Author: Lyn

Chapter One 

The message from Gladsheim had been clear. Earth Colony Niflheim was in danger. 

The rider shivered and drew his long coat more closely around him. His pony lowered its head against the wind, picking its way over the snow-covered plain. Vidarh knew he was not alone on this journey—he sensed the presence of others, all making their way to Gladsheim from 
various parts of the world. 

Without warning, a mind connected with his, as sweet as the tinkle of tiny bells. 
Greetings, Vidarh of the House of Ragnak, this is Tamarith of the House of Yarvi. I have been assigned to guide you to our fair city. You have come a long way to be with us, and we, the 
inhabitants of Gladsheim, thank you. 

Relieved, he swiftly telepathed his response. Greetings Tamarith. I look forward to meeting you 
and the others soon. 

The rest of your journey is not easy, she replied, but we will guide you. When you reach the other side of the mountain we will be waiting to take you to Gladsheim. 

As the voice drifted out of his mind, Vidarh found himself looking forward to meeting her. He 
wondered if she was as pleasant to look at as her voice had sounded in his head. He had indeed 
come a long way, and not without cause. He allowed himself a wry smile as he thought of his farewell to his family. His father had made it plain he was the best member of the family to go. Not because the old man felt Vidarh had any special qualities, but simply because he was more easily spared than any of his siblings. Vidarh might not be adept at farming, but one day-—one day, he'd find a way of making his father proud of him. 

Although concerned about the threat to Niflheim, he'd welcomed the chance to leave the 
constraints of the farmstead and looked forward to the journey. It would be good to have some 
time to himself. The only drawback being that at Gladsheim he would have to endure the company of a multitude of people he did not know. However, it would only be for a day or two, and then he could take his time on the return home, enjoying his solitude again. 

The ice-cold mist swirled like a living creature, driven by the wind. Vidarh glanced behind him. The distant mountains were almost hidden, their summits mantled in thick cloud. Somewhere an icecat howled, its mournful cry echoing through the mountains and sending ghostly fingers racing up and down his spine. 

Ahead lay a dense forest, and beyond it, the place he sought. The trail through the trees led ever upward, and the sure-footed pony snorted and panted with the exertion. The mist blotted out much of the light from Niflheim's two suns. Although a faint eerie glow from the red giant managed to filter through, it did nothing to make the journey easier or the path between the massive trunks clearer. Without guidance from the young woman from Gladsheim, Vidarh might have feared losing the way. When at last the trees thinned out, he found himself on a high plateau. Before him loomed a towering cliff, studded with the mouths of several caves. He dismounted and stood still, emptying his mind of all thoughts. 

If you have reached the caves, you will need to leave your pony and continue on foot. 

Guided by Tamarith, Vidarh stopped before the first and largest cave. He would need some 
form of illumination. From his pack he drew a torch, which he lit and wedged into a crack in the 
rock. Unsaddling the pony, he turned it loose. The animal, descended from stock genetically engineered to withstand the harsh conditions, and brought with the first settlers to Niflheim, was fit and hardy. It would have no problem foraging for itself until his return. 

With a resolute set to his shoulders, Vidarh retrieved his torch and made his way into the cave. Just inside the mouth, he found a hollow behind a rock in which to hide the saddle and bridle. At least it would be safe and dry there, so long as no hungry rodent decided to nibble at it. He strapped on his pack, containing a change of clothing and a few personal items, and set off 
along a narrow passageway at the back of the cavern. 

Tamarith directed him along the various twists and turns of the labyrinth. At first, the 
going was easy. The walls of rock gave off a soft, diffuse luminescence, augmenting the light from his torch. After walking for so long he began to think the tunnel he followed led nowhere, the luminosity grew stronger, and the passage opened out into a large amphitheatre. The light 
reflected back from the walls revealed seats, formed out of pale green stone, arranged in tiers forming a semi-circle. At one end was a pool, shimmering in the soft light. Multi-colored stalactites glistened like jewelled candelabra from the roof of the cave. At the far end was a high 
dais flanked on each side by another passage. 

Vidarh paused for only a moment to take in the beauty around him. He was familiar with the 
Conference Chamber of the community of Gladsheim. His mind had been there many times but this was the first time he had physically entered the place. 

Instructed to take the left fork, he progressed along the labyrinths, noting the downward slope 
of the passage. Occasionally, when he came to a branch in the tunnel, he would stop and listen to Tamarith's voice in his mind as it guided him along the right path. 

You don't have far to go. I will keep sending you the directions. You should be near the river 
now. 

Yes. I hear it up ahead. 

Be careful. We had heavier than usual snowstorms last winter. With the coming of spring, the melting snow and ice has swelled the volume of water. 

Vidarh made his way along the tunnel, partly guided by his telepathic link with Tamarith, and partly by his own senses. Eventually it widened out into a large cave, through which the underground river roared as it cut its way through the mountain. 

On the shingle of the boulder-strewn shore, several small boats bobbed against their moorings. After ensuring his pack was securely fastened around his waist, he climbed into one, and lashed the torch to the prow. He cast off, and took up the paddle. The river bore the craft along at a tremendous rate and it needed all his skill and attention to save the craft from dashing against the rocks. He'd heard about the fabled river of Mimir, but this was not the tranquil stream of his imagination. 

The walls still reflected a phosphorescent glow. Vidarh noticed several gigantic, human-like statues on the banks as he passed, but had no time to contemplate or admire them. Rounding a bend, he came upon a wall of water ahead, cascading from the roof in a fury of white froth. The torrent boiled and raced. He gritted his teeth as he headed into the maelstrom. 
There was no way he could control the boat's frantic motions as it heaved and bucked like an unbroken colt. He threw down the paddle, gripped the sides of the vessel, and sent a desperate message through the ether. 

Tamarith, I'm in trouble. Please—send me images of your location, quickly. I need to know 
what it looks like where you are. 

The raging current tossed the boat around with relentless fury. All Vidarh's attention focussed on maintaining contact with Tamarith, and even his finely-tuned powers could not prevent the craft from capsizing. Gasping as he hit the icy flood, he struck out with his arms in desperation, and tried to keep the watery demons from pulling him under. 

Tamarith! 

Into his head came a shimmering picture of mountains and a snowy plain beyond, like the one he had recently crossed. A path before the mouth of a cave wound down the declivity to the plain. He closed his eyes and forced himself to concentrate on the image, while trying to keep his 
head above the water. 

The mountains and the plain solidified in his mind. He saw a group of people gathered at the entrance to the cave, halfway down the craggy slope. Four sturdy ponies stood tethered a short 
distance away. 

Vidarh struck a barrage of water with a force that winded him. Myriad rainbow colours flashed before his eyes. For a nanosecond, he sped through a vortex of black nothingness, sucked through the eye of a raging whirlwind. He hit hard ground and rolled over onto his side. A few moments passed before he could catch his breath and scramble to his feet. He stood in embarrassment, aware of the slightly shocked expressions on the faces of the three people 
gathered before him. 

Welcome, Vidarh. Not quite how we were expecting you to arrive. 
The young woman, at whose feet he had fallen, was pleasing to look at, even if her expression was one of bemusement. He'd formed a vague picture in his mind and thought she 
would be attractive, although he had not expected her to be so stunning. Large, dark eyes framed with feathery lashes lit up her delicate features. Thick black hair in a long braid reached almost to her feet, and the close-fitting riding gear she wore emphasised a petite, shapely figure. 

Tamarith smiled, an action that made her seem even lovelier, and extended her fingers in the Nifl custom. How did you do that? The question whispered in his mind, and he sensed no one else heard it. 

I'll tell you later, he telepathed, also withholding his reply from the others. I'm not entirely sure myself, I've only managed very short distances previously. He touched her fingers in return and glanced at a neatly bearded figure and an elderly man standing next to him, who 
repeated the gesture. 

My brother, Gullin. And this is one of our elders, Liftrar, Tamarith informed him as they completed the polite ritual of greeting. I think we should make for Gladsheim. You must be weary 
after your journey. Not to mention, wet, she added with another smile. 

Vidarh nodded and she led him over to one of the ponies and held its head while he mounted. 
With a lithe movement, she stepped into the saddle of her own steed. She waited while the other two climbed aboard theirs, then led the way down the mountainside. 

The sure-footed ponies picked their way along the narrow mountain path and Vidarh shivered against the sharp wind, his sodden clothes clinging to him, heavy and uncomfortable, chilling him even further. On reaching the foot of the mountain they urged the ponies into a mile- eating gallop, the exhilarating pace lifting his spirits and making him less aware of his discomfort. 

He knew there were questions Tamarith wanted to ask. Every now and then, he caught fragments of her curiosity, and that of the others. However, he merely projected back to her that he would explain once they reached Gladsheim and he'd changed into dry clothes. 

At last, Gladsheim came into view. Vidarh drew in his breath. The city was even more 
beautiful than the stories had led him to believe. The mist, which still swirled over the mountains, had not yet reached the settlement. The setting suns cast a golden glow, suffused with touches of pink and crimson. Elegant houses, ranged around a long, narrow lake beneath snow-capped peaks, stood bathed in the ethereal light. Mosaic paths wound between tinkling fountains, and shrubs and flowers grew in profusion, despite the fine sprinkling of snow on the ground. 

Vidarh was still gazing around in awe, when Gullin came to his pony's head and held the bridle for him to dismount. 

Come, you must be tired after your journey. You need to change and then we'll eat, and you 
can meet everyone. 

Vidarh was happy to alight from the saddle and hand the reins to a girl, who also held Tamarith's pony. As she and a young man led their mounts away, Vidarh followed Gullin and Tamarith across the delicate bridge, which spanned the lake. Unseen bells tinkled, the sound drifting on the slight wind, and the bridge itself coruscated with all the colours of the spectrum, in the radiance of the two sunsets. 

When they reached the far side, Tamarith led him to one of the houses overlooking the lake. 
I'll take you to your room. You can bathe before we have our meal. 

****
Refreshed after a long soak in the warm bathing pool, Vidarh donned the clean clothing laid out ready for him. The garments he'd been wearing, and the change of clothing he'd brought, were drying at a safe distance from the cheery fire in the hearth. Everything he had heard about the House of Yarvi's hospitality was well-founded. Gullin and Tamarith could not have made him 
feel more at home. 

Looking around in approval at the spacious room allocated to him, he checked his appearance in the mirror opposite the bed. The hazel eyes that stared back had lost their customary brightness and held the weariness of one who had travelled for many days. Vidarh could do nothing about that but at least he could try to make up for his less-than-dignified arrival by looking as presentable as possible. He ran a comb through his hair in an attempt to tame the unruly curls, which he restrained with a leather band around his head. Tucking the borrowed and 
slightly too-short breeches into his boots, he tweaked his also-borrowed tunic and forced a smile. He assumed they belonged to one of Tamarith's brothers. 

Downstairs, in the vast dining hall, Tamarith smiled and showed him to his seat. While the steaming dishes were brought to the great dining table, she introduced him to the rest of her family. He also met the other guests, as well as Helva and Narvi, the girl and boy who cared for 
the family's ponies. 

When Tamarith sat down beside him, he smiled at her with a feeling akin to relief. Hers 
was a comparatively familiar face among all the unfamiliar ones. It was also an extremely 
attractive one. 

I've never seen so many people in one place. Sleipnir, where I come from, is a very small 
community. 

There are several hundred people in this hall. They're residing with anyone who is able to find the room to accommodate them, Tamarith replied. More are expected before tomorrow. Gullin and I have been sending messages for many days. Those who can't be found lodgings in Gladsheim itself will be housed in the outlying hamlets and villages. 

Vidarh nodded and did his best to make polite conversation, although he found it difficult to relax among so many people. Rhenn and Melind, the sixteen-year-old brother and sister of his hosts, were as outgoing and friendly as their older siblings. Melind's smile and ready laughter 
did much to put him at ease. 
A tension lay in the air, however, that even the excellent meal and light-hearted conversation could not dispel. There was a reason for their presence here that went far deeper than the 
opportunity for a pleasant social gathering. 

When they finished eating, Gullin and Tamarith rose and Gullin looked around at the 
guests assembled at the huge table. 

My friends, many of you have travelled far to e here. Thank you for coming. Tomorrow the others should arrive, and then we will combine our minds and try to reach the one person who may be able to help us.