The Firelord went to the north-eastern sector, beyond a small range behind the cliff, and crouched down. The staff rested horizontally, motionless. His head was bent very low, almost to the soil. I yearned to give him my strength. I would have given half my life to help him. He stood up and moved to the sector in the southeast, and crouched again, moving his staff across the ground. It tremored over a low mountain ridge, and stopped. I watched, engrossed, willing him my strength.

I felt the power of the earth, felt it humming through the soles of my boots, up through my legs and thighs and body, up into my heart and mind. A shudder ran along the soil from the northern sector of the map, on the Chosen side of the river, opposite the Quelled tents and the old mine. Wildly, I looked at the Firelord. He was still facing east, away from it, unaware. I looked at the Chosen. Their eyes were riveted on him, rapt, full of expectation and faith. He lay on the ground now, flat against the earth, still facing east. His staff moved in his hand, towards the south. From the northern mountains behind him the tremor came again, and humming warmth with it. The whole earth seemed to sing, to ring with the silent power of hidden flame.

I knelt and touched the ground. It whispered of warmth and strength and living fire. It was more than a whisper. It was a song, a triumphant shout.

And could he yet not hear it?

He was standing again, facing the opposite way. I stared at him, frantic. It is there! I wanted to cry. There! Behind you, lord!

He took a step forward, his head lifted, listening.

Behind you, lord! Behind! In the north, behind!

He turned and looked towards me, his face hidden in the darkness of his hood. I was still kneeling on the ground, my palms flat on the earth. I was breathing hard, my thoughts whirled like wild things in my head, my whole body shook and rang with the power I felt. Slowly he turned the other way, towards the firestones, and began to walk to the north.

I bent my head, my spirit spent. Vaguely I heard sounds of celebration, of a great shout ringing in the air, of hundreds of people rejoicing. I saw a great darkness, and a single flame burning. And beyond the flame, as I had seen it many times before, a long, high road leading to a temple place. But this time the place became obscured, blacked out with mist and ice and flashing shafts like swords.