"They--keep--watch...!" shouted Dandtan.

Piercing the gloom were pin-points of light. A dark shape grazed Garin's
head--one of the Gibi Queen's guards.

Then abruptly they stumbled into a throng of the Folk, one of whom
reached for Thrala with a crooning cry. It was Sera welcoming her
mistress.

Thrala was borne away by the women, leaving Garin with a feeling of
desolation.

"The Mists, Outlander." It was Urg, pointing toward the Cavern mouth.
Two of the Folk swung their weight on a lever. Across the opening a
sheet of crystal clicked into place. The Caverns were sealed.

The haze was now inky black outside and billows of it beat against the
protecting barrier. It might have been midnight of the blackest,
starless night.

"So will it be for forty days. What is without--dies," said Urg.

"Then we have forty days in which to prepare," Garin spoke his thought
aloud. Dandtan's keen face lightened.

"Well said, Garin. Forty days before Kepta may seek us. And we have much
to do. But first, our respects to the Lord of the Folk."

Together they went to the Hall of Thrones where, when he saw Dandtan,
Trar arose and held out his jade-tipped rod of office. The son of the
Ancient Ones touched it.

"Hail! Dweller in the Light, and Outlander who has fulfilled the promise
of Thran. Thrala is once more within the Caverns. Now send you to dust
this black throne...."

Garin, nothing loath, drew the destroying rod from his belt, but Dandtan
shook his head. "The time is not yet, Trar. Kepta must finish the
pattern he began. Forty days have we and then the Black Ones come."

Trar considered thoughtfully. "So that be the way of it. Thran did not
see another war...."

"But he saw an end to Kepta!"

Trar straightened as if some burden had rolled from his thin shoulders.
"Well do you speak, Lord. When there is one to sit upon the Rose Throne,
what have we to fear? Listen, O ye Folk, the Light has returned to the
Caverns!"

His cry was echoed by the gathering of the Folk.

"And now, Lord--" he turned to Dandtan with deference--"what are your
commands?"

"For the space of one sleep I shall enter the Chamber of Renewing with
this outlander, who is no longer an outlander but one, Garin, accepted
by the Daughter according to the Law. And while we rest let all be made
ready...."

"The Dweller in the Light has spoken!" Trar himself escorted them from
the Hall.

They came, through many winding passages, to a deep pool of wa