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realise.’
    â€˜For goodness’ sake!’
    â€˜Have you already forgotten your time spent with the Momu?’
    She had spent many hours in the company of the Momu, during which she had been introduced to mysteries of being that were deeper than mere images, or words, or even feelings. She had experienced a transcendent level of communication, something deeply intimate, enabled by the harmony of thought and being that was intrinsic to the Cill – even now the memory of it was so moving she didn’t want to lose it. Still, Kate recalled how Driftwood had warned her even then to beware the Momu.
    â€˜
Beware her hunger
…’
    But what had he meant by hunger?
    Kate wasn’t altogether sure. She felt so ordinary in herself. She wasn’t brave. All she had, she believed, was a deep, instinctive empathy with what was natural, what was living – and somehow, although she couldn’t define it altogether logically – with what was decent. Yet the Momu had sensed something special about her. They had become very close, spiritually intimate – whatever that really entailed.
    Kate had no memory of being brought back to her chamber in the Cill city of Ulla Quemar from the cave ofthe Momu, and yet, at the moment of first waking, it felt as if her mind had expanded with important knowledge. It was as if she had, during the short time they had spent together, absorbed a new level of … the word that came into her mind was wisdom.
    â€˜I don’t have your understanding of what’s going on, Driftwood. It all seems so complicated.’
    â€˜Yet you know what I mean by understanding the need for patience. And you know what caution means.’
    â€˜Yes, of course.’
    Her lips were pressed together to stop the tears of frustration that threatened to break free.
    Wisdom!
It was such a weighty word!
    I’m frightened that too much might be expected of me. I’m terrified that I’ll make a dreadful mess of things
.
    The one thing she did understand, something vital to the survival of the Cill and their lovely underwater city, was the fact the Momu was dying. It was clear that her time was very limited. And this presented Kate with a dilemma.
    â€˜A new Momu, young and fertile, must be born.’
    Driftwood snorted again, provoking another echoing rumble through the landscape. The membrane over those enormous orange eyes performed another sideways blink.
    But before the Momu could give birth to her successor, or whatever was necessary – Kate felt a stab of panic in realising that she had no real idea what would be required – she would have to get over her feelings of inadequacy. And to do this she must have hope.
    Driftwood’s grumble cut across her thoughts. ‘I cannot accompany you into the city of the Cill. As for you, I very much doubt you are ready for such a trial. Yet I can see you are determined on this course.’
    *
    She found her perch again within the sanctuary of his neck, ready to soar above the mists that were rising.
    â€˜Remember – there is no happenstance, only Fate.’
    â€˜You’re teasing me with riddles.’
    â€˜Friendship is not a matter of reason or even of experience.’
    â€˜No. It’s a question of caring.’
    â€˜Pah!’
    â€˜Thank you, Driftwood. You know that I care for you and I know you care for me, but we’re never going to agree on this.’
    â€˜For a trifling girl-thing, you require a considerable bulk of caring.’
    Kate smiled, despite her misgivings. ‘Is that a joke?’
    â€˜I might fail to make you laugh, but I do care for you and you have little understanding of the perils of what you are attempting to do.’
    â€˜I will do my best to be scrupulously careful – I promise.’
    â€˜Such a promise is doomed in its very inception. To do one’s best implies the potential for failure.’
    â€˜I can only try.’
    â€˜No, you must