It was dusk by the time they arrived at the ritual cave. Amun was standing guard at the entrance dressed in colorful priestly robes. He held a ceremonial oil lamp suspended from a long chain that beamed rainbow hues of light in several directions.

Amun's expression showed no emotion. Mary interpreted this as a sign of displeasure at the inclusion women in what was traditionally a men's ceremony.

Amun handed Mirium the end of a braided rope. He directed her to enter the cave and proceed carefully through the dark, using the rope as a guide, to a curtained off area where she and Mary could observe the ceremony.

"Sit quietly" he instructed. "You need to be settled before we can begin the ritual."

Mirium took Mary's hand and led the way. They felt their way slowly to the ropes end where they found a small bench behind a curtain that separated them from the main area. They sat in the dark and waited.

Several minutes passed. Mary could hear sounds of movement in the dark, and an occasional throat clearing.

Suddenly, there was the sound of a ram's horn coming from outside the cave, and a voice started to chant:

"Great Shepard. I was asleep in the field. I woke up cold and alone in the night."

The horn blew again and another voice continued:

"Looking up, I saw the stars sparkle and turn. Your eyes comforted me."

The horn blew a third time and now there was a chorus of deep voices chanting:

"May the fire I build, be a light to follow on my journey home."

Then there was silence.

In the darkness, Mary saw lights appear from the other side of the curtain. As the flickering lights moved closer, she could see figures move into the area and sit in a circle.

Next, there was a flash of bright light and a plume of smoke that became a large bonfire in the middle of the circle. When the smoke cleared, she could see that Jesus and John were standing, almost naked before the flame. On either side were Amun and Eran, and surrounding them the rest of the brothers sat in a circle.

Mary's heart leapt, as she realized that Jesus secret might have been revealed to the men. She hoped that no one was looking too closely. She closed her eyes and reached out to clutch Mirium's hand. Mirium put her arm around Mary and whispered in her ear, "Don't worry. He is safe here."

Amun spoke. "From the great darkness, that holds all things, we come to this place. In this form, we take root in the light, to begin a path of discovery. From here, we find our way, as men of knowledge. Through this path we become flowers of the light. Flowers, that we humbly place before He who made us."

"Why have you come here to this world?" he asked the boys.

In response, John struck a gong and answered, "I am John of Hebron, born of Zacharius and Elizabeth. It is my journey to be righteous in the pursuit of God's truth and strength, and to share my path with others." John struck the gong again and handed the mallet to Jesus.

Then Jesus struck the gong, and spoke: "I am Jesus of Nazareth, born of Joseph and Mary. It is my journey to be generous and truthful in pursuit of His love for His children, and to share my path with others." Jesus struck the gong again.

The rams horn blew again three times and then there was silence.

Next Eran spoke: "I am Eran, of Alexandria, born of Ankethu and Misailiah. I welcome John and Jesus into the brotherhood. Wear these special garments, to shield you from the world of form, from evil forces and from life's distraction."

He handed each of them simple wool robes, which they quickly donned to cover themselves.

"Wear these garments in the temple. When there is no physical temple, find the temple within yourself. To His glory!"

The rams horn blew three more times.

At the roof of the cave, an opening appeared when a heavy cloth was rolled away to reveal the nighttime sky. At first just a sliver like the new moon, when it opened it revealed the full circle of the dark blue sky filled with stars.

The flame in the center of the room was extinguished making the room quite dim. Mary could barely see the men any more. When she looked up, though she could see her favorite constellations overhead.

After a while, Mary felt Eran's familiar hand on her shoulder. He whispered in her ear that the ritual was over. He handed her the braided rope and told her to follow it out of the cave to wait for the others.

Outside, the women waited as first the brothers and then Amun and Eran emerged.

Amun explained that as part of their initiation, the boys must find their way out of the cave without help. "Let us go back to the main hall and begin our celebration feast. They will be along soon, I hope."

Everyone laughed.

Mary and Eran walked together back to the encampment. The night air smelled of cedar and acacia trees and the sky was filled with so many, many stars.

(End of Chapter 31)