Temple of the Winds

When she was free, Janet flung her arms around Verna's neck. She rejoiced with a soft sob. Warren held up his palm, letting a small flame dance above it so they could see. The tiny room was made of huge blocks of dark stone, as was the rest of the stronghold. Milky water seeped through some of the joints, leaving trails of crusty stains down the walls.

"Oh, Verna," Janet whispered, "you have no idea what a joy it is to see your face."

Verna embraced the trembling woman as she wept softly while clutching at Verna's cloak. Verna still had the dacra in her fist, behind Janet's back.

Verna eased her away to smile at the tear-stained face. She wiped away some of the tears, and smoothed back Janet's dark locks.

Janet kissed her ring finger-an ancient gesture beseeching the Creator's protection. Even though she had been reasonably sure Janet was loyal to the Light. Verna was relieved to see such confirmation.

A Sister of the Dark was sworn to the Keeper of the Underworld, and would never kiss her ring finger. It was an act that represented a Sister's symbolic betrothal to the Creator.

It was the one thing that a Sister of the Dark could not do. A Sister of the Dark could not hide her loyalty to her true master, the Keeper, by kissing her ring finger, for kissing that finger would invoke her dark master's wrath.

Verna slipped the dacra back up her sleeve as Janet glanced back at Warren. They exchanged smiles.

Both Verna and Warren took in Janet's bizarre garb. She was barefoot. The baggy garment, cinched at the waist with a white cord. covered her from ankles to neck to wrists, but was so sheer that the woman might as well have been naked.

Between a thumb and finger, Verna tugged out some of the diaphanous material. "What in the name of Creation are you doing wearing this?"

Janet glanced down at herself. "Jagang makes all his slaves dress like this. After a while, you don't even notice anymore."

"I see." Verna could see that Warren was doing his best to avert his eyes. "Verna, what are you doing here?" Janet asked in a demure voice. Verna grinned and pinched Janet's cheek. "I came to get you out of here, silly. I came to rescue you. We're friends-did you think I'd leave you here?" Janet blinked in astonishment. "The Prelate let you come after me?" Verna lifted her hand, showing the woman the sunburst-patterned ring of the Prelate. "I am the Prelate."

Janet's jaw fell open. She dropped to the floor and began kissing the hem of Verna's dress.

Verna gripped Janet's shoulder and urged her to her feet. "Stop that. There's no time for that."

"But-but, how? What happened? How can this be? What has happened?" "Verna, those webs won't hold for long," Warren cautioned in a thin whisper. "We've already overstayed our welcome."

"Janet, listen to me. We can talk later, after we get you out of here. The things we had to do to get in here only give us a brief time to get back out. It's dangerous for us to be here."

"I should say so," Janet said. "Prelate, you must-" "Verna. We're friends. It's still Verna."

"Verna, how in Creation did you ever get into Jagang's stronghold? You must get out at once. If you are found-"

Verna frowned and touched the ring through Janet's lower lip. "What's this?" Janet paled. "It marks me as one of Jagang's slaves." She started shivering. "Verna, save yourself. Get out of here. You must get out!" she whispered urgently. "I agree," Warren whispered through gritted teeth. "Let's go!" Verna pushed her cloak back over her shoulders, out of the way. "I know. Now that we've got you, we can go."

"Dear Creator, you have no idea how much I'd like to go with you, but if I did-you can't imagine what Jagang would do to me. Oh, dear Creator, you can't imagine."

Her eyes flooded with tears at the very thought. Verna embraced her for a moment. "Janet, listen to me. I'm your friend, you know I wouldn't he to you." She waited until the other nodded. "There is a way to keep the dream walker from your mind."

Janet clutched Verna's dress at the shoulders. "Verna, don't torment me with hope that I know is false. You have no idea how much I'd like to believe you, but I know-"

"It's true. Listen to me, Janet. I'm the Prelate, now. Don't you think Jagang would take me if he could? Why do you think he hasn't taken the others? He can't, that's why."

Janet was shivering again, tears running down her cheeks. Warren put a hand to her back. "What Verna says is true. Sister Janet. Jagang can't get into our minds. Come with us, and you will be safe. Hurry." "How?" Janet whispered.

Verna leaned close. "You remember Richard?" "Of course. Trouble and wonder in one person." Verna smiled at the truth of that. "He has the gift, that's why I went after him, but there is more to it. He is born with both sides of it. More than that, though, he is a Rahl.