Medice Ceres

Chapter 39

Ceres stirred with a faint moan. Her eyes fluttered then snapped full open to four other sets of eyes that peered down on her. She scanned her surroundings. A low sun cast shadows from the tall pine trees and monoliths of grey granite. A brown blanket separated her from a dry patch of grassy meadow. This was a far better scene to her, Waithe surmised, that the Darkness infused lava rock field.

Alden helped her sit up then allowed her to lean back into him. Ceres let out a yelp as Eira plopped down into her lap with a big grin.

Waithe smiled. "A certain little girl was very worried about you, my dear daughter. How feel you?"

Ceres took a deep breath. "Much better now. I cannot tell you how much it warms my heart to awaken among those I love." She snuggled into Alden and pulled Eira into a hug. A pensive expression came to her face as she cast her eyes down. "Please forgive me my failure."

Waithe waved his hand. "Think it not as a failure. You met a strong enemy and learned of its capabilities."

"Aye, but in the learning, the Darkness nearly consumed me and three Life Spirits. If not for the vision we shared, I fear it would have." A tear came to her eye. "I felt my mother's love, and yours too, Father. The vision was so clear that I relived the past. I know not how these visions occur, but I treasure them and they strengthen me."

Waithe recalled the words from the Woman of Light and repeated them. "Love be the weapon that would defeat the Darkness."

Ceres nodded. "Aye, there is truth to that." She looked around. The sun cast its final rays from behind a forested hill. "How long did I slumber?"

Alden replied as he wrapped his arms around both her and Eira. "Through afternoon, dinner, and now almost 'til time to sleep again. Rest and renew now, my dear Ceres, tomorrow be a new day."

*****

They stood once again at the rock field. It did not seem so ominous now with the risen sun at their back. But the horses sensed something. They huffed and pawed the dusty ground, threatening to break away. A brief shudder came to both Ceres and Eira as the clutched each other's hand. The Darkness still held here.

Alden asked, "Ceres, be you sure that this would work?"

She nodded, but not with the assuredness that Waithe hoped. "Aye, it should. But we shall know soon enough."

Ceres knelt down and placed a small tied course-woven bundle in a mug, one containing a measured mix of ground medicinal herbs. Into this, she poured hot water from a pot. They all watched wisps of steam rise up from the cup as the tea brewed.

She turned to Waithe. "This be the same mix of herbs I gave you soon after we met, the one I used to hold the Taint within you at bay. It be infused with Life Magic and should also hold the Darkness away."

He closed his eyes and wrinkled his forehead. "The taste of it still haunts me."

Ceres paused with the mug in her hand, then took a drink of it. She strained to hold a stoic expression for a moment, then her lower lip began to quiver. She thrust the mug into Waithe's hands, lest it be spilled, and bent over with a gagging sound.

Waithe grinned. "Forgive me. I should not take such pleasure in your distress, my dear daughter, but there be some justice to it."

Still bent over, Ceres looked up at him with narrowed eyes. "Now it is your turn, Waithe."

Waithe took a cleansing breath then lifted the mug to his lips. With a twisted face, he shook his head back and forth, trying not to regurgitate the pungent liquid.