The Cave Part 2

I walked a long time in the pale light that stretched from the other end of the cave. It seemed to get further away the longer I walked, and the gentle rise eventually turned into steps. I had begun to count them as I went, but then the number escaped me. Weariness sucked at my legs and feet, and for one moment I felt I was passing through water that threatened to push me back and under, but then I reached the opening. The light was so strong and bright, I wanted to cover my eyes for the longest time.

Beyond lay the sea. A dark blue bowl of water reaching towards a curving horizon. I was high up on the side of a mountain, with a sheer cliff face dropping down thousands of feet to the little white caps of foam as the waves crashed against the rock. Seagulls called mournfully from far below, the blazing sunlight glittering along their gray and white backs as they flew for a moment below me, then out of sight, nesting in the cracks and crevices unseen below.

Soft wind caressed my face, rushing over the dark waters, bringing the scent and call of the salty depths. I shuddered to think of how cold this spot would be in winter, but for now, the sweet smelling grass at my feet was soft and warm. Turning to my right, I saw that a thin trail of cliff led away around a face of rock, and slowly I followed it hugging close to the wall and away from the edge that would have meant death if once fallen over.

Crossing around the corner of cliff that hid the trail beyond, I stopped in wonder at the sight that suddenly spread before me. Here, high up above nothing but endless stretches of water was a large cradled plateau, as if a secret garden valley in the arms of the mountain. Dense clusters of trees surround the edge of a gently rising hill, and at the top was a walled off settlement, with an open gateway as if those who lived there had no fear of anything. The trail led to this welcome sight, and with care, I hastened forward towards it. I was starving, and weary. Somehow I knew I was expected. The voice from the dark cave had meant me to go here.

It was beautiful. A solitary dwelling place far from the cares of another world, or perhaps in spite of it. My poor feet felt each step, and somehow the fact that I wore boots had eluded me to this point. Who was I in fact? Only faint images remained to me. I plodded on, hearing the sounds of running water and livestock in the distance. I could see the trickling water coming down the rock face, feeding a large pool of water, and then running on through a channel towards the cliff and the sea. Clear mountain water, filtered through stone and cool as freshly melted snow.

Distance often makes things looks small, when they are actually the reveres. I was amazed to find that my feet were leading me towards a much larger settlement than I had imagined. Part of my mind thought there should be a lot of people living here, farmers and craftsmen working while children played in the shadow of buildings along the rock face. However, I saw nothing like this. Just some sheep and a few cows in a large enclosed paddock and poultry wandering about. There were no people to see as I finally made it to the open gateway.

The house, as I called it, was a beautiful building of three stories sitting at the top of this almost garden like settlement. From a distance, it appeared to be all of wood, with paneled windows crossed by cloth. These were generally opened to allow air flow on a warm day, soaking in the sea breezes as they came. An almost cheerful silence reigned over the place. A sense of peace and security, aloofness from the other world we might remember as reality. I could almost embrace living here alone with just the animals and the gardens I now viewed, forgetting all that was still forgotten to my mind.

I leaned against one of the walls that surrounded this idyllic retreat, and just breathed for a few moments. Yes I was still hungry. Yes my feet were hurting as if I had walked over bare rock for miles, even though there were still strips of leather around them. Yes I was dead tired, wanting to just sleep until the final call for all souls. Yet, there was something about this place, just being on the edge of it, that felt like safety and home. Home, the very word seemed foreign. I could not recall what that place was, but for just a few moments, I felt it as I would have imagined it in my best dreams.

"You know, I could offer you a more comforting place to rest than the outer wall," said a soft voice, though it was strong even in its utterance.

My eyes shot open and I could not help starting, trying to find the source of this new presence. I had not heard the slightest approach, and being caught yet again unawares as in the cave was embarrassing and potentially life threatening. Looking towards the source of the words, I beheld a man, a very tall elderly man that towered over me, standing a few paces off. He was wearing a very simple kit of tunic and pants, nondescript in comparison to a farmer. A white shock of hair, a flowing beard, and two piercingly blue eyes under bushy eyebrows. I would say that he was venerable from the way he carried himself, fully self contained and yet bearing a very great strength in spite of his many years. He held a staff in his left hand, a walking stick it seemed and not a threat. His attention was so focused upon me, that I felt trapped, though I stood just inside the settlement.

"I have heard of your coming," said the man, smiling slightly at me. "You need not fear. I can see you need food and rest. Welcome to my sanctuary from the world. You may not stay here always, but time and again you will have need of such a place to find yourself. Come my lad, a stew of tender vegetables is ready for you, and a bed."

I don't recall exactly what happened after that. It must have been sheer nerve and survival instinct that had kept me on my feet. The voice in the cave had nerved me, if frightened me. This total stranger now guided me up the rise towards the house. I recall sleeping almost immediately, my armor removed and only my clothing remaining. At one point I felt awake, feeling a very warm hot liquid going down my throat, and tasting the most wonderful light broth. There were vegetables, well cooked and easy to eat. At one point I tasted fish. Was it the second day? I heard a voice encouraging me.

"Just eat, and rest my lad. Not too much at a time. You will come back soon. Patience."

For a long time I felt like a mere child being cared through a terrible sickness. Then one morning, I awoke to full awareness.