Part 16 (2/2)

Now I sahence ca the pillars floated scores of orbs that shone like pale gilt frozen suns

Great and slea unsupported in space Out fro spherical surfaces darted rays of the saestion of frozen stillness

”They look like big Christhts,” I answered ”Of course they are They're notabout thehts--condensations of atmospheric electricity,” Ventnor's voice was cal the heart of this rip, was again his observant, scientific self

We watched, once un that ride whose end we sensed close In the unfolding of enig theat every door of sight and hearing to gather so

Slowly noere gliding through the forest of pillars; so effortless, so s still, the tre around us, dizzyingly My head sith the eme ”Look What do you make of that?”

Half a , quivering curtain of green luilt suns its solden a wascorpuscles of the aurora; it was, indeed, as though woven of the auroral rays And all about it played shi+fting, treht with the curtain's e

Up to its base swept the cube that bore Ruth and Norhala--and stopped

From it leaped the woestured toward us

That upon which we rode drew close I felt it quiver beneath le doard and leaveknees, and saw Ventnor flash down and run, rifle in hand, toward his sister

Drake bent for his gun I moved unsteadily toward the side of the clustered cubes There cae Sliding over upon ently, playfully--and with the slightest of jars the three of us stood beside it on the floor, oat it in reneonder, and the little beast stretching its legs, lifting its feet and whinnying with relief

Then abruptly the four blocks that had been our steed broke frolided to them

The four clicked into place behind it and darted froht

”Ruth!” Ventnor's voice was vibrant with his fear ”Ruth! What is wrong with you? What has she done to you?”

We ran to his side He stood clutching her hands, searching her eyes

They ide, unseeing, dream filled Upon her face the calm and stillness, which were mirrored reflections of Norhala's unearthly tranquillity, had deepened

”Brother” The sweet voice see out of untroubled space, an echo of Norhala's golden chi with me Indeed--all is--ith me--brother”

He dropped the listless pale and anguish

”What have you done to her?” he whispered in Norhala's own tongue

Her serene gaze took hier save for the faintest shadoonder, of perplexity

”Done?” she repeated, slowly ”I have stilled all that was troubled within her--have lifted her above sorrow I have given her the peace--as I will give it to you if--”