Elly stumbled to understand what had just happened; and as Heather stroked Elly’s face lovingly, the shock returned but this time she managed to keep her herself in check.
“Are you okay, Elly?” Heather whispered with concern.
“Yeah, I think so; I’ve never done that before,” Elly admitted.
Eliana tried to humour Elly. “It’s no wonder you fainted, Elly; he’s quite a piece of man this Finn of Heather’s, but he’s nothing on my Caleb, though.”
Elly returned Eliana’s fun with a wry smile. “I don’t think so, Eliana; I’m not sure what happened though.”
But deep down inside Elly, a war of emotions was raging. She knew this man and he was fire to her fuse. The fact he held Heather’s heart only confused her more and now the turmoil could only grow deeper.
“Try and get some sleep, Elly; it’s been an emotional day for all and morning is just about upon us,” Heather suggested.
Elly nodded, reaching for Heather’s hand. “That sounds like a good idea, Heather; I’m bushed.”
A voice from the passageway called to the three men gathered at Heather’s door. “Hakham wants to see all three of you in the sanctuary.”
All three men nodded their assent to the messenger and after Finn and Caleb had kissed their girls goodnight, they ambled down the passages, wondering what Hakham had on his mind.
The family began to settle back into what was left of the night time routine and attempt to sleep the remaining night hours. It wouldn’t be long before the morning’s activity began in earnest and called in the day among the corridors of the gathering.
*~*~*~*
As the men gathered at the door to the Lake of Purity, Hakham’s figure lay prostrate before the altar; it was soon clear he hadn’t moved from his position, even during the panic of the purported attack.
While the family chambers drifted into exhausted silence, every word uttered in front of the altar reverberated out into the quiet passageways. The men bowed their heads to the altar before entering the Lake of Purity, just as Hakham’s figure rose from the floor and took Finn in a fatherly hug.
“I am so proud of you, Finn, and your allegiance to Jehovah,” then his hug shifted to Caleb. “Well done, Caleb; you are a true son of Jehovah and your valour in times of distress has served our family admirably.”
Then Hakham turned to Dramble and his hug tightened around the boy. “Your allegiance to Elly is unshaken, but once I have learned of Finn’s adventure, there will be much to pass between you and me.”
Dramble nodded to the elder and waited for Finn to espouse his mission and the details that led to his safe return.
After an hour, Finn had exhausted the whole tale, even to the fact that a cave-in had slowed their journey back to the sanctuary from Baal Malii and they had to dig their way through with their bare hands. Thus causing a prolonged journey back and an early morning panic at the lookout post leading into the subterranean sanctuary.
Hakham dismissed the two Raiders, leaving Dramble with the elder, while Finn and Caleb spent the remaining moments of the night to catch up on the happenings of family life. Hours passed while the morning activity around the family ground slowly to life after an unusual and fearful night.
People found Finn and Caleb in the cavern of dining, talking together and interrupted their heroes with fond greetings.
But in the sanctuary, stone-faced and with his head bowed low and concentrating on the rock floor, Dramble stood in front of Hakham and listened to the elder’s exhortation, nodding occasionally in agreement and shaking his head at other instances, but never lifting his head to make eye contact.
*~*~*~*
Chapter 38
“I tell you, Finn, I found it and it’s just how I described it. There were millions of tiny coloured lights attached to the roof and if you make a sound, the lights all blink out. But if you keep quiet, they slowly blink back on again. At one side there was a white sandy beach, leading into deep flowing, pristine water and at the far end was a waterfall. I think the cave went on further behind the waterfall, too, but I didn’t follow it... you don’t believe me, do you, Finn?!” Caleb searched the intense green eyes.
“You have to admit, Caleb, it’s a pretty big stone to swallow.”
“Yeah, I know, I know, but it was just awesome; if I can find it again I’ll prove it to you and you can see it for yourself!” Caleb was lost in awe, but Finn was still dubious.
“So this was how far beyond the last hand grip?!” Finn was intrigued but not ready to accept Caleb’s story yet.
“I don’t know, an hour maybe,” Caleb tried to recall.
“I’d be doubtful if you could find it again, Caleb. There’s a confusion of tunnels out past the hand grips and no one is really sure what’s actually out there!”
“So you believe me then?!”
“You haven’t ever given me a reason to doubt your word, Caleb, and it sounds like a great distraction when things are a little slow among the community.”
Two petite hands ran their fingers over Caleb’s back as he sat talking to Finn, and then wrapped her arms around his neck in an adoring embrace. Recognising Eliana’s perfume immediately, he spun around on his seat and swooped up her tiny frame into his lap and stole her breath away with a fiery kiss. She gasped as his passion overpowered her, catching a delighted sigh in the back of her throat and then floating back to earth on the gentle wings of love.
Still held in Caleb’s embrace, she turned her attention to the boys’ interrupted conversation. “What are you two talking about?” Eliana’s cheeks were glowing, flushed with a healthy rosy bloom.
Finn glanced to the door as another petite young woman made an entry, expecting to see Heather, but catching Elly’s brilliant blue eyes instead.
She flushed with embarrassment at his stare and uttered a confused stammer. “Ah... she... um, Heather was sidetracked by Hakham and she said she may be a while but would be along as soon as she had finished with him.”
Finn nodded, holding his gaze on Elly’s beauty for just a little longer than he should. She was stunning and her blue eyes were captivating, enticing a man to have a closer look.
Breaking eye contact with the blonde beauty wasn’t an easy thing to do. “Thanks, Elly,” Finn finally managed.
Caleb was still holding Eliana on his lap when an idea flashed across his mind. “The family will be late getting started today and I gather Heather will be waylaid with Hakham for a while, so we still have a few hours until our kitchen duty starts; why don’t we have a go at finding the cave again? And then you’ll see I wasn’t making it up. It shouldn’t take long and we’ll be back in time for the roster.”
“What’s this all about, honey?” Eliana prodded, still holding onto Caleb’s neck and gazing adoringly at her man.
“Finn doesn’t believe me about the cave I found and I just want a chance to prove it exists.”
“I believe you, sweetheart,” Eliana protected. “Come on, Finn, we can all go; it would be an adventure and we’d be back before we were missed,” Eliana added her positive consent to Caleb’s case.
Finn tussled with the idea and then finally agreed. “Okay, but let’s make it quick.”
“Are you coming, Elly?” Eliana pleaded.
“N-n-o-o...! I don’t think so, Eliana. I’ll wait here,” Elly’s eyes flashed at Finn, not trusting herself in his presence.
Eliana wriggled from Caleb’s embrace and then grabbed Elly’s hand. “Come on, Elly; I don’t want to be the only girl on this expedition. Please!”
Elly remembered the last time she had heard this same argument and she had ended up in mess of trouble.
“I really don’t think it’s a good idea, Eliana!” Elly protested.
“Then come for my sake, Elly,” Caleb enticed, throwing his opinion behind Eliana’s plea. “I’ll need an independent witness to verify we did actually find the cave again.”
Elly stole another sideways glance at Finn and then
swallowed hard, knowing she would regret being talked into something so dangerous.
“Okay, but you promise we’ll turn back as soon as we find it.”
“Well, maybe not straight away; we’ll at least have to check it out a bit first and then we’ll come straight back. How’s that?” Caleb offered.
Elly nodded reluctantly, feeling she had no choice but to comply.
Before long, the four young people disappeared along the dimly lit passages, pushing deeper and deeper into the maze. Caleb stopped a few times and backtracked, losing the trail and then finding it again. He reached the limit of the flaming torches and then the tunnel descended into thick blackness.
“We’re not going in there?!” Elly objected.
Caleb held Eliana’s hand. “Yes, I’m sorry, Elly, we’ll have to. Take Finn’s hand and don’t let it go,” he ordered.
Finn reached for Elly’s hand and a tingle ran through her body as they touched. Elly’s tiny hand was warm and soft and felt good against Finn’s skin.
The little expedition pushed further and further into the darkness until Caleb’s voice announced the last hand grip. They walked in pitch blackness for what seemed like hours, straining to see anything in the dark, but Elly’s mind kept drifting back to Finn and the warmth of his hand in hers.
A stab of conscience stirred her memory and replayed Heather’s beautiful, trusting face and the depth of her anguish and emotion for the green-eyed Finn.
The blackened path suddenly descended down, prompting an exuberant response from Caleb. “We’re almost there; the path is dropping down! Now, don’t anyone speak until we’ve found the cave entrance or the tiny lights will switch off.”
The path finally flattened out and then as they turned a corner, a shock of colour spilled out onto the trail, exposing the opening to the massive cave. Four sets of incredulous eyes twinkled in the coloured display, gazing around the secret domain in awe.
Elly gasped at the magnificence; she had never seen anything so beautiful in her life and it tied her tongue, forgetting she was still holding Finn’s hand.
The four people stood motionless, drinking in the amazing display while Caleb drew close and whispered quietly, “Believe me now?”
Finn nodded, his silhouette just visible in the myriad of colour.
Eliana’s whisper spoke volumes, ”It’s so beautiful, honey... kiss me!”
Caleb and Eliana fell together in a fire of passion, while Elly abruptly dropped Finn’s hand as if she had just been stung, and stepped aside to give them some privacy. Finn followed her lead and left the sweethearts to their moment in paradise.
An exuberant moan escaped from Eliana as they broke from their kiss and echoed through the chamber, instigating an immediate, shocked blackout throughout the cave.
Caleb’s voice whispered into the blackness, “Don’t make any noise; the lights will come back on again.”
Moments later, the bravest lights blinked on again, allowing the less brave to glean from their intention and soon the cave was alight with colour.
Caleb and Eliana struggled across the rocky entrance and strolled onto the soft beach sand, kicking off their sandals and digging their feet into its luxury. Eliana waded into the water and exhaled a delighted sigh. “It’s so beautiful and warm; come for a swim,” she beckoned.
Elly shook her head, but Eliana beckoned again with her hand and then Caleb followed her into the water too, sighing with delight.
“Come on, you two; it’s so relaxing,” he whispered again, gently nudging Eliana into the water until she overbalanced, offering a sharp and short scream as the luxurious pool engulfed her.
Eliana’s playful scream caused another partial blackout, but their pleasurable splashing left no doubt to the depth of their enjoyment. Eliana’s dress pressed tight against her body while the water seemed to drain away every care, reaching her arms around Caleb’s neck, kissing him adoringly and displaying the signs of two people deeply in love.
As the tiny stars blinked on again, Eliana and Caleb swam together, chasing each other, frolicking and playing under the waterfall as it gently washed across their bodies, enjoying being close. The ties of soul mates, already knitting their spirits together in a deep bond of innocent love, condoned and celebrated under a silent and watchful eye.
Eliana gestured to Elly and Finn from under the waterfall and beckoned them to enter the exhilarating water, but pushing her point further she whispered a little too loud, prompting another blackout.
“If you don’t have a swim, you’ll regret it. It’s wonderful!” Eliana gushed.
As the coloured lights blinked on again, Finn held out his hand to Elly, urging her towards the water. “Eliana’s not going to give up until we’ve had a swim.”
Elly reluctantly took his hand and followed him into the water. The softness and exuberance washed over every part of her and she began to relax her guard.
Before long, Elly and Finn were swimming alongside Eliana and Caleb and soon the two couples erupted in a playful game of chase, bobbing each other under the water when an opponent was overtaken.
Elly suddenly disappeared underwater as Finn dunked her. She giggled and swallowed a mouthful of water as she went down and when she surfaced, coughing, she chided him playfully, “Hey, you’re supposed to be on my side!”
She chased him around the waterfall, swimming with determination and when she finally caught him, she lunged at him and pushed him under. As he came up, he grabbed her feet and pulled her under, too; but Elly responded with a short, sharp scream, plunging the cave into darkness again.
Before she knew what was happening, she felt Finn’s embrace and then his lips met hers, exciting a storm of electricity. She felt the burning desire of passion and wanted more of the green-eyed man, returning his fire; but then the stricken memory of Heather’s soft eyes stabbed at her decency and she broke away with a whimpering... “Don’t!”
As the lights blinked on, there was silence across the cavern as Eliana and Caleb watched and wondered what had just taken place.
*~*~*~*
Chapter 39
Elly determinedly swam for the white sandy beach and away from Finn’s allure. Annoyed with herself that she had been trapped into the situation she was dreading, wanting the green-eyed man with all her passion but denying it out of concern for Heather, the rightful recipient of Finn’s attention.
Finn waded out of the water and followed Elly, grabbing her hand to stop her retreat. “I... I’m so sorry, Elly; I don’t know what just happened…”
Finn’s gesture forced Elly to turn and face the troubled green eyes; her piercing blue eyes were smouldering with unfulfilled passion. She wanted him and she knew he wanted her.
The confusion and sincerity was painted so deeply in his frown and mixed eloquently in his distressed gaze, trying desperately to convey to her, he meant what he said.
She turned away from his stare, convinced they had both learned a valuable lesson and he should be as eager as she was to do things properly.
Despondently, she began to turn from him, murmuring what she didn’t want to say. “Don’t do it again!” Elly dropped to the white sand, tucking her soaking wet dress under her knees with her arms and staring past Finn to the water in deep frustration.
Eliana and Caleb watched from the waterfall, still wondering what had happened. Then with a nod, intent on escaping the tense situation, Caleb dove underwater and Eliana followed, resurfacing behind the luxuriant tumbling waterfall.
Even behind the splashing water, the deep pool was crystal clear and the bottom seemed closer than it actually was. As Caleb cleared away the water from his eyes and refocused his vision, a smaller cave opened up before him with a gentle slope of white sandy beach enticing the two young people out of the water and into the cave. Taking Eliana’s hand, Caleb led his beauty into the cave, but a strange light stopped the couple in their tracks.
A beam of piercing white light shone like a spotlight d
own onto a concentrated spot in the sand.
Caleb stared at Eliana and she returned his gape with equal curiosity, together drawn to the light with a guiding desire. As they approached, a beautiful shy face peered back at them, seemingly smiling at the couple with delight. Caleb and Eliana sighed together, smitten with the elegant beauty of the pale rose.
“The Altar Rose!”
Caleb breathed out a long breath while Eliana started to cry. They both knew the significance of finding the delicate single flower and Jehovah’s blessing upon their courtship.
Caleb reached down to pick the mature bloom, while the rose seemed to eagerly entice him to her fate. Eliana took hold of Caleb’s hand and as he plucked the rose from the soil, the light changed its direction and sparkled over the couple like a tiny lightning storm, filling the couple with awe.
Caleb took the tender rose in his gentle hands and then kissed his bride, knowing Jehovah had consented to their love.
As the couple turned to leave the waterfall cave, the brilliant white light shining on the place where the rose had been suddenly blinked out, as if someone had shut off the power.
Caleb and Eliana resurfaced from behind the waterfall, gently carrying the tender rose, but she seemed to be unaffected by the watery escape and happily bloomed in the couple’s presence.
The four people stood around the gentle, single rose and peered at her with awe.
Elly was cut to the heart at the beauty of the delicate bloom and Finn just stared. “Where did you find her?” Finn whispered.
“Behind the waterfall,” Caleb tenderly replied. “We dove under the water and found a new cave when we surfaced again. There was a strong white light shining on her.”
“I’ve gotta see this cave!” Finn determined, and strode off toward the waterfall and dove under its splashing. Elly was still enchanted by the beauty of the rose and when she understood Finn’s intention, she was curious to see the rose’s home as well, and hurried to join him.
Finn burst through the surface behind the waterfall and found the cave, exactly as Caleb and Eliana had described. He was just wading up to the beach, when Elly’s exhaled breath broke into the quiet. He reached for her hand to help her out of the water and onto the beach, and she accepted his gesture gladly.