Yet the end of the story was not despairing. In Mina’s tale, Katriela did not become lost in the shadows of hopelessness. Instead, she managed to break away from her parents’ domineering ways, with her husband’s help, and present her work to royalty. She became official seamstress to the queen, gaining wealth and prestige. Most importantly, she was able to create the dresses that danced in her dreams.
~
Mina spoke the final words of her tale, releasing her listeners to return to their lives. Around Katriela, a last few shining dust motes drifted down and disappeared. With a slight disjunction Mina returned to her body.
Katriela herself broke the awed silence that filled the divina. Leaping from her seat, she ran to thank Mina. When she turned back to face Rico, he gasped at the transfor
