"It gets better. This way." Dagaa urged them on.
They wandered down a path, away from the underground river, which dipped deep into the ground. Providence was glad Dagaa seemed so familiar with where he was going, otherwise she would've freaked out a little. The idea of being lost deep beneath the earth was a bit nerve racking.
They circled around a narrow bend, squeezing through a tight fissure that made Providence feel a bit claustrophobic. The rocky walls shifted in texture. Projections started jutting out here and there like massive angular icicles. The deeper they went, the more crystalline stalagmite and stalactites there were, and they grew in size, lining the precarious trail.
The cavern suddenly opened into a vast gallery. Dagaa turned up his lantern and set it on a massive crystal nearby. Providence stared in awe as she looked up.
"It's like the inside of a giant geode." She exclaimed in a whisper of wonderment as she turned in circles.
Madhava's mouth stood open, stupefied by the venerable sight.
The room was filled with pale blue crystals, jutting out from every inch of the ceiling, walls and floor. Most of the clear azure gems were larger than anyone of them, most the height of two men at least.
"I'm amazed that something like this is even possible." Madhava finally found his voice.
"I know! We have small rocks like this back home. But holy cow." Providence declared.
Her voice echoed through the cavern and a melodic hum resonated back from the giant crystals. Providence paused and her eyes widened at the singing rocks.
"That's the other fun thing about this cavern." Dagaa laughed at her shocked expression.
"Hello!" Providence called out loud then listened to the crystals' bright hum.
"Listen." Dagaa said then began singing a deep throaty song that reminded Providence of a Tibetan chant.
The bass bounced between the crystals, sending them vibrating. When Madhava joined in the tune became so intense that it jarred Providence to her soul. It was beautiful and intricate the way the men's voices and the sound from the crystals rose and fell almost like a musical round.
There were moments in Providence's life that stayed with her, like her first jump, or the bottle of wine she shared with her friends in Sonoma Valley. But this string of moments, here in the Primal forest on an alien planet, would carry her to her dying day.
Providence looked at her two unusual yet stunningly handsome males as they sang. She took a deep breath, smelling the humid air, scented with a salty mineral odor, then closed her eyes to commit everything to memory.
Dagaa and Madhava stopped their enchanting song and looked to Providence encouraging her to sing something.
"I don't know too many songs." Providence said shyly.
"Come on. Anything sounds awesome in here." Dagaa coaxed.
"Okay."
Providence started up the only song she thought might sound neat in the space, one of the few she knew by heart and didn't butcher too bad.
"Ohhhhh say can you see.... By the dawn's early light..."
The high pitched ringing melody didn't disappoint her as her men smiled at her tune. When she finished, Providence sighed in satisfaction.
"That was beautiful. What was it?" Madhava asked as he wrapped an arm around her.
"It's our national anthem. What were you singing?"
"An old tribal song from long before the war." Dagaa answered. "Well you want to head back? I brought some padana steaks for dinner."
"Okay sounds good." Providence loved padana, it was so juicy and tender.
The trio picked their way out of the cave and mounted their manx to head back to Dagaa's treehouse. Providence was ready to sit and relax by a campfire, to ruminate on the awesome day.
As the manx traversed one of the mountain trails the beast she rode suddenly paused, the hair on the back of its neck standing on end. The feline's eyes widened as it turned left then right. All three manx suddenly bolted down the mountain pass, running at a breakneck pace like the hounds of hell were nipping at their heels.
Providence gripped the reigns, attempting to slow the beast to no avail. She leaned forward holding on for dear life, as Madhava and Dagaa yelled at their manx, attempting to wrangle the frightened creatures. Her manx veered off the path crashing swiftly through the underbrush. It huffed and frothed as it raced down the mountainside.
Providence stared at the rapidly approaching branch, it was too low. She shifted to the side, hoping to grab hold of the limb, but lost her balance. Providence hit the ground knocking the wind out of her.
Providence rolled over, catching a glimpse of her manx as it bolted off without a glance backwards for its lost rider. The guys were nowhere to be seen.
She heard loud rustling an instant later, as she attempted to stand up, clutching her aching side. Providence froze as the sound got louder and closer.