'
'You're not asking just to make me feel better?'
'No, truly.'
She was more than willing to recount the one glad memory of her long
vigil, alone in a strange land with danger and confusion all around.
'Well. To say that I was distraught those first few weeks..... Try
to understand. The first thing I saw when I finally mustered the
courage to go out onto the ledge, was some kind of big cat dragging down
a horse at the very edge of the ravine. I got so scared I didn't
know what to do. The cave seemed little enough protection, but at least
there I could hide. I know you must have thought me a coward.'
'No, you were wise. And the big cat did you a favor.' There was
no sarcasm in his voice.
'Anyway. Once I figured out that sebreum was something I could eat,
as much as I cursed myself for it, I just couldn't make myself go out
into that world. Then there was the Voice, telling me to stay there,
and wait for some kind of sign.
'I was alone and scared and miserable. That anything at all could
walk through the open entrance and tear me apart was obvious, and it
really started getting to me. The few animals I saw when I stood just
inside it seemed reluctant to venture too close, but that wasn't much
comfort. And of course I had no idea why.
'But one night, just as the sun was setting, I caught a glimpse of
something slip down into the ravine from the far side, which had always
before been the line they wouldn't cross.
Pages:
123
124
125
126
127
128
129
130
131
132
133
134
135
136
137
138
139
140
141
142
143
144
145
146
147