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barrier that could be broken by human death?’ I asked.
    He shook his head. ‘It is not so simple. Zei’s powers in this world were greatly reduced when Krii gave his life and the great seal was broken. But the power of love, shown mightily in one person’s sacrifice for another, is a property of this world that cannot be changed. It is what allows us to go to Shamayim after we die. But Zei is notorious for copying Krii’s magic with dark tricks of his own. Death—especially sacrificial death—can be used against the powers of Krii’s holy magic.’
    ‘What do you mean by “sacrificial death”?’
    ‘Our spies tell us that the Zeikas take entire families to the wall. There, they threaten the adults with the deaths of their children or younger siblings. Consequently, there are many that offer themselves in place of a loved one. This kind of death is a “sacrificial death” like Krii’s, which holds far more power than if the Zeikas massacred the entire family. With only five or six sacrificial deaths, the Zeikas can breach the shield long enough to get a whole group of tyraks through.’
    I recoiled from him, with a look of outrage. ‘How can you allow it? Turn off the barrier shield altogether.’
    ‘Do you think our military so powerful?’ He shook his massive head. ‘The shield is all that stands between us and annihilation. If it were ever to come down, the Zeikas would attack us constantly until the entire realm was in ruin.’
    ‘What are you doing about it then?’
    ‘Tanza’s army, the Defenders, employs many scouts to interrupt the Zeika raiding parties. There are reports every few days of such encounters. We do everything in our power to disallow it, but every now and then a few scouts or a group of Zeikas get through. Sometimes the Zeikas launch a campaign against us and entire armies get in. If it weren’t for that shield, we would not be here today.’
    ‘Some people would say it is Krii that allows it,’ I said carefully, ‘because he could stop it.’
    ‘Certainly,’ Ciera replied. ‘And one day he will put an end to all death and suffering. For the time being, though, we have the opportunity to grow and influence others to come to know Krii.He is in contact with us in our everyday lives, even now, but he will not interfere directly with Zei until the end times.’
    I felt something deep inside me confirming Ciera’s words—I knew them to be true. I accepted the way things were in the world and a tranquil feeling followed that realisation.
    ‘Meantime,’ I said, ‘he uses people and Astor-kin to achieve good works on Chryne.’
    ‘We who understand this and accept the call are privileged,’ Ciera agreed.
    I thought on this for a long time as we waited for him to recover from the flight. After a while, Ciera went on speaking.
    ‘We fight the Zeikas off every few years, but over time they have gradually grown stronger. In many of our cities, the last battle nearly spelled their doom. The Zeikas killed thousands. You will find many ruins around Tanza—despite the protective barrier. Our people have realised they are safer in well-fortified towns.’
    I fidgeted and looked at my feet. The ground was like spongy, white clay. It was wet from the mist of the shrouding. The fog rose up to my knees, leaving the legs of my pants damp.
    We watched the day-star set over the western horizon and I tried to imagine what it would be like to watch it from the tops of the Kiayr Range. Would the day-star look the same over the other side of the world?
    When he had rested, Ciera allowed me to climb up his shoulder and perch on his back. He spread his wings and took a flying leap off the shroud. The shroud dissipated, the harder substance billowing into vapours and drifting away. Gaining flight was much easier from this height. Ciera simply flapped his wings in the air currents and let them carry him towards Lantaid. When I looked back, the shroud was gone.

Chapter Five—Past and Future
     
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