“I will, Sanashei.”
Many of the wise man’s words bore meaning for Tansatei, while others were vague.
“Tansatei, do you know about Cashmakil?”
“No. What is it?”
“It’s an ancient city or collection of cites that spread over the world. Once, it was great in power, like the palace of the gods. Long ago, many forces struggled for control of these great cities. Other cities of the world, which could not compare to those in Cashmakil, tried to outdo Cashmakil. All this power gathered into chaotic storms; people divided into factions to battle one another over who was right and who was wrong. Nothing mattered to the people but their selfish desires to rule the heavens.”
“How did they become so evil?”
“Three things built this evil. The first was greed, as the people of the city tried to gather more than they needed to live. The second was negative emotions that churned within their souls like rivers in a storm and made them make bad choices. They were entrapped by their foolishness, and their wisdom faded. The third was ignorance. Although they were an advanced society, they learned nothing of other cultures. As learning declined, they neglected the natural world that supported them. Even after the destruction of the cities through mind control and destructive weapons, the spirits and the factions remained among the ruins and dead bodies.” Tansatei looked to the sky and thought about what he had said.
Sanashei continued. “Two such lingering spirits are the artificial beings Asigonth and Shaheel, who wander the ruins now buried. In the days before the decline, Asigonth persuaded Shaheel to come to his side, commanding all the great factions of Cashmakil. They used many techniques of persuasion and force to win domination of the whole of Cashmakil. The physical forms of Asigonth and Shaheel may have long ago departed this world, but their spirits remain to create mischief.”
Fear began to enter Tansatei’s mind.
“Tansatei, spirits who are angry after many thousands of years still dwell in those ruins. They were once people who were simply men, women, and children. Be on your guard never to let anger consume you. Otherwise, someday our world will follow the fate of Cashmakil and the other cities. The Orbs consume the life essence of land, and if they come to the point of eating the life force of humans, this planet will be lifeless. Yes, I know what you are thinking, that some people have already died as a result of the Orbs. This is an accident—the main food of the Orbs is plant life,” said Sanashei, in tears.
Tansatei thought for a moment and said, “You speak of the world, Sanashei. What do you mean by this? What you’re saying about the Orbs doesn’t make sense. Look, we have seen the people from the future come to warn us about all kinds of things. People survived. So why are you saying the Orbs could eat the life force from humans?”
“The people Tenashar has seen from the future are there, but they as yet could exist, and they want to exist, so they have come to warn us. If the people of today don’t do anything, the people of the future cannot exist. More will be said later, Tansatei. The truth has a connection, and it says what the Orbs really are and where they came from. Listen to the earth, and always believe her and heed her warnings.”
Something seemed to click in Tansatei’s heart or mind. All of a sudden, words started to flow out of her without coming from her mind. “Waters can bring disaster for a whole people. Change the waters to another place. Keep out any evil.”
Sanashei told her to ponder the words to uncover what Tenashar was seeking.
“What did I say?” asked Tansatei as she came out of her meditative trance.
“You said you were reading Tenashar’s heart from a great distance. You’re saying that your souls are connected and that you’ll always be able to know where he is. You mentioned you were able to talk with him through your heart.”
Tansatei sat in silence. The sun highlighted her smile. She knew she could talk with Tenashar wherever he was.
chapter 13
Cultivating Trust
Tenashar was trying to forget he had ever seen the glass waterfall since he could think of no connection it might have to the Orbs. He knelt, touched the ground, and sensed cries for help. He realized that the land was dying, that the Orbs were draining lands far away. Perhaps even then, villagers elsewhere were running from the Orbs.
Tenashar sat next to A-amar. The creature’s huge bulkiness contrasted with Tenashar’s small, thin body. He looked at A-amar, trying to see some hint that he had seen the waterfall. A-amar was staring at the location of the missing waterfall. He was trying to remember, but something seemed to have wiped his memory. He turned to Tenashar. “You said there was a glass waterfall there yesterday. I think I saw something made of glass, but it wasn’t really there. The thought is there, but something tried to take it away.”
“Do you know who?” Tenashar asked. “Could it have been Eirshiquanai?”
“No. It’s not a person,” A-amar muttered. “Can’t remember.”
Tenashar began having serious doubts about Eirshiquanai, thinking she could have been trying to lead them off the path. Someone of her power who wanted to make mischief could have simply destroyed them. He took out the Rock and the Mushroom and put them on the ground, closing his eyes and trying to communicate with Tansatei. At that moment, Tansatei was listening to Sanashei talk about the many planets that revolved around the sun. He heard their conversation. Tansatei said, “I can hear Tenashar calling!”
“What is he saying?” Sanashei gently inquired.
“He says they are near a glass waterfall that has disappeared. It was beautiful, but now it is not there. He says his companions saw it too but remember nothing. He’s worried that Eirshiquanai is somehow responsible for making his companions forget what they saw and wants our help.”
In her mind, Tansatei told Tenashar, What you saw is what was there. Don’t doubt yourself. Your father says not to mistrust Eirshiquanai, and I feel no harm from her—she has shown us you are all right, and why would she do that if she meant you harm?
Tansatei’s thoughts calmed Tenashar, but he wished she could be with him, not just in his mind.
A hazy stream of lavender mist floated next to Tenashar. The smoke gradually took the form of Eirshiquanai. Tenashar looked at A-amar to see if he saw the same thing, but it was clear A-amar saw nothing. At first, Eirshiquanai spoke in a language Tenashar could not understand. Then, as if correcting herself, she backed up her voice and spoke.
“You are having trouble believing your eyes, but know that what you see is the truth. There will always be others unable to see the visions you see. Be patient, and you will eventually show them what is really there. You have had dark thoughts about me, but that is to be expected. You have yet to know who I truly am. As you journey farther, you will understand me.”
Tenashar frowned and spoke very seriously. “I am trying to trust you, but it’s difficult. I don’t know what to say or do.”
“Tenashar, you have visions. You can look beyond the ordinary. When you saw the glass waterfall, it was there and will always be there, though it is not there now. In the future it exists, but in the now, which is its past, it has yet to become reality. It is alive and can show itself to those who it decides need to see it. It isn’t necessary for your companions, your guardians to see what you saw, so that is why at times they won’t remember. Some of these visions are only for your eyes.”
“But I don’t see it now.”
“It is not there now; it has returned to the future. In time, your vision will let you look ahead, and you’ll see it in the future. When the time comes, you’ll be able to look at a mountain or tree and see what it will look like in another time, the future or the past, and by honing this skill, you will be able to focus carefully on how far forward or backward you want to see.”
Eirshiquanai faded into the lavender mist. Tenashar gazed at the magical spot and saw only a waterfall. Will the lovely glass construction ever return? he mused.
Mushroom spoke. “Trust your deci
sion to move on and don’t think too much of what you’ve seen. This is a great move into manhood.”
“But these two,” Tenashar gestured at his animal-like friends, “don’t recall seeing the glass waterfall.”
“Is that important?” asked the Rock.
“You seem to take this lightly!” Tenashar’s voice rose.
“Is there something worrying you? Like a suspicion of your two big companions?” asked the Rock. “Come closer.” Rock’s voice grew quiet, making Tenashar strain to hear. “Really closer. Of course, you can’t always depend on them. They depend on you. You are the leader and cannot follow those following you.”
Tenashar’s eyes grew large, realizing the Rock had spoken wisely. His comrades were indeed his protectors and friends, not his guides or instructors.
“Even if some evil force made them forget,” the Rock said, “that doesn’t make them evil. Your duty is to help them just as theirs is to protect you. Don’t be selfish.”
Tenashar realized he must take command of his life and commended Rock on its wisdom.
chapter 14
Etutsha Travels His Own Path Through the Forest
While Tenashar, A-amar, and Una-sei were traveling peacefully, farther into the forest and mountains, Etutsha was trying to find his way home. Nothing looked familiar or reminded Etutsha of where he had been before fleeing the strange noises. He constantly backtracked and often went in circles in his efforts to leave the woods.
Etutsha tried to call out to Tenashar but received no answer. He saw a thick forest ahead—a different forest than the one they’d come through, but it was connected to the one Tenashar was in.
Etutsha ran into the forest, believing this was a way home, but he was mistaken. Looking around, he didn’t know where he was or even if he was traveling east or west. He came across remains of stone faces and even stranger ruins that greatly frightened him. He saw many ruins, and some seemed to be made of glass or molded metal. It was as if some giant hand had created a huge building out of clay and had injected molten metal to cast a copy.
Beautifully constructed as they were, the buildings looked burned and melted. Some of the glass structures had been built into gracefully curved shapes, and Etutsha could see thick liquid inside running through it like blood and strange, multicolored, living entities floating inside. He quickly pulled away from the glass structures, again gripped with fear.
As he was about to give up all hope of finding his way home, or at least finding Tenashar, Etutsha saw strange, multicolored lights flying around him. Some were going past at great speed, while others hovered. They were swirling, shell-like shapes. Each was transparent and glowed with its own colored light, showing a tiny snail-like creature in the heart of each shell. They were terrifying and beautiful to look upon. As he tried to touch one, it flew away, only to return and hover on his finger. He could faintly hear a strange sound as if it were talking to him. Soon, many were flying around his face, and he playfully grabbed at them. Some shells landed on his head, but they no longer frightened him. He realized they were friendly.
However, when someone spoke, Etutsha’s fear returned like a kick. He darted behind a rock. The strange voice got even closer, though he could see no speaker. “Follow Tenashar. Go and be with him, support his efforts.”
Did that voice come from the shells? Etutsha wondered. He saw them glow with greater intensity, and he heard even stranger noises as the lights gathered around him. Whoever the speaker was, it seemed to read Etutsha’s mind and sense his fear.
“Aren’t you a warrior? All warriors face their fears and go on from there.” It did not sound like a taunt, merely a gentle reminder.
“Who are you?” Etutsha asked.
“We were built by the people who lived here once.”
Etutsha realized that the voice was referring to the scattered ruins. “Are you spirits of dead people?”
“In time you’ll understand. Follow Tenashar. Try to be his companion and protector.” The lights flitted away.
Etutsha sat, letting feelings of shame wash over him—shame at his fear, but even more, the shame at the way he and the boys had treated Tenashar. Yet he still felt resentment at not having been chosen by the council. Even as a young child, he had been brave and was considered first in everything. With a burning feeling in his head, Etutsha crouched in defeat.
In the morning, Etutsha rose and decided to follow Tenashar. He walked in the direction that felt right. He trusted luck to help him find Tenashar, though he realized it could take considerable time to catch up with them.
After some time, he came upon the clearing where Tenashar and his companions had seen the glass waterfall. Etutsha saw none of it, only a normal waterfall, but he noted signs that someone had recently passed through. Some footprints were still fresh, so Etutsha realized they must be Tenashar’s and the others’. Before leaving the clearing, Etutsha stared at the waterfall and just for a moment thought he saw something else that looked like the glass ruins at the place where he had seen the flying shells.
He drank and rested, as he had been walking for a long time. He fell asleep and dreamed of the glass waterfall. He saw the same strange lights he had seen before building the beautiful structure in the water. He thought he saw the image of a tall, beautiful woman.
In the morning, Etutsha awoke refreshed. He had a long way to go, for Tenashar was far ahead.
chapter 15
A Thousand Days and Nights Seals a Friendship
When Tenashar saw mountains in the distance, he knew he had to go over or around them. He debated whether he was up for the climb or willing to spend the time to walk around them. He had no idea where he was going, so he decided to walk in the direction of the sunrise.
Without notice, Eirshiquanai appeared out of her lavender mist. “You were thinking you needed a guide, and I told you I would be at your side.”
“What direction, then, should I go?”
“Your first thought was correct. Travel into those mountains and you’ll find what you need, a thing or an idea that may help you cure your lands. The path is open. You will see many things on the way, but ignore them and ask no questions.”
Una-sei smiled at Eirshiquanai and said, “If you are of the gods or someone from the future, keep us from danger, and we will do our best to protect Tenashar.”
Eirshiquanai frowned slightly. “Do not put conditions on me. I will protect Tenashar. If you do not trust me, that is understandable, but I am hiding nothing. Think of me as someone who cares about Tenashar as a mother or a teacher.”
They weren’t even sure if she was human.
“What are you?” Tenashar asked. “Do you have something to do with the Orbs? Are you a ghost from Cashmakil?”
Eirshiquanai seemed to sigh. “I understand. I’ve never explained where I come from, but you must understand that if I were evil, I would have stopped you a long while ago. You have seen how simply I could have killed you at any time. Haven’t I convinced you I mean well and desire only success for you? Tenashar, you have become like a son to me.”
“Then explain who you are.” Tenashar didn’t fully understand how it was that Eirshiquanai was from the future. She seemed like a god in her power and abilities. “Are you a god?”
“No, I am much like you. To your people I seem to be a god, but that is only because of my abilities—to appear, and float, and speak across distances, but these are things anyone in my time can learn. You see, I have not been born yet, in this time.”
“I think I am slowly beginning to understand you, Eirshiquanai. You are not from one of those past cultures or Cashmakil, but you are from the distant future.”
She smiled at his comprehension. “So, think. If you appeared to those of your tribe in the past—long before your grandfather’s time—they would think you had great wisdom and might wonder about you much as you wonder about me. Some of them might even take you to be a god. Your knowledge of the past would be the same as seeing into the future for th
em. You could warn them if danger threatened or advise them to change their paths or ways. They would be amazed at your powers.”
“Explain why you shine and walk on the air. Tell us the truth!” A-amar challenged her.
“In my time, people have great technological skills. Science is very advanced. We can create and harness power that reproduce magical properties.”
Everyone accepted this with a nod.
Eirshiquanai peered around as if she had heard someone coming; then she faded—she wasn’t there anymore, yet her voice still came, as if from behind a wall. “Remember to trust yourself. Your companions depend on you.”
As usual, Tenashar was left deep in thought. For a time, he sat near a rock carved with human features, like so many other rocks scattered around.
Una-sei put his ears to the ground and felt a vibration. He warned the others that someone was approaching. The sounds of the footsteps weren’t those of an animal; they sounded human, he told them.
Tenashar wanted to wait to see who it was. Though Una-sei said they might be waiting for some time, Tenashar decided to stay where they were. He wanted to study the intricate lines and symbols on the rocks. Tenashar had a feeling that the rocks might give him guidance about where to go. Even though Tenashar didn’t know how to read the marks, he touched the rocks and sensed their voices. Tenashar was finding he had a special ability to touch objects and know things about them, but understanding the language of the rocks wasn’t easy. He would scan the rock with his palms and touch some areas. Unfortunately, despite their age, the stones seemed to have nothing to tell him.
A Journey of a Thousand Seasons Book 1 (Journey Series) Page 7
