Present

I have been moved from cavern to cavern since my arrival here. There is a network of chambers, and each is subject to a different type of interrogation. Athena says that you are not supposed to be able to pass through each chamber if your intentions are not good, or at least neutral. But there are some types of magic that can trick the protection spells. 

I have no intentions exactly, I am waiting for Athena to provide some clarity on what we have to do next, but she mostly walls herself off in my mind to pass interrogation. They believe I have not come into my wolf yet, but that I will soon. The general consensus is that I will be placed with a pack as a servant, but that means lots of paperwork, and the pack has to approve my transfer, and accept financial liability for me.

Since the wars have mostly ended, the biggest issue the Veil is faced with comes from dark magic, rogues, and pack disputes. There were others in the caverns with me, but none of us could look directly at each other. We could not speak or get too close; the caverns were enchanted to ensure that the portals to each of the packs could not be overpowered and used for malicious intent. Instead of human contact, Athena whispers reassurances to me when she can, and I dream of going home to a real bed.

I am not sure if it is the same man I see each time, since they all look pretty much the same. The Brethren are all gaunt, bald, almost dead looking. Some are a little taller than others, but they are all creepy and spindly. So, in my mind they are all “Mr. Creepy”. They feed us some unknown soup as we sit along the cavern walls, small orbs of light that accompany the bowls, also leave with the bowls. I do not know how long I have been here. One evening (I think it is evening, I am pretty sure we only get breakfast gunk and dinner soup), I am brought in to be assigned my placement. I have been placed with the Swift Moon Pack, but they are several days journey from here. 

Mr. Creepy says that an ambassador for the pack will be here in 3 days to collect me. Until then I will be released from limbo, and held with the rest of the confirmed travelers in a different cavern chamber. Here I will be able to make contact with others who have been processed and approved. But Mr. Creepy says he does not advise, I am young and vulnerable, and many would take advantage of me.

Mr. Creepy gives me a leather bag, it contains a soft gray dressing gown, and black cloak with green and gold leaves embroidered along the edge, and leather lace up boots. The boots look enchanted, like something elves made with ancient leaves. I am somewhat taken back by the quality of the items, there is also a small bag of what looks like toiletry items.

“Thank you, Mr. Cr…Sir”, I say. Hoping he doesn’t catch my nickname for his kind. He does not smile; he just nods and motions to one wall in the chamber. It wavers and becomes translucent. I know to step through. The warmth of the portal magic washes over me, easing some of the stiffness in my muscles. I have been on edge and tense, not knowing when circumstances would change, or what would happen to me. 

Through the portal, there is a massive cavern, but it’s edged with forests. Up ahead I can see several pathways, and the soft glow of light. 

“Athena, which way?” I push at our bond in my head, hoping she is awake.

“Second to the left, we will come to a row of cottages, one will have no light by the door. We enter there and prepare ourselves for travel.”

“Ok,” I say, “but I thought we weren’t traveling until the ambassador gets here?”

“The magic that binds this area is part of us, it will be easy to slip through. Right now it is mid day. Change, sleep, eat dinner. We will leave when night falls.”

Making my way down the smooth stone path, I can’t help but stop and slide my toes over to feel the moss. It’s like it hums under my feet, the vibrations spreading through my body, relaxing me. I let my fingers catch the edge of ferns and low hanging branches as I make my way along the edge of the path. Soon I come to a circular clearing. Five identical cottages form a half circle in the clearing. The cottage directly in front of me has no lantern by the door, so I make my way inside as quietly as possible. 

Inside there is only a single bed, table, chair, and a door to what must be a bathroom. I open the door, almost high on dreams of a hot shower. Instead, I find a toilet, and another door on the other side. When I push open the second door, it opens up into a tall cavern, about 15 feet in diameter. There is steamy water pouring from the black abyss above my head, into a pool of water about 6 feet in diameter. The water almost glows, and soft moss surrounds the pool itself. Hanging on the door that I just opened is a bath robe. 

Obviously I immediately rip my toiletry kit from my bag and shed the clothes I have worn for god knows how long. I pull on the bath robe. I don’t know if it will be cold where I am going, or if clothes from the human world will be acceptable based on the clothing in the bag I was given. I take my clothes to the pool and wash them, then hang them on the hook where the bath robe was. Dropping the robe in a puddle at my feet, I reach out to Athena,

“How deep do you think it is?” I ask her.

“As deep as you wish. These are ancient pools; they have healing magic. I suspect that someone picked up on your aura and sent you here to prepare for your journey. Witches need certain elements of nature to draw strength and renewal.”

I sit at the edge of the pool, sliding in while I hold the edge. As the water reaches the tops of my shoulders, and I start to feel anxious, my toes finally touch the smooth rock at the bottom. I wonder if I created the bottom, based on what Athena said. But I can tell that she is trying to get as much rest as possible before we run for it.