“I’m afraid!” she cried. “Be brave, Almo, and give me courage!” Her fingers pressed his, their hands parted.
Her hands over her face she dashed forward.
He saw her vanish through the portal.
He ran back.
Inside the Atrium Brinnaria turned to her right, passed through a small door, traversed four dark rooms and groped, kneeling on the floor.
Her fingers found five earthenware caskets in a row.
Swiftly she felt them.
The third she opened.
Carefully she fingered the statuette inside, running the tips of her finger-ends along the carved folds of the gown, over the helmet, over the fingers clasping the spear.
With the statuette in her hands she stood up. Tearing off her veil she wrapped the statuette in it.