20 July 2020 – The One – #11: Dragons True – Segment 7

In the previous post of The One, we left with a cliffhanger. A “being” emerged from the seaside cave – a visitation, so to speak. Who or what is this apparition? Will an identity even be revealed? More details surface in this segment; however, mystery remains. Decide for yourself how many more revelations need to arise before we fully comprehend who or what this cave dweller presents.

. . . I mumble words I barely hear myself

Argose at my side gently licks my hand

“I cannot say why I am come to this place

            and not some other more surpassing gate

She pauses, pondering it seems, as I

            speculate the manner of her strangeness . . .                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          

 

            She wears a long, rough black smock with rope belt

            Her dainty, bare feet all dirt-encrusted

            Hair disheveled but something gleams fine in it

            When she speaks, her eye teeth show sharpened points

                        protruding longer than the other ones

                        her upper teeth extend over lower

            But in this stranger form, the most pronounced

                        that are dead and clear at once

            The black hooded cloak hangs from her shoulders

                        graceful, flowing in colors of sunset

                                    as storms roll beyond the horizon

                                    like her hair, gray with streaks of rusty red

            Her tall, thin form stands firm and commanding

            She occupies the cave she calls her own

                        and most certainly she sees as a home

            What to make of this creature of the cave?

                        and what to make of me standing with her?

            

            As I consider all this, from within 

the black throat of the hollow, pulsations

low groans reverberate and fill the maw

            Force of heavy steps steadily pound rock

            Her shape turns rapidly as if frightened

                        – not frightened, rather anxious to conceal

                                    a mysterious legend of great proportions

 

            “What be that? Perhaps outside we should run?”

            “Hold! We dare not move!” But she takes swift steps

                        toward the entrance to the lofted cavern

                                    then shrinks back retreating into the light

            “Move rather than to our deaths be trampled!”

            “Worry not. What you fear will not harm you 

                         From that place and being I ascend here

                        Of harm, we mean no such unto either”

            “Then to me show what lies elsewhere hidden”

            “Mysteries arisen may also cease”

 

            I am losing patience with all this talk

                        and stride with purpose past her to the verge

            Argose cowers and follow he will not

            This guardian of caverns whirls to face me

                        her fine traveling cloak swirls with her

                                    like wings – I sense some emerging magic

                                    from a flowing figure flashing sunsets

            “So, if it must be, entry do I permit

                        if friend you be who may not be followed

                                    who in truth means no harm now or ever

            So be it as you say, if needs you must

                        Standing in the way, I cannot shadow

            Me have you caught in some manner of spell

            Seeing so, I cannot but cede to you

                        my person and my will – it must be so”

            

            She proceeds regal in stark elegance

            Argose whimpers and retreats from darker

                        territory where his wisdom fails him

            I console him, pat his chest, stroke his back

            Hesitantly, he decides to follow

            Full of curiosity, we enter

                        with our guide to hell or to paradise

            Makes no matter . . .

Background

As a young person, I found enjoyment in reading mysteries. My favorites were stories featuring a mystifying character, secretive, furtive, and often enigmatic. The cave dweller in this segment certainly fits the requirements.

Exploration 1:  As features of the apparition appear at the beginning of this segment, do you find yourself trying to identify who or what this creature is? Do you come to any early conclusions?

Exploration 2: Likewise, as in Exploration 1, at the end of this segment, if you will hazard a guess, what or who is inside the cave, i.e., who is making the sounds?

Exploration 3: Describe the dynamic between the main character and the female entity.