She showed me that the dizzy descent was in brilliant moonlight.
"Not yet. We must wait. They would see us. In an hour, the moon will have circled behind the mountain. That will be the time."
She sat silent, her haik wrapped completely about her dark little figure. Was she praying? Perhaps.
Suddenly I no longer saw her. Darkness had crept in the window. The moon had turned.
Tanit-Zerga's hand was on my arm. She drew me toward the abyss. I tried not to tremble.
Everything below us was in shadow. In a low, firm voice, Tanit-Zerga began to speak:
"Everything is ready. I have twisted the rope about the pillar. Here is the slip-knot. Put it under your arms. Take this cushion. Keep it pressed against your hurt shoulder.... A leather cushion.... It is tightly stuffed. Keep face to the wall. It will protect you against the bumping and scraping."
I was now master of myself, very calm. I sat down on the
sill of the window, my feet in the void. A breath of cool air from the peaks refreshed me.
I felt little Tanit-Zerga's hand in my vest pocket.