“Is there no way to get in on the other side of the rock, dear, dear Luis? I am very cold and afraid, being here alone.”
“Sister, I have walked around. I have felt high and low. But it is always the same. I cannot get through, I cannot climb over, I cannot crawl under. But I shall stay here with you, so fear not.”
At that Natalia put her hands to her face and wept a little, but very quietly, and it pained Luis to see the tears roll down her cheeks and turn to little ice pearls as they fell. After a while Natalia spoke again, but through sobs.
“Brother mine, you heard what the owl said?”
“Yes, sister.”
“Does it mean nothing to you?” she asked.
“Nothing,” he replied.
“But listen,” said Natalia. “These were the words: ‘Save us from light and the torch’s red flame.’ ”
“I heard that, Natalia. What does it mean?”
“It means, brother, that the things in this horrible valley fear fire. So go, brother. Leave me a while but find fire, coming back with it swiftly. There will be sickening loneliness, so haste, haste.”