The Mountain Moves

JP with Largehobbit and Cindy

Once again the people began to speak amongst themselves and this time Balt gave them time consider the words of Islana. He offered her a warm smile, reading the energy of the crowd. The rain had all but stopped now and the heat of the fire was starting to grow. Balt rose from his seat peering around him at the representative from the Clans.

"Well?" he asked of them, "Will the mountain allow her to pass?"

Heads began to nod and torches were raised toward Balt on his platform. His smile turned to a grin and he opened his arms wide as the people began to cheer.

"I think that is a yes." Melandra offered, she too was grinning and then the people were all rushing forward to surround them. Hands reached out to Islana, patting her back, squeezing her arm, grasping for her hands.

Strong hands took hold of her and she was raised high above the heads of the people. They carried her forward on a sea of humanity, they were countless now and endless see of people moving her from hand to hand over their heads. The fort was gone and as far as the eye could see eyes looked to her and hands reached for her.

It was as if the air surrounding the gathering changed. Islana caught the heads nodding, the lights lifting upward and Balt's grin.

The young woman's gaze turned to Melinda to also see her grin. It was a yes.

Islana had spoken from the heart but there was a time not long ago, those words wouldn't have found a voice, even if she believed them. They would have remained locked inside.

It was a surreal experience to be lifted and carried, with all of those hands supporting her. To be raised to a greater level, like that. To know she, Islana Annora, had it in her to inspire to such a degree.

It was a feeling, that would stay with her forever and one that the woman knew she wanted to experience again.

The hands raised her up higher and higher, keeping pace with her wonder and elation and then at the very pinnacle of their delight they released and she began to fall. She dropped through those grasping hands and down between the bodies of the massing crowd then where she should have struck the hard packed earth she passed through into darkness and continued to fall.