It was as though she had been away for a long time and the entire town, her family, had come to greet her on return. Strangely familiar, every face rang loudly with recognition. Around mid afternoon, they’d reached the outskirts of the town where open fields, green and lush, were divided by the road that had become a dirt track. The sea breeze wrapped around, cooling her, energizing and refreshing, and though still unaccustomed to the salty moist air, Cara found herself ever grateful for its gentle touch. As they walked, leaving the town behind, she could now see the full size of her party of escorts.

 

There were five young ladies about her age, always ready to offer her a smile and it seemed that every time she glanced their way, they offered assistance. Cara felt the shame of pride at being embarrassed, and vowed to try to receive their gift of service. She understood what it is to be in servitude and therefore knew it was not a work or a job but a gift in which one flows. Beside her all day, an older woman walked, directing the younger women and to whom the town’s people greeted with obvious affection and respect. When she walked she glided gracefully and the love that radiated through her for each citizen caused Cara to feel ill equipped, gangly and unrefined but strangely, being in the lady’s presence, Cara also found - courage.

 

There were eight men, and Cara guessed they might be middle aged. Half walked before the party and the other half behind. The men ahead were leading to the mountains that rose up out of the earth; great walls of rock jutting out touching the sky reminding her of the sentinels that guarded the plains people. For the first time, Cara felt a pang of sadness, but shaking it off and gathering in her emotions, continued on.

 

The way was steep and slippery but the young women helped Cara enjoy the trek toward the great dark cave. She had grown up on the plains, and the mountain track together with the moist heavy air was no easy task, but her friends were ever watchful and tender towards her so she dare not give up or even show any reluctance during the journey. As they approached the great gaping entrance in the mountain wall, the girls quietened, the mood became noticeably solemn and Cara began to feel anxious. The sun was setting and the day light began to fade. They reached a level part of the slope where the men began putting up tent like structures and the women prepared the evening meal.

 

It happened slowly, quietly at first and not until she lifted her eyes did she notice every person motionless with their full attention on the cave entrance. The sound though muffled, grated on the nerve and as it echoed through the cave. Her blood ran cold, courage drained - yet deep within she quietly recognized a new beginning for this little girl from the plains…

 

 

 

I must apologise. I had a pm from someone who asked how to post music onto their blog. I deleted the pm on my e-mail and then was distracted and I’ve forgotten who it was. I can’t believe I did that, and I hope you can forgive me.

The best I can do is help you get to one site but I’m sure there are many others. If you go to the latest song on my blog (Goo Goo Dolls – Iris) and click either the name of the song on the player or the link under the player, it will take you there. Then click on home and you’ll find yourself at the front page of the site. I think it’s called - song2play.com – I’m sure there are many other sites too though.

I put the site in my favourites so it’s just in my drop down box when I need it. I hope I could help you. (even if it is just a little bit) They say that some is better than none, I hope that this some makes a difference to anyone who might need it.

I really hope you all had a great Halloween, and that your tummies are still functional today. I love you heaps, beautiful peeps. Cheers…

 

It was the strangest feeling you know? Just weird the way they treated her like royalty or something, though Cara had assumed it was the same for everyone; that they treated everyone like a god. It was the worst feeling; to be treated so well and know you’re not deserving of it. Cara wondered if these people knew who she was - just a little girl, who was born to die, but for some reason hasn’t been able to fulfil her destiny. The training had been so thorough, she was so ready, the herbs were working and everything had worked out the way it had been told through the seer and the wise woman. Confusion, disappointment and sadness seemed to reign and Cara felt alone in the midst of these wonderful caring people, none of whom she had ever seen before.

 

They walked through the city and Cara found her self being greeted by all she passed as the party walked on paved paths between the tall stone buildings. A sight her eyes have never beheld yet so familiar and as time passed she began to feel at ease, relaxing, breathing, even smiling naturally now no longer out of politeness alone. Little children ran out from their homes with flowers and small gifts, giggling and chattering and then with a curtsy or bow, they each turned to run back to their guardians squealing and laughing with happiness. An older woman in the escort party gently offered to take the gifts from Cara, handing them to a young girl who laid them gently in a horse driven cart…

 

Apparently when they had found her, the escorts lifted her gently and carried her to a much lighter place out from the caves and closer to the town. She awoke to find herself in a bright stone building, furnished with carved wooden furniture covered with brightly coloured cloths. Her head was cradled in a soft pillow as was the rest of her body as she moved about enjoying this new glorious feeling of comfort and warmth. It wasn’t until she attempted sitting up that she realized there was quite a bit of pain and  lifted her hand to feel quite a lump on the side of her head. After rising to her feet, she quickly remembered her leg pain and noticed her right shoulder was angry with her too. She just sat there soaking in her new surroundings frightened, but curious and excited to know what all of it meant.

 

Some of the escort party had bathed her and the fragrant water was wonderful as it soothed her tired and sore body; it’s warmth and comfort brought tears to here eyes, and she rested in the pool like bath while the attendants washed her body and hair, ministering to her mind and soul and after drying her off, dressed her in garments made of a cloth that was so smooth, that when it touched her skin it felt like a caress. Then the meal, her first meal in her new home, and it was a meal she thought she could never forget. Fruits, salads, meats, cheeses, fermented juice, sea foods, were all laid out on long tables where men and women of all ages gathered, dressed in garments that were so bright not even in dreams had she thought possible. To Cara it was beginning to seem that perhaps this was a dream or indeed she was dead.

 

After the meal they gathered themselves together, and left the building and entered the town, where the most marvellous folk greeted them with music and dancing. During their walk through the town, the young girl who was closest whispered to Cara that they were making their way to visit the great Orack; it would be alright; he is kind and loving despite his great and terrible appearance.

 

NB: I think Cara is ready for almost anything right about now…

 

 

 

 

She woke quite early in the day. The sun had been up for a couple of hours…just a rough guess. Slowly picking herself up off the floor she found a pain in her left leg and almost lost her balance when she quickly shifted her weight. It wasn’t a screaming pain; just a dull ache an inch or two above her knee and as it radiated up she stopped and place a shaky hand where the pain was strongest. A stark truth dawned on her right then and there, as would a rising sun awaken the earth; slowly but thoroughly a realisation hit her… She was very much alive.

 

Cara had wondered about the strange dream and her new surroundings but knew she was still a little too groggy to understand anything right now. The herb filled drink that the wise woman had given, Cara obediently forced down her throat and at this present time found her mind trying to shaking off the last pieces of a strange euphoria. Unwilling to trust the pain in her leg, she carefully limped to the cave mouth and raising a hand to shield her eyes from the outside brightness, peered out and stood mesmerized at the sight.

 

The cool sea breeze hit her body full force and as the mist moistened her dry lips it also formed droplets on her long dark hair, allowing the sun to shine through it and create a halo like covering around her young radiant face. She tasted the salty spray on her tongue as her thirsty skin breathed the moisture onto her; igniting something powerful deep within. The wild rapture allowed excitement and passion to electrify every nerve and emotion, overloading her senses. Her skin burned alive as never before and inside, deep, deep inside her life essence, a deathly quiet, weighted her, balancing every part of life in the small and insignificant vessel this young girl appeared to be.

 

The scene in front of her pulled away and she felt the hard rocky ground hit her skin. Vaguely she heard the sound of foot steps echoing around her as she welcomed the blackness that enveloped her...

 

Cara’s awakening…