A very old woman, sitting in a chair by the fireplace, greeted him. “Welcome, Seed Bearer. I am glad you have come to me, at last.” She wore a long, shapeless robe of bright blue and boots of red leather. Her white hair was very thin, and the pinkness of her scalp showed through on the top of her head.
Arkady asked, “Who are you? Why have you brought me here?”
The old woman smiled. “I am Eydis. I did not bring you. You came because your heart is here. It calls to you.”
He gazed at her in confusion. “My heart? I don’t understand.”
She rose slowly, and groped for her walking stick. “Do you not? Come then, I will show you.”
Eydis took his hand in hers. Her skin — translucent, blue veined — looked just like white marble. She led him to a hidden alcove in the back of the room. Behind the c
