Chapter SeventeenA bracing wind mingled with the dance of snow flurries throughout the endless morning hours as those who anticipated the return of the Liberators and Watchers finished their preparations; then had little to do except wait. The pale winter sun climbed slowly to his zenith, paused to survey his kingdom, then began his descent toward the horizon as his radiant gleam sought to penetrate the barrier of congesting storm clouds in the leaden winter sky. Largely unsuccessful, however, the colorless sky merely shifted in brightness as his daily sojourn proceeded and it was not until late in the day when the glimmering disc of light balanced over the lip of the horizon that sounds of activity close to the portal heralded the return of the Liberators.
Ayla and Nayina had taken up se
