The Andre Norton Megapack - 15 Classic Novels and Short Stories

air.
    “They—keep—watch…!” shouted Dandtan.
    Piercing the gloom were pin-points of light. A dark shape grazed Garin’s head—one of the Gibi Queen’s guards.
    Then abruptly they stumbled into a throng of the Folk, one of whom reached for Thrala with a crooning cry. It was Sera welcoming her mistress.
    Thrala was borne away by the women, leaving Garin with a feeling of desolation.
    “The Mists, Outlander.” It was Urg, pointing toward the Cavern mouth. Two of the Folk swung their weight on a lever. Across the opening a sheet of crystal clicked into place. The Caverns were sealed.
    The haze was now inky black outside and billows of it beat against the protecting barrier. It might have been midnight of the blackest, starless night.
    “So will it be for forty days. What is without—dies,” said Urg.
    “Then we have forty days in which to prepare,” Garin spoke his thought aloud. Dandtan’s keen face lightened.
    “Well said, Garin. Forty days before Kepta may seek us. And we have much to do. But first, our respects to the Lord of the Folk.”
    Together they went to the Hall of Thrones where, when he saw Dandtan, Trar arose and held out his jade-tipped rod of office. The son of the Ancient Ones touched it.
    “Hail! Dweller in the Light, and Outlander who has fulfilled the promise of Thran. Thrala is once more within the Caverns. Now send you to dust this black throne.…”
    Garin, nothing loath, drew the destroying rod from his belt, but Dandtan shook his head. “The time is not yet, Trar. Kepta must finish the pattern he began. Forty days have we and then the Black Ones come.”
    Trar considered thoughtfully. “So that be the way of it. Thran did not see another war.…”
    “But he saw an end to Kepta!”
    Trar straightened as if some burden had rolled from his thin shoulders. “Well do you speak, Lord. When there is one to sit upon the Rose Throne, what have we to fear? Listen, oh ye Folk, the Light has returned to the Caverns!”
    His cry was echoed by the gathering of the Folk.
    “And now, Lord—” he turned to Dandtan with deference—“what are your commands?”
    “For the space of one sleep I shall enter the Chamber of Renewing with this outlander, who is no longer an outlander but one, Garin, accepted by the Daughter according to the Law. And while we rest let all be made ready.…”
    “The Dweller in the Light has spoken!” Trar himself escorted them from the Hall.
    They came, through many winding passages, to a deep pool of water, in the depths of which lurked odd purple shadows. Dandtan stripped and plunged in, Garin following his example. The water was tinglingly alive and they did not linger in it long. From it they went to a bubble room such as the one Garin had rested in after the bath of light rays, and on the cushions in its center stretched their tired bodies.
    When Garin awoke he experienced the same exultation he had felt before. Dandtan regarded him with a smile. “Now to work,” he said, as he reached out to press a knob set in the wall.
    Two of the Folk appeared, bringing with them clean trappings. After they dressed and broke their fast, Dandtan started for the laboratories. Garin would have gone with him, but Sera intercepted them.
    “There is one would speak with Lord Garin.…”
    Dandtan laughed. “Go,” he ordered the American. “Thrala’s commands may not be slighted.”
    The Hall of Women was deserted. And the corridor beyond, roofed and walled with slabs of rose-shot crystal, was as empty. Sera, drew aside a golden curtain and they were in the audience chamber of the Daughter.
    A semi-circular dais of the clearest crystal, heaped with rose and gold cushions, faced them. Before it, a fountain, in the form of a flower nodding on a curved stem, sent a spray of water into a shallow basin. The walls of the room were divided into alcoves by marble pillars, each one curved in semblance of a fern frond.
    From the domed ceiling, on chains of twisted gold, seven lamps, each wrought from a single yellow sapphire, gave soft light. The floor was a mosaic of gold and crystal.
    Two small Anas, who had been playing among the cushions, pattered up to exchange greetings with Garin’s. But of the mistress of the chamber there was no sign. Garin turned to Sera, but before he could phrase his question, she asked mockingly:
    “Who is the Lord Garin that he can not wait with patience?” But she left in search of the Daughter.
    Garin glanced uneasily about the room.