Starlight flooded into Princess Níya's bed chamber. She awoke and lifted her head off her sleeping pallet. The winds whistled outside her room as she got up for the day. Her sac was already packed the night before and it now hung with its strap over her writing chair. She quickly brushed her hair and put on her hooded cloak. The sun was due to rise in 2 hours. Níya grabbed her pack and crept into the hall outside her chamber.

The passage ways were still quiet with the exception of a few night guards that were playing cards. She silently stepped across the hall and headed for Tarási's room. No sound came from her friend's chamber. She lightly tapped on the door and waited for a response. The room was still quiet.

Silently she opened the door and walked over to the sleep pallet. Her friend lay completely asleep.

"Tarási," she whispered. "Tarási, wake up."

The attempt to wake her was unsuccessful. Níya shook Tarási and finally she awoke.

"What do you want?" She looked out her window and said with a groan, "The stars haven't even set. Go back to bed."

Níya then became very upset. How could she forget our plans to go to the Temple? I reminded her two days ago.

"Look, Tarási, you told me you would go with me to Takadí's Temple today. Well, it's today and you aren't ready to go."

"It's not to-day. It's morning. Why can't we go later in the day? I don't care if you'll be queen someday. I'm not getting up this early just to see some ancient temple that will still be there later on in the day. We can go later on. I promise I'll go with you sometime. Now, go back to bed." She lay back down and placed her pillow above her head.

There was no way of convincing Tarási to come with her. Níya left her sleeping friend and started her trip up the mountain. She again passed the card playing night guards on her way to the stairs that led to the North Hall.

It was still fairly dark when she left the city. The stars above provided a little light for the journey up the steep trail. Níya loved being up in the peaks. It was quiet and serene. She felt at ease and her mind was relaxed.

After a short hike, she reached the Temple of Takadí. It protruded out of the side of the highest peak of the mountain. A winding stair case, partially cut into the mountain and partially made of metal, was under the structure and led to the center of the temple. Níya ascended the stairs and ended up next to an alter.

She felt her way to the rusted windows and struggled to open them. The sun crept up the horizon and soon the east side of the temple received the morning sunlight. Níya decided to read the Creation Histories of Kabíli today. These were etched into the walls and ceilings of the South Room.

It said, "'When there was nothing in this world, there existed supernatural beings. Takadí, the holy, omnipresent Father, created Kabíli and all the stars and planets above. On Kabíli He created oceans and 7 land masses each with different terrain.

"'On the first continent Takadí made grand mountains that reached way into the clouds and contained many kinds of metal ores. This He called Súria and made the Súri people. The next piece of land was covered with large canyons with rolling hills suitable grazing ground at the bottom of them. He called it Dákó and created the Dákon people. One land he partially submerged under the water with little oceans, full of millions of fish, all throughout the continent. There the Kújí people were made and their land was called Kújí.'"

The Temple was well lit now. It was about time for breakfast. Usually, Níya was back to the palace by now, but she wanted to stay longer. She ate the fruit she packed and continued to read the Creation History:

"'The next nation created was hot and covered with sandy and rocky terrain full of oil and it was called Asdem. The Asde people were placed as inhabitants of this place. Takadí then made a land of grassy plains of rich soil. It was called Bast and the Basti people were placed there. Mekína was created as many islands which contained mountains that spouted fire, ash, and precious gems. On these islands were placed the Mekínas people. The last continent was made of cold, solid water. No people were created for this land.'"

Lunch time was approaching. Níya quickly closed the windows and descended the mountain faster than she climbed it. She shouldn't have stayed that late. Mású was probably waiting for her at her chambers. The appointment was set up yesterday. There was no way he could have forgotten. She thought she was finally ready to tell him about her dreams.

What will he think? I hope he doesn't think I'm crazy. I thought I was when I first had my visions. Maybe she wasn't as ready as she thought. No, I'm not crazy. Everything will be fine as long as I am calm. I must remain calm. I am calm. I must remain calm…She repeated these phrases over and over in her head as she carefully ran down the steep trail.