See disclaimers in Part One

**********

Road Show: Part Two - 2
By J.A. Bard

Chapter 12

Iaia and Candra kept each other entertained with games that were silent. They played the parchment-knife-rock game until the repressed giggles had each needing to relieve their bladders. Acheta had brought some bread and a pot of tea down. She looked tired so both young women shooed her back to bed.

Iaia put her emptied cup in one of the wall mounts for a torch. It was out of the way. She looked at Candra whose eyes were closed as her head leaned against the wall she was sitting up against.

"I'll be right back. Gotta call to nature." She told her companion in a soft voice. Candra nodded her head but didn't open her eyes.

Iaia peeked out of the entrance and studied the surroundings. It was still a candlemark away from sunrise and now even the moon wasn't showing any light. As she looked out she felt an intense need to go to the Gray City. Agnes had told her they would go after they had secured the talisman and knew the dark cloaks were no longer a threat. It appeased the need to visit for a while. But she could almost feel the place from where she was. Silently she made her way out of the tunnel to look for a convenient place to relieve her full bladder. The area was rocky and she had slipped against a rock and felt herself falling against the roots of a dead tree that leaned over the low river.

It was as good as place as any. Iaia took care of her business then again looked carefully around. She closed her eyes for a moment and they popped back open quickly. Closing her eyes she could see, as if it were right before her, the gray village. In her dreams she had been picturing one structure whose interior was a vast domed carved and painted ceiling. In the carved building were four domed ceilings with a carved stone beam separating each elaborately painted ceiling. The scenes were vaguely familiar and so was the building. Had she dreamed them before? One room had a mosaic floor with a design that made Iaia dizzy each time she tried to focus on it. She didn't think it was possible to feel dizzy in a dream. The walls were painted with stories of the dreamtime. It was the room the shamans went to pass their initiation. She had known that before Acheta had told them. But how did she know that? She was sure it wasn't something Iaia would know and certainly not something she had read. The trouble is, you don't know just what type of parchments Gabrielle reads, she reminded herself.

It seemed only moments later when Iaia opened her eyes again she was walking under the arch to the gray city. She was nowhere near the tunnel and Candra and she wasn't bothered about it at all.

The need to find the library became her priority. She knew exactly where it was located. The sun was high giving the gray city a silvery look. As she followed a mental map to the library she noted that there was no vegetation anywhere in the city. Not even a weed grew along the walkway. However, the carvings in the stone walkway that ran up the sides of the buildings were images of vegetation and wild life. The details in the carvings were realistic and life size. Iaia ran a hand up the carvings on the library building closing her eyes for a moment and bringing to life the image her roving hand traced.

Opening her eyes again she looked for another way into the library. The entrance was blocked. Unconcerned she walked across the way into another building and looked around to let her eyes get use to the diffused lighting that shined into the room. There was an underground passageway below the city, used during the winter months when the weather made out door walking between the buildings difficult.

Chapter 13

Candra wasn't asleep. She was thinking about the song that Iaia had taught her. When Iaia didn't come back within a reasonable time Candra became worried. Her quiver and arrows were lying beside her but she didn't want to start anything just yet. She leaned out of the entrance and looked back memorizing what she needed to, to get back in. She moved from rock to rock listening for anything. Iaia was no where that she could see. She would have to get Aleka to look for signs and was headed back when an arm was around her neck and pulling her head back painfully. She was spun around and a few blows to her face stunned her. Candra was pitched headfirst into a rock bumping her head. She lost consciousness, murmuring Gabrielle's name.

"Well, what have I got here? Is this not a young maiden? A virgin possibly. Ready for sacrifice to Mekor." A woman's voice growled.

A tall dark figure joined the young woman. "There's tracks headed toward that village. Wonder what they're doing out here?" The dark figure looked around uneasily.

"Mekor's drawing her to the circle in the stone city." The White Hair'd told him with certainty. "Looks like we won't have to drag her out of that village after all. We'll have the men set the village on fire while we take care of our business. Do you have the talisman?"

"Yea." He returned guardedly.

"Good. Let me see that bag of yours. What we need is a proper invitation for them to join us in the City." The white haired woman finished her note and gave the writing implements back to the man at her side.

"We'll leave her near the waterfall. They've had scouts out that way. With this note they'll leave the village vulnerable, then the soldiers can go into the village and lay it to waste."

"What makes you think they will all come to rescue her?"

"They'll come." White haired wondered how he could have become a leader for someone so dense on some matters. Of course they'll come. Gabrielle is the Amazon's Queen. Those guards were either going to leave the acting troupe behind or bring them with them. Whatever the case, Mekor will know and has a very big surprise waiting for them. A smirk crossed her face as the thought that maybe Mekor didn't tell him everything.

Evana knew what was necessary to trap the light that Mekor wanted in its underworld. Since the one-eyed priest no longer came to her in dreams with directions she had been getting her directions from a strange looking creature that looked exactly like the talisman. Evana didn't think it was Mekor, just another servant in the dream world.

As they headed to the village she absently touched the pouch on her hip. It contained the herbs needed to put Gabrielle into a trance long enough for Mekor to claim her as its own. After that they would burn her body so the soul could not return.

Chapter 14

Aleka and Alala entered the village from the east side, by-passing the gray archway that announced in another language to whoever passed under that unless they came for learning and in peace, they were not welcomed. Aleka merely followed the gray shadow of a bushy tail that always seemed far a head of them. The gray wolf had bounded ahead of them when they were within view of the city.

The moment each woman passed through the invisible barrier the change in the atmosphere was noticeable. Alala would have paused to adjust if Aleka hadn't pushed on.

"Where do you want to start?" Alala whispered.

Aleka paused at the corner of the first gray stone building her eyes traveling up the elaborately carved building's wall. She didn't dare touch the walls at first but the intricate carvings that were detailed scenes from life in a forest were too tempting.

"Well," Aleka pulled herself from the fascination of running her fingertips over the patterns, "she was asking about the library so we will start there."

Alala nodded not as tempted as Aleka to touch the carvings.

There were three cone shaped buildings that commanded their attention and both guessed were part of the leaning center. By the expression on Aleka's face and the hairs that were rising on Alala's arms something was happening.

"I'll take the one over there. You take that one." Aleka motioned.

"Right." Alala nodded.

They split up with Aleka moving toward the building near the observatory. The gray wolf was sitting in front of one of the entrances. Aleka wanted to laugh for her head was leaning into the doorway while the rest of her remained outside.

What is so interesting, my friend? Aleka asked the wolf amused. The yellow eyes turned her way and blinked. Without explaining, the gray wolf stepped into the building.

Aleka looked at the building and identified it as the observatory. She couldn't resist running her fingers along the intricate pattern that was outside the doorway. Cautiously she stepped in trying to see where her guide had gone. Sounds changed once in the structure. She could hear a chanting coming from somewhere.

*******

Alala kept her eye roving above her and around. Here she didn't feel the presence of Athena. She always felt a connection to her. The moment they walked across the invisible barrier the connection was cut. It made her very uneasy. The only thing she did feel was the talisman's energy, though faint.

The gray stone structure she came to a stop in front of had the doorway blocked. However, there were unshuttered windows further up the side of the stone wall. She walked around the structure again knowing that the talisman was inside. She needed to get up to one of the windows.

Chapter 15

Acheta was beside herself when she heard Iaia had disappeared. She watched as the healer, Agnes, worked on the young woman whom the Amazon, Lily brought up though the old one's tunnel. She wasn't a shaman in any sense of the word, especially when compared to her grandmother or mother, but she knew where Iaia had gone. She felt it as soon as Lily came into the basement with the unconscious young woman. It was as if she could feel the fabric of the entrance part as Iaia entered. She shivered as her own experience as a child came back to her.

She watched Lily as she conferred with Erica. They had spotted dark cloaks moving to surround the village. She could feel the anger in the townsmen and was afraid something was going to happen in the village provoked by the dark one. She knew the end result would be that the town was going to be burned to the ground. Yet her worry returned to Iaia, the young woman she liked when she had told her a short story that may have meant nothing to the others, but had a lot of meaning to her. She felt she was intuitive and told the story for her benefit. If that was the case, then it was up to her to make sure the young woman survived the gray city's nightmarish influence.

She felt Corita at her elbow. "Acheta, you mustn't hold yourself responsible for Iaia's disappearance." She guessed right.

"I don't. I just think I should be able to do something to help." She turned to the priestess whom she had come to call a good friend. It was amazing how close she had become to the two women that were strangers a moon ago and how much they had gone through to combat the influence they couldn't see. She had never trusted priestesses as they were usually more interested in the survival of their temple then those that paid tribute to the temple. But these two women proved to be different.

"The two who are headed there seem to be able to handle themselves. Alala is one of the goddesses own."

"In that village that will not make a difference." Acheta looked at Corita and recalled the sudden feeling of being cut off from her connection with everything that she had become accustomed to. It was as if all color was no longer recognized. Acheta shook her head to clear the memory. She didn't want to go into why the little girl continued her journey further into the city. Stubbornness, foolishness or the biggest question of all was, was that her destiny? If that was true then she had to face the fact that then she was not meant to be a shaman and carry her heritage on. Something she was doing now but not daring to ponder the implication and ask more questions of her own worthiness. She paid homage and respect to whatever goddess the village set up as patron but she was afraid to open herself up into really believing in anything. How could anyone after what she had seen?

Corita shook her elbow gently to regain her attention. "What are you going to do, Acheta? And don't give me that evasive 'nothing look.' I know you too well, old woman." She growled tenderly.

Acheta grinned and looked down at the old hands that had escaped the pain of old age, so far. "I need to go." She looked up and could see the concern in the faded blue eyes.

Corita nodded. She knew this was Acheta's way of redeeming herself with her guilt at not being strong enough to return to the gray village for her official initiation rite. As much as Acheta insisted she did not have the knowledge or skill that it required to be a shaman, Corita could see otherwise. After a childhood of exposure to the ways of the shaman a lot of what Acheta considered normal abilities were indeed from that of her grandmother's and mother's influence.

"Do what you have to do. We'll protect your village." Corita whispered.

Acheta looked about her. The Amazons and the young women that traveled with them were spreading out around the village. Martha and Domica, Acheta's two helpers decided to take on the angry townsmen with Corita and Loris support. Martha was fired up enough to do it by herself, Acheta thought amused.

***

Lily's job as an ambassador had her spending many long dinners listening to military bragging of invading others or of successfully withstanding the invasion of others. She had asked detailed questions on how it was done militarily both for her own interest as an Amazon warrior and the other reason was to prevent boredom. From those stories she had good examples on how to help the village defend itself from the unwanted visit from the dark cloaks. What made it easy was that there were very few seasoned soldiers on the dark cloaks side, which had her worried. Where were they? However, it didn't prevent Lily's adrenaline was racing from the challenge. Erica and her exchanged grins before they went to their posts. It reminded both of them of their younger days when the fire to win over a larger army was the challenge in being an Amazon warrior. Amazon warriors usually had to defeat armies larger than their own.

****

Acheta had a small pack on her back as she hurried as fast as her lungs would let her. She counted posts in the tunnel. She really didn't need to for she knew exactly which post it was but she didn't want herself to sabotage what she knew she had to do. She came to the seventh post and stopped. She put her torch into the socket near by and pressed both hands into a design that was made for longer fingers.

She stepped back as the wall that was seamless started to swing open silently. Sound did not pass easily in the tunnels. She picked the torch back up and resumed her journey. This tunnel led directly into the village.

Chapter 16

Iaia rested her hand on the stone carving admiring the texture and the design that made no cognitive sense to her. She looked above the doorframe to follow the design, as it had no break from one side to the other. Sighing she realized she was avoiding what she felt compelled to do. She needed to get to the library structure, though its doorway was blocked. She knew the observatory had an underground connection to it and to most of the other structures. She got tired of asking herself how she knew that because she wasn't coming up with any answers.

Daylight poured from the ceiling where it looked like it was open to the elements. However, there was no dust or dirt from the long disuse. That added further to her uneasiness. For a moment she paused in the wide-open entrance hall. In the filtered light she could see the art that decorated the walls and posts were indicative of what this building represented. Stairs against one of the walls wound up to the ceiling, which opened up to the sky. This intrigued Iaia for if it was open, why was there no dirt or marks of weather? The air that was prickly since she walked into this city lessened as she became accustomed to the atmosphere. The stairs down to the tunnel below are somewhere around here, she thought. The inhabitants used them when the weather was bad outside. As she moved closer to the spiral staircase she heard voices outside the building. They were not recognizable. The younger voice sounded angry and impatient which sounded female, and the other sounded older and deeper. Definitely male.

Iaia hurried up the observatory staircase hopping to find some sort of concealment. The view on the platform she stepped onto was panoramic. She could now see why there was no dust in the room. Whatever covered the top of the building was made of what appeared to be glass. Iaia paused, captivated with the image of how someone could get glass to cover this opening which was big enough for three people to sit and look up. The sun was still rising and Iaia watched with fascination as the treetops looked like they were on fire. The distant mountaintops appeared to be so close she felt she could reach out and touch them. Looking up she felt she could touch the cloud that was above the glass cover.

The voices below her broke her preoccupation. They were sure to come up here. There was no where to hide except under the bench and they would see her! She scooted below the bench anyway, for lack of a better place to hide. As she rolled under the bench the floor suddenly disappeared and she felt herself dropping.

****

"Dagio, I don't care what you feel about this place, so just shut up!" Evana shuddered. Right now she needed someone who showed no fear and just walked right in, instead this man who was suppose to be Merkor's new leader was being wimpy. She was hoping that after capturing Gabrielle, she could be moved up to the leader position. She didn't care about the politics. She cared about the power she would be able to wield.

"Give me that statue." She demanded.

"I'll hold it." Dagio told her. His hooded eyes didn't show his attraction to the young white haired girl. He was old enough to be her father and wise enough to know that she was not to be trusted. He had served the one-eyed priest, Juji, for most of his youth and moved up when a young warlord of Ares killed him. However, it was he who sneaked the body of the slain priest away from Ares' temple as the god of war contemplated with the other gods on what to do with the body.

He had not been at the temple when Juji, the high priest of the Mekor, was killed for Largo wanted one of the priests up at the battlefront with him, so Dagio had gone. Dagio had felt the death of his mentor and left the battle quickly to look for him. He had not gone far when Mekor commanded him to take another path that led him into Ares domain to reclaim his slain priest's body.

"All right. Then where are we suppose to set up for her arrival?" She asked sweetly.

Dagio smiled to himself, as he knew she was reassessing her position. Usually he did what she wanted, for it usually was in the direction Mekor would take. He moved the bag that was resting under his left arm behind his back as he turned to look at the stone buildings once more.

"We need the library. That's where Mekor said she would go."

"Ah uh. Do you know which building that is?"

"There are three large buildings. That one has a doom so it's not it. That one has a measuring rod, so that isn't it. The one with the entrance blocked, that's it." He told her in an emotionless voice. He watched her seemingly disinterested in her reaction.

"So, how do…"

Dagio didn't bother to listen to her answer. He walked toward the observatory. It was closer and if these people were miners, they probably had tunnels leading from one structure to the other. From the tunnels they had been living in for the last fourteen moons, he gathered these people liked to design tunnels. He had been looking for some that connected to this city and to the village they were trying to take over but had not found any. He was sure they were there he just hadn't figured out how they were being hidden and Mekor wasn't any help. Dagio had his suspicions that Mekor wasn't as powerful as he led his followers to believe.

Once Evana knew where he was headed she quickened her pace and beat him to the doorway. Without waiting she marched in. The white haired woman's body shook and was spun around then dropped unconsciously to the ground. Daigo heart was beating as he stared into the room that was dimly lit. He could see her hand twitch so he knew she was still alive. Pulling out a dagger he slowly extended it though the doorway. He met no resistance. Not trusting this test completely he slowly crossed over the threshold body part at a time. Looking around he kneeled beside Evana's form that was still twitching. He felt her pulse and knew she was still alive though her heart was beating rapidly. Not knowing any other way he slapped her across the face with his gloved hand. After the fourth slap Evana's gray eyes popped open and they were furious. Grimly he dropped her head back onto the hard surface, which brought obscenities to her mouth.

He resisted the impulse to punch her back out. He needed her to put the other girl under. The dark one wanted both in his underground realm. He wondered if Evana would figure it out before her body burned alongside their captive. It had turned out better than he thought it would. Mekor had them wait at the temple for the two women that appeared out of no where. They were to be bait for the capture of Gabrielle, the young red haired woman. Dagio rotated his head around slowly trying to get the tightness out of his neck and shoulders.

Dagio returned his gaze to the room he was in. It was unusually warm. He leaned against one of the pillars to rest for a moment. He sighed as his thoughts returned to the Amazon Queen. She had managed to release some of the older souls the dark one had been using for his source of strength. She also destroyed Juji, the old priest and his mentor. But once they had Gabrielle trapped in dreamtime, Mekor would be strong again. Evana was to keep Gabrielle occupied so she would not see until too late what was happening to her body. Evana would also keep her occupied so that she would not do anything else but be a beacon for other souls Mekor misled to his realm. Mekor had a way to keep Evana in line, or so it had said. Better it than he, he thought as he took another look at the unconscious form on the floor. Dagio left Evana on the floor and went looking for the underground stairway.

Reaching into the sack on his back for a torch he lit one and studied the characters on the wall. Maybe there was something that would indicate a stairway, he hopped. With the torchlight reflecting into the corners he was able to see what he was looking for. A round cover-stone was resting on what the pictures on top indicated a stairway down into tunnels.

"Looks like there's a whole city below." Evana observed. He had heard her rise slowly to her feet but had ignored her.

Dagio looked up at her. She wasn't stupid, which further made Dagio aware of why he liked her. She was just too ambitious and unpredictable for his health. "Hmm." He responded. He handed her the torch without asking how she was doing.

"Whatdaya giving this to me for?" She angrily demanded, yet she took it .

"So I can lift the cover-stone with both hands, unless of course you want to do it yourself."

His monotone voice drove Evana crazy. When she had first hooked up with this group she had thought he may be interesting to seduce, if need be, but now she wondered if there was anything that moved him to a greater speed then slow and that was not her taste.

She looked for somewhere to place the torch. Finding it she stuck it in a holder than moved to the other side of the stone and lent her own weight to lifting it. Between the two they managed to move it wide enough for Evana to squeeze through. This time however, Evana didn't volunteer to go down first. She stuck with moving the stone cover more until Dagio's form could also squeeze down. Dagio didn't bother to comment as he fetched the torch and started down the darkened stairway with her footsteps close behind his.

Both were not concerned whether Gabrielle was going to be in the library when they arrived or not for they knew that when the darkness came the Dark One already had her in its realm. They just needed to find the body and the Dark One assured them that she would be in the library. They just needed to get to the library, drug her so she could not wake and let the Dark One do the rest. However, Dagio knew that Evana was going to join her to make sure she stayed put until her body was consumed by fire. The Dark One didn't want to take any chances for them to lose her again. He had tasted her light and now craved it. The talisman on Dagio's back was heating up again. That meant they were going in the right direction. When Evana had placed the talisman near Gabrielle's head and started the chant, the Dark One was able to link her to the talisman. Now each time she went into the dreamworld, the underworld where the Dark One led her, her tie to the talisman grew stronger.

The Dark One had not told Dagio that as long as she was in the inn he could not reach her. The power around the Inn was older and more powerful then its. It was from an older age.

When they came to the main tunnel it branched off into three different directions. Dagio and Evana disagreed on which one to take. Their voices were muted underground as both screamed at each other with only a soft sound coming out from both. It further infuriated Evana as she was use to hearing her loud voice overwhelm those she argued with. Dagio never argued but found Evana the exception. He finally turned and with the talisman tucked under his arm striding down the tunnel he felt would take them to the library. His throat hurt from yelling with hardly a squeak coming out. His anger showed in his stride as he and the torch headed away from Evana's choice. He could feel the heat from the talisman increase, which confirmed to him he was going in the right direction. He didn't bother turning around to see if Evana was following.

He didn't hear her approach or suspect how far her temper would take her. He fell soundlessly in the tunnel. Evana calmly picked up the torch that almost went out and wrestled with the strap that held the talisman. Grunting from the exertion she finally got the precious sack loose. Without hesitation she ran back up the tunnel. When she came to the tunnel with the three directions she hesitated. Everything seemed to be turned around. Determined she picked her direction and hurried up the tunnel. Looking above her she hesitated. Did all the stairways look the same? This one not only looked the same but the capstone was pushed open. She would have not gone on if she didn't notice the top was pushed further back then what she remembered the observatory cap was. Cautiously she peered out raising the torch to see better. There were shelves all around her filled with something. Triumphantly she pulled herself up and glanced around looking for the room the Dark One had indicated was a power source. She found a smaller round room with marble tables scattered about and marble benches. It looked like a glorified sitting room to a library, she thought. She was sure there use to be cushions but now there was nothing, not even remnants of fabric. Evana laid the talisman on the center table and pulled out the candles and smaller talismans she was to use to keep anyone who tried to interfere out. Once she had the arrangements she stepped back and nodded contently. She heard Daigo behind her and whirled around.

"So, what do you think!" She challenged. "I told you this was the one!"

"You stupid fool!" His head was throbbing and now that he was in better light he realized he was seeing double. "This is not the library!"

"What do you call all those things in the shelves! Why do you think they have all these benches for?" She shouted back furiously. Angrily she pushed past him knowing he hadn't full recovered from her blow. She didn't care that he hung onto the bench she had knocked him into. "I'll go see about getting the body!"

Daigo cursed himself and almost the Dark One for choosing her as Gabrielle's keeper in the dark underworld. His head hurt and he realized time was running out. The marker at the stairway showed this room had something to do with measurements. This was not the power source the Dark One indicated he wanted this done in. He grabbed a few torches from the bag Evana had tossed to the side. He quickly removed the talisman and the smaller statues hopping he could get them to the correct place on time. He believed he wouldn't have to find Gabrielle for she would be there, at the library, unconscious, as sleep would over take her. He could feel warmth from the talisman but not the heat he had been feeling when he was going in the direction he felt the library was in.

As he made his way back to the library he had to rest often as his head was throbbing. He found the library cap opened which caused him to hesitate. Peering over the top he looked around then raised the torch to see if there was anything. His heart leaped into his throat as the torch picked up statues of people larger than life carved into the walls. Giggling nervously he continued to enter into the room. This was the library. He could feel the energy pulsating from the room to the side of the main entranceway. He stared into the room almost moved to hysteria. He clamped his free hand over his mouth realizing he may be in shock. Lying in the center of a mosaic floor pattern was Gabrielle, who else could it be? She was also unconscious. Slowly unbelieving he approached the body nearly tripping on the staff that was left outside of the mosaic's intricate pattern.

The Dark One had delivered, he thought deliriously. He just needed one more person, Evana. But she should be here real soon. On unsteady legs he started to lay out the talismans, starting with the minor, the ones that would keep out any one that tried to enter once the circle was closed. He held onto the more powerful talisman, for he would need to reopen the circle to dispose of the bodies.

This time he heard Evana arrive. She was furious and seeing his light started for it with words his father never had taught him. He had picked up Gabrielle's staff and was waiting for her around the corner.

Chapter 17

Gabrielle could feel herself fall into darkness without any sound coming out of her constricted throat. Her fall was abruptly halted as a net caught her and she was gently tossed back up from the spring then fell back into the net. She bounced for a few moments finally coming to a rest. She was in pitch-blackness and scared to death. The urge to move on was raising to such a level she found herself moving her limbs in a crawling motion looking for the edge of the net. She reached the edge and fell off the net as it tipped her down. She had the breath knocked out of her. Rolling onto her hands and knees she nearly twisted a wrist as she planted her hand on what felt like her staff.

Great, she thought, where's that dark haired woman now, when I need her? Probably searching the whole blasted city for me. She answered herself as she waited for her body to get back to breathing normally again. She hadn't realized that she had set Aleka up in her mind as her rescuer. With her staff in hand she felt for a wall and started her walk. She could feel a directional pull guiding her to a destination. It wasn't the same as in her dream and she reminded herself, she didn't have the priestesses chanting to protect her. At the thought of a chant she started one to herself not really giving it any particular rhythm. It was more for comfort and not really what could be termed a hum.

She found the staircase by tripping over her staff when it caught on the bottom step. It had to be the library, she thought. She shook her head as she argued with herself as to how she knew that. She started another chant this time trying to make it more varied to stop herself from thinking. It was something she had heard when she was in Chin that the yellow robed figures hummed while in prayer.

Her head bumped into the cover to the stairs. As she felt around for anything that may open the cover she did find a comfortable place her fingertips to fit into. When both hands, about a shoulders length apart, found rests the cover slid back without a sound. She quickly dropped her hands as the cover began to slide back letting in light. Gabrielle peered over the lip and found tall statues surrounding the large room.

She spotted the blocked doorway and looked further around finding another doorway that opened into a room that was shadowed. As she crossed the threshold a glow from the floor begin first faintly then into a definite discernable pattern. She was standing outside of it. The glow lit up the room with a soft light. Without stepping into the pattern she walked around the room admiring the scenes on the wall which told of different visits to the dreamtime in the circle. When she had finished her round she turned back to the open floor space and took a step back. An old woman, which Iaia's memories named as the old blind woman outside of the path to the mountain shrine of Gaia was standing patiently waiting for her to finish studying the frescos.

"Do you remember me, young one?" She asked quietly.

Iaia only nodded.

"You had made a promise to Gaia that you would sacrifice yourself, if need be, to a cause for her sake."

Iaia nodded again letting the breath out she realized she had been holding.

"Do you still feel that way?"

Iaia nodded. A part of her felt elated that her offer had not been forgotten when it had been offered with all her heart.

"You have willingly risked yourself at the request of those you had felt responsible for in the past. Recompense has been made. Now, the life you had offered in Gaia's behalf, do you still feel bound to that offer?"

Iaia took a deep breath and let it out; trying to slow her heart beat down. "Yes, mother Gaia. I do." She whispered fervently.

The old woman smiled and the shape changed into that of a woman of undetermined age. She was neither beautiful nor ugly in features but the love that poured out of her made her more beautiful then anyone Iaia had ever met, and she had met a few of the goddesses whose facial beauty was breathtaking.

"I have called you here to ask if you are willing to go down into dream time and free those that have been trapped? Once freed from what binds them there, Eros and Hermes will guide them to wherever they should go from there."

"Yes, of course." She whispered hoarsely. "But, well, what can I do that others that are stronger than me can't? I mean…"

Iaia felt pressure on her lips as if a finger was placed over them to quiet her.

"You have been compared to what a light is to moths in the dark." The voice laughed gently. "I like to think of you as a beacon to my lost children that have been miss led by another."

"What do I have to do?" She asked trying to keep her fear under control. "Where was…"

Another pressure on her lips caused her to stop the thought she was about to finish.

"You are never alone for there is life all around you. All things in my world are sacred and alive, both above and below." She smiled. "You just need to know how to converse. Ask any shaman, my priestesses." She frowned a moment and sighed. "Shamans use to be respectable in that they had honor and a sense of justice for the community. Now…" She waved her hand. "They can be as honorable or deceitful as any other priestess for today's deities." She smiled at Iaia. "But, it's one of those learning experiences and -- I am merely here to help those that have honored me in the past to fulfill something they feel, you all feel, obligated to complete. You have all come together in this life, as is needed and therefore I have presented you all with your tasks. This is yours. To go down into the darkness of dream time and free those who have been trapped there by the one you call the dark one."

"Right." Iaia thought with a bit of confidence. She had done it just the other night and she was able to get back out there. Then she remembered all the help she had. "Right, I'm not alone." She muttered to herself.

Gaia pointed toward Iaia and she felt warmth in the space between her breasts. Looking down she found a medallion glowing for a moment then it dimmed and soon looked like any other metal with a stone in the center.

"Close your eyes now." The soft voice commanded her.

She did and that was all she remembered until she was aware that she wasn't standing on a flat surface. She opened her eyes quickly. She was standing in waist high grass that in the gray light had no shades of color. She realized she was leaning on a staff. As she turned it around to look at what was carved on the top of the staff she nearly giggled but she thought better of it not knowing who may hear.

Lowering herself and staff so that she barely could see over the grasses she looked around her trying to figure out where she would need to go to find these lost souls of Gaia's. She looked up hearing the keening sound of a hawk. It dipped and flew in circles reminding her of Alala's friend. It rose again and headed in the direction of a cliff before her.

"Well, it must be the cliff then." She rose to her feet and started forward letting the staff part some of the grasses before her. She kept looking around her to be sure that she wasn't going to have any unpleasant surprises.

****

Aleka stood in the room that was brighter than she would have thought the stone buildings would let in, until she lifted her eyes and saw the open sky above her. The clouds that were passing by seemed to be closer than what she remembered clouds normally were, unless in the mountains.

Where did the wolf go?

Aleka looked about the room for anything that was out of place. Taking a deep breath she realized she could smell Gabrielle's scent and an unwashed body, decidedly male and a lighter smell of another unwashed person. She moved to the corner where it was darker than the others. A stone cap was moved back revealing stairs that went into the darkness below. Aleka could smell the unwashed bodies stronger here; however, she didn't detect Gabrielle's smell. Aleka moved away from the stairway and walked around the room. She found another set of stairs that led up to the next level of the observatory. Here she could smell Gabrielle's scent. Aleka moved up the stairs quickly. At the top she stopped abruptly as the panoramic view that was before her filled her eyesight. She knew Gabrielle had to have admired this. She turned around slowly looking for a place that Gabrielle could have left the room. There was no other exit then by the way she had come. She walked closer to the stone bench and leaned down. It looked like someone had scraped something wooden under the bench. Getting on her hands and knees Aleka rearranged the pack on her back and slid under the bench. Extending her long arms Aleka's hands found a ledge under the chair. Pushing herself further under the bench she leaned precariously over the ledge to hear or see something. Gabrielle had definitely gone this way. Aleka dropped a coin down and listened for it to hit the bottom. It didn't drop very far. Aleka let herself drop and was surprised when she met with a net that bounced her up and down for a while. She was thinking of Gabrielle's fear of heights as she quickly regained her balance. She found the edge of the net and let her body roll off landing on her feet in the pitch-dark room. From her pack she withdrew a torch and lit it. She examined the ground around her and found tracks of one person, small, with paw prints over them. The gray wolf. Aleka suppressed the grin that was threatening to cover her face.

Following the tracks and Gabrielle's faint smell she moved quickly down the tunnel. Several openings she passed by noting the tracks that over lapped others. She tested each one for Gabrielle's scent. She nearly stumbled over a discarded and unused torch. She picked it up and added it to her bag. She may need it for later. She came to the stairs to the library, for her torchlight showed the runes that identified it as the library. Cautiously she extinguished her torch then proceeded up the stairs. The lid was already pulled back. She could smell three different peoples body odor. She much preferred Gabrielle's. Slowly she drew herself into the room, noting the tall statues that surrounded the entire room. She spotted the front entrance that was blocked with a large round rock. The room that caught her attention was off to the left. There was a torch lit in the room and the floor seemed to reflect the light back as if it glowed on its own. Aleka heard someone mumbling from the room. There were two figures on the floor and as Aleka drew near she could see it was the white haired woman and Gabrielle. A shadow came near the doorway then paced back. Aleka stealthily crept to the doorway, noting that there were small idols surrounding the outer circle of the mosaic that the two unconscious figures were laying in.

Aleka suddenly reached around the corner and pulled the body of the dark cloaked figure toward her and into the wall behind her. She then turned him around and let him go into another wall. She quickly was on him but he had moved slightly so that she didn't get as firm a grip as she intended and both struggled as she tried to bring him down. He was a skilled hand to hand fighter and Aleka was getting worried that he was trying to prevent her from reaching the circle.

Alala's figure suddenly dropped behind the tall dark figure and as he made a move to adjust to the added company, Aleka jabbed his neck then solar plexus. The man silently sank to his knees then fell on his face.

"There in the circle." Aleka motioned to the room.

Alala studied the circle and then the positioning of the amulets around the outer circle. "These are to keep out anyone. The amulet is outside of the circle. I can feel it. Perhaps he was going to use it to reopen the circle before it normally would open."

Aleka found the pack. She also found a liquid mixture sitting in the corner near the bag. She sniffed it then dipped a finger in it and touched it to her tongue. "Hades!"

"What is it?"

"Nightshade. It's meant to keep her under!"

Alala looked closely at the two bodies. "He may have already given it to them." She used her booted foot to probe the sack. "The amulet is in here."

"I think Gabrielle's companion was going to be a prisoner along with her. Look at that bruise on her head."

"We need to figure out how to get her out without injury." Aleka worried. She looked back at the unconscious figure of the black cloaked man.

Aleka suddenly jumped on him and delivered another blow to a point to keep him under. "I' can't be doing this all day. He's a magician by the medallion around his neck and that tattoo on his arm."

"Give me the bottle. We'll give him some of his own medicine."

Aleka turned back to look at Gabrielle's unconscious form. The familiar twist in her gut was starting up again. "We got to get her out of there."

"I don't think we can. There's an energy force that I'm not familiar with." Alala told her as she poured the rest of the mixture down the unconscious man's throat and massaged it to make sure it would go down.

"Is it from those little figures around the circle?"

"No. I think it's from the circle, the mosaic pattern itself." Alala indicated with a sweep of her hand.

Both heard the sound of fabric rustling in the outer room.

Chapter 18

Iaia reached the foot of the cliff. There were no paths in the granite layers of rock that lead to the cliff wall. Iaia turned around suddenly hearing the sound of small rocks moving. Her eye caught an asp moving slowly across the rocks.

Her fear of snakes had her carefully stepping back keeping her staff between her and the snake. The snake suddenly stopped and rose up staring at her. Iaia froze. She wasn't sure just how far one of those could jump but she didn't want to find out.

"You fear me. Initiate, don't you know a bite from me will take you into the higher realms of knowledge?" The snake spoke to her.

Iaia's eyebrows rose to the top of her head. She gulped and shook her head frightened that it was going to offer her a trip to the higher realms.

"You want entrance into dream time." Iaia could almost swear it was laughing at her. "You don't need my assistance in that." It hissed at her.

Iaia nodded in grateful agreement. The snake lowered itself back to the ground and continued on its journey. Her heart was still pounding as she watched it slither away.

"Okay, Iaia, now remember Gaia said everything was sacred and" – she let her breath out, "snakes are part of her temple. Oh, goddess. Thank you, thank you, thank you for not having me meet up with the python." If her heart was beating this rapidly over a small snake, how fast would it beat if she were to meet the Python? A thought she didn't want to pursue.

Nervously she looked around then headed in the direction the snake had not gone in. The faint trail she was following became steep. Taking a quick glance up Iaia caught sight of a doe on a switchback above her. A small cascade of rocks was loosened from the dainty hooves as they scrambled further up the slope. Iaia watched her for a few moments wondering where she was going. Suddenly she disappeared. Hurriedly Iaia moved in the direction the doe had disappeared.

She found the opening and three steps where neatly carved leading into a dark opening in the cliff. As she entered the opening her body again gave off a soft glow that reflected off the sides of the cave's wall. Iaia lifted a hand to touch the smooth walls.

How did they get these so smooth?

Heat from the medallion resting on the outside of her tunic was getting warmer as she traveled further into the tunnel. She couldn't tell if she was going up or down or what direction. All she noticed was the soft glow she was radiating. Occasionally she would look at her hands not believing she could have light shine though her. She thought about the colors she had seen around Eleanor's head when she had been in the cart recovering from the drugs that the dark cloaks had given her. She laughed remembering another time when she was on henbane and had seen a dark haired woman with piercing blue eyes shine with golden and purple colors around her. She had been beautiful!

Sighing Iaia started to hum to herself to give herself some company. Though sound was muffled in the tunnel she kept her voice down so as not to attract to her something she didn't want to meet up with.

She spun around suddenly putting the staff up in a defensive motion and felt the impact of the blow travel from her elbows into her shoulders. She moved quickly to a counter move and found herself meeting up with a white haired young woman who was really angry about something.

"Hey!" Iaia puffed as she gave a shove at the next overhead blow the woman sent her way. "Where did you learn to fight?" The woman was just showering her with blows from her chobos, without any plan of action.

The woman only clinched her teeth and aimed a fist at Iaia's unprotected jaw. Iaia leaned back and trapped her arm by tangling it up in the staff then slamming her body up against the wall. The woman collapsed sliding to the ground.

The first person I meet up with and she's trying to bash my head in. Was this one of the souls Gaia wanted her to rescue? Maybe she knew where the others were. Iaia slid down the wall on the opposite side of the woman deciding to wait until she woke up. As she waited she started to hum again this time a chant she had heard somewhere. She listened to the sound how it vibrated on her inner ear and rumbled against her breastbone almost to the point of tickling her.

She paused when she noticed the woman started to stir. She squatted near her though out of reach in case she should decide to attack.

"How's your head?" She asked conversationally.

The woman attempted to rise quickly but fell back down and cursed Iaia with profanity and phrases she didn't realize could be mixed. It made for interesting images but impossibilities in the real life.

"Where you from?" She tried again.

It got another round of nonsensical body descriptions.

"I'm headed up this tunnel. You know where it leads?" Iaia asked politely.

"What do I look like some kind of guide, you daughter of centaur poop."

"Hmm. You know that's anatomically incorrect? Just calling me centaur poop makes more sense."

"Whatdaareya some kind of frustrated critic?" She angrily touched her head where Iaia was sure a very large lump was forming.

"I'm headed up that way." Iaia patiently continued. "If you want to come along, fine."

White haired stared up at the brown haired woman that had given her a sound whack to her head. She didn't know who she was or how she ended up here or where here was, but maybe traveling with this woman who glowed in the dark would show her where they were going. Maybe this person could be used instead of Gabrielle.

White haired used the wall to get to her feet. "Well, whatya waitin for?"

Iaia nodded. She continued down the dark tunnel, with the glow from her giving them light to see two strides before them.

"So, you been down here long?" Iaia asked hopping to hear a voice, not just her own.

"Whatdaya wanta know for?" The belligerent voice asked.

Iaia turned to face the woman. "Have you ever carried on a normal conversation with anyone?" She asked kindly.

"You don't like my conversation then don't ask for it." White haired returned more distinctly.

Iaia regarded her for a moment than smiled. "I think you just never had anyone that was interested in talking to you so you never learned to carry on a conversation." She turned around and resumed her walk. "Ya know, it's not too late to learn. You may find it interesting."

"You do fine for both of us."

"I've heard that before." Iaia spoke softly, remembering there was someone who was waiting for her somewhere in the waking world.

"Have you ever heard the story about the young girl whose mother named her after Persephone?"

"No." There was a long pause. "Why would she want to name her daughter after a goddess?"

"Ya know, that's what the villagers asked and because the mother wouldn't say, the mother and daughter were banished from the village out of the fear she may bring the wrath of the goddess down on the village for being so bold. So, here is the mother and her infant daughter, tossed out on their own with …" Iaia was smiling as she picked up her pace and drew the angry woman into a tale of abandonment and self redemption though faith.

Chapter 19

"Acheta!" Alala and Aleka both exclaimed as the older woman walked through the doorway both were hiding on each side of.

"You did it!" Alala was happy for the old woman whose fear had prevented her from following her matrilineal calling.

Acheta smiled tiredly. It wasn't as bad as she had remembered it but night was still candlemarks away. It was the dreams that were frightening. Dreams that even when you felt you were awake you still had them.

She nodded to the circle where the two unconscious women laid. "That circle is the old mandela of Gaia. It's the dream time circle. Once it is sealed you mustn't disturb the participants or they may not return."

"What about those talismans that are all around them?" Aleka asked concerned.

"Those are from the old days when the fire pit was honored with death only. They allow a person with the correct talisman on to enter into the circle."

"Would the talisman that is in that sack be it?" Aleka asked.

Alala emptied out the sack not touching it, for Acheta to see it.

"No. But that statue has a hold on your friend. That is what keeps her bound to this thing in her dreams."

"We need to take it to the pit and destroy it." Alala told them.

"You destroy it now, before you sever the tie, and you will take part of her with it."

"How do we sever the tie?" Aleka asked concerned.

Acheta thought for a moment. She shook her head. "There are a few ways. One is that she does it herself in her dreamtime. The other is that one of you enter into the dreamtime and do it for her. I would suggest, though, that you let her do it. This is her quest and unless you want to take it from her, you must let her try herself."

"How will we know when we should step in?" Aleka asked concerned.

Acheta looked at the tall woman towering above her. "You of all people should know."

Acheta indicated the floor where they should all sit and wait.

"Acheta, why is the white haired one there with her?" Alala asked quietly.

"Probably to trap her below. There is an ancient tale of siblings that fought for control over different realms that were once their parents. Sometimes the tale will say it was boys, sometimes girls. That doesn't matter. What matters is that they were loathed to share and wanted to have it all with no rivals, including their own off-spring."

Aleka smirked, for it sounded like some gods she knew.

"The youngest told his two older brothers about finding additional realms to rule in dream time and a jewel that could give them the power over these realms and he was going to go and get it and show them. Well, he prepared his circle and left for a moment to get something he had forgotten. As he suspected the second brother was watching him and when he left he quickly went into the circle that was still open and closed. He then laid down, entering into dreamtime. Now the older brother was curious what the younger brother was so upset about and heard his story that the second brother had entered the circle and went to claim the treasure of dream time as his own. The younger brother, however said he had just the thing to reclaim it and showed his brother. The older brother, greedy and thinking it was nothing to over power his younger brother, knocked him down and grabbed the talisman his brother said would reopen the circle. Now, both brothers were in dreamtime. The younger brother reopened the circle and removed the bodies setting fire to them so they would have nothing to return to. In effect, they were trapped in dreamtime, and that left him with no rivals for his inheritance. Since the two brothers in dream time didn't get along, they kept fighting with each not allowing the other to move to any other realm."

"So, you think that this dark cloak was intending to burn both their bodies, keeping them in dream time?" Alala asked.

"I'm sure it's intended with Iaia. I think the white haired one is to keep her to her task, which is to lead those the dark one has trapped to his side. There is another story of the souls that never made it back from dreamtime. Morpheus had complained but since Hades or Eros never found any trace of them, it was assumed they belonged to another. They even sent Hermes to try to find them."

"How did they finally figure it out?"

"Gaia checks up every now and then on her followers. She still has plenty of them. She overheard her grandchildren, Hades and Eros complaining that Morpheus wouldn't stop talking about missing souls and it reminded her of the Dark One from a long time ago. Well, long time ago to us."

"How do you know so much of this?"

Acheta laughed. She spread out her hands. "My family has been the caretakers of this place for longer than the god of the fire pit existed." She sighed. "I had failed by not providing an heir and by not being able to pass the initiation."

She looked around more carefully this time then got up. Aleka and Alala watched her carefully. Aleka got up and followed her. "What's the matter?"

"Some one has been cleaning this place."

"You mean it's…"

Acheta looked at Alala with a raised eyebrow. "You don't think this place has a shade that keeps house, do you?"

"No, of course not." Aleka however glanced around her. She had seen too much to discount any possibility.

Alala had the same idea as she too looked around. "Were those three from this place, by any chance?"

Acheta looked amused. She waved her hand towards the walls in the room where the two were laying. "It's there on the walls for all those who enter to see it. To know is to be forewarned. Here in this library is where the dream time was used to visit wise souls in any realm they were in. The person's body was safe as long as it remained within the circle. A trusted friend or mentor watched on the outside." Acheta raised her head. "When I was a little girl, I went into the circle by myself and had no one on the outside. I visited a realm I had no understanding of and came back frightened with no one to explain to me what I had witnessed."

"What about your mother or grandmother?" Alala asked.

"My grandmother had died two winters before that visit. My mother died while trying to find food for me the next winter. I was pretty much on my own. Some of the older villagers needed a young person to care for them so I didn't have to worry about a roof over my head or food in my mouth. But they were not doing so well themselves. I learned a lot about survival from them. What they could not do to prepare for the tough winters, I could and they would tell me what they needed. I tried to pass this on to the new arrivals or the committee but they were too busy to listen to a little girl."

"What of your father?"

"He was a soldier and died a soldier. He didn't visit much. Foot soldiers don't get much time off for family life unless their family travels with them."

Aleka nodded. She knew exactly how it was. The women and children followed in the caravan behind the army. They were the last to arrive and the last to leave. But their value to the moral of the army was crucial and it gave soldiers that lost the guts to fight a chance to still stay with the group by watching over the caravan that had their food, camp equipment and families. In the beginning she had been harsh on those in her own army that lost the blood lust but she later realized that they were the best protectors of their supplies. To make up for their dislike of the killing in the villages they raided they fought harder when the supplies were attacked. Aleka shook her head as she brought her attention back to the present.

She looked over at the dark heap sitting in the other room. "I noticed he's a sorcerer. Do you have a way to render him harmless?" She didn't want to be too quick about getting rid of him for she may need him to help bring Gabrielle back. She didn't want to burn any bridges.

"You can open up the circle with that talisman and put him in there." She suggested.

"Where would that put him?" Aleka asked suspiciously.

"In dream time."

"With those two?"

"I don't' think I want to add to Iaia's problems." Aleka shook her head determinedly.

"How long is the drug suppose to last?"

"For a full movement of the sun."

Aleka was trying to remember something another shaman had told her about how to immobilize another. The trouble was, she like the shaman always killed anyone that was a threat to her. The alternative alluded her. This was not a good time to forget things like that. She returned to his body and started to see what he had on him. She started to remove things from him and placed them in a pile next to Acheta who studied them without touching.

"This is his power piece." She pointed to the ring on his hand. Aleka stopped what she was doing and looked at a ring again. It had an unusual design and the stone she didn't recognize.

"I've never seen the design before." Alala pursed her lips. She had visited many libraries, as most of Athena's priestesses were encouraged to do and she had not seen anything even close to it.

"The stone is from his dream time. The design is probably his own totem from there."

Aleka suddenly remembered what it was that she could do to keep him under without killing him. Picking up the ring she picked up the talisman to open the circle. Quickly she leaned over Gabrielle's body and placed the ring in her palm the came back out.

She was hoping she was doing right.

Chapter 20

"So what do you think of the story." Iaia asked as she stopped for a rest.

"It's a story." The woman returned shortly. "It's a dumb story. Nothing like that happens in the real world."

"Sure it does. People can change, they just have to want to."

"I don't see anyone changing just because they fell in love with a place."

"Well that place was magical in its beauty. Haven't you ever been to a special place that – she paused as she pictured one place where it never ceased to move her beyond words. Near a streambed was a small waterfall. There was a magnificent view from one flat rock that overlooked one point along that river, with room for two. The view faced a break in the mountains that surrounded the area and where the moon could be seen, with it full face, raising into the night sky. The stars started to fill the entire night sky as the moon finished its ascent. By then there was no more room for any more stars without it becoming as bright as the daytime sky. No, there was nothing as beautiful as that sky from that rock. The best time to visit was fall. Everything seemed to be sharper at that time.

"No." The angry tone interrupted her memories.

Iaia turned to her. "Either you don't travel much, or you don't stop to –smell the roses." She quipped.

The white haired woman glared at Iaia. She turned and resumed her walk.

"So what's your name?"

"I don't have one."

"What would you like to be called?"

There was silence for a moment. "Gabrielle."

Iaia turned to look at the woman. That's what Alala called her.

"Alright, Gabrielle. My names Iaia." Two can play this game, she thought smugly.

For some reason that seemed to make the white haired woman happy for she walked closer to Iaia as Iaia started another story. This was a comedy about two of the gods looking for one of their sandals whom the mischievous Cupid had switched the left sandal to each pair. Without their sandals they couldn't return to Mt. Olympus.

Toward the end of the story Iaia realized her voice was coming back as an echo. The end of the tunnel was sudden and it opened into a cavern that was larger than what she had ever seen. The energy that was moving around had the hairs on her arms standing up to say nothing about the hairs at the back of her neck.

This must be the place, Iaia thought. She looked around and carefully peered over the edge. She leaned back trying to get her heart back under control. There was a glow to the cavern walls where Iaia felt were things she didn't want to know lived. The drop below them didn't show a bottom. The glow seemed to go on with no bottom in sight. She didn't want to look again to see if she was mistaken.

White hair leaned over and looked around. To Iaia she was hanging precariously over the edge and by the pulse point on her neck, it was for show, unless that's how she got her kicks.

Iaia started to look for something that would give her a clue as to what she was suppose to do. They were on a lip that extended into this cavern. She couldn't figure out where the glow was coming from. She touched the talisman around her neck and could feel its warmth.

"I'm going to sit here for a moment." Maybe if she just sat and waited, something would happen.

"There's no where to go." The angry voice echoed off the walls and built up into a reverberating shout of loss of hope.

Iaia couldn't bear it. "Have some faith." She mumbled holding her hands to ears.

"What?"

"I said, have faith!"

"Do what?" The echo was still reverberating too loud for either to hear the other clearly.

"Have FAITH!" Iaia raised her voice. The word faith rumbled and started to pick up the echo through out the cavern. Iaia smiled as she held her hands to ears and thought of how fun it would be to shout words to send the unhealthy glow back where it came from.

Standing up she thought about what she wanted to shout. A chant. She started out slowly then as the echo returned she added move volume then lessened and continued to have fun with the pleasant noise that filled the chamber.

"Hades, woman!" Evana complained holding her ears but making no effort to stop her.

Iaia stopped for a moment to enjoy the echoes and looked over the walls where the glow was brightening. Her eyes brightened as she could feel the vibration all around her. She started another that had a different cadence and tone.

"RaaaaMaaaaOmmmmm." She begin again.

"Enough!" Evana had one hand covering one ear and with the other she struck Gabrielle in the center of her back with a chobo.

Iaia staggered to her knees trying not to fall too close to the edge. This was all too familiar. She rolled over pulling her staff up and attempting to sweep the white haired woman's feet from under her as she had moved toward Iaia with the other chobo in a raised position.

The look in her eyes told Iaia she was in trouble. What set her off, she wondered?

They circled each other with neither making a move. Iaia started to hum to herself as she watched the other.

"Shut up!" White hair made two faints then on the third aimed for Iaia's head. Iaia neatly caught the club aimed for her head and the counter move to her mid section then made two solid connections to white hair causing her to land on her back knocking the breath out of her.

Iaia turned back toward the edge of the and continued her chants, not really knowing why she was doing it except it was fun and sounded really neat to have the echoes come back at her. She kept an eye on the white haired woman. Suddenly her eyes widened as she saw a dark cloaked figure materialize out of now where.

She stopped her chanting and got a tighter grip on her staff. She moved away from the edge of the lip they were on and circled the new figure that leaned down to look at white hair who slapped his hand away angrily.

Iaia tried to move toward the tunnel but the dark cloak moved quickly and blocked it. White hair got to her feet and started to slowly swing both chobos in menacing sweeps at Iaia.

Oh, Oh, she thought. She decided a chant was in order. She started another that would take less concentration. It didn't echo as well as the other for she wasn't close to the lip, but it did pick up.

"Shut her up!" The dark cloaked figure muttered not daring to move from blocking the exit.

"You shut her up, Daigo!" White hair muttered between clenched teeth as she made a half-hearted swipe at Iaia.

Iaia didn't fall for the move and stepped back then did a turn that gave her a close enough position to take a jab at Daigo. It was thin air, for he moved just enough to be missed. Iaia was quickly covering her back and knowingly blocked White Hairs swipe and then turned around and met her head on.

The air stirred around them and Aleka's figure materialized. She reached out and tossed toward Iaia a ring then disappeared.

Iaia shifted her staff and picked up the ring. It was hot to the touch. The dark cloak screeched and left his place as he rushed her. When he knocked Iaia down she lost her grip on the ring which went flying toward white hair. She picked it up and juggled it in her hand.

"Evana, give it to ME!" Diago demanded in a deep voice.

"Why, Diago?" She kept an eye on Iaia but couldn't resist goading the dark cloaked man as he slowly moved toward her.

Iaia watched fascinated.

"It's just a ring." She kept an eye on him while laying the ring on the tip of one of the chobos. She studied the ring for a moment. "Hmm. And what does this mean…Ahhhh!"

Diago had her around the neck as he tried to seize the ring from her but it had fallen to the ground and Gabrielle used her staff to knock the ring away from him. Why was it so important to keep from him? And – who was he? He's wearing a dark cloak which means he's working for the Dark One, Iaia thought. Didn't Alala say the fire was what would destroy the talisman? So wouldn't it do something to the ring? No. When Hope fell into Dahak's flame she was saved. So, if the fire is the Dark One's it wouldn't destroy something that was its own. So how do you destroy something that is evil or part of the evil one?

Iaia had to dance out of the way quickly as Daigo and Evana dived for the ring that she had knocked to edge of the lip they were on. Should she wait to see who would win? What was her purpose here? Iaia looked at the walls around and noted that the dim lighting that felt bad was gone and a cleaner light was glowing from the walls.

Instead she resumed her chanting keeping her eyes on the two as they wrestled for the ring. She watched in amazement as the glow started to pulse with her chant. The light did become brighter and was lighting up the entire chamber.

Diago finally got the ring from Evana and was about to slip it on his finger when Iaia sent her staff end slamming down on his hand and the ring rolled over the rim. Diago screamed and clutched his chest as he looked over the ledge.

Furious he turned to Iaia and rushed at her. She was hopping if the ring went over he would sort of vanish, but then, not everything happens as one hopes. She stopped her chanting and tried to push him aside with a side step and staff but Diago had a firm grip on her wrist and whirled her around. Iaia did all she could to hold onto her staff. As she was spun around she could see Evana's furious face whirl by her. She didn't know which one she was more afraid of. Diago let her go to slam into the side of the wall, which she did do and slid down the wall stunned but still gripping her staff.

Evana looked around her as the light continued to become brighter. "Diago, we have got to get out of here!"

Diago quickly moved to Iaia's side and pulled on the staff from her stiff fingers. Weakly she resisted but he was able to pull it from her. Once in possession of it he brought it down towards her head. Iaia was able to roll partially out of the way taking the blow on her hip. She moved her feet in a scissors move and caught the staff as it was coming down on her again. Evana drew a short blade from her waist. "Get outta the way Diago!"

Iaia was thinking they had a strange relationship if one moment she's attacking him and the next moment helping him.

Everything around Iaia started to move in rolls. She felt like she was on a ship. That did not sit well with her stomach. Evana tossed her knife aiming for Iaia's heart. Diago didn't wait for the results but headed for the exit as the ground beneath them moved too much to keep balance. Evana lost her footing after she threw the knife and scrambled to unsteady feet, stumbling as if drunk, toward the exit.

The knife caught on the tip of the amulet around Iaia's her neck only piercing her skin. The force of the toss and shock of the knife flying her way knocked the breath out of her and while laying on her back she watched the ceiling above her that was brightened by the light that was shining from the walls, revealing an interesting design. It reminded her of the pattern on the mosaic floor.

Iaia closed her eyes and wished she were back in a world where the ground didn't feel like an uneasy ship cresting then plunging down on one of Poseidon's giant waves. She didn't know how long she laid with her eyes shut tightly trying not to think of her stomach's flip flops, when it dawned on her that the smell and shaking was no longer around her. Cautiously she opened her eyes and found herself staring at the ceiling of what she knew to be the library in the gray city.

She became aware of a voice calling her back.

"Iaia!"

She attempted to sit up quickly but two pairs of hands gently held her on her back. "Wait a moment." Alala and Acheta were on both sides of her with Aleka standing on the outside of the mosaic keeping an eye on white hair and the man in the dark cloak. Iaia caught the bright blue eyes flashing in the torchlight, filled with worry.

"I'm alright." Iaia slowly rose, looking toward Evana's body that was still not moving, then the other figure on the other side of her. She closed her eyes for a moment remembering her encounter with the dark cloaked figure. With the memory came an awareness of the throbbing in her hip where she had absorbed the blow from her staff. Opening her eyes she gazed at Aleka.

Iaia started to grin as the two women stood on each side of her and helped her out of the circle.

"So, what's the grin for?" Aleka asked smiling.

"That ring you gave me livened up the party."

"Where are they?" Alala asked as she picked up the arms of the unconscious dark cloaked figure following Acheta's hand directions.

"Daigo and Evana both took off down a tunnel. I stayed in the cavern."

Aleka helped her move the man into the circle. "What are you going to do?" Aleka asked.

"Redirect them." Acheta told them.

"You're not going to let them stay in dream time are you?" Iaia asked doubtfully. She was worried what they would do if left there.

"No. I will let Eros or Hades find them." She smiled. "I will put bells around their ankles so that they cannot be missed."

Suddenly her smile faded. "It is dark. They come at this time."

"We aren't going to leave you." Alala told her quickly.

Aleka nodded. "What do you want us to do?"

She took a deep breath and looked at the two bodies. "I will travel to dream time and see what more needs to be done."

"We will wait for you." Aleka nodded.

Acheta took her place in the center of the mosaic pattern with the two unconscious forms on either side of her. She lay between them and crossed her hands over her stomach. Iaia could see a small figure she held between her thumb. She shuddered when she realized it was a carving of an asp.

Aleka and Alala settled near the doorway keeping Iaia between them as they kept an eye on the circle and the doorway. The outside had grown dark and what light was filtering in from the outside was no more. Aleka and Alala had collected torches from what Daigo and Evana had brought and kept them nearby, but resisted lighting them. They didn't want to change the atmosphere that Acheta needed to accomplish her own initiation into the dream time and the journey to make sure the two next to her either returned or were not up to further mischief.

Regardless of her recent trip to dream time and not really caring to return due to her previous experience, Iaia still fell asleep. She had wrestled with her lids that wanted to shut but she had nothing to keep her awake. The mixture Diago had given her was still influencing her. Alala and Aleka had shared some food with her but it wasn't enough to keep her awake. Her head started to sag towards Aleka's shoulder and finally settled comfortably as she sighed softly and let Morpheus take her. Aleka put a comforting arm around her and relished the arm that slid across her abdomen in the unconscious display of familiarity.

****

Aleka was quietly going over in her mind how far they had traveled and how far they still had to go and the time left. It was a challenge to her to be able to make their destination on time and at the same time take care of the side adventures. Wasn't that what Xena's life was all about? She chuckled at the thought of the side adventures.

Alala leaned forward and looked at her in the dark. Aleka's sharp vision could see her shadowed head trying to see what she was laughing about.

"Just thinking." She whispered to Alala. She could imagine the red eyebrows rising in curiosity.

Iaia merely shifted her position and tried to get a more comfortable pillow out of her arm, tightening her arm around Aleka's stomach as if to prevent her from going anywhere. Aleka was about to explain when both women suddenly came alert. There was movement from the other room that caught their attention.

Aleka gently moved Iaia to rest against the hard wall, while getting up with Iaia's staff in her hands. Alala was already standing facing the doorway.

Aleka didn't want to leave Iaia unguarded and was thinking about waking her when a soft light appeared as if someone had lit a torch.

Chapter 21

Lily motioned to the women on the outer parameter of the village to come in. They had beaten back the dark cloaks twice with less returning each time. The inexperienced soldiers lost the desire to attack the village once Lily and Erica had eliminated the two leaders before they had reached the village boundaries. It was a pathetic group compared to the first group that they had encountered when they had rescued Gabrielle. But it wasn't done with out a few minor injuries to some of the women, both from their encounters with the black cloaks and from inexperience in battles. A few fell from trees or fell over unfamiliar ground.

Minor, but embarrassing injuries, Lily smirked, as she took a mental inventory of the group. She had also sustained an injury but it was a warrior's injury, a knife wound. She was rather proud of it and grateful it only required a few stitches.

The priestesses that had befriended the women in the village through Acheta had teamed together and in effect brought the men out of their dream stupor with an herb drink made from the bark of the yohimbe tree that wouldn't let whoever drank the herb sleep.

"So where is everyone?" Lily looked around the inn as the warriors and their charges gathered. Corita and Martha had a large grin on their faces.

Loris snorted and started to laugh at Domica's red face. "Let's just say that this will be a very busy place in nine months for the midwife."

"Whaaat?"

"Martha suggested we use an herb that is usually used for couples that have low sexual interest in each other."

"We gave it to the women when they came over and told them to mix it in their husband's and their food. No use one feeling amourous and not the other."

"Hades codpiece." Erica breathed. "This place is going to have to rededicate to another goddess."

"Hmm. Well, it's about time the men start paying attention to who is keeping their homes together. When Acheta gets back we're going to take back this town. If the uppity men don't like it, they can leave." Martha announced heatedly. "I've had it with these last ten seasons. I want to live into old age with a smile on my face. Who wants to be a dour old woman?"

The others laughed and agreed.

Lily nodded to Agnes who joined her. "Just what did you give them?" She whispered to Agnes. Agnes smiled and tilted her head.

"Nothing that a priestess in Aphrodite's Temple wouldn't to a woman who comes with a prayer that her husband turn his attentions back to her." Agnes batted her eyelashes holding her hands in front of her in a supplicant's posture.

"Ohhh. An aphrodisiac."

"Oh, no! Not just any. This one has been blessed and passed through the heat of many an errant husband and wife, I might add."

"So, whatever it is, it's been well tested." Erica grinned.

"Yep!" Eleanor laughed as she held up her finger to the air. "The bark of the Yohimbe tree with a good dose of honey and for those who like the stronger flavor a bit of damiana with thorn apple and honey. Hmmm. Good."

The women laughed.

"So, what are we going to do now? It's getting dark." Grace asked.

Lily nodded. She didn't like the group being separated. The longer they were separated the less strength they had as a group and more importantly, the Named was not amongst them. She could feel it and from what Agnes had told her, the others were also feeling it.

"Corita, do you think the village is any danger?"

"Not tonight!" She laughed.

Lily nodded.

"You want to join your friends." Loris told them matter of factly.

Lily nodded.

Corita motioned them over to a table and begin drawing them directions with a wet finger on the light wood surface.

"Down below in the tunnel Acheta told me there is a passage that leads into the village. It's the seventh pillar. I don't think your friends will leave Acheta alone during this night."

Lily nodded. "All right everyone, get your gear ready. We won't take the horses. We're going to need torches and food. I'm sure the Queen shall be very hungry."

The others laughed relived that they would be rejoining their friends and the Named.

"Another thing." Corita told them before they dispersed to get ready. "You cannot enter the village with swords or bows. A staff or a small belt knife, I have heard that some have gotten by with that. But the obvious weapons, no."

Lily looked at Erica then at the others. They all nodded. They were going into the Gray Valley regardless of Acheta's portents of dire consequences, therefore it was best not to press their welcome by bringing in objects that the guardians of the Valley found objectionable.

"We will leave our weapons and take only what is made of wood." Agnes nodded to Lily who was standing ready with the others. She nodded in agreement.

Loris and Corita gave them hugs before they started down into the cellar. "We'll watch over your horses and belongings. May the goddess guide you on your path and bless you with sight."

****

Twelve women silently moved down the long tunnel whose smooth sides showed scenes from a village life from long ago. They didn't study the work closely as Lily kept them moving at a fast pace and Erica who was at the end made sure no one lagged.

Lily remembered that Acheta talked of the library being where the shaman's accessed dreamtime. That would be their first stop. She read the symbols at each opening that branched off into another direction, looking for something that would look like a symbol for a library.

"Agnes." Lily called her over as she studied the third branch off the main tunnel.

"What does that look like to you?"

"Hmm. A torch, a branch and …water?"

"I think this is the library. On one of those wall paintings they showed a picture of people sitting around reading or listening to someone where there was a torch, a tree and a small fountain. Whatdaya think?"

"Close enough."

Lily led the way moving faster now, certain she was right. The cap to the stairwell was pushed back, which made her hesitate. She moved up into the room with her torch extinguished. She could hear the movement of the others as they also moved into the room.

The dark shadows were grayer around what Lily felt was a doorway and after getting over her first initial feeling of fright at the life like statues that surrounded the room she was able to feel the change in energy in the room. She felt Agnes tug at her elbow.

"They're in there!" She whispered in Lily's ear.

Cautiously Lily approached the doorway. She didn't know why it was quiet nor why they didn't have any torches lit. As she approached the room she could see the soft glow that was coming from the patterns on the floor. What caused her heart to pound was recognizing Acheta's body between two strangers. Lily quickly stepped into the room.

Lily felt a very strong hand around her throat as she was lifted off her feet. Aleka quickly released her when she realized who she was.

The others came rushing into the dark bumping into each other.

"Don't step on the patterns!" Alala warned them trying not to laugh, mostly from relief.

Aleka and the others met in the main room of the library, lighting torches and finding convenient sockets for them. Agnes, Iaia and Alala stayed in the smaller room watching over Acheta. Iaia was still sleeping from the effects of the nightshade.

Lily had been wondering what explanation she was going to give to Aleka at why they all came, leaving the village unprotected.

"I'm glad you're all here." Aleka told them quietly. It was a relief that they were for she was getting anxious that she was letting the others down by leaving them for a more personal mission. It was the second time she had done that.

Lily grinned in relief. "Welll, it's nice to hear that you agree."

"Now what are we going to do?" Erica asked.

"We're watching over Acheta. She's gone to see what's going on in dream time."

"Didn't she say anyone who comes here and spends the night is in some sort of danger?" Camila spoke everyone's fear.

"Yeaa. I'm thinking about that. From what I can see with these drawings on the walls, it has to do with dreaming. I think the key is in the wall paintings. With all of us here some can be put on watch and the others can go around checking the paintings out."

"Well, then, let's start reading them and see what we can come up with." Lily handed the others torches.

Berik and Kynthia, take the other room. Make sure you don't disturb the atmosphere of the room." Aleka nodded to them.

Brona and Erica you two with Catherine and Camila can take this room. Grace and Gari can take watch over the stairwell, with one of you reading the runes, but make sure the other is alert. Lily and Eleanor can take watch near the doorway, same thing. Though it's blocked, I don't trust it."

The two nodded. Aleka went back into the inner room to see how things were going.

It didn't look good. Aleka stood in the doorway trying to get an idea on what was not right. Gabrielle was back in the center.

"What's…"

Agnes grabbed her arm to silence her.

"She felt there was something going wrong and went back in before we could stop her. I guess it was something she saw in her own sleep. It seems she doesn't need the talisman to open the portal. She's wearing a necklace to open it when she wishes. We saw it flash when she stepped into the circle."

That twist in her gut again. A hiss from the other room brought her back to Lily's side. Sounds from the stairwell could be heard and the stone at the front of the library doorway was moving aside.

"Amazons!" Lily called softly.

Aleka turned to the two in the smaller room and motioned them back. She stood in the center of the room with Gabrielle's staff waiting. She noticed the others only had staffs and some chobos. Why did they leave their metal weapons?

The doorway came clear and dark cloaked figures came pouring in swords raised above their heads. The moment they crossed the doorway a bright light flashed and they were tossed back into the darkened street. The burst of energy that exploded and sent them back outside sent the women on the inside back about two steps from the force. Meanwhile the stairwell had others trying to enter.

Aleka motioned for the others not to pursue the dark cloaks out onto the street. "Hold your positions!" It was tempting to take them out while they lay in the street stunned. Aleka assisted the two at the stairwell when it looked like they were being overwhelmed with bodies that were being pushed forward by those under the first two. They were unconscious and it didn't do any good to pound on them. Aleka pulled one of the unconscious dark cloaks out of the way and tossed the body toward the center of the room.

"Toss him out with his friends." She directed Lily. She grabbed the other and did the same. The bodies kept pushing up with the unconscious ones being used by those below to push forward without being attacked directly by the Amazon and her trainee. As they continued the motions of pulling the unconscious bodies out of the way and tossing them toward the women in the center of the room, they in turn, tossed the bodies out onto the street. But soon the women had to start protecting the front entrance as some of those that had not been stunned attempted to reenter the building in a rush. Again they were tossed out by the bright light and pushing those on the inside back a few steps from the energy.

Aleka turned around toward Lily. "What's going on?"

"Corita told us not to bring metal weapons in here. Looks like no one told them the same." Lily kept her voice low so that the attackers would not over hear.

Aleka nodded. The dark cloaks that were coming up through the stairwell had weapons so it must only be effecting those that came though the front door. She thought about the dagger she had in her waistband and thought about not testing the front entrance.

Both women were kept busy relieving a few of the Amazon's and their charges so that they could take a breather. The onslaught of the dark cloaks slowed down as the moon moved to its high point in the sky. By then less attacked the front doorway and instead tried to move up the stairway. It never seemed to occur to the dark cloaks to try without weapons, which Aleka could understand why; after all you don't run into battle without a weapon. Once the moon was at its high point the dark cloaks seemed to disappear.

The two that were unconscious in a corner seemed to be in a deep sleep.

"What do you think?" Eleanor asked breathlessly.

"I think we aren't going to be sleeping tonight." Lily looked around suspiciously.

Aleka nodded. "Take care of the wounded. And Lily, make sure you bind that cut on your arm." Aleka turned back into the room to see how the people in the circle were doing.

"Agnes?"

"Aleka. It's too early to know. Iaia looks fine though. Her pulse appears to be good, Acheta's was not for a while, which is why Iaia went in. It's okay now. The other two have had erratic heart beats, but they too are alright for now."

"How long is this suppose to last?" Aleka asked doubtfully.

"Whatever they are doing must be done by three candlemarks after the moon reaches its zenith.

"Why?"

"The dark one is strongest at that time. Corita was saying that was the time she noticed the most disturbed activity from the men would occur. It's usually when people are in the deepest part of their slumber. I don't think Acheta and Iaia will be able to fight their natural sleep rhythm and the dark one who will be at its peak." Agnes shook her head doubtfully.

"I hope you're wrong." Aleka murmured as she looked closely at the figures in the circle. She didn't think whatever had to be done would be finished by then. How could anyone undo what has been going on for more seasons than what they knew about in a one night visit. She was frightened that the two women would try to do just that. Both had something to prove.

Suddenly Aleka turned back into the other room. "How's it going?" She asked Lily who was moving around to each woman making sure they were awake or their injuries were being taken care of. Eleanor moved at her side with Grace standing guard with Brona over the stairwell.

Lily nodded. "We're all tired but we didn't have too many injuries."

"I need four women."

Lily looked at her intently. "Whatcha got planned?" She smiled.

"Chants."

Lily looked at her. "Chants? Oh, right! You want someone to help in the other room."

Aleka smiled. In another life, the Amazon would have thought her crazy for asking. Now, they were all comfortable with such doings, as if it were everyday. Which it has been lately, Aleka smirked to herself.

"Kynthia, Candra, Berik and Gari I can spare. For how long do you need them?"

"Chants usually vitalize so you may be getting some pretty refreshed sentries back. When one of them feels her voice is getting strained, we will need to replace her."

Agnes over heard her from the other room and had come over to join them. "It sounds like a good idea. We have some herbs to strengthen the voice and to sooth sore throats. I don't know why I didn't think of chants. We did it when Iaia first went over."

"You're tired for one." Aleka touched the young woman on the cheek. She was becoming attached to the women whose care she had been given. "I'll let you monitor what goes on in the room for one more candlemark. We need to set up your relief, which should be Eleanor or Grace, whichever one is rested. Let's get a rotation set up for the chanters. I don't want to leave the entrance and stairwell unguarded but I also don't want to exhaust everyone. Lily, get one person to stand in the center of the room to monitor both the doorway and stairwell activity. I don't want them to be easily seen from the entrance. For all we know the dark one will pass on some information about how to get in through the doorway while his army is visiting with it in their dream time."

"That means three in the main room, four chanting and one healer monitoring. The rest of you should be getting some rest." Lily directed Erica.

"We can have three resting in the front room and two in here." Erica nodded.

The four women moved quickly as they took their places at four points of the circle. Aleka thought for a moment at what she wanted to chant.

"All right. Listen to the cadence." Aleka closed her eyes and focused on what she felt was right. She trusted Aleka's early experiences in the cavern learning the chants and their meanings with her mentor.

The women sat down and started the chant, slowly swaying to the rhythm. The energy in the room did change noticeably and Aleka was sure the glow in the circle deepened but she was tired and couldn't be sure.

She leant her own voice letting her senses other than her eyes feel the energy in the room vibrate along her exposed skin, sending goose bumps along her arms and down her back. She continued to chant feeling the vibration in her sternum and tickling her throat. Her weariness left her but she was aware of it as she became immersed in the chant.

****

"Agnes, there's something wrong!" Iaia rose from her sitting position and moved for a better view of Acheta. She could see the pulse in her neck was beating faster. "I'm going in after her." She said firmly.

Agnes had dozed off for a moment while the other two that were posted to guard the room and circle were watching the three in the circle. Iaia jumped up and before any of the women could prevent her she stepped into the center of the circle.

"Demeter's cross! How did she do that!" Agnes asked breathlessly. She should not have been able to step across the invisible barrier. It wasn't invisible to Agnes, however, for she could feel it as a very real wall. Once inside of the circle Gabrielle's image became overshadowed with a taller light brown haired woman, with sapphire green eyes. It was Iaia. Each finger was covered in rings and her hair was bound back with a scarf showing a scar on her neck. The figure separated from Gabrielle's form as the bright red haired figure lay so that her body was beneath the other three's feet. It gave the impression that she was holding the other three up with her own body. As soon as Gabrielle shut her eyes the figure of Iaia looked at the women outside of the circle and disappeared."

Iaia found herself in a familiar grass field only this time the grass had a clear path leading toward the cliffs. It looked like more than two people had passed this way. In her hand she had the same staff she had thought she left on her last visit to this place. It still had the wolf's face set in a comical grin this time with blue stones set in its eyes. Without hesitation she hurried toward the cliffs. As she jogged along she remembered to remove the rings from her fingers and tuck them into her small pouch at her waist. Obviously Iaia liked rings.

At the foot of the cliff she met the same asp, or so it seemed.

"You are back." It told her bluntly.

"I am looking for the shaman. Did she go your way?"

"Yessss."

Iaia hesitated. "I think she needs help. I would like to help her."

The asp studied her as it raised up higher weaving slightly. Iaia held onto her staff tightly for support for she could feel her legs go numb with fear.

"Where she went is for shamans."

"I heard those that seek inspiration from dream time go to the place for shamans. I am an artist for both the eyes and the ears."

"Yessss. There are many who are not shamans that seek this place."

"I also understand that those who failed as shamans remain."

"That is another place. It is a lonely place."

Iaia for some reason felt that was where she wanted to go. If she were Acheta that is where she would have gone and that would be the most likely place the dark one would seize first. Didn't Agnes say the dark one fed on despair of the soul?

"That is where I wish to go." Iaia told the asp firmly.

"That is a wise guess for your shaman." It lowered itself to the ground and led the way up the side of the cliff, which had a very thin path that moved up and down like a ribbon.

They stopped in front of a tiny hole that Iaia would have to squeeze to enter.

"You will need a guide so that you do not get lost. Do you wish for one?"

Iaia looked at the asp for a moment and wondered at the question. Was this some type of a trick question? Or was this where the asp would bite her?

"I would like one, but let me ask for your wisdom in this matter. For me to assist the shaman in her quest, what will I need?"

The asp rose up one more time and bit Iaia so quickly on the arm that she didn't have time to react.

"It is your quest also, young one. Let your madness from my bite assist you in your search for the correct path through these tunnels. Here your light will not show you the way."

Iaia looked at her arm for the bite marks but could see none, yet the arm was sore. She bent down and cautiously peered into the dark hole. She could see absolutely nothing.

Iaia didn't fear darkness for she had spent so many nights alone in the darkness dreaming up paintings that reflected the sun and its effect on what it shined upon as well as the colors that radiated from her human subjects. Gabrielle however, remembered the darkness as bringing her nightmares and was hesitant about entering the tunnel.

Taking a deep breath Iaia crawled in and was immediately engulfed by the darkness. The opening behind her disappeared. "Oh, Goddess." She thought as she used her free hand to find the side of the tunnel. The dirt crumbled under her fingertips not giving her much comfort. She reached above her to touch the ceiling and was relieved to find that only the entrance was low. She used the soft wall to stand feeling the numbness of her right arm start to ache. For a moment she rested gathering her thoughts and remembering that in dreamtime she created her own reality. The arm was not numb and did not hurt, she mumbled to herself. It was hard for her to believe that as the throb got worse. Sighing she moved forward using her staff to feel the ground before her.

Sound was magnified for the shuffling of her feet over the uneven floor was loud just as her staff tapped before her became a loud noise. The dirt that she could not see that was dislodged from her shoulder's contact with the sides of the wall was noisy as it hit the ground. Gradually what was black was giving way to shades of black and gray. Her arm was becoming weary as the staff was becoming heavy.

When did she become aware of the soft crying? Was it there all this time and she only now became aware of it?

Iaia stood still for a moment, letting her arm rest from the weight of the staff. The arm the asp had bit had become numb up to her shoulders and was moving down her right side. Turning toward the sound she listened carefully. Was it crying?

Iaia started her walk toward the sound using the staff to let her know what was before her. The sudden resistance that her staff met loosened it from her tired grasp. By then her entire right side was becoming numb and her leg was dragging as if partially asleep. Lowering herself awkwardly she felt around for the staff. Flexing her tired had she grasped it and rose to continue to explore the resistance she had met. Cautiously she walked around it. Suddenly the staff met no resistance on the ground and Iaia had to hold tight to not lose it. Iaia carefully approached the drop and listened.

"Acheta!" She called softly.

"Aiiiieeee. Who is there?" An unfamiliar voice called back to her.

"I am Iaia, from dream time. Who are you?" She called back in the same soft voice.

"I -- I don't know who I am." And the sound of crying came to her.

"Can you walk? Are you injured?" Iaia asked concerned.

The crying stopped and finally the voice admitted she could walk fine. "But I am lost and can't find my way back to the path."

"Well I'm going to stick my staff over this drop. See if you can touch it."

After a few moments Iaia could feel something take hold of the staff. Soon she was face to face with a dark shape that had wound itself up her staff. Iaia's terror paralyzed her. The scream in her throat could not come out as her neck muscles tightened.

"Woman. You fear me, but you should not. I too was a woman at one time. A magician had turned me into this form as punishment for not doing his bidding. When I tried to escape in this form, I fell into this pit."

Iaia tried to squash her paralyzing fear as she let the form untangle itself from her staff. Iaia had never seen the python in Gaia's temple but this shadow was certainly big.

"Do you know how to get out of here?" The Python asked.

Iaia took a deep breath. "I came that way but as soon as I stepped in the tunnel the entrance disappeared."

"The medallion you wear would reopen it." The python told her.

Iaia touched it and could feel the heat it radiated. Looking down at it she realized that it had a dim glow to it.

"I can't leave now. I came to help a friend."

"You have a friend down here?" The python asked disbelieving.

"Yes. I think she came down here to free those that have been trapped by another."

"That is quite a task. Not even Morpheus has power down here."

"Why? I mean he has power?"

"Not down here. Do you know where you are?"

"In dream time where the shamans go when they have failed their initiation."

"Hmm. That is a very brief description. It is a state of being or nonbeing. It can be soothing or excruciating. Or, that is the way it use to be in Inana's time. Since this other power had moved in, it is always excruciating. It draws others into what use to be a sacred space and demands that we who have been here to keep the new souls here. Those that do not obey its commands are turned into other shapes that put fear into those that it brings here. There are many souls trapped here that should have not been brought here."

Iaia knew what Acheta was here for and also wanted to find a way to let the trapped souls go. "What other shapes are here?"

The python laughed. "Things that you could not even imagine in your waking life. Think of the scariest thing you had created in your dreamtime and that is what you will find. We that have been shaped changed were turned into what we feared the most."

"Shape change. Shamans are suppose to be able to shape change. Why can't you just change back?"

"Ahh. That is the question that we all have asked."

"Look, I got to get going. I need to help my friend. Do you know if she passed by here?"

"I have heard many pass by here. They usually fear my cries or tell me they will return with help to pull me out."

"Where would someone go from here—besides out."

"There is no out, that I have found, without a key, like on your neck. But to go further, is to move to your left. That way you will not fall into this pit."

"You have been kind to me. I will return with my friend and others and I will get us out."

The python laughed. "I thank you for not asking me to go along with you."

"You haven't asked me for the medallion. Why?"

"Because it works only for the one who was bestowed it. The power that is here will want it for itself to get out."

"The dark one is trapped here too?"

"The dark one. You have a name for it. We do not name things that we do not wish to give power to. We are all trapped here. It is through work that we can pass though. It is this power that will not let us move forward for it gives us pain to dwell on and from this it draws its own joy. It cannot leave this place until it does not think of itself in this way. We need to be at peace with ourselves and see what was a failure as something other than that. But the power knows how to keep us here, weak in our own fears."

"You sound like you have it all together." Iaia told her.

"Yes. After being in the pit for so long without its nightmares. It may have forgotten me. But I am in this shape and cannot move to the next level."

"What has shape to do with anything? If it does, then you change yourself into another shape. In dream time, all things are possible." Iaia told her glibly. She couldn't remember where she had heard that from or even if she had before.

"Well, I need to find my friend. I hope you – find yourself." Iaia picked up her staff and turned herself in the direction the python had indicated and continued on.

"What happened to you?" The large snake asked her as she stumbled on her numb leg.

Iaia turned back. "I got bit by an asp." She grinned.

"Hmm. Why don't you will it away?" The snake teased.

"I guess it's easier to preach then practice it." Iaia admitted.

"It will wear off. It is the venom that will give you sight in this underworld." The snake offered. "Blessings of the goddess be with you." She hissed.

The snake was right for as she continued on she could feel more of her leg and her fingertips.

The tunnel floor dipped down suddenly into what Iaia's staff told her were stairs. She held her breath and listened for any other sound around her. All she heard was the loud pounding of her heart. Her thoughts kept returning to what the python had said about other creatures wandering around here with the intention to scare.

Cautiously she extended her foot down to the first step. She moved her other foot down and was about to dip to the next step when an obnoxious odor descending around her like a dark cloud. Her stomach threatened to turn itself inside out as she leaned against the wall on her numb arm side. Not feeling her contact with the wall she used the hand with her staff to steady herself.

Getting her stomach settled wasn't going to be an option so she searched in the shadows for something that was responsible for the odor. She thought she saw something move to the left of her and she moved toward it. As she moved forward it moved away.

"Hey," Iaia tried not to gag. "I'm not going to hurt you. Are you one of the old shamans?"

The figure paused. It was a long moment of silence. "I'm looking for a friend." Iaia breathed shallowly before continuing. "She arrived a short time ago. She's a shaman too. Have you seen her?"

"Time has no meaning here." Came the tiny answer.

"Have –you seen anyone before me?"

"I have seen many before you." There was a pause. Iaia could see the shadow coming closer.

"The one you seek. She said she was here to open the way again." The shadow whispered. "Is that true?"

"I'm sure she is going to try her best. But she may need help. That is why ---I have to find her." Iaia tried not to breathed too deeply.

The shadow shifted her position and Iaia realized why when a sudden gust of air blew from where the figure had been standing. Iaia was grateful she had shifted.

"She has gone to the lake." The figure turned and gestured toward shadows that appeared to be bushes.

"To the lake. Is it far from here? Is there a path?"

The tiny voice started to laugh. "This is dream time. The path is what you make it to be, or so it was before ---before it came." Her laugh turned bitter.

"It can still be. We usually make out our fears to be more than what they really are. And the more we think about it the bigger the fear seems to be. Sometimes facing it and accepting the fear as part of ourselves, makes it less of a burden."

"You have not been down here long. Go and leave me of your talk. That is of no use here." The dark figure turned back into the shadows and disappeared.

"Okay. This is dream time." Iaia mumbled to herself. "My own experiences make up the fears I face. I just put a mask on it so I can't consciously recognize it. So, whatever I run across in here, is just…my own fears. So, get a grip and lets go walking – on the wild side." She shivered as she felt the long shadowed leaves brush against her exposed neck. As she went further in her legs sometimes became entangled with the leaves or thy wrapped around the staff that she used to probe the area before her.

Some feeling was returning to her numb arm as she found out when she ran into a tree whose shadow she had missed while looking another way. She found herself picking herself up from the ground and searching in the shadows for her staff.

On her hands and knees she realized she could feel the ground below her as if it were a living thing. "Right. Dreams are not rational." She slowly picked up her staff and rose looking about her carefully, mumbling to herself more for courage than company.

Suddenly a gray muzzle moved out of the dark fern cover. Iaia held her breath as she felt a warmth fill her. Was it because it had the same comical expression on its face as that on her staff?

She sat back a moment regarding the yellow eyes that blinked once at her. "Well…I guess you're the first I've seen that doesn't want to bite me or scare the living flesh off me."

The yellow eyes blinked and Iaia could have sworn it was laughing at her.

"What I mean is, you're a sight for sore eyes. I can hardly think that anyone would conjure you up as a nightmare."

The wolf had moved out from behind the ferns and sat regarding her.

"Okay. Lake. Where -- ahhh." She heard a splash and the soft sounds of a voice to her right. "Well, that's where I gotta go." She told the wolf. Cautiously she started in that direction.

Iaia found Acheta sitting on a large rock near the water of the lake talking to a beast that would have had her petrified in fear if she hadn't already known that these were shamans who had been changed into frightful creatures from their own dreams.

Acheta turned to see what was behind her. For a moment she paused not recognizing her. Her eyes moved to the silver wolf that was at her side.

"Acheta. Remember me? Amazons, actresses, village…"

"Actually, I recognized the wolf. Aleka's friend. Are you…?"

"No. I'm Red or in Iaia's form."

"Ahhh. I am not surprised to see you here." Her eyes returned to the silver wolf. "And for that matter…nor your guardian."

Iaia was puzzled about referring to the wolf as Aleka's friend but she had other things on her mind of more importance and time did matter. "I thought you might need some help letting your people go."

"Ahh, yes. The shamans." She smiled. "It is kind of you to offer. I was wondering how I was going to get back." She nodded to the medallion around Iaia's neck.

Turning to the figure she had been talking to she nodded toward it. "This is Dadoucies. He was a shaman from a neighboring village of mine who had failed to come back." She smiled at the scary figure. "I was but a child then. I had thought to look for him in my own childish naiveté."

Iaia looked him over and nodded. "You sure had some frightening dreams." She remarked to the figure that appeared to shift its weight.

The creature lifted it's muzzle and howled, scaring the Tartarus out of Iaia. Iaia dropped her hand instinctively to the ruffled fur of the silver wolf whose low growl gave Iaia some form of comfort.

"Not so loud Dadoucies. It will alert it." Acheta soothed.

"Do you happen to have a plan?" Iaia asked hopefully.

"Yes. I plan on facing the jailer."

Iaia shuddered. "Listen," She took a deep breath. She was beginning to think she attracted people with over active warrior glands ."I think there may be another way. I mean I don't doubt your courage, but if this thing has been down here this long, what makes you think facing it is going to -- get rid of it?"

"Can you think of a better way? While I keep it busy, Dadoucies will lead the others through the passage to another realm."

"What other realm?"

"Dadoucies said he heard there was another near by."

"If it's nearby then what makes you think it doesn't have that one too?"

A tightness in her chest made her worried for everyone that was stuck down here. "What would her warrior friend do? Here they were with the odds against them and….hmmm. Her warrior friend would somehow even the odds. So how would they even the odds? Slight of hand? A trick here or there?

"Wait a minute here." Iaia shifted her feet and leaned against her staff. "This is still part of dream time, right?"

Acheta nodded.

"Well, I heard that some people can change their dreams. Why can't we?"

"I ran into a Python back in the tunnel who said they had tried that when it first came into this dream realm. They believe it was a shaman who became trapped and rather than change and move on, it strove to take over." Acheta recounted.

Iaia nodded. "I met her."

"We need to go back and let her out before I do anything. Dadocines said there are others trapped in pits and other things, but it is what their fear created so it has been difficult to help. The new souls that are being trapped cannot help for they are frightened by what they see. There is a spell on those that stay past three candlemarks from the moon's zenith." Acheta explained.

"Don't tell me, let me guess. We all turn into the monster of our dreams."

"Yes."

"Great. Right now a nasty war lord doesn't sound so bad."

The gray wolf looked up at her and growled.

Iaia looked down and blinked not knowing why a small smile curved at the corners of her lips.

"It does not take the dream memory of you as an adult. It takes the monsters from our childhood. Those have more emotional energy to them and they are more difficult to rationalize away, for it taps into a child's irrational fear."

"How long do we have?"

Acheta pointed to a sundial that was near the lake. "Not long, so let's get a plan together."

"Well, you won't have to worry about the Python. I let her out of her pit."

Acheta nodded to her. "Good. You had a lot more courage than I."

"It helped not to be able to see her until she had her face next to mine." Iaia shuddered at the memory of her fear.

Chapter 22

Agnes set the tone for the first round of chants. She wanted them to build their own energy outside of the circle. She then changed the rhythm and chanted for focus. She had the second idol in her hand when she changed it again to an ancient chant, OOOOOMMMMMMMAAAAAARRRAAAAAA. It sent chills up her arms and the vibration from the energy, she could see shimmering above everyone chanting. She opened the circle and let the energy they were generating funnel through her and into the circle. The energy was quickly absorbed by Iaia and Acheta's bodies but above the other two the energy simply sat above their bodies.

As each of the chanters felt their voices strain they gave Aleka a sign and she was replaced with another. Alala paced back and forth between the rooms waiting for something she felt would happen.

The energy from the other room pulsed into the larger room where the three guards alertly stood their posts.

******

"All right, is everyone ready?" It was amazing how much they were able to get done within a candlemark. Iaia, with Ded's assistance and Acheta's was able to convince those that they could touch to lend their energy to create an image that the dark shaman would be curious enough to investigate itself.

Iaia had decided it would not be wise to use her or Acheta as bait for the dark one would know who they were. So Iaia had thought of someone she thought she knew intimately and created an image of a dark haired warrior whose powerful image was enhanced with energy from the creatures that were entrapped by the dark shaman.

The five who were chosen to focus the energy of the dark warrior were grouped around the clearing that was set for trapping the dark shaman. Iaia raised her eyes from her sitting position and standing in the clearing was the raven-haired warlord standing with power and sensuousness emanating from her form. She was standing with her arms resting at her sides and her sword sheathed on her back. There was a glow from her that gave her more color in this level then most anything else had.

The dark leaves parted and two people appeared with drawn swords. The white haired woman approached her with a sneer on her face and the tall man beside her moved toward her slower.

"Who are you to invade the land of Marduk!" Evana demanded.

The dark warlord merely looked at her then returned her gaze to the lake.

"I'm talking to you!" Her short temper flared as she stabbed her sword toward the pensive form in front of her.

The warlord merely moved out of the way and shoved Evana into the bushes. Dagio studied her closely without making any move toward her.

"My master would like to know who you are."

The dark warrior let her gaze rest fully on the older man. Iaia could see him flinch and she knew fully well what the piercing blue eyes could do to a person on the wrong end of her appraisal.

Evana rose unsteadily to her feet and once again launched herself at the warrior's back.

The dark haired warrior simply stepped aside and flicked the hurling form into Dagio, knocking them both down. A dark form immediately started to form near the two as they both staggered to their feet slowly.

The form appeared to be hideous, something Iaia would find nightmarish. The energy that emanated from it was strong and Iaia worried for a moment that their own creation would weaken. The other's, however, were use to the dark shaman and kept the image of the warrior strong.

The dark haired warrior didn't flinch nor move away from the monster that advanced on her threateningly. Coldly she watched its approach until it was almost upon her. She stepped toward it and then walked around it studying it as if finding the monster amusing.

"Is this the best you can do?" The contralto voice was low and sensuous, radiating her amusement clearly.

Evana once more moved but this time she was careful to not to draw too much attention to her.

"You should tell your slave to stop with the games. You'll both lose." The dark warrior told the monster as she finished her circle then stopped in front of the figure.

Evana suddenly froze in her tracks and her face took on a contorted look as if she was being strangled. The dark shaman finally took on a shape that was of a young man looking almost like Ares himself.

"I have met you once." The shaman told the warrior as he studied her body with lust showing in his eyes.

"So."

He smiled then shrugged his shoulders. This was the first time he had been really challenged. He tested the image before him wondering why she wasn't a regular in this dreamtime for she had the flavor of a shaman.

"So, why have you not been visiting? Have other things on your mind?"

"Why are you wasting my time?" She asked bluntly.

"Wasting your time?" Suddenly it occurred to him that she was one of the souls that had been way laid into his domain. This was a victory! He had been after the shining soul and according to his servants she was somewhere around here but this one could hold her down here. Daigo, his faithful servant for many years had his misgivings about Evana and now he too felt this one would be better. He would have to trace back to her body and see that she was made a permanent soul here. What was her darkest fear?

The warrior laughed as if she could read his thoughts then disappeared.

"What the…? Daigo! Where did she go?"

A voice near his ear started to laugh. "Do you think you are the only one that knows the secrets of dream time?" The voice was seductive and after so long trapped in this level of dreamtime new thoughts trickled into his consciousness.

Iaia watched as the dark shaman and its two servants disappeared. Iaia started when she felt a presence next to her. The dark warrior stood beside her for a moment in silence.

"Is this what you really want?" She whispered to Iaia.

Iaia took a deep breath. Memories of Xena and Aleka over lapped and she had to struggle to keep her image of the dark warrior she thought she had conjured up separate from her memories.

"You have brought me into dream time."

Iaia held her breath. She was frightened for a moment. What happens if she gets them all trapped here? She didn't want to be the failure again of a mission that was not hers.

The dark warrior she had conjured up took her chin between her fingertips and raised her head so that she was eye to eye with the deep blues.

"I chose to come at your call. You are not taking something that has been freely given."

"But, I…"

"The others feel the same way. We are all in this together." Her voice was strong and firm.

"I just don't want to be the cause of another failed pilgrimage." She told the figure in a wavering voice.

The warrior smiled. "Is that what this is?" She looked around her and at the other shamans that were coming out of the forest cover.

"You all have the power to undo what has been done here. It is the illusion you hold onto that you are failing that keeps you from seeing your power. And it is the anguish of your failure that feeds Marduk."

The warrior's figure began to fade. "I need to be somewhere else. Call me when you need me." She touched Iaia's face tenderly. "I loved you then too."

Iaia lowered her eyes and felt her heart pounding. She knew that then. She was just too caught up in her own problems to have taken another's interest in her seriously. She remembered on the way back from her meeting with the guardian of the Gaia's underground temple how she felt overwhelmed with the knowledge that her husband had ordered the killing of all the women that were on a pilgrimage for Gaia. How could he have desecrated the name of Gaia? She had been sitting on a rock by herself, her self-imposed isolation from him and his retainers, idly drawing in the dirt. She heard the noise of her husband approaching. She realized she had been drawing the face of Aleka and quickly erased it with her foot.

He was angry that she was not talking or eating. She ignored him as he once again made blistering attempts to force her back to eating and talking. She had tuned him out and instead picked up on the sounds of bandits surrounding their campsite. She did nothing to warn him or the others. She felt they all deserved to die. Then she remembered that she was too young for the bandits to kill. She would be slave material. She had pulled the dagger from her surprised husband's waist band and looking him in the eye had told him that he was to kill her if anything should happen to them before they reached home.

Startled that his silent wife had finally talked to him he promised as the first scream reached their ears. His startled eyes went back to hers and he realized what was happening. Without hesitation he took her hand with the knife and turning it plunged it into her heart for a sure kill, then turned it upon himself.

Sighing she moved to the group that was forming near the lake. Briefly she looked around for the familiar form of the silver wolf. Where had it gone to?

All sorts of forms were taking shape at the lake. All frightening. She also saw the python coiled next to Acheta. She turned to face Iaia when she approached.

"We must return now." Acheta told her.

"We haven't gotten rid of Marduk." She objected.

"It is not our job to do that. It is theirs. We have given them faith in themselves. The rest they must do themselves." Acheta took her hand. "When you're ready."

Without conscious thought, Iaia touched the medallion and thought of the library where she had left the others. She felt the cool air on her face change to the stale air in the library. She could feel the hard surface of the tiled floor and hear the sounds of a battle going on.

She was staring at the ceiling letting her senses stabilize when a hand on her arm brought her attention to the faded gray eyes of Acheta.

"We must all leave now. The third candlemark past the high moon is nearly upon us!" She pulled Iaia into a standing position and out of the mosaic pattern that was no longer glowing.

Agnes, Brona and Candra were hovering on the outside of the pattern sending worried looks into the adjoining room where the sounds of a battle were coming from.

"We must leave here." Acheta told Agnes as she pulled Iaia along. The three women looked tired. They formed a protective wedge from the others that were fighting.

Lily was quickly at their side. "We need to leave here." Acheta told her.

Lily nodded. She agreed whole-heartedly. The energy in the room was sending shivers up her arms and legs and she didn't like it one bit.

"Amazons!" She shouted. It was enough to get everyone's attention. Acheta led the way into another room with everyone following, including Aleka and Alala being the rearguard backing quickly away from the black cloaked warriors that were advancing on them slowly from the underground stairway and through the opened door way. Obviously they learned something from the earlier attack and didn't want to get hurt.

Acheta found another stairway that went below the building they were in but this was not intersected with branches to other tunnels. Aleka and Alala made sure the cover over this stairwell was secured before running after the others. They could hear pounding on the cover as if someone was trying to break it.

Where the women were led was to an opening that was not far from the temple. It opened into the grotto that was used as part of the temple's rituals in the open air. The moon reflected off old statues both of Demeter, Persephone and one they all recognized as Gaia that were interspersed in the earthen wall that surrounded the cave opening. Iaia was awed by how many different sizes of statues were pressed into the dirt.

"For each season a statue was implanted into the wall as a renewed invocation was given for blessings, remembrances and new pledges to the protectoress."

"Some of these look new." Lily touched one statue that looked like Gaia.

"Someone has been continuing the practice." Acheta nodded. "I haven't been able to figure out who." She smiled as she let her gaze roam the wall. "It has given me hope each season that we had not been abandoned and that soon we would be rescued."

Aleka touched the statue that was standing in front of the tunnel they had exited. "Someone was here very recently." The flowers on the statue's head were fresh.

"Where would someone get flowers at this time of the season?" Brona asked as she looked around suspiciously.

"Don't know." Acheta smiled. "It's been that way every season. No matter if there is snow on the ground or the last of the flowers fading. There is always a fresh wreath of flowers on Gaia's head and at her feet."

Aleka shifted her feet and looked around. She had her suspicions. She remembered Corita had said the goddesses had paid regular visits to the Gray City. Maybe they also stopped to pay homage to their grandmother, Gaia.

"Let's get back to the village. We need to see if everything is alright. Then we have got to move on." Aleka told them. She looked at Iaia quickly then back to the path that was barely showing in the moon's light.

The others nodded.

Chapter 23

The women spent one more day in the village. They put on two performances of Sappho's works and much to Acheta and Martha's approval some of the men were not happy with it. The two women had not wasted time in telling the men what they thought of their management of the village and that in the future, those that had made such disastrous decisions for their village could no longer have a say in its running. They undid the laws that were passed against women and told the population that in one days time they were to have elections where everyone above the age of twelve could vote. It was unheard of for the men only allowed property owners to vote and those were always men.

"Are you sure, Acheta, that everyone will be okay for this election?" Lily asked as she surveyed the crowds that were collecting outside of the town meeting hall where the troupe had just put on their last performance.

"Oh yea! We have three women running for positions on the town counsel and only one man. There are five spots open." Acheta was laughing.

"What about the fifth spot?" Gabrielle asked.

"That goes to the priestess of the temple." Acheta turned to her friend Corita.

"Corita has agreed to remain while Loris will return to their other temple. They found the jewel they were looking for and from what I understand, they will ask for more priestess, so we shall be more prepared for outsiders that try to desecrate our system of justice."

"Corita is staying?" Eleanor smiled. "I don't suppose the pull of the library has anything to do with it?"

"Why aren't you running for a seat on the counsel?" Agnes asked.

Acheta sighed. "I passed the initiation. I hadn't realized how important it was to me until I passed it. Time is not relevant in shaman's reality so I would like to continue with my studies. Martha is running for a counsel seat. I am giving her the inn. She has a daughter that was taken from her by the laws of the last counsel. She is reclaiming her and they will do this inn good."

"They took her child away?" Agnes asked unbelieving.

"She stood up to them and she was a widow. Those two qualities were considered unworthy of raising a child. But her daughter was placed within a good home. She had been visiting with her on a regular basis behind the counsel's back so no permanent damage was done. The only one that will be upset is the old farmer she was promised to at her first menses in the other village. But we will take care of that. The man is very unsuitable. He has killed his last two wives with overwork and brutality. He deserves to live alone." Acheta snorted in disgust. "The men here shall learn respect for all things and especially their spouses and children. We intend on bringing back the old ways and to make sure the men stay on course we are thinking of linking our village with the kingdom near by. King Hesba has been looking for a vacation spot for his young wife for sometime and once mentioned he liked the meadow on Zurach's farm. It has a beautiful view of the waterfall on the hill. We will see if he's interested in a trade. Land for protection."

"What about Zurach?"

Acheta shrugged her shoulders. "He stole the land from Martha when her husband died saying as a women she could not hold land. Her husband died under questionable circumstances and that is one of the things that will also be reviewed. Things will be changing." She nodded assuredly. "The goddess is coming back." She sighed as she looked toward where the charred remains of the statue was still. "We shall also get Milikos to start on work for a new statue. His kids are quite skilled at woodcarving so maybe it won't take so long, especially since now his daughters can also participate."

Aleka and Alala appeared from the building laughing at something. Iaia caught the deep blue eyes that smiled her way.

"Looks like more than one set of business was taken care of." Agnes remarked.

"They settled with Corita on what to do with the statue." Lily nodded toward the pair.

"Is Alala going to continue on with us?" Agnes asked.

"Yea. She has business in Crometh." Lily informed them.

"Well, lets get some real sleep. We're going to be up early for our next – adventure." Lily smirked.

********

"Okay. It's settled then. We'll make it back to the cavern and use it to take us to the caverns near Haliacman river. No one feels like we're cheating or anything?" Aleka smiled looking around.

"No way. We're already a week behind. I don't relish meeting up with bands of opportunist that will be waiting to waylay us all along that road there." Lily jabbed her finger at the road they had been following.

The others nodded.

"All right. Before dawn we leave." Aleka nodded Alala's way. She smiled when she thought that she was the only one that had not traveled through the portals yet.

Corita and Acheta wanted to go with them and see how it was done but there was too much going on in their village to leave.

"Perhaps on our return trip." Agnes had told them. "We have to get back, you know?"

The others had looked at each other. They hadn't thought about returning.

************

Morning brought rain clouds. This was winter they reminded themselves as they all struggled to get out of warm beds into the cold morning. The horses had been already attended to by Camila who was up earlier as Aleka, Lily and Alala who seemed to be too excited to sleep for long.

Acheta and Martha had gotten up early also, to make certain the women had provisions and a warm early morning meal to get them going. Hugs were given all around as Corita and Loris also joined the early affair.

"The goddess be with you all." Corita wished them as they gave a last round of hugs.

The travelers started off into the early morning damp mist that was promising more than light sprinkles by the smell of the air.

Their return trip to the cavern was uneventful as Alala and Lily scouted the parameter. It wasn't until they had reached the cavern's entrance when Alala's feathered companions put in an appearance.

Continue on to Road Show: Part Three