hand.  "It doesn't matter to me if you watch.  I would tell you everything anyway, so it will just save us both time."

Kewero nodded in acceptance of Flindra's trust.  "Thank you.  Try to contact them and see if you can get any information."

Flindra looked into her crystal sphere and willed the contact with her mother.  She paused for a moment and looked at the orb like it was a new and unfamiliar object.  The feel had changed.  Then she realized that the burn on her palm was reacting to the orb even through the bandage.  It was an intense physical contact and she could distinguish her own essence permeating the crystal.  Somehow, she had become joined to the power within the crystal and the burn was only a manifestation of that weld.

As she filled her mind with Dakra's essence and concentrated on the crystal, Flindra expected the familiar color vortex.  There was none, nor any blinding white light.  Her consciousness simply transported directly to her Momma's bedside.

Dakra was asleep and looked at peace.  There was a slight smile on her lips and Icy was curled up behind her knees.  She must be having a pleasant dream.

Flindra said nothing but took the time to look around the tidy little room.  Now she noticed that Dakra was living in Leudh's home.  Her mother's things were all in place, but the house was different.  Everything appeared so real as she looked about her and she knew this could be no memory.  This was new and so intensely real.  The sights and the sounds swept over her; she was pulled into this alternate reality.  As far as her eyes were concerned, she was home.

Flindra concentrated on her mother, planting the message that she was all right.  As she was thinking, Dakra's eyes opened.  She looked at the foot of the bed with shocked surprise.  "Flindra!  What are you doing home?"