Quest for the Sun Gem

by Belinda Murrell

  Saxon flushed and nodded.

  ‘It be good for us and good for you when Fox comes, but not so good for t’king, Moonmother bless his poor murdered soul.’

  Saxon sighed, overcome with melancholy for his lost family, his injured friends, his invaded village, his embattled country. It was overwhelming, the enormity of it all.

  ‘You stay here for some days?’ asked Toomas. ‘You want to coom fishing tomorrow?’

  Saxon’s eyes lit up. He loved boats and the sea.

  ‘That would be great, Toomas. When do I need to come down?’

  ‘Before sun coom up we be long gone,’ Toomas said.

  By this time, the fishwives had divvied up the catch into baskets for all the families of the village. Fish was loaded into the panniers on the donkey’s backs and hefted onto shoulders, backs and hips of the strong fishwives and carried home to hearths to be scaled and gutted, cooked and dried, stewed and baked and fried, eaten and enjoyed.

  Toomas pulled a couple of fish and some squid from his own basket, and handed them to Saxon.

  ‘Take these home to old Saira with my blessings,’ Toomas said. ‘There be many thinks she might be a witch, with her herbs and brews and magic hands, but I thank the Moonmother we have her wise ways to help us. Coom early, mind. The Moonmother pulls the tides and she waits for no sleepyhead lad.’

  Saxon grinned and nodded, clutching the slippery sea creatures in his bare hands.

  Saira was delighted with the fresh fish and squid. She fried it all up with butter and herbs and potatoes for supper that evening.

  The rich smell wafted from the kitchen, making Lily stir and wake from her sleep. She lay propped up on pillows, looking pale and wan and weak. While she could not manage to eat much, she did sip on a delicious seafood broth Saira had prepared for her, before falling back into an exhausted sleep.

  The next morning Saxon was awake well before the sun came up. He pulled on his cloak and padded down the stairs in his bare feet to avoid waking anyone up. Aisha alone heard him and thumped the rug with her tail, but refused to leave Lily’s side.

  Saxon ran down the path to the beach, his eyes searching the way in the blackness.

  The dark beach was a hive of activity – fishermen stowing nets and ropes, checking rigging, cleating sails and launching boats.

  ‘Aye, be that young Saxon?’ called a familiar voice from the gloom. ‘Coom yonder.’

  Saxon found Toomas next to a sleek, freshly painted fishing boat.

  Toomas was placing a small plaited basket at the base of the mast. The basket held a collection of fresh flowers, pretty shells and finely chopped vegetables.

  ‘What’s that?’ Saxon asked curiously.

  ‘Ooh, that be an offering to Moonmother to make tides true, and to Sun Lord to keep skies fair. Later today we be making an offering to t’Seawitch and t’Merrow maids to keep seas smiling and Octomons away and bring us hoom safe.’

  Saxon nodded, his stomach clenching nervously at the memory of the dreadful Octomon.

  ‘And what’s that?’ he asked, pointing to some black symbols painted on the prow of the boat.

  Toomas smiled. ‘T’eye is so boat can see way out and home again and see danger. This mark is to show it is Toomas’s boat and this sign be for Merrow. Soom boots mark for Moonmother, soom for Sun Lord and soom for Merrow, t’folk of t’sea.’

  Toomas stopped chatting and gestured briskly to his crew, who ran to the boat and started heaving and pushing it down the sand toward the water. Saxon ran to help, pushing with all his might.

  The boat gathered speed and slid down the sand and into the waves with a splash. The fishermen kept running until they were thigh deep in water, then swung themselves into the boat with practised ease. Saxon clambered far more clumsily, hauling himself over the stern on his stomach, his clothes dripping.

  By the time he was sitting up the sails were hoisted and the boat was surging eagerly out to sea. The fishing fleet was far from the shore when the sun peeped over the horizon and rose as a great red ball into the sky. Saxon sat on a pile of nets, enjoying the wind in his face, the fresh salt air, the beautiful sunrise and the sensation of flying across the surface of the sea.

  The day was long and hot and quiet. As the sun beat down, Saxon grew sleepy. The only sounds were the slapping of waves on the hull, the harsh screech of gulls or the odd call from a fishermen pointing to a sign that might mean fish. Gulls hovering over the sea, a dark smudge under the water, a silvery splash – all were signs that might mean a school of fish. The fishermen watched the sea patiently.

  Some days the sea was kind and their nets were filled to bursting. Other days the sea was mean, and those nights they would go home with empty nets, to empty pots and empty bellies and children with big hungry eyes.

  ‘Dolphin starboard,’ cried one sailor, pointing to the right. Toomas pulled the tiller to the left to swing the boat in the same direction as the surging dolphin. Another dolphin surfaced, then another and another. The pod of dolphins played alongside the boat, racing it and chasing it, diving under the prow, leaping out of the water and splashing back under again, showering the fishermen with brilliant droplets.

  The dolphins led the fishermen straight into a shoal of large fish, flashing silver in the inky sea. The dolphins surged back and forth, feeding in glee. The silverbacks leapt from the water trying to escape, and fell back into the ocean like a glittering fountain. The hunched-over fishermen scurried and bustled, setting nets and securing knots.

  Saxon helped to haul in the bursting nets, his muscles searing. His feet slipped on the slick deck and his hands burned from the rope. The sun beat down. At last the wildly wriggling nets were safe in the boat, filling the hull.

  Toomas grunted in satisfaction. The crew scampered over the boat, securing the nets, adjusting sails and bailing out excess seawater.

  ‘Can you feel that, young Saxon?’ asked Toomas, gesturing broadly out at the vast blue ocean.

  ‘What?’ Saxon asked curiously.

  ‘T’wind. It’s changed,’ Toomas replied, nodding sagely. ‘Sun Lord draws t’wind from t’land in t’early dawn. Then in t’heat of t’day, Sun Lord changes t’wind to blow us safe back t’land.’

  True enough, the wind was soon blowing strongly back towards the land.

  The boat no longer flew eagerly across the sea, instead seeming tired and slow but happy after a good day’s work. Toomas showed Saxon how to tie a variety of fishermen’s knots on a spare length of rope.

  The lookout called softly as he spied another shoal of fish. As the boat came closer Saxon saw some larger creatures circling the shoal hungrily.

  These were not playful dolphins. Their triangular fins cut through the water like a dagger through silk. These creatures were menacing.

  Toomas shook his head. ‘We have enough fish today. Besides, t’sharks do not share t’fish like t’dolphins. Stay away from sharks.’

  The sharks attacked the shoal and in a moment the calm sea became a thrashing, churning, frenzied maelstrom. Toomas steered the boat away from the lethal whirlpool and the crew deftly adjusted the sails.

  Their arrival back at the beach at Mereworth was again greeted by a crowd of excited children, donkeys, and fishwives with baskets. Saxon watched the whole routine unfold once more with tired satisfaction. This time Toomas handed him a large basket of fish of his own to take home to Saira.

  ‘Coom any time, young Saxon,’ Toomas grinned, his brown face crinkling. ‘You worked well today and brought us luck.’

  Saxon trudged up the hill, his face and arms burnt red from the sun, his muscles aching and his heart singing.

  The four children felt sick with anxiety about their parents and the young prince, but everyone realised they had no choice but to rest and recuperate. Ethan recovered almost completely within a few days but Saira insisted he continue to have plenty of rest and wholesome food.

  After three days, Lily was able to get up and sit outside in the warm spring sunshine,
with Aisha resting at her feet. After five days she could hobble around the garden, and after a week she could walk as far as the village to see for herself the festivity of the afternoon fleet homecoming. Saira finally removed the stitches from her leg and arm. Lily had two ugly, red, puckered scars, but both wounds were healing well. The healing power of young bodies was quite miraculous, Saira told her.

  Saxon and Roana kept themselves busy helping Saira, in return for her generous hospitality.

  In the mornings Saira woke Roana and Saxon early. The mornings were a busy whirl of feeding and caring for animals, collecting eggs, preparing meals, collecting timber, weeding the vegetable garden, cleaning the house and stables and gathering herbs. Saxon repaired a number of things around the farm and built new herb drying racks for Saira.

  In the afternoons, Saxon spent hours down with the fishermen, helping to tie knots and mend nets, and learning the rudiments of navigation. He went out fishing with Toomas again several times, and Saira was always pleased with the basket of seafood he brought back.

  After lunch, Roana usually accompanied Saira on her rounds of the nearby villages, visiting the old and infirm, giving advice to new mothers and helping tend to injuries and ailments. Roana was shocked by how the villagers lived, many in tiny cottages housing huge families of children, parents and grandparents all sleeping in one or two rooms.

  She helped Saira dole out draughts and infusions, and learnt some of the basic herbs and what their properties were. She learnt that often what the villagers needed most was some sympathy from a friendly ear, along with rest and nourishing food.

  After their cottage visits, Saira set Roana to work again on the evening chores. At night she fell into her hard, narrow cot, exhausted, and slept better than she had ever slept in her ornately carved four-poster bed in the palace, with its pretty drapes and deep, soft mattress.

  All three children took turns to sit with Lily and read to her, or tell her stories about the village doings. Ethan was forbidden to help with the chores so he enticed Aisha away from Lily’s side and took her for long walks, chatting to the locals to learn more about the Sedah’s whereabouts.

  Of this there seemed to be little news. Several distant villages had been pillaged and burned. Humble Mereworth and the other tiny villages nearby had been ignored, probably because they were too out-of-the-way or of no strategic importance. However, the rumour was that the Sedahs would be back soon, with more soldiers, once Tira itself was secured.

  The village elders began making preparations – fortifying the village, hiding food and meagre valuables in the hills, and practising their fighting skills. The young children held mock battles in the roadways, using sticks for swords. Some of the young men slipped off in the night to join the bands of rebels who were said to be gathering in the forests.

  This news made the children anxious to make some decisions about their future. Should they join the rebels in the forest? Go to their aunt’s? Or ride to Tira?

  On the ninth night, there was no moon and the darkness outside was thick and deep. A wild wind sent huge clouds scudding across the sky and howled around the cottage, causing the timbers to creak and groan as though the house were alive and moving.

  Lily was almost completely recovered, although still a bit pale. Now she shivered despite the rug wrapped around her and wriggled closer to the fire. She felt for the Merrow pearl at her throat and rubbed it thoughtfully. A picture of the Merrow maid and chubby sea baby flashed into her mind.

  ‘What a wild night,’ she cried. ‘I am glad we are cozy in Saira’s cottage, and not sleeping out in the forest. Look at Aisha – she is so close to the fire it’s a wonder she hasn’t singed her whiskers!’

  Aisha opened her eyes and grunted at the sound of her name, but was soon sound asleep again, her head on her paws almost in the cinders of the hearth.

  The others laughed. Saxon rubbed his belly in contentment.

  ‘Another fine meal,’ he grinned. ‘Saira is definitely a wonderful cook. I could stay here forever!’

  ‘Not so fast, young man,’ interrupted Saira from the kitchen door. ‘The last thing I need is a big lazy lump of a boy always underfoot in the kitchen and eating everything in the house. Oh no – I think it must be time to be getting you all on your way.’ Saira’s affectionate smile belied her harsh words.

  ‘Admit it, Saira, you will miss us when we go,’ laughed Saxon, sprawled on a cushion on the floor.

  Saira’s green eyes twinkled in agreement.

  ‘Well, perhaps just a tiny bit,’ she smiled. ‘But I think tonight might be a good evening to learn some more about your journey and what you need to do.’

  All the children sat up immediately, burning with curiosity.

  ‘First, young Saxon, I think it’s your turn to do the dishes,’ Saira teased. ‘When the kitchen’s spick and span, then we can ask the crystal what is in store for you all and for Tiregian.’

  Saxon leapt to his feet at once. Ethan jumped up too.

  ‘I’ll help you so it’s finished faster,’ Ethan cried.

  ‘Me too,’ added Roana eagerly.

  Soon all the dishes were washed, dried and stacked on the shelves of the dresser. The pots were scoured and gleaming by the hearth, the table was scrubbed and the floor swept.

  When all was finished, Saira stood up without a word and left the room. She returned in a moment, carefully carrying a round object covered with a silk cloth, intricately embroidered with tiny suns, stars, moons and strange mythical animals.

  Placing the object on the table, she sat and ceremoniously removed the silk covering.

  Sitting on a wooden base was a perfectly round cloudy pink crystal, about the size of a small melon, veined with white streaks. Saira invited them all to place their fingertips on the crystal.

  ‘Tis Rose Quartz,’ Saira murmured. ‘It helps to clear the thoughts, calm the mind and lift the veils of time.

  ‘Listen carefully to what I say when the trance comes upon me, for I may not remember anything after it is finished,’ Saira continued softly. ‘Take close heed of what the crystal reveals and memorise it well. The message may seem confused or unclear, but remember that eventually the crystal will be shown to be true.’

  The four friends nodded nervously, mouths suddenly dry and fingers sweaty on the smooth stone.

  Saira completed the circle as the fifth pair of hands. At her touch, the crystal seemed to flicker in its cloudy depths. Saira gazed deep into its pink heart, then closed her eyes, breathing out with a sigh. Nothing happened for what seemed like hours, then Saira began to chant in a low singsong voice.

  ‘Five travellers true, a treacherous journey to take

  A princeling to save, a kingdom at stake,

  Fire, plague, sea and snow must test,

  To the ends of the land they make their quest,

  To fetch sun and moon and blade

  so the bright magic is whole again made.

  The sun is dimmed under Tira to seek

  The blade is hidden in the caverns deep,

  The moon and stars under sea lost their power.

  The princeling imprisoned in a snowy tower.

  When all is done the five may rest

  When ice is conquered to win their quest.’

  Saira’s voice rose to a powerful chant, then fell into silence when the verse was completed. The words shimmered in the air and seemed to brand themselves magically into each of the children’s memories.

  Saira shuddered and her head slumped forward onto her chest. Her fingers fell from the crystal. Slowly her eyelids fluttered open. Ethan, Lily, Roana and Saxon stared at her in awe.

  ‘What does it mean?’ asked Lily excitedly. They all began talking at once, trying to analyse and decipher the strange verse.

  They talked and talked, getting louder and louder, and going around and around in circles.

  ‘Enough talk,’ Saira interrupted. ‘It is late and you need to sleep. We should all think about the crystal’s foretelling
and we can discuss plans later.’

  The next morning Roana woke early, the strange verse which Saira had chanted over the crystal last night ringing in her ears. Roana shook her head in disbelief.

  Of course it probably means nothing at all, Roana thought sceptically. As if a polished piece of rock could reveal the future!

  At breakfast, the children talked incessantly about the strange verse which Saira had told them the night before and tried to puzzle out its meaning. Roana still thought it was probably nonsense but she enjoyed the sense of belonging with the others. The thought of a quest thrilled her with a strange sense of excitement and adventure. She was soon joining in with the others, guessing its possible meaning.

  Saira came in from the garden, carrying a mixed bunch of herbs. The pungent fragrance of the freshly cut herbs permeated the kitchen.

  ‘Well, it is nice to see Lily looking so well,’ declared Saira, smiling widely. ‘I will check you over carefully once more but I think you are now well enough to continue on your journey. A few more days rest would be ideal but, from what you have told me and what the crystal has revealed, it is probably best if you continue your travel tomorrow.’

  Lily flushed with relief. Everyone whooped with excitement. Aisha barked loudly, joining in the elation.

  ‘That is fantastic news,’ grinned Saxon. ‘I think we should have a feast to celebrate tonight, and for once Saira is having a night off. I am going to cook a meal you will never forget.’

  ‘I think I’d better help you, Sax, or you might kill us all with food poisoning!’ joked Ethan.

  ‘No, my boy,’ replied Saxon with a mock sniff. ‘You and Lily are banned from the kitchen too. Roana can help me!’

  ‘Oh, great,’ groaned Ethan, rolling his eyes. ‘We’ll definitely all die then!’

  ‘Well, thanks a lot,’ snorted Roana, hitting Ethan with a rolled-up cloth, pretending to be cross. ‘Perhaps you’d rather starve!’ But secretly Roana was pleased to be part of the joking and teasing.