Eranithia: The Cave of Truth: Chapter 15

Chapter 15


As they ate their lunch that afternoon, Arrow arrived with a return message from Seth. Garandol  untied the note from Arrow's leg.
“Go rest for a while friend. You have worked hard, thank you.”
Arrow screeched his gratitude, then flew out of sight.
“Where does he go when he rests?”
“Wherever he wants. He's one of the largest birds in Eranithia. He nearly rules the skies...when Mirgol's asleep anyway.”
Mark grinned as he took another bite of a bear-meat sandwich, “So what does Seth have to say?”
Garandol read the note then said, “We have to leave. We're meeting him at the Great Waterfall.”
“Why there?”
“Well,” Garandol pondered, “it's close and hidden. There's a direct view of the castle entrance. But I have a feeling there's another reason for us meeting there.”
“What's that?”
“If I knew, I would have told you.”
“No you wouldn't have,” Jennifer teased. “What about all those times when we were traveling to find Seth that you didn't tell us anything.”
Garandol smiled and said, “That was before I truly knew you.”
Jennifer rolled her eyes at him and continued eating. They finished their meal quickly, then went to Thern to update him on Seth. He was with Runa at the cliffs once again. Mark figured that location was like a Throne Room for them. A Centaur turned to Thern as they approached and whispered in his ear. Thern and Runa turned together to welcome them.
“Garandol, we were expecting you. We saw Arrow not long ago. What news do you bring us?”
“We just received word from Seth. We're to meet him at the Great Waterfall.”
“What's there?” Thern asked curiously.
“I think he has a plan, but what it is, I don't know.”
Thern rubbed his chin then said, “Well, we better not keep you. Take what you need for your journey. Keep me updated too.”
“We will,” Garandol said with a bow, then turned to gather their things.
Within an hour they were at the tree line where they found Thern and Runa waiting for them.
“May I call us horses to make our journey quicker?” Jennifer asked Thern.
“You may,” he said with a nod.
She whistled the same, musical whistle from the other day. Within a few minutes, the horses were racing through the forest towards them. Garandol swung onto one, Broc another while Mark and Jennifer shared the third.
Just before they left, they looked at the Rey and Reina one last time. Thern nodded to them and they returned the nod, then sped into the forest. Two Centaurs accompanied them as they raced through the forest for the border. The trees were a blur as they sped through the forest. Mark was glad he didn't have to worry about steering the horse. At the speed they were traveling, even his reactions wouldn't be fast enough to navigate through the trees.
Are you okay? Jennifer asked.
Yeah, just a little nauseous. Mark admitted.
Try closing your eyes and trust him. Try to feel his movements and go with it. Don't forget, he knows where he's going. Garandol is leading the way and all he's doing is trusting the horse.
Mark did as she said. He relaxed and let the horse do all the work and after a minute or so he could anticipate where the horse was going next. He could feel different muscles in the horse's shoulders twitch, telling him which way they were about to turn or swerve. It ultimately made the ride smoother for him and much easier on his stomach.
Jennifer giggled in his ear. He laughed a little to himself as well.
Due to the speed of the horses, the walk that took them a full day was completed in a couple of hours. By dusk they were at the fork in the road where one road went north towards the Blood Mountains and the other southeast to the Great Cliffs.
“Let's make camp in the woods,” Garandol suggested. He led them to where the trees grew close together so it was harder to see the campfire from a distance. They released the three horses, deciding to travel by foot in the morning.

Night fell over Eranithia, but Seth found it impossible to sleep. His mind couldn't let go of Lana or his sister. The two women in the world he loved the most. Or so his mind told him and he knew the mind could be fooled by a deceitful heart. He only hoped his heart wasn't fooling him with his feelings for Lana.
He stared at the stars as he reclined against his travel pack. The air continued to grow colder as it neared wintertime, so when they stopped for the night, he unpacked his heavy, brown, wool cloak. His hood covered his head as he watched the stars.
“Can't sleep?” Karis asked him as she sat next to him, sipping hot tea from a small wooden cup.
“What makes you think that?” he asked sarcastically.
She looked down at him and said, “Your eyes being open is a dead giveaway.”
He smiled as he said, “You're observant.”
“More observant than you might think,” she said.
Seth could hear the sadness and bitterness in her words as they cut right through to his heart. His stomach turned in knots as Arland's words came back to him. He had to tell her of his feelings for Lana.
“I know of your fondness for Lana, and honestly I can't say that I blame you. She's a wonderful woman, as beautiful as she is kind,” she started.
“She is,” he agreed.
“I'm not one to meddle in others' affairs but I have to ask,” she hesitated.
Seth sat up, pushed back his hood and looked at her.
“Karis, what is it?” he asked kindly.
She looked right into his eyes then asked, “Is she really the kind of woman you want to be with?”
He motioned for her to sit next to him, then asked, “What do you mean?”
She sat down and continued, “Don't get me wrong, I love her like a sister, but she's royalty. Any marriage she has will be for political reasons, not for love. Do you really want a wife who only marries you as a symbol of peace between nations?”
“There already is peace between Ashenland and the true Eranithia. What kind of symbolism would that be? We are not at war with each other are we?”
“No, but it's how it is with all royal families.”
“That's never how it's been for Ashenland and Eranithia. When an Elf woman chooses to be with a human man, she has to give up her immortality.”
“I know that.”
“No good king would demand such a sacrifice. It must be given freely. And I could never ask anyone to give up such a gift from Sol.”
“I would give it freely for the right man,” she said quickly.
Words seemed to stick in his throat. He wanted to tell her the truth about Lana, but now he was doubting what that truth was. He wasn't sure if he truly knew it to begin with. Would Lana give up her immortality for him? Would Sol possibly make an exception for her? He prayed he would.
“I'm sorry, I shouldn't be saying such things. You have too much to be worrying about as it is. You don't need me adding to it. Forgive me,” she said as she started to get up to walk away.
He didn't know what made him do it, but he grabbed her hand before she could stand. She looked at him with watery eyes.
“Karis, wait. Stay, let's talk.”
“Talk about what? I just stupidly spilled my heart out at the worst possible time. You have too much riding on your shoulders right-”
“Quiet, please,” he said firmly.
She stopped with her mouth open, ready to finish her sentence. He hoped he hadn't offended her. He had meant to be more gentle in telling her to be quiet.
Seth sighed before continuing, “Lana and I care about each other a great deal. We have known each other since childhood. Whatever attraction you saw between us, may possibly be true, but it is impractical for either of us at this time. Like you said, I should be worrying only about my sister, and that's all I want to worry about right now. So, for now let's leave things where Lana and I have left them. We are friends, and we are here for each other. I need a friend right now to help me get my sister back.”
He searched her eyes then asked, “Can you be that friend?”
She looked at the dwindling fire as his words soaked in.
“None of us know what Sol's plan is for our lives when all of this is done. So, let's just be what we know we can be right now.”
“Friends,” she said, her voice cracking.
“Yes, friends.”
“I don't know if I can.”
He hadn't expected this. Maybe hoping for agreement was expecting too much.
“I can do this, though,” she said and looked at him again. “I will help you get your sister back. My orders are to assist you in any way possible. I will fulfill my duty. You are my commander for the mission and I will obey. Whatever you command of me, I will do it.”
He thought of how he could respond. With what she'd just told him, the thought of commanding her to be his friend crossed his mind. But he couldn't force that on someone. What kind of friendship would that be? He decided that silence would be his best response.
She got up and walked away from the camp. This time he didn't stop her. Instead he prayed.
Sol, I don't know what to do here. Lana is right. All I need to be concerned about is Serina's rescue. You know my heart's desire for Lana, but why am I feeling so conflicted? Lana is everything I could hope for, but there's something special about Karis as well. She's a strong woman, and willing to give up her immortality for the right man. I don't doubt she was referring to me.
Get up! a voice in his mind shouted.
Seth sat up and looked around. There was no one around. Then he saw a faint blue glow in the distance.
Follow me, the deep voice said.
“Where are you?” he asked in a whisper.
Follow my light.
Seth obeyed. He walked across the grassy expanse before him. It was almost pitch black as clouds began to roll in, blocking the moon. The blue light grew brighter as the sky darkened. It began to take shape as he grew closer. It was the form of a man. Suddenly, Seth was terrified of the blue, glowing man. He stopped, not wanting to go any further.
“Come to me,” the voice commanded. He sounded angry.
Seth was startled by how authoritative he sounded. Who could command him so easily? His stomach began to turn but he still wasn't sure why. He walked forward until he reached the man who stood before him. The blue glow faded and there stood an angry man dressed in a white tunic and pants.
“Where is your mind, Seth?” the man asked.
“Sol?”
“Answer my question.”
“My mind is with my sister.”
“Don't lie to me. I know your thoughts. Tell me everything.”
This has to be Sol. Has he ever appeared to someone like this before?
“I have appeared in this way before, but not often in anger. You're losing focus, Seth. Put aside any thoughts of Lanadore or Karis. I will work in them, it's not your responsibility.”
“Sol, I'm sorry. Please forgive me.”
Sol's tone changed to a softer one. “You are, of course, but you must focus on freeing your sister. You need her to take back what is yours by my design.”
“I know, but-”
“I don't want excuses. I want you to do what I've asked of you. Everything else will work itself out. Do you hear me?”
“Yes, my Lord, I do,” Seth said bowing his head.
“Good, now when you return to your camp, lie down. You will sleep. Tell no one of our meeting. Get the rest you need before meeting Garandol at the Great Waterfall.”
“Yes, Lord, forgive me.”
“You are forgiven,” he said softly. “Now go.”
Seth bowed to him and walked towards the soft orange glow of the shrinking campfire. As soon as he laid down against his travel pack, he fell into deep sleep.

The next morning, Mark woke with a chill. He saw frost on the plants around them. It felt like winter was upon them. In the distance he heard the roar of water. It made him realize how thirsty he was. He unhooked his water skin from his pack. It was almost empty. He'd have to refill it later.
He tipped his head back as the cold water soothed his dry throat. Then he looked around the camp and noticed Broc was missing. He threw off the rest of his heavy blanket, then stood up and looked around. The Centaurs were on opposite ends of the camp, Jennifer had slept next to him, directly across the fire was Garandol. But the spot Broc was supposed to be in was empty.
Throwing on his cloak he began to search the woods around the camp. He couldn't see him anywhere. He tried to reach out with his mind, but still nothing. It seemed Broc had abandoned them. But why?
“Mark?” came a voice behind him.
“Broc!” He said as he spun around. He carried a bundle of rabbits over his shoulder.
“What are you doing out here?” he asked.
“Looking for you!” Mark said excitedly.
“For me? But why?”
“You were missing from the camp. I thought...”
They stood in an awkward silence for what seemed an eternity to Mark. How foolish he'd been to think Broc had abandoned them. He wanted to kick himself for having such a thought.
“You thought I'd abandoned you, or betrayed you?”
Mark dropped his head down and nodded in shame, “I'm sorry, Broc. I guess a part of me still doesn't trust you.”
Broc grinned through his thick beard and said, “It's quite alright, Mark. I understand that I must earn your trust. I don't expect to earn it right away, I'm not so foolish or naïve to think I can.”
They stood there in an uncomfortable silence for a moment, then Broc said, “Come, let's have breakfast.”
Mark walked with him back to camp. When they arrived, he sat on the cold ground as he watched Broc gut and clean the rabbits to be cooked. After a few minutes he pulled his blanket around his shoulders and stared at the fire. He thought about their mission. Rescuing Serina; the girl from his dreams. The beautiful girl he longed to meet. He knew the souls of his parents were the same souls that were once Seth and Serina's parents as well, but he wondered if it made a difference since they have different bodies with different genetic makeups.
You know you haven't even met her yet. You've only seen her in the way she's allowed you to see her. Jennifer said breaking into his thoughts.
Don't read my private thoughts! He said back angrily.
She giggled then said, I don't have to read your thoughts to know what you're thinking, brother. We're closer than that.
Mark turned around and sighed as he asked, I'm that obvious?
No, I just know you inside and out. I always have, just like you know me. And ever since we came to Eranithia, our connection has grown.
Will we ever have a connection with someone other than each other?
He felt the pain in her heart from his words. He hadn't meant what he said in the way it came out.
Jennifer, that's not what I meant. I love you, you know that. His eyes pleaded for forgiveness.
I know, and I knew what you meant.
Then what's wrong?
Nothing, I'm fine. She lied.
Don't lie to me.
He saw a flash of Arland in her mind. He laid down next to her again, facing her. Her eyes opened letting a few tears escape. Mark reached over and wiped them away.
I'm sorry, sis. We'll see him soon.
I know, but a part of me thinks I'm losing him, like there's someone else.
Really?
Yeah, I don't know why, but I just feel like someone else has caught his eye. A cold breeze blew through, lifting a strand of hair off of her forehead.
Well he would be a fool for choosing anyone over you.
That's sweet, but what can I do about it since I've yet to see him since I've been back. It's been more than a week, and although I love you and Garandol, and I've really enjoyed meeting the Centaurs, I just want to see Arland again.
We'll see them today. We're supposed to meet them at the Great Waterfall. Mark assured her.
I know.
Then cheer up! I'm sure he will be thrilled to see you again.
He may be, but will it be in the same way I'll be thrilled to see him?
Look, when we first came to Eranithia, I didn't like the fact that you two were always together. But he and I got a chance to talk, just the two of us, and he really cares about you. Granted he didn't know you very well yet, but I don't think that matters at first, you know? Sometimes when you know, you just know.
Like you know with Serina?
He laughed in his head and a smile spread across his face as he said, I have no idea about her. She's probably the most beautiful girl I've ever seen, but you're right, she's probably just letting me see her in the way she wants me to.
“Are you two going to eat?” Broc interrupted them.
They looked and saw everybody else was awake and enjoying a bowl of rabbit stew.
“Let's eat, we can talk more later,” Mark whispered as he sat up.
Jennifer reached out her hand. He took it and pulled her up to her feet then into a tight hug. Broc walked around the fire to them and gave them their breakfast.
“We have plenty, so eat up,” he said as he returned to his side of the fire.
After their meal, they cleaned up camp, packed their travel packs, then continued east through the trees.
After a couple of hours of walking through the forest they came to The Great Cliffs. Mark and Jennifer stared in awe at the expanse of The Marshes before them. They led right up to the base of the Stone Step Mountains.
“This is where I leave you,” Timberfoot said.
They said their goodbyes, then the two giants left for their individual mountain peaks.
“This way,” Garandol said.
“We will be waiting in the forest for you,” Gaith said.
“Very well. Thank you for the escort,” Garandol said, bowing to them. Mark, Jennifer and Broc all did the same, then followed Garandol down a narrow path. Just to the north of them, they could see the castle. In front stood a thousand soldiers in well formed lines, shoulder to shoulder, twenty-five wide and twenty deep on either side of the gate.
“Arnath must know something,” Mark said.
“He doesn't know about anything that's about to happen. That is why he has such a strong guard,” Garandol said. “The only way he would know something, is with dark magic. His sorcerer is probably away, so he placed extra guard in front of the castle to protect him.”
The path took them down the face of the cliffs and out of sight of the castle. A hundred yards down the path was The Great Waterfall. Mark stared in awe as they walked. It wasn't very wide, maybe only thirty feet across. But it was powerful, and the tallest he'd ever seen. It dropped to the bottom of the cliff, a thousand feet below, into a lake which broke off into many, tiny rivers. Those small rivers formed the ponds and small lakes that made up The Marshes. They stretched as far as the eye could see to the east and ended at the Stone Step Mountains.
As they neared the waterfall Mark noticed something else about it. There were two rivers forming the waterfall. One from above, which Mark knew to be the Golden River, and one from beneath it, shooting out from the cliff face.
“What river is that coming out of the cliff?” Mark asked shouting over the noise of the waterfall.
“It's one of the underground rivers,” Garandol shouted back to him.
“Isn't it mixing with the Golden River?”
“Yes, but this river is called the Healing River. It cancels out the curse of the Golden River.”
“So it's safe to drink?”
Mark stumbled over a loose rock, but caught himself before falling over the edge. His heart raced faster than ever. His stomach clenched and the blood drained from his face as he plastered himself against the wall of the cliff.
Are you okay? Jennifer asked.
Oh, just fine. I just nearly fell to my death.
Calm down, she said in as soothing of a voice as she could muster.
How are you so calm? You're afraid of heights, he asked.
Thanks for reminding me. Just watch the path. Forget about the waterfall for a while, ask your questions later.
Good idea.
Slowly he pried himself from the cliff wall and watched the path as they continued on towards the waterfall. The path took them behind the two falling forces of water. As they neared the waterfall, the path grew more and more slick. Mark watched each and every step he took, to make sure he wouldn't fall again. He knew if he fell into the falling sources of water, he wouldn't survive hitting the bottom.
The light grew darker as the passed under the waterfall. The path even widened into a place where they could all stand. Garandol stopped for a moment, welcoming the water that fell on them. A heavy mist enveloped them as they stood there. Mark was amazed at how good it felt. The water was crisp and cold, almost too cold to touch. But that feeling went away as he noticed the cuts and bruises on his arms began to heal. Energy like he'd never felt before came over him. He as if he could stay awake for days!
Doesn't this feel amazing? Jennifer's voice asked in his head.
  Yes it does! He said turning towards her.
  It feels like someone is injecting me with energy drinks! She laughed.
Mark laughed with his sister. This had become his favorite place in Eranithia. The Healing River. Oh, the things Sol created!
Garandol waved them on. Even though Mark was disappointed to leave the Healing River, his mind returned to Serina. They had to keep going. And with this rejuvenation he felt, he thought he could do it all on his own. But as they walked further from the waterfall, reality sank in a little more. There was no possible way he could rescue Serina alone!
Then they came to a cave a hundred yards past the waterfall. Mark looked at the rest of the cliff but didn't see any other caves. This must be a real cave this time, not a foot or handhold created by the Geoth or the Takor.
When they were inside the dry cave, Garandol waved his staff over all of them, making them dry again.
“That Healing River is something else, isn't it?” Mark asked excitedly.
“It is. It will heal any wound. All you need to do is drink of it and it will heal any injury or sickness.”
“Amazing,” Mark said, then looked around the cave. “Where does this lead?”
“I don't know,” Garandol said. “It's something I've always wanted to explore but have never had the chance.”
“You've lived for two hundred years and have never had the chance to explore a cave?”
Garandol chuckled, then said, “I have explored many things in Eranithia, but I don't think I've seen half of it. Eranithia may not be a very large country, but it has many secrets and wonders to be explored.”
“I want to see as much as possible when all this is done,” Mark said, then went to the edge of the cave and stared out over the marshes. Something about them attracted his attention. In Lord of the Rings, the marshes were where the ones who had fallen during the war slept. He wondered if these marshes were anything like that. He hoped not.
Mark sat on the ledge and stared out at the scenery before him, soaking it all in. Jennifer sat with him.
“What's on your mind?” she asked.
“Nothing really. Just enjoying the scenery.”
“It's beautiful isn't it?”
“Yes it is.”
They sat together, staring at the Stone Step Mountains with the way they looked like giant stairs leading up to the pointed mountain peaks. The sky was white with clouds.
“Looks like it's snowing on the Stone Step Mountains,” Mark said, noticing how the peaks were slowly turning white.
“It's heading this way,” Garandol said, standing behind them.
“So, tomorrow will be a cold battle then?” Mark asked him.
“If it comes to a battle, yes.”
“You don't think it will?” Mark asked, looking up at the old wizard.
“We may have to fight our way out of the castle, but it's very likely we will escape with no casualties.”
Garandol seemed to be speaking as if he knew something they didn't. Jennifer kept quite and just stared at the whitening mountain peaks.
“Do you know something we don't?”
Garandol chuckled and said, “There's a lot I know that you don't, young one.”
Mark rolled his eyes saying, “You know what I mean, old man.”
Garandol laughed, Mark laughed with him. The week they had spent together as just the two of them had really created a bond. Mark found himself looking up to Garandol as a father, or grandfather rather,  more than a teacher.
“Dinner is ready,” Garandol said, then walked back to the fire.
Mark got up to follow him but noticed Jennifer hadn't moved.
“You comin'?” he asked her.
She didn't respond.
“Sis?” he asked as he sat back down next to her. He saw her face streaming with tears. “What's wrong?”
Jennifer wouldn't tell him anything. She just stared at the mountains and cried. He put his arm around her, holding her close. She put her head on his shoulder and let her tears flow.
“I wish you could tell me what's bothering you.”
“I wish I could tell you too,” she confessed.
Emotion gripped his throat like an iron fist as he let her cry. It was all he could do. He had to trust her and this was testing his trust more than ever.

Seth led his party into a cave where a small fire was slowly dwindling to embers. A young boy he recognized woke startled, grabbed his sword and lunged at Seth. Seth sidestepped, squeezed Mark's wrists and wrenched the sword from his grip, Then tossed the golden blade aside.
“Good reflexes. If it were anyone else, you may have stood a chance,” Seth told him.
Mark grinned stupidly, then went to retrieve his sword. Jennifer leaped from her place around the fire then ran to Seth and threw her arms around him in a tight embrace.
“It's so good to see you,” she said.
“It's good to see you too, Jennifer.”
Then she let go, finally seeing Arland. Seth watched the exchange of their greeting. He saw the anxious look on Jennifer's face as nerves attacked her. He knew what she was feeling. It was the same feeling he got every time he saw Lana.
He could just barely hear the words they said. Speaking in hushed tones, a little more than a whisper. She expressed how she'd missed him. He didn't say anything in response, but Seth watched his face. He seemed conflicted. Was Arland's heart now torn between two?
And he told me I needed to choose. That hypocrite! But who was the other? Seth wondered.
“Who are they?” Jennifer asked curiously after letting go of Arland.
“Right,” Seth said, hearing Jennifer's question. He walked back to the two Elves and introduced them. “This is Sasha-Ingatu, we prefer to call him just Sasha. He is the head of the Forest Guard in Ashenland. He and his team protect the border from intruders.”
Sasha bowed to them and the rest returned the bow. Then Seth went to Karis and placed his hands on her shoulders like he had with Sasha. Then he let go, thinking it might not be the best idea. He didn't want to give the wrong impression to anyone, especially Karis.
“And this is Karis. She's a very fierce warrior who kept me in shape while I was in Ashenland.”

Mark walked up from retrieving his sword and when he saw Karis, he stopped dead in his tracks. Any thought he might have had about Serina before was immediately replaced with Karis's face. Suddenly his face felt hot, palms sweaty, mouth dry and he couldn't remember his name if his life depended on it.
“Mark, Seth was just introducing us to Sasha, and Karis,” Jennifer said, breaking through to him.
Breathe, she reminded him.
He took a breath but seemed to forget what to do after that.
And now out, she said with a laugh. What about Serina?
Who?
Jennifer rolled her eyes then stepped up to Sasha and Karis to shake their hands. They greeted her warmly, shaking her hand with a slight bow.
Mark walked up to Sasha and gripped his forearm firmly. They both gave a slight bow, then let go. Then he stepped up to Karis. She didn't smile but knew his face shined with awkward stupidity. He smiled to one side of his face and reached out his hand to shake hers. She grabbed his forearm like Sasha had and squeezed tightly. She gave no bow, let go quickly then walked to the fire and sat down in front of it.
“What did I do?” Mark whispered to Seth.
“Nothing,” Seth said gripping his shoulder. “It's my fault she's in such a foul mood.”
“What happened?”
“That's for another time. We have more important things to worry about right now.”
Everyone gathered around the fire. Garandol waved his staff over the fire then a 3D image of the castle rose out of the flames.
“Can you show us the cliffs as well? This cave is important,” Seth said.
Garandol waved his hand in front of the castle. It shrunk down to allow the land in front of the castle appear. Seth pointed to the cave.
“This cave leads into the castle. No one knows about it other than Serina and I. I don't even think my parents knew about it. We used to sneak out of the castle through this cave in the summertime to watch the fireworks the Marsh People display every year.”
“Where does it lead?” Mark asked.
“To a secret hall along the back of the castle. From it are doors to passageways that lead to rooms within the castle. At either end are spiral staircases to each level...”