Prologue
Lime-drenched water drips off stalactites in a dark cavern hidden amongst dry scrub at the base of rocky foothills. In the darkness, the sound of dripping water fills the space, a song that stirs his mind. The cavern is so vast it may well have been positioned amongst the stars – except there was, in the beginning, no light of any sort. He can feel the hard, wet ground beneath his stepping feet. A sense of time begins when his eyes make out a pinprick of light in the distance. He is aware of progress as the light slowly inflates into an opening.
He stands at the mouth of the cave. Spread before him, he sees a thick, forested land with leaves freshly unfurled on the trees. At the base of trees sprouted bulbs of onion weed, pungent mushrooms and toadstools. It is drizzling; a light, clean drizzle that releases the world’s myriad scents.
Finally, the drizzle ceases and as drips – reminiscent of the drips in the cavern – fall from branches, he leaves the cave and enters the world.
In the distance, something glitters like a beautiful jewel. He is drawn towards the display. The jewel turns into a lake. He walks towards the lake. It seems the right thing to do.
