For a few days after Aeronwyn made her successful attempt to contact her friends she had been as weak as a newborn child. Keri had fed her, cared for her and made sure she had rest. Meanwhile, when Aeronwyn was sleeping, Keri explored the temple area. She wasn't surprised to see that at one time the dock area at sea level had held small boats. In fact, she could glimpse the outline of one on the sea bed through the green water. While creatures of the sea had long ago covered it with life they had kept the rough shape of the boat as they grew. Keri could also see different varieties of fish but without some way of catching them they were pretty safe from her.
Behind the stature of the Goddess, Keri found another closed door. Unlike the one Aeronwyn had opened with magic, this door seemed quite mundane. Even then, nothing Keri could do would budge it. Its secrets were safe from her as well. To Keri's delight, there was a small fresh water pool that time or ancient purpose had dug in behind the Goddess as well. Keri carefully tasted the water and realized it was warm and sweet. She decided she would still get fresh water for drinking from the waterfall but this would make a good place to bathe. After regular cold showers, Keri had come to enjoy the feeling of being clean but decided that warm and clean was better.
Finally Aeronwyn regained her strength. Keri said nothing, waiting until Aeronwyn was ready to speak but continued to make use of the food stocks as stews and soups. It was the fifth day that Aeronwyn spoke again.
"Thank you Keri. That...that took more out of me than I expected." Aeronwyn touched Keri's good hand as she spoke. Keri looked at Aeronwyn's hand on her own then into Aeronwyn's eyes.
"Are you well now?" The concern in Keri's voice made Aeronwyn smile.
"Well enough for us to attend to a matter that has been pressing me."
"What matter? The food? We have enough for a month if we are careful." Keri wondered.
"No, although that has concerned me too. We can't live off root vegetables and soups made from them. We need protein and that means meat of fish. But let us put that aside for now." Aeronwyn gazed back towards the entrance to the temple. "I suspect that a search for us has been ongoing. Well the size of the tunnel may protect us for a while, it would be better if they did not think we could come this way. I just hope we are not too late."
"They will find our tracks. That cannot be helped. What do you need me to do?" Keri asked.
"Not you, but thank you for your courage. No, I think I have regained enough strength to confuse the trail. Come, help me to the entrance we came in." Aeronwyn put her arm around Keri and Keri once again found herself supporting her charge. They made their way to the entrance tunnel. Aeronwyn leaned against the stone wall. Keri could see her concentrating and wished with all her might that she could help. A few minutes passed and Aeronwyn smiled wanly.
"Keri, please check out the tunnel. I think I got it all but it would help if you could crawl in and see." Keri obediently got down and made her way into the tunnel entrance. She didn't get very far before she found her way blocked. The necklace gave off enough light to see and Keri could see that what had been a tunnel was a solid wall, looking no different than the stone around it. She carefully made her way backwards to the ledge.
"Its closed. I could not see any way past." Keri reported.
"I hoped so. From their side, it should look like there never was a tunnel. If they have not yet been this deep in their search they will find an empty cave where our trail disappears into the wall." Aeronwyn motioned and Keri helped her back down to the temple area.
