Kari had woken early to do her morning food run and rushed off as soon as she could. Fortunately the prison was fairly empty and Kari was able to complete her tasks quickly. Knowing the way was safe meant that she took very little time to work her way through the caverns and soon found herself back at the still open door. Lightly, almost lovingly, Keri ran her good hand over the bas relief carvings. Then, mustering her courage, Keri squeezed herself past the door into the darkness beyond.
Inside, Keri found a wide platform that sat at the top of wide stairs leading downward. Dragging herself around fairly flat cave floors was a practiced skill for Keri but stairs were hard. She had to place a foot down, then bring her other leg down to support her while she moved her good leg down one more step. Slowly Keri made her way down the staircase, at first counting but losing count after seventy something. Still the stairs went on. Keri realized she must be getting close to sea level when the stairs gave way to a level floor. Moving forward, Keri realized there was enough light in here to see another door up ahead. When she reached that door and tried its handle, the door opened effortlessly.
Stepping through the door, the vista opened up to a large mostly empty hall. Ahead of Keri were stone benches. Beyond that was a large open area. Keri moved past the benches to the open area and stopped to look. To her right was another set up steps that led down. Keri could see at the end of the steps an opening and what looked like water. Perhaps a dock? There was light that seemed to come from everywhere and allowed Keri to see that, to her left, was another door in the wall.
It was what was in front of her that made Keri gasp. Beyond the open area was a huge statue, exactly as in her dream. A woman, face looking down and with arms crossed over her chest. Keri couldn't be positive but she was pretty sure this was exactly where she stood in her dream looking at the same statue. How is that possible. It was a dream. Wasn't it? Keri looked around. It all seemed so familiar yet aged, much older than it had been in her dream.
Making her way forward, Keri reached the statue and sat down. Resting her head on the feet of the statue, Keri began to cry softly. What is happening to me? This can't be real so am I crazy?
As she lay there with her eyes closed Keri didn't notice the strange mist forming at the base of the statue. Sensing something, Keri opened her eyes and let out a shriek. Forming in the mist in front of her a shape began to take form. Keri scrambled away, trying to move but slipped and fell. Her arms and legs scrambled to put distance between her and the shape.
Stop, child. You will hurt yourself. The voice seemed to come from everywhere at once. Keri froze in fear.
"Who, what are you?" Keri stuttered as she spoke.
You know who. You know what. Say it.
"Not possible. Can't be. It's not possible!" Keri stared as the shape took form into that of a woman. "You can't be the Goddess from my dreams. You can't!"
Child, you speak with such certainty that which you know to be false. I am She and I have chosen you.
"She who? Goddess of what? And chosen for what? Why me? Can't you see I am a cripple? I can't do whatever it is you want! I can't!" Keri wailed as the questions came spilling out all at once.
Hush, Keri. I will answer what I can but you must hear me. Even to take this form for a few moments is painful for me. Will you listen? Keri nodded slowly.
I am Althene, once Goddess of Mercy and Healing. I am imprisoned. Many years ago my kind aided your ancestors with our magic and were reverenced in return. I have chosen you and the task I ask of you is in your power to do. It took great effort from many of my brothers and sisters to insure you found my necklace so that you might find me. You cannot know the price we paid and you are our only hope. I have a task for you, one within your power, if you will accept it. Will you help me?
"Goddess Althene, I can't do much. I will try." As Keri spoke unbidden tears filled her eyes.
My time is done. My strength almost gone. You know the prisoner that you give the white powder to?
"Yes. It is her medicine. Without it she will die." Keri wondered how Althene could know about her.
It is not medicine. It is a terrible narcotic to keep her helpless and pliable. All you need to do is to stop giving it to her. In less than ten days she will recover her strength. When she does, tell her I have sent you and you know a way out of the prison. Leave the rest to her. Will you do that?
"Of course I will! But will she believe me?" Keri didn't know what a narcotic was but it sounded bad. She did not get an answer from Althene. She could see the mist was fading and with it the shape of the Goddess dissipated. Within seconds Keri was alone again.
Keri slowly made her way back into the caves and up to the prison. She was pretty certain that the cost of helping Althene would be her life but decided she must do it anyway. Keri realized that her entire life, to this point, had been without purpose and meaning. She might die but at least she would die for a reason and not, as so many prisoners did, for almost nothing at all. Beginning that night, Keri stopped putting the powder in the mysterious prisoners food.
After a few days, she tried speaking to the woman in the cell. There was no answer but Keri did not expect one so quickly. New prisoners had been brought in to so Keri hurried to her task to bring food and water to them. She didn't want to be seen hanging around the woman's cell since she knew that would cause the guards to start asking questions. Keri stayed with her routine with one exception. Just before she lay down for sleep, Keri took a pinch of the white powder and tossed it on the floor. That way, if a guard did check on the bag, it would be just as if she had continued to give it to the mysterious woman.
