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The entrance to the Oracle's cave was hidden in the greenery. Flexible ivy stems intertwined with wild grapes and rose hips, making the skin-draped passage almost invisible. The girls came out onto a narrow path leading them to the left between the rocks. The first rays of dawn illuminated the path, coloring the world with gold and purple. At the next turn, Ira, looking around, crashed into Valya, who had stopped. The girl looked out from behind her companion in surprise. They stood at the entrance to a green valley, surrounded by rocks and well hidden from prying eyes. Dense herbs covered the rocky soil with a flowering carpet. Here and there squat trees could be seen, distorted by the mountain winds. A stream flowed to the right, joyfully ringing and shimmering in the warm rays of dawn.

“Stay close to me,” the Oracle warned and moved forward. Ira obediently followed.

Valya whistled thinly and for a long time. A few moments later, the ground shook. The clatter of heavy hooves broke t