‘Wait!’ Deborah cried, jumping up and running after the lithe figure. All about her the camp slept, except for the guards on watch, sitting by fires, who seemed oblivious to her presence.
The figure ran to the water’s edge and stopped, waiting expectantly for Deborah to catch up. Drawing near, Deborah saw that the figure was a small woman, with long blonde tresses bearing a hint of green reflected light. Her slim body was completely naked but she seemed not to feel the cold at all. As Deborah came up to her, breath steaming in the gelid night air, the woman smiled.
‘Have you come to join us?’ the woman said. ‘You are not blind as the others. The water is as you see it.’ The woman gestured to the water behind her. Obediently, Deborah gazed at the water, and stared in wonder. Other women, much like the one before her, were playing in the waters of the lake, some of them watching her with amused curiosity.
‘But the water is much too cold,’ Deborah replied.
‘Nonsense!’ the woman said with a tinkling laugh. ‘Lay aside your strange attire, and you will find the waters of Nor’un Ye’en warm and inviting. Come, you must be swift! Dawn approaches, and Deep Home awaits.’