The Heir of King Meldh, Chapter VI, Reading 2

Beyond a turn in the valley, they came to a small, circular, tent-like dwelling.  It was made of heavy hides supported by an interior frame.  Flindra knew a moment of disappointment.  She had hoped that Kewero would reside in a more substantial dwelling - one the wind couldn't blow through.

"This is a yurt," Kewero explained.  "It is a typical dwelling of the nomads in these parts."

"I never realized people lived here in the Northern Reaches."

"The Ainaz have existed here since before the time of the Ancient Ones.  They are hunters.  They subsist on the herds of reindeer and the bounty of the sea.  Most of the time they are concentrated along the coast or in sheltered valleys."

Flindra shook her head.  "I've never heard of them."

"The Ainaz are a withdrawn people and have little contact with outsiders except for the few traders who venture this far north.  One generally doesn't see them unless they want to be seen.  They have finally come to accept me.  I trade with them sometimes.  Most recently, I acquired food for your horse from them."

They had reached the yurt and Flindra started to dismount.

"Stay in your saddle, Flindra," Kewero ordered softly.  "We aren't through with our journey yet."

Her brow wrinkled with a question but she kept quiet.

Kewero tossed back the flap to the yurt and pulled the little, black horse inside.  She closed the entrance and laced the hide in place.  Finished, she once more took hold of the reins.  "Drop your shield Flindra.  You don't need it now and it makes it harder for me to open the door."

She immediately complied and willed Rigga's power nimbus to fade.  She asked in a puzzled voice, "what door?"

"Metaphorically speaking, my dear.  Now hush."

Kewero closed her eyes and became perfectly still.  Her face lost all expression as she concentrated.  Suddenly, a shimmering zone appeared before them in the center of the tent.  She led Deru through the tremulous light.

Flindra experienced a momentary jolt as they passed through the shimmer.  It was as if she had briefly touched the consciousness of life - everything that was alive, had lived, or would live.  Then they were through and the sensation was only a memory.

They were in a vast chamber of an immense cave.  There were numerous openings radiating out from this central chamber.  A sourceless light radiating about them lent a hue of soft gold to the cave.  Colors were warm and inviting.

Flindra dismounted and turned around to see where they had come from but saw nothing except the continuation of the cave.  "How?  Where are we?" she stammered as she looked back at Kewero.