The mighty gate rolled back, lightning flashing from every facet of its surface. Caught in webs of light Bladud stood bemused and dazed until the sibyl pulled him forward once again and they entered a realm that was more beautiful than any he had ever heard the bards describe. Gentle fields and hills of flowering grasses, trees without blemish, happy people all young and fit, houses of silver with roofs of white feathers... waterfalls... birdsong and music...
Staring around him with relief at last to find a place that was not full of fear and pain, Bladud would have stopped where he was, had she not drawn him on again.
‘Hurry,’ she said. ‘There is not much time and you have not yet earned your sojourn here.’
He hurried behind her, waving and smiling at those who waved and smiled at him.
