Chapter X, Reading 6

"Let me fetch some pillows and then I'll help you sit up."

"I don't need help," she protested as she tried to sit up on her own. A wave of dizziness overwhelmed her and she would have collapsed back to the mattress if Kewero hadn't reached over to support her.

"Easy, little one," Kewero warned. "Let's not push things too fast." She stacked a number of pillows behind her patient so she could lean comfortably against the headboard. Then she eased her back against the fluffy mountain. Again, she touched Flindra lightly on the brow.

"Comfortable?"

She nodded.

"It'll take me just a minute to fetch the broth. Would you care for some bread to go with it?"

"That sounds good."

"Try to stay awake, little one. You need the nourishment."

Flindra smiled. "I will."

Kewero left the room and was soon back with a bowl of broth and several slices of bread.

"Let me feed you. I don't want to wear you out unnecessarily."

"Whatever you think is best."

Kewero placed the tray on a stool beside the bed and then tucked a napkin into the neckline of Flindra's sleeping gown.

Flindra smiled at the motherly attention and allowed herself to be so pampered. It was easier on her and she thought that Kewero was enjoying it.

"This is wonderful broth," Flindra remarked after Kewero had spooned some into her mouth.

"I made it from what was left of the ptarmigan. I'm sorry Flindra but I had to eat it before it spoiled."

"Good," she said with a smile. "I'm glad you didn't let it go to waste. Did you enjoy it?"

"Yes, but it would have been much better if you'd been there to share it with me."

"I'm sharing it now."

"So you are."

Kewero took a piece of the bread, dipped it into the broth, and then held it for Flindra to take a bite. She alternated between the broth and the bread until she was finished with both.

"Do you need anything else?"

"No, Kewero," Flindra answered sleepily.

"In that case I think you need to get more sleep. You're starting to look a little pale."

She helped her sit, moved the pillows away and then eased her back to the bed.

"Your only concern now is to get some rest. Rest now, my little one. Just close your eyes and sleep."

Flindra answered by closing her eyes and allowing sleep to take her. Kewero stayed by her side until she was deeply asleep. She was pleased by what she saw. She could tell that this was a normal, healthy and healing rest. Flindra had made it back.

Flindra dreamt of her home and her family. Without knowing she did it, she reached out across space and time and thanked the two who had helped her find her way back.

Chapter IV, Reading 2

"You are being hunted by a mystical and terrifying enemy named the Ansu."

"The Ansu? I've never heard of them."

"The Ansu are the embodiment of an ageless and endless evil and are bent on destroying life and thus the goodness of the Spirit. You have knowledge of them buried deep within your memories for you carry my blood and know of them through me. My army and I fought them so I know them well." King Meldh shifted his gaze to focus on the fire and his face was touched with sorrow. "We weren't able to defeat these monsters." He paused for just a moment as if his memories were hurtful. Then he looked up and drilled her with an intense stare. "It is now up to you, Flindra, to rally the defenses of the world and bring about their end. We need to end the suffering they have cursed us with."

His eyes became softer and were touched with fatherly worry. "They are moving their agents into position to hunt you down, Flindra. There are things you must learn to protect yourself against them."

"Why do they want to kill me?"

"It is your destiny to lead the resistance against our ancient enemy."

"Me?" Flindra queried with a surprised frown.

"The Spirit chose you for this role a millennium ago."

"Why? I'm just a woman and no great and powerful warrior. Not like you," she added with a sense of awe.

"Champions come to us in many guises," he answered solemnly. "There are times you need to accept the wisdom of the Spirit without question and He clearly chose you and had reasons for His choice. However, I have a few ideas why you are the chosen champion. When I was defeated, my line passed into obscurity and others rose to power. Now it is time for you to stand forward to command the forces against the coming storm. If you were a man, you would have to challenge the existing order of the world to gain the leadership role. Power is rarely relinquished without a struggle and your ascendancy would result in inevitable bloodshed, which would weaken all. As a woman you can join with the existing power and strengthen all."

"I guess that makes sense."

"I think you will also find that few things inspire a man more than a noble and courageous woman can. No man will admit defeat when he watches a brave woman stand fast. You must fill your heart with courage and inspire others to do the same."

"I will do my best."

"I know you will. You will bring great honor to my name." King Meldh smiled proudly.

"Why didn't the Ansu destroy us all after they defeated you?" she asked in a puzzled voice. "Wouldn't that have been easier than hunting me down a millennium after they attacked?"

King Meldh shrugged his powerful shoulders. "I don't really know, Flindra. I suspect that it was just an economy of effort on their part. Many of my people, including my daughter Melenth, were hidden in caves, in deep stands of forest or in remote mountain valleys. It would have taken much time and effort to track them all down. After the Ansu defeated my army, they commenced a campaign of destruction and systematically obliterated all my cities and outposts. All the croplands were destroyed and in truth, much of the land was reduced to ashes. I presume the Ansu assumed they had destroyed enough that any survivors would simply starve."