Medice Ceres

Chapter 60 - Part 1

Waithe woke to a beam of sunlight streaming through a narrow slot in the rock above. He lifted his hand into the beam, feeling the warmth on his palm. A new day, he thought, just maybe it will be one of hope.

Ceres laid close to him on one side with Quar and Kori on the other to conserve what warmth they could. Ceres periodically shuddered in her sleep. Her face seemed pale and her cheeks hollow, likely due to hunger and thirst. Waithe felt his stomach twist in protest. He had insisted that Ceres take much of his share of the stingy amount of food and water given to them, since her strength would be the most important of all, but he knew now that it would not be strength that would win the day.

Worst of all this, even more so than the meager rations or the uncomfortable dark place that entombed them, had been the unknowing. The anxiety of when, what, and how picked at his heart, slowly chipping away at the hope he tried to shelter. It had to be worse for the others, especially Ceres. But now there was knowing. Even with the uncertainty of the final outcome, be it light or dark, it offered some renewal of spirit.

Ceres stirred. Her shallow reddened eyes leveled on Waithe. Tears would have wetted her cheeks if not for her thirst. She trembled as she turned into her father's arms.

Her voice strained to come out. "I do not know how much more I can take of this, Father."

"This wretched place exists only to steal hope from the heart, leaving behind only despair. Raste tries to make you easy prey for the Darkness." He kissed her head. "My dear daughter, guard jealously the hope in your heart. Do not let him take it away."

Quar and Kori woke, blinking their eyes and rising to sitting positions. Waithe gathered them into a small circle.

He nodded to each. "Today, our fate and that of the realm shall be resolved."

Ceres tilted her head and lifted an eyebrow.

He continued. "Last night a vision came to me, one of hope." He turned toward his daughter. "Ceres, you shall finally face Raste and the Darkness."

She shook her head. "But I am so weak."

"Victory shall not come by strength, my daughter, only by love. That be the lesson of the vision, that the Darkness cannot invade a heart filled with love. Have you not wondered why the Spirits chose you for this quest? It be for more than your link to them or strength of youth, it be for your loving heart. Know this as surely as the sun rises, dear daughter, that I love you deeply." He swept his arm. "And all of us here, we all love you."

First Kori and then Quar laid their hands on Ceres shoulders. Kori nodded. "Aye, my friend, it be so."

Waithe smiled as Ceres widened eyes appeared no longer so hopeless. "Carry that love with you, daughter. From love rises hope."

All eyes turned to a sudden appearance of a light that bathed the cell in a comforting green glow. The Spirit settled in the middle of the circle of prisoners.

A slight grin came to Ceres' face. "Phy, what brings you here?" Her grin widened to a smile as she gazed upon the Spirit. She grasped Waithe's hand. "Father, it be Eira! She sends me a vision of her own. And Alden be with her!"

Waithe grinned. "And there be so many others outside of this dank cell who love you as well, not the least of which be Eira and Alden, and at least one mischievous Spirit." He cocked an eye at the green light and whispered, "That be exquisitely good timing, my dear Phy."

Phy faded away, again leaving them in relative darkness. Ceres jumped at the rattle of a key in the lock. The cell door above squealed as it moved open.

The Darkness blackened eyes of the guard who peered through the small opening. "Out! All of you, except the old witch. She stays."

One by one they crawled up to the doorway to be yanked out. As Waithe reached the door he pulled out a key from his pocket and dropped it at Quar's feet, momentarily locking eyes with her with a slight nod, one almost imperceptible. Pulled out into the hallway, two guards shoved him up against the stone wall while a third bound his hands behind him.