The Last of the Sea Elves

by R. A. Cheatham

  “Come now,” a deep male voice thundered. “If Pacha says she’s on the way, she’s on the way. There’s no use arguing with a seer.”

  A woman with a shrill voice answered him, speaking almost too fast to be understood.

  “I know, I know,” she sang. “But don’t you wish the seers could be more specific in their timing? ‘On her way’ is a little vague. Besides, I’d like to be here when a Sea elf shows up in our village. What a rare opportunity that is! Especially with the sailors giving news the way they do these days.”

  The blood rushed to Kamo’s cheeks, and her heart started pounding in her chest. Rolin looked at her with a finger pressed to his lips. Then he pointed up to the top and beckoned her to follow him. He began to climb the ridge slowly and quietly.

  Kamo’s hands were clammy and sweating as she climbed after him. A mix of excitement and fear stirred in her veins. Seers were notoriously unreliable, yet here she was on her way to Blosso, and Pacha knew she was coming. That was something, at least.

  The two voices at the top of the ridge continued to talk as Rolin and Kamo snuck their way to the plateau.

  Rolin paused ahead of her and pointed to a bush just below the plateau where the strangers stood. Rolin looked somber and cautious, so Kamo scrambled behind it and hid as Rolin walked the rest of the way up to join the two strangers.

  Though Kamo couldn’t see Rolin anymore, she heard as he introduced himself.

  “Good morning,” Rolin greeted them confidently. Kamo imagined Rolin offering his hand with the most charming crooked smile on his face.

  “I apologize. I couldn’t help but overhear from the trail. Did you say a Sea elf is on her way to Blosso right now?” Rolin sounded surprised and intrigued, as if he hadn’t been traveling with a Sea elf for the last few days. Kamo grinned. Rolin was a good actor.

  The woman answered first. “Yes, and Philip decided that we should leave today, of all days! I will be incensed if that elf shows up before we get back!” she said.

  “Calm down, Rima,” the man replied. “Pacha says it may be some time yet, and you know that we need to visit Tartha to sell to the humans before the snowstorms set in.”

  His voice was gruff but reassuring. Kamo silently giggled. Well aware that they may meet dangerous Earth elves along their journey, she couldn’t help but feel that this bickering, old couple posed no threat. In fact, they seemed kind and pleasant. Trusting her gut, she pushed the bush out of her way as she walked up the rest of the ridge and into the couple’s sight.

  “Tell me,” she said, as she let her hair fall from its high bun and turned her head to show off her blue scales, “is Pacha always this good at predictions?”

  The woman squealed with excitement, and Kamo saw a blur of green and brown as she ran to Kamo and pulled her into a tight embrace. After a moment of confusion, Kamo gently released her and held her away from her face. An Earth elf. She was short, only measuring to the top of Kamo’s ribcage in height. Though her hands and wrinkles showed her age, her hair shimmered green and yellow in the sun, and her green scales glistened when they caught the light. Her skin glowed tan like the shoreline at sunset. Her eyes were as gray as the stone of the mountain. She smiled at Kamo, her eyes almost filled with tears. Kamo smiled back, and a tear fell down her cheek. It had been a long time since she’d seen anyone with scales, and though this woman was not a Sea elf with blue scales, the green made her feel more at home than she had in a year.

  “You see, Philip?” she shouted to him, patting him softly on the arm, “I told you Pacha knew she would come to us soon!”

  Philip chuckled obligingly.

  “Yes, Rima, you were right.”

  Kamo turned her attention to Philip. She expected to see the same brilliant green hair, but instead, the sunbeams bounced off the top of Philip’s shiny, bald head. His face was wrinkled, but his skin was still the same tan as Rima’s, and his eyes matched her stone gray eyes if only a little darker in shade.

  Rima turned her attention back to Kamo. She grabbed her hands and said, “Bless you, dear, why on earth are you here? Not that I’m not pleased to meet you, don’t get me wrong,” she babbled, “but what is a Sea elf doing so far from the sea? It makes no sense! What’s your name, dear? You must be tired from traveling. Would you like some provisions?”

  Rima continued to ramble and dig in her small pack for food as Kamo smiled and blushed. Rima felt familiar. Her chattering and motherly concern reminded Kamo of her mother, Kulpa. Kamo wiped the tears from her eyes as Kulpa’s smiling face crept as a ghost to the front of her mind. Rima was comforting and torturous in the same breath, and still, Kamo couldn’t help but feel thankful as Rima pressed a loaf of bread into her hand, urging her to eat.

  “Thank you,” Kamo whispered as she wiped more tears. She cleared her throat and continued, “My name is Kamo Rana.”

  Rima paused as she pulled another loaf of bread from her pack. She tilted her head and gave a sideways glance at Philip, then looked at Kamo with solemn, questioning eyes.

  “Rana? As in Morro Rana?” she asked slowly.

  Kamo blinked and stared hard into Rima’s eyes. Her pulse quickened, and she felt flips in her stomach.

  “Morro Rana was my father, yes,” Kamo said, never breaking her gaze. “How did you know him? I didn’t know he had traveled to Blosso.”

  In all his years of travel and trade, Kamo had never heard her father mention Blosso or any interaction with the Earth elves.

  “Don’t be silly, dear,” Rima replied in a warm, sing-song tone. “Morro never came to Blosso. When I was a younger woman, I had a dream to see Bellia. Because of Philip, that dream came true many years ago, and when it did, Morro was the first Sea elf on the island to welcome the Earth elves as visitors.”

  Philip nodded.

  “Your father was a kind man, Miss Rana,” he said as he walked toward her. He put one arm around his wife. “He showed us all the beauties of Bellia and even some in Croma. He was a young man then, full of energy and bliss. He loved his islands and his people, and he wasn’t afraid of sharing his culture. Though many Sea elves shunned us at the time of our visit, Morro made us feel as though we were part of his family. Many of the villagers in Blosso visited Bellia after his welcoming kindness became well known. He never told you about us? He called us ‘the green, gray visitors,’ as a sort of nickname,” he said with a chuckle.

  Kamo knit her eyebrow in confusion. Suddenly, the late morning sun pressed very warmly on her forehead.

  “No one ever told me the Earth elves had visited our islands,” she said with some hesitation. “The Sea elves have protected their borders for as long as I can remember.” Her thoughts started reeling. Why didn’t he tell me about the Earth elves?

  Rima sighed and squeezed her husband’s arm.

  “When the Fire elves declared war, all the elves shut out the rest of the world,” she said. “Even in Blosso, we sealed the borders tightly against every elven race but our own.”

  Kamo felt dizzier and hotter under the sun. She stepped back from Rima and Philip and sat on the ground.

  Rolin, who was listening to the conversation from a distance, joined Kamo, and Rima and Philip sat across from them.

  “I’m afraid I don’t understand,” Kamo muttered. “I thought the elves had always shut each other out. How old was my father when you went to visit Bellia?”

  Rima replied, “Oh, he was a very young man. Twenty-three or twenty-four, maybe. I’m not sure we thought to ask, to be honest.”

  “And when did the Sea elves hide the islands? When did Blosso close its gates?”

  “The first of the Fire elves’ attacks happened probably, oh I don’t know, Rima, what would you say?” Philip said as he scratched his bald head.

  “Nineteen years ago,” Rima answered. “There were rumors the Fire elf king was looking for a traitor, but I don’t know if I’d believe that of the Sea elves.”

  This story, at least, sounded familiar. Kamo had heard rumors that
the Fire king was looking for a traitor. Although each elven race had its leaders and tribesmen, their loyalty was supposed to be to the king of the elves—in this case, the Fire elf king.

  “Now I’m a little confused,” Rolin said quietly. “I thought each elven race had its own king,” he said.

  Rima answered first. “There was a time when all elven kind lived peacefully together. Each race had a leader, but the elders of each tribe chose the king. For generations, the Wind elves claimed the monarchy. Then, the Fire elves took the monarchy, and it’s been the Fire elf king ever since. Although very few of us live peacefully amid the Fires anymore, we are bound to him in sovereignty. That’s why the Earth elves scattered, and the Sea elves found the islands. I’m not entirely sure where the Wind elves settled. No one has seen them since the first attacks on the Seas.”

  Rolin nodded. Kamo stared into the distance.

  “But you’re saying that the Fire elves were peaceful once? Even with the Sea elves?” Kamo asked. Her eyes found Rima’s as she focused her gaze.

  “Yes, and it was a wonderful time. Perhaps we can be that way again. United as one elven race,” Rima said as she smiled at Kamo.

  Kamo felt her stomach lurch.

  “I have no desire to be united with murderers,” she said, vehemence seeping from her voice.

  Rima’s smile faded, and Philip blinked slowly.

  “It’s true, then?” Rima whispered as her eyes filled with tears. “What the sailors and humans have been saying about the Sea elves’ disappearance. The rest of the Sea elves—”

  “Gone. I am the last.”

  Rima gasped and cried, and Philip closed his eyes tightly.

  “I never thought he would go this far,” Philip said after a moment of silence. “I’m sorry. I wish there were something I could do for you.”

  Kamo’s vision blurred as she blinked back more tears. She had cried, explained, and every time she spoke of her family and her race, it was as if she was reliving those moments on the island, and her despair came flooding back. She let her tears fall freely and found comfort in the elven strangers mourning her loss with her.

  “There is one thing you can do,” Kamo whispered as her voice stuttered from the tears. “Tell me where to find Pacha. She’s our key to getting through the mountains alive.”

  Philip nodded, his face still solemn and sad.

  “Pacha can often be found at the center of the square most days, sometimes late into the night. She’s a seer, but she’s also our leader. She is benevolent and kind to all who need her help. I’m sure she would be glad to help you find what you’re looking for,” he said, “whatever that may be.”

  He looked at Kamo, and she couldn’t quite describe the emotions on his face. Pity? Concern? Determination? Whatever she saw in his eyes made her question for the first time since they left Tartha. What am I looking to accomplish? What do I want?

  She sat and pondered, each question filling her with more before she realized that Rima and Philip were talking to her again.

  “I’m sorry, dear,” Rima’s voice chimed, pulling Kamo from her thoughts, “but Philip and I must be on our way. There are only a few days to trade and travel before we have to be back in Blosso.” She stood up, as did Philip, and offered Kamo her hand.

  Kamo stood and said quiet goodbyes, her thoughts still swimming in questions. Rima pulled her into a hug and whispered something in her ear. Kamo was too distracted to hear what she said until the last words pealed like a bell ringing in her ear.

  “Vengeance is not worth the price you must pay,” she whispered. “Morro would remind you of that.”

  Kamo froze. Rima pulled away and smiled sadly at her. Then she and Philip began to make their way down the ridge. They were out of sight before Kamo could breathe again.

  “What did she whisper to you?” Rolin asked, concern washing over his face.

  Kamo shook her head slowly and wiped her eyes.

  “Nothing,” she said. “She just reminded me how much my father cared for me, that’s all.”

  Rolin tilted his head to the side and furrowed his brow.

  “Anyway,” Kamo said, “Philip brought up a good point. I have no idea what I’ll do once we do reach the Fire elves.”

  “We still have some time before we arrive,” Rolin said, “perhaps Gobi and I can help you sort it out.”

  At that moment, Gobi rounded the ridge into sight. “We’ve got to move—now,” he said. He ran to Kamo and took her hand, waving Rolin to hurry along as well.

  “What? Why?” Kamo asked.

  Gobi pulled her forward. He looked at Rolin. “We’ve got company.”

  Rolin nodded and moved ahead of Kamo and Gobi.

  “Right. This way,” he pointed as his steps took him faster.

  Kamo still didn’t understand the direction he was heading. Ahead of them was a ledge and then a sheer drop to the valley below.

  Rolin darted full speed at the ledge. He came to a jolting stop just before his toes hung off the edge. He turned his head toward Kamo and Gobi and winked at them, a smug grin on his face.

  “See you down there!” And with that, he dived off the edge.

  If Gobi was surprised or frightened, he hid it well. They arrived at the edge hand in hand, and he paused for only a moment to look at Kamo.

  “Ready?” he asked. He spoke in a steady, even voice, and his eyes sparkled with excitement. Kamo smiled. Gobi was the adventurous type.

  “As I’ll ever be.”

  Gobi counted off, and they took the long leap hand in hand.

  Chapter Eight

  As soon as she leaped, Kamo expected the sensation of falling and flying. She had jumped off the cliffs of Croma even as a little girl, though in Croma, she knew she would land in the waves of the sea. The leap off this ledge, as far as she could see, would take her plunging to a valley of sharp rocks and unforgiving tree branches.

  Much to her surprise, though, she didn’t feel like she was falling when her feet left the ground. She felt suspended- almost as if little puppet strings were attached to her shoulders and waist. She blinked, and the landscape changed before her eyes. She had been plummeting toward the valley, and now she found herself in the valley. She hovered only three feet from the ground. The trees were above her, the rocks a safe leap away.

  After another moment, she felt a cut of the puppet strings as the forces holding her shoulders and waist released her quickly, and she fell to the ground in a heap.

  Gobi landed next to her on two dexterous feet. She looked up at him and noticed a triumphant grin on his face.

  She heard laughter and looked up to see Rolin striding toward her, offering her a hand.

  “I’m sorry, I should have warned you about the fall,” he said, “I just wanted to see someone else experience it for the first time. I nearly shattered a knee cap on my first trip through the gate. You two did much better!”

  Kamo took Rolin’s hand, and a breath escaped her as she scrambled to her feet. Her knee twinged as she stood on it, but she bit her lip and smiled.

  Gobi walked to Rolin and put a hand on his shoulder. Despite their height difference, Gobi appeared to have a pretty good handle in his grip and a playfully stern look on his face.

  “Still, if you have any other surprises up your sleeve, I think I’d prefer to know about them beforehand,” he said, a half-teasing look in his eyes.

  “Soldier’s honor, I’ll tell you everything else you need to know from here on out,” Rolin said as he saluted. His face was serious and solemn for a moment, and Kamo got a glimpse of the disciplined soldier behind the adventurer. His eyes were focused, and his jaw set. But only for a moment, then he smiled and patted Gobi on the back as they made their way out of the trees and down a dirt path.

  Kamo stared at the two of them walking ahead of her and smiled. Gobi and Rolin were kindred spirits, adventurers, and friends. She couldn’t help but think of her sisters and the friendship she shared with them. Kara and Kota would have loved this
place and the unusual way of getting here. She laughed as she imagined Kota blushing at Rolin’s salute. Kota had a soft spot for a man in uniform, though perhaps Kamo was beginning to understand that particular attraction. Rolin would look stunning in his soldier’s uniform.

  Kamo walked behind Rolin and Gobi, musing on their brotherly friendship and the solemn, soldier discipline she had just caught a glimpse of in Rolin. She tried to imagine sailing with him. He would catch on quickly, though Sheelo would still tease him until he did. She imagined him climbing the rigging, perhaps falling a few times as the ship swayed. Falling. The jump. Why did they jump so quickly?

  “Wait up!” she yelled.

  Gobi and Rolin stopped on the trail and waited for her to bridge the few steps between them.

  “Gobi, who was following us?” Kamo asked, concern creeping into her voice.

  Gobi looked a little confused and then shrugged as he remembered the company he had mentioned before their jump.

  “Oh, that?” he said too casually, “I thought I saw some men in Laukian uniform.” He rushed on as Kamo tried to interrupt. “But it’s possible that I just imagined them because Rolin had us all worried the other night. Come to think of it, Rolin, are Laukian uniforms even yellow?” he asked.

  Rolin nodded nervously.

  “Oh,” said Gobi, a little defeated.

  Kamo spoke as the men looked at each other in silence.

  “Rolin, why are you running from them? How do you know they really aren’t some old friends?” Kamo asked, genuinely confused.

  “I’m not running,” Rolin answered, “I’m just… Keen to avoid that part of my past. Wartime is difficult for everyone, and I’m no exception.”

  A thousand stories flashed in his brown eyes as he paused to breathe.

  “Then again,” he continued, “perhaps it’s time I faced that part of my life. I’ll make you both a promise,” he said, looking at Kamo and Gobi in turn, “if they find us here, I won’t run. I’ll talk with them and listen to whatever proposal they have to offer me. Deal?”