TYLENDEL wakes from a rush of visions of the Crow-king, seeing him in different times and different places. Lylas is by his side, and they discuss Tylendel's visions and his plan to go to the mysterious place deep down a rift in the Great Plain.
After much deliberation he decides to do this. He asks Karlon Rymés for warm clothing and food for a few days. While he waits for the gear he works on a hymn. Later, he walks out onto the council chamber's balcony, casts a spell and flies up, using the powers still in him.
Before he crosses the plains, he lands in a small village, Grateful, where he knocks on the door of a farmer's home. A skeptical man, Santell, opens the door and Tylendel persuades him to let him in.
Two children, a boy, Hosep, and a girl, Auda, are playing with dice and the man's wife, Dana, is busy with food which she offers Tylendel - but he has brought his own. So he rests and recuperates for a while with the family before flying off to the Great Rift.
Once there, he lands before the unearthed gate and flies slowly inside. It is cold and dark and he seems to be in a massive chamber. The floors are cracked, ancient tiles; he touches a number of statues.
Realizing this will be difficult without vision, he casts another spell. Light begins to glow within him, the spreads outward through his skin, and then out into the hall he finds himself in…