On the second day of our adventure through the center of the earth, we entered a great cavern of what appeared to be glowing marble. In the torchlight, all the colors of the rainbow seemed to be embedded in the rock, and it looked as soft and pliable as a stiff pudding.

Alban approached the nearest wall, hypnotized by the colors, and stretching forth her hand, pulled out a sizeable handful of the molten rock. Cool to the touch, the marble started to harden as soon as it was dislodged from the wall and so she quickly dropped it onto the floor of the cave. In the space of ten seconds, the soft, jelly-like rock had turned completely hard.

Zyndal then took a handful from the wall and quickly shaping it into a round ball, placed it on the floor. As before, the marble hardened, this time into a perfectly beautiful round ball of marble. Wondering looks passed among us, and as I was about to take my turn at the soft rock, the newly-created ball began to roll down the trail ahead.

Alban, desiring to take the treasure back with her to the surface, went running after it. The straight pathway leading into the darkness ahead was quite steep and so the ball kept just out of her reach. Zyndal, worried that Alban might trip in the dark, quickly followed with his torch.

Suddenly, just ahead, we heard the sound of a small splash, and following the sound, found ourselves standing on a smooth rock that jutted out over a shimmering silver river.

In the gently moving tide, colorful diamonds seemed to be sprinkled over the surface of the riverbed. The marble ball also seemed to be just out of his reach under the water. Since it appeared to be shallow, Alban bent down to retrieve the newly created wonder. Laying down to reach into the water, she easily grasped the ball from the riverbed, but as she did so, a strange, faraway look seemed to come over her face. Standing up, she looked about, as one waking up from a deep sleep.

I spoke to her, but Alban simply looked at me without acknowledgement, as though she was in a trance. Suddenly alarmed, Zyndal spoke quietly to his staff and a blue light began to emanate from the top of his staff. The light shimmered out from the staff and encircled Alban in a warm blue haze. As though from a great distance, Alban slowly tried to speak, but without success.

Zyndal worriedly confided that we had discovered the legendary River of Forgetfulness. We stood now in a very dangerous place. The river enchantment caused those who touch the water to forget everything. It was urgent that we escape with Alban. Raising my hands to shoulder height, traces of flame began to rise gently from my fingertips.

The cavern was suddenly flooded with light, and facing Alban, I sent the flames of magic directly into Alban's face. This seemed to be too much for Alban, and she began to fall backwards into the water. Fortunately for Alban, the blue haze that Zyndal had created enveloped her and prevented her fall into the water. The unworldly haze simply cradled her body, catching her in midair.

Zyndal and I now had to decide our next move in this epic battle against time to save Alban. I asked Zyndal, "in the stream of consciousness, how will the winds of night approach the dawning day if the clouds of yesteryear stay above the night skies"? Zyndal, knowing my cadence of speech, replied that, "as the clock ticks away, so will the memory of Alban be. She must be rescued immediately, lest all her knowledge perish".

The race was on! Zyndal, with his staff, was able to move the blue haze with Alban in it wherever he wished, and so, with Alban floating ahead, we began our arduous journey in search of a remedy. The thought of going back was impossible since we had already begun our downward descent two days ago. The hope of Alban retaining her memory for another two days in order to reach the surface seemed to be impossible. Our only course was to forge ahead and hope.

As we slowly progressed down the trail, the torchlight flickered ominously against the walls of our prison. A prison for Alban's mind it would surely be, if time worked against us. Step by step, we slowly moved through the eerie cave, the sound of our ragged breathing echoing softly against the walls.

Suddenly, through the deadly silence, a remarkable sound was heard. Somewhere ahead, a soft melody broke the stillness. A young voice, singing in an unknown language, carried a plaintiff melody that made the heart ache. How could this be? Singing? Down here? No one was expected, but, hoping that a rescue might be close at hand, we doubled our efforts in pushing forward.

As we rounded a corner of the cave, there, in a pool of light, sat a young man quietly singing to himself. Looking anxiously around, we cautiously approached the singer. Who could this mysterious person be, sitting in the soft glow from a candle in the crevice of the cavern wall? The vocalist looked up as we came into the light, and smiling, addressed us in our own language. "Assistance is yours if you need it", he quietly said.

Zyndal was taken aback at the greeting, but I gently answered, "in the stern of foreboding dwells the gnawing temper of freedom. If possible, gauge the efforts of order and make peace with tomorrow". "Of course", he replied and immediately, changing the tenor of his melody, began a new song, softly weaving the sound of sunny days and balmy breezes into the melody.

The music floated through the cavern, and in our minds eye, we could hear the singing of birds and the wind in the trees, and feel the sun on our faces. An exquisite feeling of euphoria overtook us and we felt as if we could leap for joy. On and on the melody rose, sweeping us into an enchantment beyond description. How this was possible, who could tell, but knowing the healing power of music, we rejoiced in the intoxicating aura.

Alban, evidently absorbing the music, began to stir from her involuntary slumber. Her eyes began to flicker, then her pale face began to take on it's customary color. A smile creased her face and, with eyes still closed, she began to hum along as this mysterious musician continued the rapturous song.

The blue haze that had shielded Alban now began to dissipate and she stood once again, fully conscious, on her own two feet. The song ended as quietly as it had begun, and we looked at each other in silence.

Grateful that Alban had been liberated, I addressed the stranger again. "We thank you for your assistance in our dilemma. Is there anything that we can do to repay your kindness"?

The young man replied, "It was my pleasure to help you. I am known as Ryannus. My people have inhabited these underground regions for countless generations. The River of Forgetfulness, for us, is only a nuisance to be ignored. There are several cures, I have only used one. But, do not ignore the lesson of today. Many are the perils here below of which you have no knowledge. Continue on your journey with a steadfast heart, but watch your footing. There are worse things to be encountered in these regions than this past event."

Alban spoke up saying, "My thanks, Ryannus. In the land from which you have awakened me, I was ready to stay. You have my eternal thanks. Would you care to accompany us for awhile?"

Ryannus answered saying, "It would please me to walk with you, for I would learn more of the events on the surface. Our people rarely venture out of these caves and your life above ground has always intrigued me. We can learn from one another."

Thus it happened that Ryannus joined us in several more adventures below the surface of the earth, and later, returned with us to the estate. I will relate those details in the future. For now, enjoy the music track and relive this exciting adventure in your own mind.......Davutus