20th day of the 3rd month 650th year of the 8th era

Araki stepped out of his tent dressed in his robes and wearing the Decius plate. The belt of Veritas and the Sword of Corvictus were strapped to his waist. The morning sun was just peeking over the horizon, casting the sky in a deep pink and orange. The tents had been arranged like he had instructed the elders. With his tent flap pointing due east, the meeting tents for each clan stood around the central area creating a three-prong wheel. Aquillia and Stella came out from behind him and flanked him. Clan members started to gather around the outside of the meeting area. They were all dressed in their best clothes; it was not every day that the chief of two clans got married. A horn blasted from the east. Nanberry exited the tent to Araki’s left and Moogera exited the tent to his right. They were resplendent, dressed in fine white robes made of lace. The robes trailed to their ankles and they wore leather sandals on their feet. Veils of fine lace covered their face. They strode to the centre of the tents and waited as Araki moved to the centre. As he came to the centre, two old women, one from each tribe, arrived between Nanberry and Moogera.

“We come here together to witness the union of these three people in a union that honours the gods,” they chanted together. “Pierre and Petra, the god and goddess of love, have come together to create a union. A union that bonds not just these three people together, but a union of two clans. Only the unknown god could have known, in its infinite wisdom, that an outsider would bring peace where only conflict had existed before.”

“The union of three people,” one of the women said, “is most challenging.”

“It requires wisdom and understanding,” the other said, “that is hard even for two people to have.”

“This union and its offspring will create a joining of the clans for all time,” they chanted together. “Do you, Araki, son of Mulgooma of the tribe of Lawn, take these women as your holy wives?”

“I do,” Araki said clearly.

“Do you, Nanberry, take this man and this woman as your holy partners?” asked the woman closest to her.

“I do,” Nanberry said.

“Do you, Moogera, take this man and this woman as your holy partners?” asked the woman closet to her.

“I do,” Moogera said.

A boy dressed only dressed in black trousers, stepped forward with a large golden goblet and offered it to Araki.

“With this cup you accept the burden on this union and take on the challenges that come with it,” the old women chanted.

Araki lifted the cup to his lips and drank from it. The rich red wine glided down his throat, burning as it travelled. He returned the goblet to the boy. Moogera stepped forward took and drank from the goblet. Nanberry followed her. The boy took the goblet and threw the remaining wine to the ground between them and a white smoke rose from the grass.

“The gods have blessed this union,” an old woman cackled.

Araki’s vision swam and he rocked to the side before collapsed. Aquillia caught him and eased him to the ground. Nanberry and Moogera fell also, caught and eased to the ground by the old women.

“We must hold vigil as they undertake the trial,” the old woman said.

Araki blacked out, and his eyes closed. “The drink was spiked,” he murmured.

***

21st day of the 3rd month 650th year of the 8th era

Araki awoke to Nanberry shaking his shoulder.

“Husband, wake up,” Nanberry said.

He sat up and looked around. He was in the entrance to a cave; the front of the cave was blocked off by a wooden wall and a small door in the centre. Light streamed in between the cracks and he could tell that two men stood at the door on the other side. Nanberry knelt next to him, completely naked. Moogera leant against the wall, also completely naked. The cave stretched back into the distance and darkness; a path of smooth stone was carved through the centre of the cave heading deeper into the mountains.

“What is this place?” he asked.

Nanberry stood. “This is the entrance to the sacred grove.”

Moogera pushed off from the wall. “Now that you are awake, we must begin the trials.”

“You knew this would happen?” Araki asked.

“They sometimes do it for chieftains, when they just get married.”

“That only happens when it a political marriage,” Nanberry protested.

“What would you call our marriage if not a political marriage?” Moogera asked.

Araki stood and walked to the door.

“How do you know when we complete the trials?”

A guard turned. “There is an exit on the other side. The tribes are camped out there. You will have finished when you reach the other side.”

“What can we expect going in?”

“Everyone that has gone in has come out of it. No one, however, talks of it. It’s not forbidden, just that no one bothers to ask and they don’t talk about it.”

Araki pushed himself off the door and turned back into the cave. He took a deep breath and walked down the path into the darkness, Moogera and Nanberry following him. The path narrowed and the walls became rough. Several stalactites blocked their path and emitted a gentle greenish glow. After several hundred metres, the space opened and a large chamber confronted them. The room was covered in stalagmites and stalactites, creating a field of the spikey protuberances.

“How do we get across?” Nanberry asked.

“If we go out there without sandals, our feet will be cut up,” Moogera said.

“Not to mention our bodies,” Araki said. “Take a closer look and see if you can find any clue or path through the rocks.”

Moogera moved to the right and Nanberry moved to the left, carefully watching the ground, stepping over sharp rocks. Araki squatted at the stalagmite in front of him and took a closer look. Upon inspection, he could see the rocks were spattered with dried blood. This is a test of the gods; which god would set a test where the only way through was to injure yourself? Solimas and Trath would do something like this, set an important trial. The Unknown God is said to be the god of wisdom. I sure could use some right now.

“Over here,” Moogera called out.

Araki looked at her. She was twenty metres away and waving at them. He stood and was soon joined by Nanberry.

“What do you see?” Araki asked.

“One of the stalagmites has been knocked over, forming a bridge.”

Araki headed over towards Moogera, stepping around small sharp rocks. When he got to Moogera, he hugged her. A stalagmite had been cut off and lay across several others, forming a bridge to another one that had been cut off and worn smooth with the passage of many feet.

“I guess I should go first. Make sure it’s safe,” Araki stated and stepped up to the makeshift bridge. The stone under his feet went from dry and dusty to slick and slimy. He scaled along the bridge and across to the centre stalagmite.

On the other side another stalagmite rested on the ground leading to the far side.

“Good. You made it,” Nanberry called, “I will come across now.”

She climbed onto the bridge.

“Careful, it’s slippery,” Araki called out.

Nanberry scrambled across the bridge and joined Araki.

“I am coming now,” Moogera called out.

“There isn’t enough space here,” Araki called back. “Let me get to the other side first.”

Moogera climbed up to the first bridge as Araki moved on to the next bridge. He rushed down as Moogera ran across to the centre. Nanberry followed him as he reached the ground and Moogera came in last. On the other side, a rough path swept into a tunnel heading out of the chamber, darkness taking the path. They walked up the path until they came to the mouth of the tunnel.

“There is a sign here,” Nanberry commented. “It says, only those that stay together will pass. Solimas’s path leads to the grave.”

“That’s strange,” said Araki. “Who would write that?”

“Solimas? What’s he doing here?” Nanberry asked.

“What deity does the clan follow?” Araki asked.

“Normally the people worship Alibraxious and Klytaimnestra.”

“Why them?” Araki asked

“Why not?” Moogera asked.

“Aren’t they the gods of debauchery?” Araki asked.

“Yeah, so?” Moogera asked.

“Moogera, Araki didn’t grow up in the clan; he recently came to us and he is the grandson of a member of the clan who was taken as a slave many years ago.”

“How long have you been with the clan?” Moogera asked. “Forget that, have you been present for any festival?”

Araki shook his head.

“Well I am going to enjoy watching you, as you experience our wedding feast.”

“I assume that we get one when we come out.”

“Oh yes,” Nanberry said. “How do we proceed?”

“I think the trials are designed to make the newlywed couple come together and work together,” Araki said.

“How do you mean?” Moogera asked.

“The sign says that only those who stay together will pass. I think it means we need to pass through this together.”

“I see, because we needed to work together for the last one,” Nanberry said.

“That wasn’t a challenge; they form naturally,” Araki said.

“Don’t you think the gods could have made that a challenge?” Nanberry asked. “Those bridges were too convenient to be an accident.”

“I think the bridges were the result of previous couples coming through here.”

Nanberry folded her arms and looked at him. “So, you don’t believe in the gods?”

“I do,” Araki replied. “I just noticed blood on the floor around the base of some of the rocks. I think previous couples came in here and had to work their way through the rocks and then someone came in here and created the bridge. I think the bridge is more the work of the gods rather than the rock formation.”

Nanberry nodded.

“I think we should hold hands in there. I think it will get very dark,” Moogera suggested.

“Thank you,” Araki said and grabbed her outstretched hand. He offered his hand to Nanberry.

She looked at the hand for a moment. The tension in room built until she unfolded her hands and took the proffered hand.

“Okay let’s see what Solimas and Trath have in store for us,” Araki said and started into the dark cave.

They walked into the cave, the darkness closing in around them. Moogera led the way with her hand outstretched on the wall to her left. The passage curved slightly to the right and the light from behind them faded into nothing. After several minutes of interminable darkness, the sound of lapping water could be heard. They continued down the path, the sound of the water growing louder and louder. Moogera’s feet were assaulted by a wave at and she stopped.

“Why are we stopping?”

“We have reached the water,” Moogera answered.

“What do we do now?” Nanberry asked.

“We can’t see anything and there is water lapping at our feet,” Araki said.

“How depressing,” Moogera said.

“That’s right,” exclaimed Araki. “The whole situation is designed to be depressing.”

“For who?” Nanberry asked. “It’s a little wet and dark, but how is that depressing?”

“What we need is light,” Moogera said.

“That is true, but we are naked,” Nanberry said. “So, unless you have a torch with a flint and steel, not very helpful.”

“Well I don’t see you doing anything helpful,” Moogera snapped.

“Ladies!” Araki said. “Enough!”

Silence fell as the lapping of the water downed out their breathing.

“We need to get to the other side,” Araki said. “Fighting amongst ourselves is not going to resolve the issue. It is just going to make our situation worse.”

“You’re right,” Moogera said. “I am sorry.”

“I’m sorry too,” Nanberry said.

“Good. Now, Moogera, do you have the wall along your side?”

“Yes.”

“We will follow your side. Hopefully we will find the exit on the other side.”

“Why her side?” Nanberry complained.

“No reason,” said Araki. “Now let’s go.”

Moogera led the way along the way, gently pulling Araki’s hand. Nanberry followed along with Araki pulling her hand. The water lapped first their feet then their ankles as they got further along the water. Nanberry started to shiver.

“We need to move a little faster,” Araki said.

“I can try,” Moogera said.

They picked up their pace as they continued along the edge of the chamber. The water level rose to their knees.

“It’s getting harder to move,” Moogera said.

“We don’t know how deep the water goes,” Nanberry said. “What if we have to swim?”

“Staying together could be tricky,” said Araki. “Can everyone swim?”

The silence that followed was pregnant with expectation.

“I can swim,” Araki said after a moment as the water rose above his knees.

“I can’t” Nanberry said.

“Neither can I,” Moogera said. “Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that.”

“Agreed,” Araki and Nanberry said together.

The water rose to their waists and Moogera started to shake.

“It’s getting cold,” Nanberry said, still shaking.

A beacon of light flickered on the far side of the chamber.

“Does everyone see that light?” Araki asked.

“Yes, I do,” Moogera and Nanberry both said.

As they pushed forward the slope of the ground rose, and they ascended out of the water. Dripping wet, they came to the light at the other side of the chamber in a small nook. The walls were covered with glowing mushrooms.

“Have you ever seen anything quite like it?” Moogera asked, breaking the silence.

Nanberry looked over the mushrooms and began to wring water out of her hair.

“If that last room was meant to represent the God of Despair then what would this room represent?” Araki asked.

“I can only think of two gods that could have an effect like this,” said Moogera.

“Tareem and Meerat,” Moogera said, her long hair now tied into a braid resting on her left shoulder.

“If you consider this be a nature thing sure,” said Nanberry. “You heard what the guard outside said: we need to go through this.”

“Do you think everything in here is a test of my leadership abilities?” Araki asked.

“No, but these mushrooms are the only source of light we have seen since we have come down here,” said Nanberry.

Araki took their hands. “Ladies, I know we don’t know each other very much and I want to make sure you two are in agreement when it comes to our new arrangement.”

They both smiled at each other and then they came in for a hug.

Nanberry stepped back. “We need to get through this, whatever this is.”

“I can see two ideas around this grove of mushrooms: either it’s set as a place for us to rest and gather our strength,” Araki said, “or we are to use the mushrooms for light into the next area.”

“They are both good ideas,” Nanberry smiled. “Do we need to rest now?”

Araki and Moogera shook their heads.

“Then we use them as a light source,” Nanberry said, walking to an arm-sized blue mushroom and pulling it out of the ground.

“It’s good to know they glow after they are uprooted,” Araki said. He pulled out another two mushrooms from the wall, one yellow and the other green.

Moogera pulled out a red one. Araki took the lead and marched down the tunnel away from the mushroom patch. After walking a few metres, the tunnel opened into a cube-like shape. The ground was covered in black and white patches of stone and on the other side was a door with a faint light flickering through a doorway. As Moogera stepped on the first black stone in front of her, the floor in front of her began to rise and she began to sink. She jumped back and the whole black and white stone floor returned to normal.

“What is going on?” Moogera asked.

“It seems this cave is full of trials for the new chieftain, trials that require the newly married couple to work together,” Araki said.

“How many trials do you think there are?” Nanberry asked.

“Since everyone has come through the trials, I don’t think that there are a lot.”

“We know they are beatable, not how long they take,” Moogera said.

“That is true,” Araki said. “We didn’t ask how long it takes to complete them.”

“This puzzle seems to react when we step on it,” Nanberry said. “What would happen if two people stepped on it?”

“Moogera, how about you and I step on these stones,” Araki said, “so that Nanberry can see what happens?”

Moogera nodded.

“On three,” Araki said. “One, two, three.” They both stepped forward and the floor shifted, the far side, rising and the stones below them dropping.

“It seems that the rate is the same regardless of how many people are on it,” Nanberry said. She stepped forward and joined them and the floor began to sink faster.

When Araki moved forward, moving onto another stone, the shifting slowed. He moved forward a second time and the shifting didn’t change.

“I think we need to get to the other side as quickly as we can,” Araki called to the women. They followed him. As they all moved forward, the shifting slowed and as they arrived in the centre, the shifting changed directions, heading back to balance. They pushed forward and began to run across the puzzle. The tilting floor began to dip towards the door on the other side. Araki reached it first and leaped up to the ledge on the end. Moogera jumped the last stones and landed next to Araki. The tilting slowed and then Nanberry arrived and had to climb up the wall to join them. Araki and Moogera helped to pull her up.

The door on the other side was lit with glowing runes. Araki read them. “The Unknown God blesses the balance you bring.”

“Was that for this room or is it a warning for the next?” Moogera asked.

“Whichever, it is not a good sign,” Nanberry said.

Araki turned to look at her and raised an eyebrow; her figure cast shadows from the glowing runes and from the mushroom he held.

“The Unknown God is not known for its fun and games,” Nanberry said. “Either we just passed a trial and it is pleased or there is worst to come.”

Araki strode through the archway with Moogera and Nanberry following him, holding each other. He held a glowing mushroom ahead of him and saw that the room curved to the left. Then they heard the sound of trickling water. He reached out behind him and Nanberry grabbed his hand.

The room widened to a large, open space, the sound of running water filling the room. They kept to the edge of the room and the light of the mushroom revealed a deep trench. Araki stopped and peered over the edge and whistled.

“That looks deep,” he said.

Moogera stepped up to the edge and peered down. “I can’t see the bottom,” she said, and she dropped one of her glowing mushrooms. It fell for a short while and then splashed into the water before it rushed off with the current to their left.

“At least we know where the water is,” Araki said. “I don’t think we can jump across there.”

“If we fall in, the current of the river will rip us away,” Nanberry said. “We won’t be able to save anyone that falls.”

Araki looked at the other side of the canyon. “The other side is too far away anyway,” he said. “We will need to find a way over. Maybe there is a bridge we can’t see.”

Araki turned to his right and walked along the edge of the cliff. Nanberry and Moogera followed slightly behind him. The walls behind them disappeared into the gloom and their only reference point became the cliff. The sound of running water to their left and the sound of their own breathing was all they heard. Finally, a small stone bridge ran out over the canyon and to the other side.

Nanberry and Moogera cheered as they came to the natural bridge.

“Stretch ourselves out,” Araki said. “We don’t know how strong this bridge is.”

Moogera took the rear and held her glowing mushroom out while Araki took the lead, pushing forward and holding onto Nanberry who was stretched between them. He inched out onto the bridge and the wind picked up, gently caressing his naked body. The bridge started to narrow as is reached the centre. He hoped that the bridge would hold his weight. When he reached the middle of the bridge and the stone didn’t give, he breathed a sigh of relief. Nanberry was stretched out halfway back from the edge while Moogera stood at the edge of the bridge.

“I am halfway. I think the bridge will hold,” Araki called over the rushing wind.

Moogera took her first steps onto the bridge and Nanberry pushed forward to her, her teeth chattering from the cool wind. Araki pushed forward and crossed the bridge. When they all had crossed, they gathered together and formed a group hug, sharing body heat. Nanberry soon stopped shivering. The heat of the women’s bodies on him stirred a feeling in his stomach and his member started to rise.

“We should try to finish this before we all freeze,” he said, turning away from them.

Both ladies wore a smile on their faces but said nothing and just kept following him.

Araki followed the canyon edge, heading back to the cavern wall. At the wall they followed it and soon an exit appeared to them. This exit was roughly cut and the runes that were on the edge read, “Rest and find your pleasure.”

Passing through, they came to a small alcove to their left that was covered in soft warm moss and more glowing mushrooms. A small pool of water sat in the corner that had a trickle of water coming in and it exited gently as the water didn’t flow out of the stone basin.

“I think we are to rest here,” Nanberry said.

“Why do you think that?” Araki asked.

“This place seems to be designed to give us rest,” Nanberry said. “First, there is water and I recognise some of these mushrooms as being good for eating.” She picked a large white and grey mushroom with brown patterns underneath. “For instance, this mushroom is one that I use in my cooking all the time. It is fine to eat without cooking and can be very filling.”

Moogera took the mushroom and inspected it. “She is right. This mushroom is edible.”

“Great,” sighed Araki as he sank into the soft gentle moss that covered the floor. “I think we should take some time and rest.”

Nanberry and Moogera collected enough mushrooms for them to eat. Araki lay down and the women fell in on either side of him and they were soon asleep.

***

Araki woke and sat up. He looked around him and the gently glowing mushrooms on the wall reminded him of where he was. A pressure on his bladder forced him to get up and walk to the edge of the room to relieve himself. Shaking himself dry, he walked up the corridor a little and came into the next room. The corridor ended at a cliff face that dropped off sharply and then opened into the room—a vast empty space. Raising his glowing mushroom above his head, he couldn’t see the roof and he couldn’t see the bottom of the cavern. A deep sense of despair hit him as he looked because there was no clear way across, and the path seemed to be a dead end.

“Araki,” a soft voice said behind him. He turned and saw Moogera standing behind him at the entrance of their sleeping cave. She was rubbing her eyes; her long dark hair was mussed up and covered her muscled body.

“What are you doing?” she murmured.

He walked back to her before placing a kiss on her forehead. “Just scouting ahead,” he said softly. “I was hoping I could work out the next puzzle.”

Moogera wrapped her arms around his waist and pulled him towards her firm body. “Did you work anything out?” she asked.

“No, the next room doesn’t seem to make sense,” he said to her.

“Nanberry’s still asleep,” she said, “I would like some time with my new husband.”

Araki turned her around and she led him back to the mushroom cave, away from Nanberry. She kissed him and pulled him down into the moss-covered floor.

***

22nd day of the 3rd month 650th year of the 8th era

Araki woke again and sat up. The warmth of Moogera had gone. He looked around the cavern and saw he was alone. He stood and walked to the edge of the cavern and peeked down the corridor. Both of his wives stood at the edge of the next puzzle room, holding a glowing mushroom above their heads.

“I don’t understand,” Nanberry said. “How are we to get across? I don’t see any path anywhere.”

“Araki said as much last night,” Moogera said.

“What are we going to do?” Nanberry said.

Araki stepped back into the cavern, picked a large glowing mushroom, and snapped it off the wall. Then he joined his wives at the edge.

“I think we need to go down,” he said and looked out over the edge. “The slope is steep but not impossible, if we are careful.”

They all looked down at the edge. The steep slopped out away from them. As Araki tossed his glowing mushroom over the edge, it flew out and rolled away, heading down the slope, before finally coming to a stop.

“That was clever,” Nanberry said, hands on her hips.

“Actually, it was,” Moogera said. “It gives us a reference point to head towards and shows us that the ground levels out eventually.”

Araki smiled at Nanberry who stuck out her tongue at him and his grin broadened. He leant over and gave her a kiss on the forehead before turning around and starting to descend the steep slope. He watched carefully for safe footings and handholds, leading the way towards his glowing mushroom.

“Take it slow and don’t rush,” he said. “I don’t think there is a time limit; we just need to concentrate and make it down safely.”

The women followed him. At the bottom, he picked up his glowing mushroom and scouted the bottom of the cavern. He heard a sudden rush of air and then a gentle pop as then a large bubble rose in front of him. Inside it was completely dark. A faint glow emerged from the centre and then a face. It was his face. The darkness was all about him and he was alone. Araki turned around. The women had reached the bottom of the slope and were looking up at the large bubble. Fear was written on their faces.

“What do you see?” he asked.

Nanberry swallowed loudly. “I see the man who killed my father, his sword dripping with blood and a smile on his face looking right at me.”

Araki nodded, sweat breaking out on his forehead.

Moogera whimpered. “I see myself on the grass, alone, no horse, no water and no weapon.”

Araki walked up to them and placed his hands on their shoulders blocking their view of the big bubble, and he leant in. “I see myself with a single light source in a sea of darkness.”

They both looked at him and met his eyes.

“It shows us our greatest fears,” Moogera said slowly.

Araki nodded.

“You are afraid of this room?” Nanberry asked.

Araki gulped and nodded. “I was hoping you wouldn’t find out but, this whole situation has me terrified. Please don’t leave me.”

They pulled him into a group hug and held him, comforting him with their presence and bodies.

“So how do we deal with the terror bubble?” he asked.

“Could we burst it?” Nanberry suggested.

Araki smiled, pulled away from his wives, and then walked over to the bubble and reached out to it. The image in the bubble hadn’t changed. He pushed down his mounting anxiety and when he touched the bubble, it popped and everyone sighed. The room began to glow and a pillar of light shot down on them from above. The ceiling was a made from stone and the sun was shining in through a small hole in the ceiling. The light framed Araki and he had to cover his eyes from the intensity. He stepped out and his eyes adjusted. He saw the exit cavern ahead of them. The women quickly rose and followed him out of the cavern. The tunnel twisted at first to their left and then to the right as they kept walking down the cavern. Light began to pour in from up ahead and they soon burst forth out into the bright sun of the early morning. Another small wooden wall stood covering the entrance. Two men stood just inside the wall at the door to the outside. They both cheered at them exiting the challenge. They banged on the door which was opened from the outside. They were escorted from the cavern and into the waiting tribes. A general cheer went up from the gathered crowd as they exited from the cavern. The elders were there to meet them and then ushered them into their newly build chieftain’s tent. It was large enough to support the whole newly-joined family and had space for several compartments, one for the wives, one for Araki, and another for children arrayed around the central front entrance chamber for cooking and gathering. Aquillia and Stella were both inside with the children, waiting for their return.

Araki gathered the children in his arms and gave them a big group hug. “You are my children,” he said. “As long as I live you have nothing to worry about. Go out and play.”

They all returned the hug and then rushed outside to join the other children in the clan.