Epilogue: Entering the templeMidsummer’s gates open wide,
gathering the virgins into the temple,
into the sanctuary of the great ones.
– The Calendar of the Hours
A bell rang, and Darna became dimly aware of her surroundings as Myril and Thorat eased her to the pavement, barely breathing. She wanted to say something but then the world went black.
“She’s fainted,” someone said.
The ceiling overhead had a curved look to it, with jagged lines running over the arches, or maybe it was only the interference of her half-closed lashes. Darna tried to move.
“Is she awake?”
“I don’t think so.”
Darna felt something on her hand.
“She’s so chilled.”
She was in some kind of a stretcher which pinned her arms to her sides. It jostled and bumped along.
“Hurry,” said a girl’s voice. “I’m hungry.
