fall, he ran across the bridge toward the destination side, closing his eyes and leaping for the brink. He tumbled into the soft grass and lay there, taking in the delightful aroma of the surrounding flowers.
Elam fluttered his eyelids open. Blades of grass veiled his view. The aroma of fresh flowers graced his senses as the yellow and white head of a daisy bowed toward his nose, giving way to the breeze.
Leaping to his feet, he spun toward the yawning canyon. It was behind him, the impassable gulf now a mere crack in the sidewalk. The woman in red was gone.
He lifted his feet up and down in turn. The solid ground never felt so good. He held up his stinging, aching hands, gashed across the palms from thumb to little finger and oozing blood. He smiled in spite of the pain. Although every muscle ached, he never felt better in his life. There was no greater feeling than to conquer the impossible, even when given help by the infinite.
Turning his back to the chasm, he strode ahead toward the rise in the distance, the vista he had hoped to use as an overlook to get the lay of the land. When he crested the hill, he gazed out over the lower elevations all around, but trees blocked his view in every direction.
He set his hands on his hips. That spyglass sure would come in handy now, but it wouldn’t do any good to wish for something he had lost and couldn’t get back.
As he scanned the scene, his own vision seemed enhanced. Every detail was sharp and magnified, similar to how Sapphira had described her vision whenever she came near a portal location. The colors were breathtaking—dazzling blue ponds, flowers that seemed so saturated with reds, oranges, and yellows they were ready to drip, and trees so green, his mother’s emerald paled in comparison.
He jerked his gaze back to a small pond in a stand of massive trees. Something moved near its edge. Leaping forward, he galloped down the hill. The spongy grass cushioned every step, and when he arrived at the pond, he didn’t feel winded at all. Sweeping the area with his gaze, he searched for the source of movement, but not a leaf stirred. Near the border of the pond, however, hoofprints marred the rich earth.
He stooped at the prints and looked out over the crystal pool, a perfect circle no wider than he could leap if he had a running start. With the water so clear, he could see the tiniest details in the smooth stones at the bottom, yet its depth seemed a mystery. Could it be five feet? Fifty feet? The clarity made it difficult to tell.
“Drink, stranger. The water is free.”
Elam shot to his feet and swung around. A beautiful white horse stood a few paces away, its tail swishing, though there wasn’t a fly to be seen.
“Did you speak?” Elam asked.
The horse turned its head one way, then the other before looking at Elam again. “Since there is no one else here,” it replied in a bass tone, “I assume your deductive reasoning is sorely lacking. But it is no sin to be without sense, so …” He bowed his head low. “My name is Dikaios.”
Elam bowed with him. “And I am Elam.”
Dikaios turned his head to look Elam in the eye. “You are an interesting specimen.”
Patting his torso, Elam checked for changes in his body. “Why? Don’t I look human?”
“Indeed, you are human in form, but we are not concerned with shape or skin here. Yet I must say that you have already behaved unlike most humans I have ever seen.”
Elam stooped and stirred the water with his finger. “I hope you weren’t offended that I didn’t drink from the pool even after you offered.”
“Not at all. Many humans are careful about what they drink in strange lands. Your inaction is merely prudence.”
“The water looks safe. I just wasn’t thirsty.”
“You will not become thirsty here, but this water is a delicious gift that you are free to take at any time.”
“Thank you,” Elam said, rising to his feet. “I appreciate it.”
The horse shook its head. “Do not thank me. Thank the one who provides it.”
“I will be sure to do that.” Elam scanned the area on the other side of the pool. “I need to get to Heaven’s altar to find some friends. Could you tell me how to get there?”