by Thomas Rath
“Twee,” he said, shaking his shoulder, hoping he was just asleep. Tears started gathering around his eyelids when Twee didn’t answer. “Come on,” he said, still shaking the old man, “you can’t be dead.” Teek put his head against his chest letting the tears run freely down his face. “Oh Twee. Please, you can’t be dead.”
“What?” a raspy voice suddenly croaked. “Who’s dead?”
“Twee!” Teek shouted in relief sitting back and quickly wiping away his tears.
“Twee?” the old man responded fuzzily, placing a hand on his cheek. “Twee’s dead?”
“No,” Teek laughed with joy. “You’re Twee.”
“I know that,” the old man said grumpily. “So what’s all of this about me being dead?”
“You were sleeping so soundly that I thought you were dead,” Teek answered helping his old friend to a sitting position. “Why were you sleeping like that?”
“Like what?” the aged Waseeni asked, struggling to inhale as if not getting enough air.
“Well, it looked like you had just collapsed...” Teek’s voice tailed off as he noticed the difficulty Twee was having getting a breath. “Are you all right, Father Twee?” he asked, a slight tremor in his voice.
“I...can’t...seem to...breathe,” he struggled.
Teek scrambled to his feet. “I’ll get the Healer. He’ll know what to do.”
“No!” Twee shouted flying into a coughing fit. “No Healer. I...don’t want...him poking at me...with...all those...potions...and sticks...of his.”
Teek was becoming desperate. “What should I do?” he asked, tears filling his eyes again. “You need help.”
“Come here,” Twee said weakly motioning to the young boy. “Sit.”
Teek hesitated, wondering for a moment if he shouldn’t disobey his friend and get the Healer. Twee coughed again and Teek quickly sat down.
“I think...I was dead...a...a moment ago. But...no matter. I will...be...soon.”
Teek could barely hold himself together enough to speak, the tears running freely down his cheek. “You can’t, Father Twee. You can’t,” he bawled wrapping his arms around the old man as if he could physically hold him to this world.
“Yes, I can boy!” he shouted sending himself into another burst of coughs. “Now,” he said a bit more calmly still gasping for air, “before...I go...I want you...to...to have something. Bring...me my...chest.”
Teek obeyed, hurrying to the opposite corner and retrieving a small, wooden chest.
“Open...it.”
Twee’s breathing was quickly deteriorating and Teek knew it wouldn’t be long before his best friend would be gone. His tears came in a gush now, making it almost impossible for him to see as he opened the chest and waited for his next instruction.
“Good. Now...in...a...weed wrapping...there is...a...small chain. Pull...it...out.”
Teek rustled through the small treasures Twee had gathered over the years trying to find the weed wrapping. Finally, at the bottom of the chest, he was able to spot the dried up reeds that had long turned yellow with time. As he pulled it out, the brittle wrapping broke apart in his hands and a shinny, gold necklace slipped out. Attached at the end was a gold medallion inlaid with a strange insignia made of silver that curved into different points in the middle and was accented with four different colored gems. Teek normally would have been amazed at such a treasure but was too overcome with grief to give it more than a quick glance.
“I don’t want this,” he said stubbornly as if to deny the gift would keep Twee alive. “I want you to live.”
“Nonsense boy!” Twee growled. “You...take...that. I don’t...want it...burned...with the...rest...of...my things...when...I’m gone. The...king...in...Calandra...gave...it...to…me…and now...I’m giving...it to you.” Twee crumbled into another fit of coughing and gasping, trying to catch his breath. Teek watched the old man helplessly, unsure of what to do to help his old friend. Twee finally settled down enough to reach up and grab his arm. “I...will...watch over...you...on your...adventure.”
Teek wiped the tears from his eyes, shocked at what the old man had just said. “What adventure? What are you talking about?”
Twee let out another cough before shouting to the boy. “Teek! Are...you still...there? I can’t see...you...through...this.…Where did…all…these people…come…from?”
Teek grabbed the old man, shaking him and looking into his seemingly unseeing eyes. “I’m right here Twee. Stay with me. Please!”
Twee’s face turned up into a large smile as he looked through the young Waseeni boy to something beyond. He took in a deep breath and mumbled something inaudible before going completely limp. Teek held the old man’s head in his lap and rocked back and forth sobbing quietly. “Oh, Twee,” he whispered. “You didn’t eat your lobster.”
As night covered the Teague swamplands in a blanket of darkness and screeching insects, torches dotted the area around the foot of old Twee’s home as the whole Waseeni community gathered to pay their last respects to their oldest member. The women had spent most of the day wrapping his body tightly in Tohmus reeds, which were believed to preserve the body for its last, long journey to the great land beyond the horizons. He was then placed in his canoe surrounded by all of his meager possessions and then more reeds were wrapped around the canoe to seal it like a cocoon.
Teek watched with red, puffy eyes as the ceremonial rites were done over Twee’s remains. One of the Elders then stepped forward and prepared to call out the names of those men chosen to act in the duty of ‘Sentinels for the Dead.’ It was their responsibility to guide the canoe to the ocean’s edge and, after pushing it into the surf, keep an all night vigil as the body started its long journey out into the ocean towards the unknown beyond. Six men were quickly called forth and the canoe was immediately launched into the swamp. The men surrounded it with their own canoes and guided it with their push poles.
Teek watched in silence as Twee’s mummified body silently passed through the murky waters before him. He could feel his mother’s comforting arm around his shoulder and was glad she was there to lend support. Since he was still not of age, he was not able to participate in any of the rites or ceremonies that were performed with his friend’s passing and it was hard to merely stand by and watch. He gripped Twee’s medallion tightly in his hand, not daring to wear it, and was forced to bid his final good-byes as he watched the boats pass out of view. Sitting down heavily into the canoe, he stared out at nothing unwilling to be comforted as tears streamed down his face. His mother watched him for a moment wanting so much to help him but knew that he must work through this himself. Taking up the pole, she started them for home.
The following morning, when the Sentinels had returned, all gathered again at the tree home of the High Elder where lots would be cast to see who would make the appeasing journey. Normally, one of the deceased’s relatives would make the appeasing trek and search for the artifact that would satisfy the ancestors but because Twee had outlived all of his relatives there was no one left to make the trip. Someone would have to be chosen to complete the journey.
A woven basket was brought forth and wooden tiles inscribed with the names of all who were of age were cast in. Teek stood in his canoe in the back and watched as the High Elder shook the basket and prepared to remove the name. He had not wanted to come today, preferring to be by himself for a while. He still couldn’t believe his friend was gone. Rani had insisted though, telling him it would be disrespectful to Twee if he didn’t.
He watched with unseeing eyes as he contemplated the significance of what Twee had told him before his death. He would have an adventure of his own. What had Father Twee meant by that? The thought did not even excite him anymore. After all, who would he come home to and tell of all the things that had happened while he was away. Without Twee here to talk to, it would not be the same.
He noticed a strange commotion ripple through the crowd and the young lady in front of him turned and point
ed at him. “He’s right here,” she said. “Teek is here.”
Teek looked around as all eyes turned to rest upon him. In the distance he heard his mother yelling, “It’s not right! He is not of age!”
He looked up towards the High Elder and noticed he had a wooden chip held up in his hand. “Teek,” the man yelled, “come forward.”
Suddenly apprehensive, he maneuvered his canoe through the crowd. Why did they want him? He gasped. The medallion! They must have found out that it was missing. He felt a chill run through his body. What would they do to him? He tried not to look at the shocked expressions playing across everyone’s faces as he slowly pushed past. They all know, he thought in a panic. But how could they all know? His canoe suddenly bumped into the base of the High Elder’s tree almost knocking him into the water. Looking up, his face was stricken white with terror.
“Yes, High Elder,” he squeak out barely above a whisper.
The High Elder stared down at him for long moments, as if searching his soul, causing Teek to squirm under his penetrating gaze. Maybe he was waiting for him to confess. Maybe if he confessed they would go easier on him. He opened his mouth trying to get his voice to work, ready to tell all. Suddenly, the High Elder’s voice boomed like a thunderclap and Teek’s mouth shut with a snap. “Your name has been chosen.”
Rani came crashing forward knocking into Teek’s canoe and almost sending him and her flying headlong into the swamp. “This cannot be!” she insisted.
“Silence woman!” the High Elder snapped.
“But, he is not of age!”
“Silence!” The High Elder commanded while glaring down at her
She wanted to argue further but the look on his face made her bite her tongue to keep from saying more.
“Now,” he said, returning his gaze to a confused Teek. “As I said, you have been chosen.”
“I don’t understand,” Teek said honestly. “Chosen for what?” The crowd burst into laughter but was silenced by the High Elder’s uplifted hand.
“The lot has fallen on you.”
Teek’s face suddenly registered understanding. “But how?” he breathed.
The High Elder snorted, “That is what I would like to know young man. We all know that you were a great friend to Twee and that you loved him dearly.” The High Elder leaned forward, his eyes narrowing into slits. “Could it be that you slipped your name into the lots when no one was watching?”
Teek couldn’t believe what he was hearing. To be called as the chosen to make the journey was shock enough but to be accused of placing his name in the lottery was almost more than he could bear. “No,” he said emphatically. “I would never!”
The High Elder stared at him for a moment longer before calling to the man who brought up the lots. “You wrote the names. Did you, by chance, place this boy’s name into the bunch?”
The man shook his head. “No, High Elder.”
The High Elder’s brow furled. “By law, the person on whom the lot falls must perform the duty. Never has this occurred.”
Twee’s voice suddenly came to Teek’s mind. I will watch over you on your adventure. Teek looked up in surprise. That was what the old man had said to him just before he died, that he would go on an adventure. Could it be?
“High Elder?” Teek said timidly.
The High Elder turned on him. “What is it boy, speak up. Do you have a confession?”
“No!” Teek said tired of being accused for something he had not done. “I was just remembering something that Twee told me before he died that I thought might be of help.”
He stared at him impatiently. “Well?”
“Yes,” Teek said, suddenly feeling very nervous again. “He...he told me that I would...well that I would go on an...an adventure soon.”
“So?”
Teek took a deep breath trying to calm his nerves and then looked directly into the High Elder’s eyes. “So, I was thinking that maybe the reason my name was chosen may be due to the fact that…” he paused and then shrugged. “Well, that maybe Twee wants me to go for him.”
“No!” Rani shouted. “This is not right. Someone placed his name in the basket as a joke. He is not of age.”
The High Elder looked at Rani as if deep in thought but didn’t register that he’d heard a word she said. Long moments passed as the crowd, who had grown rather noisy, voiced their own opinions to each other. Finally looking up, he called for silence and a hush immediately fell upon the gathering.
“I will converse with my councilors,” he boomed, “and then we will give our decision.” Then, without further ceremony, the High Elder and his two councilors climbed the ladder to his home and disappeared inside.
Immediately, the crowd renewed their noisy conversations while Rani turned to her son. “It isn’t right Teek,” she said a tear on the edge of her eye. “You are not of age to go. It is not right,” she finished, no longer able to get her voice to work as the tears freely wet her cheeks.
Teek reached out to his mother and grasped her hands trying to give comfort. There were so many questions in his mind. Nothing like this had ever happened before. Could Twee have actually caused his name to be drawn? Did he really want Teek to go or was it just a joke or the babblings of an old, dying man?
The minutes quickly passed into an hour but no one came out of the house and neither did anyone leave from their positions around the tree. All were too anxious to see what the decision would be. Teek just held onto his mother, neither saying a word. He was still puzzling through the questions that plagued his mind, trying not to think about what it would all mean for him should the council decide to send him.
Rani could only think of her son. She had already lost one son and a husband to the swamp. It wasn’t right to make her give up her other son to make an appeasing journey he was not even qualified to make. Someone with more experience should be chosen.
Finally, as the sun was reaching its zenith and the heat was oppressive, the three men emerged from the hut and stood on the landing. The crowd went instantly silent. The High Elder looked down at Rani and Teek for a brief moment and then raised his eyes and voice to the crowd.
“After careful consideration and lengthy debate, a decision has been made. We can find no proof of foul play in the drawing or any evidence that an extra chip was placed into the lottery basket. Therefore, we must consider it a sign from the ancestors.” Rumbles of astonishment cascaded through the crowd as the High Elder paused for a brief moment and then looked down at Teek. “The drawing stands. Teek will leave tomorrow.”
A great commotion arose. “It’s not right!” Rani cried out to those around her but to no avail. The Elders had already retreated back into the hut and she knew that the decision would stand no matter what she said.
Teek felt mixed emotions as he sat at home preparing for the morning’s journey. His brother and sisters sat by the window whispering to one another other sending small glances at him. Finally, Bink wobbled over and sat down next to him. “Are you ever coming back?” he asked innocently looking up with his large, brown eyes.
Teek smiled at him and rustled his hair. “Of course I am. Did you think I would go off and leave my favorite little brother?”
Bink looked over at his sisters who were trying not to laugh. “I told you so,” he shouted sticking out his tongue.
Teek only shook his head. Looking at his little siblings, he wondered what they would look like when he got back. How long would he be gone? Nobody knew how long the journey would be when he or she left. Most returned within a couple of weeks, though some did not return at all. One person, who had been gone for a month already, had yet to return causing some worry amongst his family as to whether they should send someone else on his behalf.
It was different for each, but Teek figured he wouldn’t be gone for too long. After all, he had been chosen to go by Twee himself. And Twee had promised to watch over him and his family. He didn’t think that Twee would make him stay away too long since, acco
rding to him, the greatest adventures were had at home.
Watching his brother play with one of the traps he would take, Teek suddenly didn’t feel much like having adventures anymore. Though he’d always dreamed of leaving the swamp to see what was out in the world, now that leaving was a reality, he suddenly felt that staying home with his family is what he really wanted.
Just then, Rani entered the small hut and sat heavily on the wood floor. Teek could tell that she had been crying. She had gone to talk privately with the Elders one last time and plead that they not send her son out on this journey. By the way she looked and acted, he was pretty sure he knew what their response had been.
“Why don’t you three go outside on the porch and catch fireflies,” Teek said. The other children grumbled a protest but reluctantly did as they were told and disappeared through the reed flap. He looked at his mother for a moment and then crawled over and put his arm around her shoulders. “Are you all right?” he asked softly, placing his head on top of hers.
“It’s not right, Teek,” she whispered, large tears of grief streaming down her face. “It just isn’t right.”
“I’m sorry, mother,” he said, trying to find the words that would comfort her. “I wish there was something I could do. In all honesty, I don’t want to go either.”
She looked at him trying to remember the little boy he had been such a short time ago. He would be a man soon and she knew she had to let him grow up to be one but not yet. Quickly brushing away the tears, she stood up pulling him up with her. “I’m sorry, son. I should not be acting like this. I act as though you will never return. You will be home again soon.”
