See also The Kulembarach Clan.
The terraces of the Shrine overflow with snow. Frost has shattered several terraces and toppled some sculptures. Caretakers have withdrawn. Carelessly left fire has reduced buildings to blackened stones. The wooden gate to the arch before the tomb is gone. Wind wails. Scattered ice crystals shatter sunlight. The white cliff of the snowpack rises several kilometers above the mountain slope. Thus, the tomb, on a ledge only a third of the way up the slope, is vulnerable to avalanches.
Since there are no keepers, the first member of Yewwl's family to reach the Shrine is entitled to greet the Forebear by blowing his bugle. When he does, an avalanche topples statues and trees and buries everything that it hits, including the Shrine and everyone present except Yewwl who manages to glide away.
See also O Jerusalem!
1 comment:
Kaor, Paul!
Anderson plays fair with his readers. And mention of that white cliff of a snow pack was an important clue. Any adult Ramnuan should have realized how prone to becoming an avalanche that snow pack was likely to be. And not blow any trumpet!
But, now, maybe these Ramnuans were still learning how to cope with glaciated conditions, and that would take time, with people too often learning the HARD way.
Ad astra! Sean
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