Nirri liked to play with her brother Koros (who looked just like her only he was smaller and orange), especially with the spinning top, and today was no exception. Bek set them both down to play by the lemon vines and sat down to watch them.

It was very hot that day, and the ground shimmered with heat. Nirri and Koros didn't seem to mind, but Bek started to feel very thirsty. He wanted to go and get a drink, but he didn't feel right leaving the two children alone. Eventually the heat got too much, and, convincing himself he would only be a few minutes, he went to get a drink.

Nirri watched Bek limp off and then stood up. She and Koros had been playing all day, and she was starting to feel restless. Suddenley she heard something. Turning, she saw Sendor, an old male, by the music player, listening to the tunes. Nirri smiled, enjoying the noises, but then Sendor turned off the music and walked away. Nirri waddled over to the player, clutching a little red and white ball, and stretched her hand up to the handle, muttering "Nirri push flib." she could just about reach it, and soon she was clapping her hands to the music.

Bek finished his drink and hurried back to the garden, not wanting to leave the two little norns longer then he needed. As he approached the lemon vines he noticed Koros playing with the spinner, but Nirri was gone. He looked around, but couldn't see her. Bending down he spoke to Koros in baby nornish. "Koros, Nirri gunn. Nirri run flib?" Koros looked at him quizzically before answering. "Nirri go moozak. Nirri darnz." he said, pointing a little chubby hand towards the music player. Bek patted his head and stood up, heading in that direction.

He reached the music player to find it still running. Turning it off he looked frantically around. "Nirri!" He called, but all he could see was her little ball on the floor, and the looming forest ahead. The forest where the grendels lived.