Ahead is a thicket of vegetation so dense that it forms a kind of cave, dark and quiet. Calmly, Tekna steps inside. There are two men in robes here, with deep and mysterious eyes. Says one, "Greetings Tech-na-Chuk-Chuk-Wakae-Hazar. What seek you in this realm?"
Searching his mind for a moment (not wishing to dispel the fragile state of whatever charms are at work), Tekna replies, "I seek what all men seek. Light for the Darkness. Sustenence for a hungry soul."
Nasht stares into Tekna's eyes and he feels the gaze penetrate his soul.
"You are worthy to enter the land of dream."
The two priests bow and step backwards. Kaman-Thah gestures to an ornate malachite table, atop which sit three loaves of bread, a jug of water, a small knife and a length of shiny, somewhat crystalline wool. There are also some clothes (Tekna realises that he is naked). The table has the word 'Shambhala' engraved upon it. Beyond the table is the top of a spiral staircase, leading down.
Tekna goes to the table dresses himself in the clothes and equips himself with the other items present. Then, making his traditional tribal signs of respect, to both beings, he begins his descent of the staircase.
The priests return Tekna's bow (with precisely correct tribal etiquette) and he begins his descent.
The stairs go round and down for quite some time. Tech-na notices after a time that the stair tunnel is made of a hard woody substance. Exactly seven hundred steps down is an elaborate archway carved into the wood.
Stepping through the carved arch, Tekna finds himself in a deep forest of colossal twisted trees. Far above are chinks of daylight, though light has difficulty penetrating the thick canopy. Instead most of the available light is from glowing fungi clustered on the forest floor. All around are strange fluttering, flute-like noises of unfamilar animal life.
Tekna sees that the archway he has come through is cut into the trunk of an enormous tree which could not possibly contain the seven-hundred steps.
"The seven-hundred steps of Deeper Slumber," says Grandfather Wa'aii. He stands nearby, dressed in simple white linen travelling clothes. He seems relaxed and happy. "Welcome to the dream, wanderer. You passed the priests. Now you too can find your way here. Come, let us depart. The Enchanted Wood is not the safest of places."
"Through submission we learn as the child learns" Tekna thinks to himself. "Openly and without condition".
Submitting himself to the trust of the old man. Tekna follows him into the forest depths.
The wood gradually thins and is replaced fertile fields rolling towards a blue river. Smoke rises from the chimneys of scattered cottages, and there are hedges and roads evident. To tekna's right in the distance is a huge mountain ("Mount Lerion, seven miles high and inhabited by goblins," says Wa'aii). The sky is blue and bright.
"We journey first to the city of Ulthar, which lies along the river Skai," says the old man.
The water of the Skai is clear and fresh, with many fish swimming in it.
As Tekna walks he glances at his companion, who seems to be in an excellent mood. His step is light and he seems less troubled here than in his tent in the Bnazic Desert.
Passing through the village of Nir the pair cross a stone bridge over the Skai. After a few turns of the road they find themselves looking down on the city of Ulthar, nestled among rolling hills.
As the pair enter the town, Tekna notices the large numbers of cats in the city. They swarm through the cobbled streets; all sizes, all breeds. Many cats crowd around Tekna's legs, with melodious purring. The people of the city do not seem to notice the cats. Grandfather Wa'aii stoops to pat one, whispering out of the corner of his mouth "It is a crime to harm a cat in this city".
Tekna's curiousity at his new surroundings is overwhelming. He turns and asks Wa'aii. Crouching down to stroke the feline populous, Tekna speaks without facing Wa'aii.
"What manner of place is this that we have come to? What is is that you seek here? What is its NATURE!"
The cats hum and purr in unison and rub themselves against Tekna as Wa'aii chuckles. "Only some of your questions can I answer," he says "and I shall do so shortly. Come, let us go up to my house."