Windy Hills

There would be no observations of the stars this evening. Heavy rain pelted the stone. Kaleela returned to her chair by the fire, and wondered how to spend the day. She imagined the route to the sea, and the town of Tabbia. Her lover had embarked on a journey to bring back maple for new baskets. A little exploration will keep my mind off Altin. I could seek more rooms. That's always fun, she decided. The cougar considered the map she had constructed of her mountaintop dwelling, and wondered what new surprises awaited her in hidden rooms.

On rainy days she spent her time in Lion-o's city at her other home. She fingered the sapphire bracelet she wore. It's magic allowed her to enjoy the pleasures of the earth and city. It was one of several magic treasure she had found on her explorations. Altin joked about spring and the rain often, but understood the importance of her work. He would have news and gossip plenty when he returned to her. The sapphire ring she had given him allowed him to leave the city in an instant to fly to the peaks to be at her side. There were far worse vocations than that of astronomer to Irri'in and part-time basket maker. Her world had a unique balance to which Altin had supremely adapted.

Her hand wandered blindly over the map until she detected a warm spot. What's behind the pantry? she thought, curious as to the odd location of a secret chamber. She walked back to the shelves that held her supplies. The pantry was a wonder, for it stocked itself with the foods she enjoyed. She ran her hands along the walls adjacent to the shelves. A curtained archway appeared. The scent of flowers wafted into the pantry.

Kaleela pushed through the curtains to find a long, dark hallway. Silvery runes decorated its smooth walls. A useful gift from Irri'in was the knowledge of how to read the ancient script. Her necklace of light glowed faintly like the writing. She followed the corridor as it sloped down until the warm glow from the pantry disappeared, and only the cool light of the necklace and the runes guided her. She studied the inscriptions as she walked. Several spoke of the constellation that the inhabitants of Third Earth called the Lion. It had some connection to pyramids, structures she knew little about. Only unspeakable evil dwelt in the lone black pyramid. Everyone new to Third Earth had learnt of the danger of Mumm-Ra. What other pyramids represented was unknown.

The runes changed, and now included images. She traced the figures. The outlines of strange plants filled the corridor, a botanical catalog with instructions for cultivation. The race of desert cats were shown growing abundant crops with skill and magic. That clan had not reached Thundera. Could these people still exist here on our true Homeworld? she wondered. Wouldn't it be fascinating if they did!

The corridor began to rise, and the runes ended. Ahead was only unnerving darkness. Kaleela squared her shoulders to displace her fear. I am a daughter of the night, she decided. I will go forward in blackness. She moved until the last of the glowing runes had also vanished. She was about to turn back when the sweet scent intensified. She cocked her head. Was that water she now heard?

The cougar continued on. The sound grew louder, but not deafening. A light shown from a bend in the hallway. She rounded the curve. An illuminated waterfall blocked her way, and filled the passage with rainbows. The water came through a channel in the stone above. But where does the water go?

She moved cautiously forward. A step appeared. A way down? The cougar resisted the temptation to put her hand in the falling water. The staircase descended. The stone, amazingly, remained dry. The pillar of water flowed in unbroken beauty. The staircase spiralled downward around the liquid column for a long time. Finally she saw a break before her. The last step ended in grass, yet the water still roared down into another opening in the stone.

Beyond the water veil, she beheld a spectacular vista of high cliffs and blue sky. It took a moment to register the red robed figure perched near the ledge. Tall and golden, he raised his arms and looked to the sky. Terror filled Kaleela's heart. He's going to jump! "No!" she shrieked, racing toward him.

The figure spun around, and lost his balance. He tottered on the edge. What power gave her both strength and speed, Kaleela did not know. Her mind moved too slowly to register the fact that she pulled him from the brink as they tumbled back to the safety of the grass.

"Are you a guide? I have been in sore need of one." The male's voice was a pleasing baritone colored with surprise. She stared into his blue eyes, unable to fathom why he would dive into oblivion. He took a deep, fatigued breath, and lay back upon the grass. "Can you show me the way? Time ends."

Kaleela rose, and offered her hand. I will solve this mystery later. "Can you mount the steps?"

The stranger chuckled as he stood. He was more muscled than any desert cat had a right to be. "I will take the chance," he remarked.

"This way then. It's behind the water."

*****

It was only after the third bowl of stew that Dah'ri gave a contented sigh. He leaned back in his chair by the fireplace. For a moment Kaleela believed he had fallen asleep. He began to sing softly a tune in a language she did not understand. When he finished, he smiled gently, and shook his head. "Where that came from...." He let the thought linger as if he had surprised himself.

The cougar's curiosity overwhelmed her, and she blurted, "What happened to the drawings in the corridor?" It was an unlikely first question to ask considering all that she wanted to know, but that they had disappeared as they had walked back in the passageway fascinated her.

Dah'ri tapped the side of his temple. "It is all in here, the knowledge that I require."

"To what end?"

"To ensure the safety of the food supply. There are conditions in the soil here that could result in problems for the plants brought from Thundera." He looked into the bright flames. "So I must leave soon for Lion-o's city, and make sure that the plants will survive. Then, there is another matter to attend that will take longer."

"I will take you to the city, but we will have to walk together."

"No need."

"Why?"

He made a sweeping gesture. "Because I have been to this mountain before, and I know the way down."

The shock she felt must have registered on her face, for he laughed heartily. "Irri'in likes to be involved with his people." He touched the golden rose on his chest. "And Dandara too," he remarked quietly.

"You are an agent of the gods! You, who look no older than I."

"I suppose, but that sounds far too grand." He cocked his head to one side. "The rain has stopped. Tomorrow I will leave."

"But you will visit again," Kaleela said suddenly.

Dah'ri's eyes narrowed. It was only in their depths that she realized that whatever his outer appearance, he was an old soul. What he scrutinized, she could not tell. He sighed, then closed his eyes. It was not an answer that she had anticipated.

She started to frame another question, and knew that this time, he had indeed fallen asleep. Whatever charisma he possessed, it worked its way into her soul until the desire to know him better filled her.

*Keep your mind on Altin, fair one.*

Who had sent the thought remained a mystery. Kaleela shuddered. Not for me, she decided, and felt regret.