Yusstagë nófa Hyiluvân inâ yithlama forolir. ‘In answer to your prayers, one of the Hyilavúna is here to rescue you.’
Thus spoke a tall Entelláwa, stooping over the orphan children, Vidnî and Arbros, who lay huddled together by the sacred stone in the midst of the empty town of Uxul. They had only a sheepskin that they had found in the empty house to keep themselves warm through the cold winter’s night.
Vidnî asked:
‘Are you the husband of a Witch Woman?’
‘Nay, Hyûvanka maiden, I have no wife among the Entellári, if that is what, as I guess, you mean. I am Rauno. I come from Ailindál, the land of the Hyilavúna, beyond Midworld’s end, and I am a counsellor to King Olvarúno, the Lord of that land.’
‘What has happened to all the people of Uxul?’
‘The wicked Master of Ombros has had them taken them away to live in the city he has begun to build.’
‘What is a city?’
‘It is like a big town where many people live, and there are great buildings. In the land of the Hyilavúna we dwell in a great city, a good city wisely ruled, not an evil one like the city of Negobith.’
Arbros said:
‘We beg you, take us away from here to your city, where we will be safe!’
‘Fear not, Hyûvanka lad, while you are with me you are as safe as you can be anywhere in the Eastlands.’
‘What are you going to do about the people of Uxul?’
‘I? Nothing. It is the path they have chosen. Perhaps they will come to their senses one day. But fortune smiles upon you, if you will but walk in the path that is given you.’
‘We do not understand.’
‘A dolorous thing is about to happen, a sorrow to all the Hyûvandri and the Entellári of the Midworld. But you children are a sign of hope. You are to rebuild the fortunes of the Hyûvandri, whom Negobith hates.’
‘Still we do not understand, and it makes us afraid.’
‘Fear not. Eat this food and drink this drink. Then come with me.’
The two children arose and went with Rauno. Outside the gates of Uxul stood a great white horse, his mane plaited, with a light saddle on his back. His name was Tiratéma. They had never seen a beast so tall, being used only to the small ponies of their people.
Rauno placed the children in the saddle with him, one behind and one in front. Then he gently urged Tiratéma forward, and they rode by day and night towards the Southlands.
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