look back again as the delegation continued onits way.Upahead, the air faintly shimmered and Lassen became aware of anintense stillness about him. Similar, he realized, to the sensationhed experienced when Rohyr had regarded him so steadily that firstday. The shimmer gave way to distinct light and movementthe formermuted as if seen through a fog, the latter waxing until he descriedthe quickening undulations that portended a portals blossoming.Heclutched at Rohyrs arm as the party neared the portal. In the nextinstant, they were enveloped in a silver shot grey mist. Lassenstifled a yelp when the mist caressed his cheeks like an icy breathdespite his cloaks protective hood.Inwhat seemed like the blink of an eye, they were past the haze andinside a shadowed tunnel. There was a whispery sound like windrushing through the passageway.ButLassen knew this was not possible for the air was so still and coldit was almost oppressive. Far ahead, he could see a pinpoint ofdiffused light and he wondered how long it would take to reach whatappeared to be the end of the tunnel.Throughthe corner of his eyes, he saw images and he turned his head to lookat them. A jumble of color and light met his startled gaze and herealized that he was catching glimpses of the countryside as theypassed it by at a dizzying speed. He whimpered in distress.Rohyrpulled him back against his chest. Close your eyes, hemurmured. If you must look, look straight ahead.Lassendid as he was bid. He quickly came to appreciate the security of theArdans embrace. But at such close quarters, he also noticedRohyrs scent once more. Coupled with being pressed against hiswarmth, he felt the strange stirrings that flared whenever he was inproximity to Rohyr. But for the first time, instead of apprehensionalone, he also knew excitement. He wondered when he had ceased tofear the service he would render his king.Afterwhat seemed like forever but was probably no more than severalminutes, they slowed down. Lassen opened his eyes in time to see themuted light rush toward them. He braced himself. Suddenly, they wereout of the corridor and in a vast meadow. Lassen blinked, disorientedby the abrupt change from close passageway to wide-open space.Whereare we? he wondered. Ilmaren, Rohyr replied.Lassenremembered that Ilmaren was in the central region known as thebreadbasket of Ylandre. Rikara was farther northwest.Mustyou break transit when there is a change of direction? he asked.Nay. But my cousin of Ilmaren is also travelling to Rikara. Duringour lastcommunication,he agreed to join us for this leg of our journey.Ahorn sounded in the distance. Lassen turned his head and saw a largecity a goodly distance away, all gold and amber in the sunlight. Hethought quickly. Rohyr said that they were meeting his cousin, hischoice of words indicating that the latter was Ilmarens lord. Thatcould only mean the city before them was the capital of the fief.Isthat Althia? he asked.Yes,Rohyr confirmed. You know your geography. Tis my secondfavorite subject.Thefirst being...? History.Rohyrsmiled. You are not only comely but intelligent as well.Lassenlowered his head bashfully, hiding his face behind the folds of hishood. Theycome!Helooked up at the call and saw half