Into the Earth
[The path in slopes gently down, welcoming you in. There are no more torches here, but light of a different sort comes from further ahead. And on the walls, as you pass . . .
Murals. Mural after mural, bearing the crests and colours so familiar to them all. The foxes of the plains, the hydras of the swam. The tribal designs of a compass pointed steadily forward. Birds with watching eyes, with beautiful plumes, with curving necks and here, unfamiliar, other signs—the flying bee, the great fish, the eagle proud, the wolf pack. A ship with spread sails.