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ning You have the Talent Remember, the spirit world is not the same, it is reversed, upside down”

Ayla jerked when the torch dropped She grabbed for it and picked it up before the fire died, then glanced up at the hanging pillar that looked as though it supported soround It was reversed, upside down She shivered Then, for an instant, the pillar turned into a transparent, viscous wall On the other side a horse was tue of a cliff

Wolf was back, nosing at her and whining, running out, then coain Ayla stood up and watched the wolf, still trying to clear her head “What do you want, Wolf? What are you trying to tell me? Do you want me to follow you? Is that it?”

She started out of the back gallery, and when she reached the opening, she saw another torch co the torch obviously saw her, too, though her torch was starting to sputter and die She hurried, but took only a few ht went out She stopped, then noticed that the light co faster She felt relieved, but before the person reached her, her eyes began to adjust to the dark She could see a little by the faint light that reached the back of the large chaht she could probably find her way, if she had to, but she was glad so She was surprised, however, when she saho it was

“It’s you!” they both said together

“I didn’t know anyone was in here, I don’t want to disturb you”

“I’lad to see you,” Ayla said at the salad to see you, Brukeval My torch died”

“I noticed,” he said “Why don’t I walk you out? That is, if you are ready to go”

“I’ve been in here too long,” she said “I’lad to feel the sun I should have paid attention”

“It’s easy to get distracted in this cave It’s so beautiful, and feels so … I don’t know, special,” he said, holding the light high between them as they started out

“It does, doesn’t it?”

“Itfor you to be the first one to see it We’ve been on these slopes sowords, yet no one found it until you came,” Brukeval said

“Just to see it is exciting, being the first one doesn’tfor anyone the first time they see it Have you been here before?” Ayla asked

“Yes Everyone was talking about it, so before it got dark, I got a torch and caoing down Just enough to make me decide to come back today,” Brukeval said

“Well, I’rateful you did,” Ayla said as they started up the slope of the entranceway “I probably could have gotten out, a little light reaches back there, and Wolf would have helped me, but I can’t tell you how relieved I was to see your torch corning toward me”