"...In the storm that had no end, I was cast about without care. My crew gone, I saw a glimmer of hope. There was a glowing isle, about which there was no rain, the sea was calm, and the shoreline was endless...I was thrown from the raft I clung to for my life, and tossed about. Then was I thrown into the calm waters. Weakened, I slowly came to the water’s edge. I had so tiered of the sea. As I came to where my feet were just shy of touching the ground under the water, glowing men came to me from out of the forest just beyond the shore. I was too weak to take note of them or of the isle except to note that they were both beautiful beyond measure. They had the look of the ancients, that I heard described in a legend, they looked upon me and waded out. Two took me, one took me by each arm, but would not bring me to where my feet could rest upon the ground. The captain, one with sword and shield said to me, 'Ho there traveler! You can come no further lest you die for it.' I said, 'Nay that I should die from it any less then I should die at the hands of the sea. My ship and fellows are gone, I can go no more further to find another isle.' The men of the guard looked upon each other and then to their captain. The two with hold on me would not let my feet rest on the sea floor below me which their feet were on. The captain spoke again, 'You may not set foot upon the ground for it is holy and you are defiled, you would defile it and surly die.' Then, said I, 'Is there an isle near where I can set down? For I cannot return to my place without ship. I do not wish to defile your land, but there is no where else I have to go, nor can I, without ship and crew. Is there any you can ask of this?' He thought for a moment then said something to his fellows in a tongue I know not. A small raft was brought and the two with hold on me set me upon it. The captain told them to stay with me, then he and his fellows went away to the woods from whence they had come. I fell into a deep sleep then and remembered no more until when you woke me. So I ask you, what is it that has happened and who are you?"

"I am called Matt," said Matt. "I do not know what has happened to you. Who sir, are you?"

The dome of glass shimmered. The ground shook, gently, steadly increasing below his feet, then it began. Out of the woods beyond the light and the trees that were molded into their places came streams of light. Upon touch of the glass they were split into color bands. The interrior was filled with color. Matt was captivated as the wind blew the colors all around. On they went, this way and that, finnaly comming to rest inside the glass. Then, as suddenly as it had began, it all ended. The glass was no more for it shattered before him. Within, on the pedastool that had been empty was a stone of colors. It glowed where it stood. Matt reverently aproached, and, reaching out, he took the stone. It was briliant, however as soon as it was lifted, the glow it held stoped. He carefully took it in his unsteady hands and placed it in his pouch. It had been done as was said long before...

"whaleroad" (hon-rade) "swanroad" (swan-rade) "world-candle" (woruldcandel [e.g. sun]) "wordhoard" (wordhord [a man's vocabulary]) "earth-stepper" (eardstapa [a wanderer]) lord=ring-giver

Wyrd (fate) is always below God, God is always superior...