The tall stands of the Sha'thon-wirth had long since thinned away into isolated islands of timber, except for a broad valley, which had been cut through a vast plateau eons before. Rocky cliffs traced both rims of the shelf in bold relief, their rocky outcroppings crowning the more wooded slopes below them. It was a pleasant land. Its openness lifted the gloom of the Sha'thon-wirth from Newman's heart. At last! Here's open sky enough for any man! he thought. In such a fair country it was easy to lay his fears to rest. The sea was more than two-thousand rhi behind them. Ahead lay a gentle land; green and lush with ample water. The shadows from the trees were frequent and cool. The sunlight, sparkling and warm, contrasted pleasantly with the brisk spring air. After days of being chased, Newman felt glad to be alive. The valley spread ever wider until it became a vast flood plain. Its small mountain streams turned into a mighty flow that meandered in great loops across the flat, rich land. The Elder's party paralleled the course of the river, preferring to keep to the more direct route along the higher ground spread between the river bends and the base of the hills bordering the valley. One morning through the eastern haze, Newman spied the dim spires of a distant city gracefully outlined against a cloud bank. He couldn't consciously recall having ever seen such a sight. Nevertheless, a sense of nostalgia swept over him, leaving a lump in his throat. The only dwelling of which he had any present knowledge were the shelters of the H'lomeh. He was properly awed. With absolute conviction, he knew the far-off spires were the homes of someone not unlike himself or the H'lomeh. He felt attracted to them. Had a similar magnificence once been his home? Newman moved his mount closer to K'neth and Thymli, who had been riding with him, and pointed toward the distant spires. K'neth grinned, signing the name of the distant towers. volunteered Thymli. Thymli signed vehemently.