Her calculations told said she had at least three hours before it began to grow dark. That was more than enough to get to the circle and back. She was just going to look around a few minutes. She could return back in the morning for a thorough examination.
The path along the cliff was safe enough. Her horse was not skittish under normal conditions and she knew she would be fine. There was nothing to worry about. Sergeant moved along beside her and then ahead, in a scout position. He often did this and she'd know immediately if he sensed danger.
The breeze off the water was still rather brisk and she was glad she had on a jacket. Looking out at the water she saw birds circling and diving. Obviously, there was something down there that interested them. She I could see but that would mean getting down and looking over the ledge. Not something anyone would be keen to do. The condition of the cliffs was unfamiliar to her. Perhaps she could get John to bring her here on his boat and study the coastline more closely. She knew that many places were simply not suitable for a boat of any kind to put ashore but it would be possible to at least get a look at the cliffs.
In truth, Samantha didn't believe her aunt's statement about there not being a way to the beaches below. People always made a path to the water, wherever they settled. It might not support shipping or even a small boat but she'd never seen anyone who didn't want to find a way to a beach. This area would be no different in my view. Some adventurous young man would have scaled these cliffs and made a path.
Once she reached the forest, the worst part of the trail began. That ten feet of land between the trail and the end of the world seemd very small and she was very aware that one mist step and she could be thrown off in to space. Once she reached the clearing she released a long sigh of relief to be in the open and away from the cliff.
Dismounting and tying the horse to a low bush nearby, Sam studied her surroundings. Nothing has changed. Three rings of stones stood in concentric circles, each ring a bit taller than the rest. She tired to overlay the reality with her dream of the building she'd been in. It didn't seem to match. There had been huge supporting columns inside and the walls outside... there was no indication of walls here.
Turning in a circle she studied the ground. Could all signs of them have disappeared? How long ago had the temple, for that's how she thought of it, how long ago had it stood here? A frown creased her brow. Had it ever stood here at all? Had it really been just a dream?
Signing, she turned and headed across the circle to where the stone table stood in the center. The reluctance she felt to touch it was powerful and she felt almost sick at the thought. There was no one here to help her if something happened to her here. She should have brought Ian but she didn't think Ian was comfortable with all this.
"I'm not touching that thing." The words were only a whisper but their sound surprised her. Sergeant looked at her, his head canted to one side. She laughed. "Sorry, boy, I was talking to myself."
Making a slow circle around the table she studied it as close as possible without attempting to touch it. She saw now that there were marking on the pedestal base. It was difficult to make them out because the top overshadowed it. Reading them would mean getting on her knees with a light. She had no light.
Sam looked around. The air here was so heavy. Perhaps the mountains that circled one side and the thick forest on the other prevented adequate circulation. She stood up and moved toward the gate on the far side of the clearing. This is where she's found the fire in her dreams and had actually met her ancestress. Perhaps she'd be waiting for her now.
Sergeant made a sound as she moved away and she looked back at him. He stood, feet planted, head lowered and his eyes on something beyond her. She glanced back but saw nothing.
"What's wrong, boy? What do you see?"
He looked at her and then back to that point beyond her. Sam turned and after a short hesitation she moved toward the wood. She hear the dog move behind her. When she reached the gate, she saw it was close and she reached out to push it open. The shriek of the rusty hinges startled her and she jumped slightly, then laughed at her own foolishness.
Sergeant brushed against her legs as he pushed his way past and through the gate ahead of her.
The path along the cliff was safe enough. Her horse was not skittish under normal conditions and she knew she would be fine. There was nothing to worry about. Sergeant moved along beside her and then ahead, in a scout position. He often did this and she'd know immediately if he sensed danger.
The breeze off the water was still rather brisk and she was glad she had on a jacket. Looking out at the water she saw birds circling and diving. Obviously, there was something down there that interested them. She I could see but that would mean getting down and looking over the ledge. Not something anyone would be keen to do. The condition of the cliffs was unfamiliar to her. Perhaps she could get John to bring her here on his boat and study the coastline more closely. She knew that many places were simply not suitable for a boat of any kind to put ashore but it would be possible to at least get a look at the cliffs.
In truth, Samantha didn't believe her aunt's statement about there not being a way to the beaches below. People always made a path to the water, wherever they settled. It might not support shipping or even a small boat but she'd never seen anyone who didn't want to find a way to a beach. This area would be no different in my view. Some adventurous young man would have scaled these cliffs and made a path.
Once she reached the forest, the worst part of the trail began. That ten feet of land between the trail and the end of the world seemd very small and she was very aware that one mist step and she could be thrown off in to space. Once she reached the clearing she released a long sigh of relief to be in the open and away from the cliff.
Dismounting and tying the horse to a low bush nearby, Sam studied her surroundings. Nothing has changed. Three rings of stones stood in concentric circles, each ring a bit taller than the rest. She tired to overlay the reality with her dream of the building she'd been in. It didn't seem to match. There had been huge supporting columns inside and the walls outside... there was no indication of walls here.
Turning in a circle she studied the ground. Could all signs of them have disappeared? How long ago had the temple, for that's how she thought of it, how long ago had it stood here? A frown creased her brow. Had it ever stood here at all? Had it really been just a dream?
Signing, she turned and headed across the circle to where the stone table stood in the center. The reluctance she felt to touch it was powerful and she felt almost sick at the thought. There was no one here to help her if something happened to her here. She should have brought Ian but she didn't think Ian was comfortable with all this.
"I'm not touching that thing." The words were only a whisper but their sound surprised her. Sergeant looked at her, his head canted to one side. She laughed. "Sorry, boy, I was talking to myself."
Making a slow circle around the table she studied it as close as possible without attempting to touch it. She saw now that there were marking on the pedestal base. It was difficult to make them out because the top overshadowed it. Reading them would mean getting on her knees with a light. She had no light.
Sam looked around. The air here was so heavy. Perhaps the mountains that circled one side and the thick forest on the other prevented adequate circulation. She stood up and moved toward the gate on the far side of the clearing. This is where she's found the fire in her dreams and had actually met her ancestress. Perhaps she'd be waiting for her now.
Sergeant made a sound as she moved away and she looked back at him. He stood, feet planted, head lowered and his eyes on something beyond her. She glanced back but saw nothing.
"What's wrong, boy? What do you see?"
He looked at her and then back to that point beyond her. Sam turned and after a short hesitation she moved toward the wood. She hear the dog move behind her. When she reached the gate, she saw it was close and she reached out to push it open. The shriek of the rusty hinges startled her and she jumped slightly, then laughed at her own foolishness.
Sergeant brushed against her legs as he pushed his way past and through the gate ahead of her.
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