Fallen Goddess

Zayne was 28 years old on a ship headed straight for Brazil from Ireland he had set out to sea the day he turned 18 and had traveled to many countries in his time on his ship The Naked Eye he’d spent the better half of his childhood building the pirate ship with his bare hands every board and nail was put together with his own blood sweat and tears goddess knows he cursed enough every time he hit his fingers with that hammer. Zayne was taller than most standing at about 6 foot his muscular physique was more than a sight for sore eyes built like a brick wall and could tear thru one easy enough his shoulder length dirty blonde hair was soiled and matted from being on the ship for to long he couldn’t wait to set foot on land to scrub the dirt from his body. He heard one of his crew members shout “ Land ho” he immediately broke from his trance and set his emerald green eyes on the beautiful land before him. The exotic nature ahead barreled him leaving him speechless he let his eye take it in the lush green fields covered with bright vibrant flowers and trees a mountain lined the far edge of the island that’s where the cave was that was hidden by a waterfall he had only heard about it but it’s why he was there with his crew. They docked by the village that filled the front of the island with little huts and cottages, people working in the field, shops or just wondering the town paid no attention to the ship despite its size. Zayne went into the captain’s room to get his bag ready tho he knew he needed to buy new clothes this stop he was hoping he could find a seamstress to fix he few pairs of pants and shirts that were worn from the voyage he hoped more than anything that the native tongue was English or close to it so he could get what he needed for him and his crew “ Are you ready to unload the cargo captain?” One of his crewman his right hand man had approached from the deck to ask his name was Brian he’d been with zayne the longest after his first dock in Africa he’d run into brian looking for adventure because he had lost his way in the world ever since then Brian had been the first to get off the ship so he could help Zayne dismount the rest of the crew and any cargo that would be sold in case the money was different here than other places they had learned their lesson the first time. The crew unloaded everything and found their way to a bathhouse and inn to settle for the night as the sun set the captain wondered if they would find the treasure with the current population he wouldn’t be surprised if someone else had found it first but he would have to wait till Morning to ask the natives if they knew anything Zayne woke the next morning ready to set out on his adventure he knew he needed to meet with the chief of the tribe here to get a layout of the land and know any obstacles they may need to over come on the way so he dressed packed his bag with essentials and headed out of the inn. After speaking with the chief zayne had a map and all the information he needed according to the chief no one had made it past the trials you must pass to enter the cave. The first trial was one for wit you had to solve a puzzle and the second trial was for respect tho he had no idea what the trial was as no one had made it that far and the third was for the pure of heart zayne feared no one would make it past the third trial but he had hope. He gathered his men in the center of the town making sure everyone was armed and ready for anything including the three day hike it would take to get there bags packed and men eager to find the treasure they set off into the forest on a path the chief told him about. Zayne stayed in the back of the group enjoying the scenery and the smells of nature knowing Brian was at the head clearing anything that may be in the path and looking out for danger he had no doubt brian could handle any situation that came his way. Tho he was small he made up for it with speed. The rest of his men followed but he could tell they were growing tired of traveling a few more hours travel might cut out some travel for tomorrow he didn’t want to stop until it was closer to dark. “Captain!” He heard Brian say frantic zayne rushed his way to the front moving his men out of his way without hurting anyone…. He stopped dead in his tracks upon seeing why Brian had been so worried how was this possible? He asked himself “I’ve never seen anything like it.” He said aloud without realizing Standing before them was a statue of a beautiful woman tho she was made of stone he could see all her features as if she was standing there in a sheer gown her long hair stopped just above her very plump buttocks it was round and looked like if you touched it it would jiggle but be smooth. Her thick thighs being squeezed by the tight fitting dress she was shown wearing he found himself wondering what color her eyes were but the stone had no answers for that or any hint of what color her skin or dress was everything was smooth stone. “Captain?” He heard Brian say pulling him out of he’s reverie “yes?” He said making it obvious he hadn’t been listening “what would you like to do with the statue sir?” He asked with a knowing look “Have one of the men take it back to the ship and stay there to make sure no one takes it” He ordered Brian noded and sent nomad and gruff to do the deed . Zayne saw the sun starting to set and decided to set camp for the night. The next morning zayne was up when the sun began to rise he was determined to get as close to the cave as possible judging by the map they had only shaved a a few hours off the day before which was better than none but he wanted to make more progress so he packed everything up woke his crew and forced everyone to set off with him he knew they’d be grumpy but he also didn’t care so he pressed forward into the jungle grumbling men behind him. They traveled for miles clearing trees and bushes thru the trail that hadn’t been traveled in a while making head way was a bit harder now than it had been earlier but zayne didn’t slow down knowing the farther he pressed the less they would have to travel tomorrow. “Captain.” He heard Brian over his shoulder he turned to see what he needed no one seemed to be in danger he looked at him questioningly “the sun is setting captain should we settle for the night?” Brian asked making zayne more aware of the crews current state they were worn and tired from the trip he’d pushed hard and moved fast not seeing how hard he was pushing his crew “I guess it would be best to let the men rest.” He thought to himself “Alright, go ahead and set up camp im gonna forge ahead a little further just to clear some path for tomorrow I shouldn’t be long.” He said to Brian who nodded acknowledging zaynes order. Zayne moved forward quite a ways before his body started to ache from the days work. It was dark now and he couldn’t see his hand in front of his face so he turned back headed to where his crew had set up camp once he arrived he crawled in his tent and crashed hard sleeping deeply through the night. Brian woke before the others sitting up still wrapped in his sleeping bag he unwrapped himself and crawled out of his tent stretching his long arms he wasn’t surprised captain wasn’t awake he pushed himself way to hard yesterday trying to make it to the cave. Brian decided to see how far Zayne had pushed forward maybe it wasn’t for nothing. He moved forward thru the path zayne had made the night before. Brian made it to what seemed to be the end of the Forrest tunnel made of leaves and brush stepping out the shadowed lane he squinted in the bright sun beaming on the other side he held his hand up to block the sun and he stopped dead in his tracks shocked by the view before him. The waterfall flowing down the mountain before him was a sight for sore eyes. The clear-blue water washed over the rocks at his feet sometimes about them was a little off he’d never seen rocks that glistened like gold, the pool of water at the bottom of the waterfall was full of them he picked on up to inspect it running his thumb against the rigid edge of the stone as he turned it the rock seemed to be coming apart but at second glance he realized underneath a layer of filth was a gold lump. The years of sitting in the pool must have caused a build up of dirt and grime making the gold look like rocks, he knew what this meant the cave was near by he turned back and ran as fast as his feet could carry him back to camp ready to tell the captain what he had found. Brian flew into the camp making the men that were packing up turn to see what was wrong but none spoke Brian ignored their questioning glances and headed straight for the captains tent flinging the flap open, it was dark inside it took a moment for Brians eyes to adjust but when they did he could see the captain on his knees rolling up his clothes and blanket to shove in his bag . “Captain I…” he was cut off “ what is is Brian we still have a days walking to do and I overslept “ Zayne said his voice deep and rusty like he had only just woken up . “ zayne I found the cave I found it and there’s a pool of gold at the entrance it’s just ahead where you stopped pushing last night “ brown said in a rush trying to avoid getting cut off again the captains eyes lit up with excitement zayne shoved everything into his pack and swung it over his shoulder “well what are you waiting for let’s go.” Zayne said as he brushed past brian “hurry up and pack this camp we need to move.” Zayne ordered to the crew they hustled and in no time they had everything packed and ready to move, zayne moved towards the path he had cut the night before ready for the adventure ahead . The crew followed zayne through the brush tunnel moving slowly watching for danger as they made their way thru zayne was at the head of the crew leading and Brian at the back making sure no man was left behind. Zayne came out of the tunnel and squinted in the bright light. With the way the sun was shining it reflected off the gold in the water causing rays of light highlighting the wall where the entrance of the cave was, zayne was eager to get started he set his back pack down on the river bank and sifted through until he found his makeshift strainer, “here use this to get as much gold as you can out of the river and we’ll be back when we’ve cleared the cave” he said to Vernon and micheal who immediately set to work. Zayne had Brian and Floyd follow him inside having everyone else stay outside in case there were any traps laid ahead, they delved into the dimly lit cave the narrow path was made all of stone you could tell by the way the walls got so close together in some areas as they moved through that no one had been in the cave for years Zayne pushed his way through felling the walls of the cave the whole way through moving carefully in case of traps or slick stone. Brian and Floyd followed close behind as they made their way deeper into the cave, Zayne noticed as the walls widened out farther as they got deeper he chose the left wall to lean against for security hoping it would lead him in the right direction and straight to the treasure that was said to be inside. One wrong step zaynes foot slide off and edge he couldn’t see thankfully brian grasped his wrist and pulled him back to his feet he lay his body flush against the wall not sure how deep the other side of the cave was he didn’t want to take any chances. “We need to make a torch out of something there’s enough stone in here I’m sure we could find some flint, we can use my old coin as steel.” Zayne said aloud Brian squared down felling the ground for loose stones he picked one up and struck it against the ground, nothing he tossed it aside and felt for another his hands closed around yet another stone he struck it against the ground a small spark struck out in the darkness. “Okay cap I got the flint now we just need the torch.” It was Floyd’s turn now he felt his way backwards a few feet and felt the walls for vines and hopefully a branch or root. Floyd ran his hands up the wall, then back down, disappointed he felt nothing but stone he moved further back the way the had come in felling the wall finally his fingers brushed over what felt like grass or wheat it was thick but soft it would definitely burn, Floyd continued sliding his feet as he worked his way back towards Brian and the captain his foot caught on something thick he squatted down and wrapped his hand around it. It was thick and sturdy it had something squishy on it assuming it was dirt or mud he scraped it off with his nails and continued. He joined the other men and gave everything he found to Brian who passed it forward to the captain. Zayne leaned against the wall as he tied the grass or whatever it was around the torch handle, he then took the stone Brian found and struck it against his coin, the spark lit the torch almost instantaneously he froze staring at the torch and what it was made of he knew he couldn’t tell the men yet he’d wait till they found the treasure but it was understandable the torch was a human bone and the flammable substance looked like burning hair and grass mixed together