“We fell so fast. It was a horrid feeling! The ship dipped vertically and spun in circles. Everything was dislodged. I tried to grab Naydiacar, but she skidded away from me and hit the door of the pilot’s cabin with a hard thud. I hung on to a table. Then the ship hit the ground.
“Then I felt the heat. From that point until I found myself outside the crashed ship is a blank. From what I saw of the wreck later, the pilot section was actually snapped in half.”
Marhidium feel silent. She took deep breaths and tried to calm herself and then went on. “The villagers on the mountaintop told me they didn’t see the ship hit any part of the mountain. They saw the strong winds and fog throw the ship off course. They also saw the ship split apart in pieces and people fall out. I stopped them from saying more.”
Tenashar felt his spirit die. He comforted Marhidium, and so did the villagers that were present.
But Tenashar knew that the ones who had lost children were not so forgiving.
While Marhidium talked about the ship, a messenger on a swift horse had arrived in the village of the Homvia.
The messenger spoke with Naiena-sa, telling him everything that happened with the Veazith people regarding the flying ship. Naiena-sa sent him back to Athtap with the reply that he agreed with Tenashar and Athtap that the Sahaynaiviums should be sent home. As a merchant, he had traveled everywhere and was familiar with the pain of not seeing one’s home.
He said. “Let us be compassionate toward the Sahaynaiviums. I know that I can be accused of preaching, but I am not. If you don’t want these strangers in your land, send them back to their homes. Many disagree with me, because your children or siblings may have been taken away. I know what you are feeling—I had a son that was taken while I was away. Soon after, my wife, Seia, passed away from sadness.”
Naiena-sa was not accustomed to speaking before such a large gathering, not since he had aged. He touched a feeling of curiosity in those that gathered.
A messenger was summoned and given a message to take on to Nainashari. He rode quickly away to the forests while the first messenger made his way back to Athtap. Other villagers would follow in large groups, treading slowly across the grasslands to see where the messenger was going. Wherever the messenger passed, dwellings lit up. Somehow, they sensed what was happening such a great distance away—or perhaps other villagers had already spread the word concerning the Sahaynaiviums.
The village head and Naiena-sa discussed what had happened and why it was so important to send the Sahaynaiviums back to their islands.
Merchants had already brought back news from distant parts of the world, and all parts of the world were showing signs of decay. Some crops were already failing, and nothing could be done to reverse the situation.
Villagers in Homvia wondered if perhaps these islanders had the answers to the Orbs. Naiena-sa and the village head agreed that every avenue must be looked at. All kinds of people from the grasslands and isolated settlements came to listen to the council concerning the fate of the Sahaynaiviums. They wanted to see what was going to happen, because their lands were once abundant but were now yielding less and less—sometimes nothing at all.
The gathering of the council came to nothing. It was at an impasse. Few people knew what was going on. So the council sent another messenger back to the Veazith people.
chapter 9
Nainashari’s Advice
Nainashari was outside the cave one day when Etutsha cried out to him that someone was approaching. He recognized the visitor as a resident of Veazith by his clothing and called out, “Approach, approach, don’t be afraid! I will not eat you. I am so eager to see what you have brought.”
And he laughed.
Nainashari was given the message. “I bring very important words from the people who live beyond the forest.” He recounted all that had happened.
Nainashari asked Etutsha to bring something cold to drink for the messenger.
He caught his breath and drank the water. After being refreshed, he told them what happened to Tenashar since he left the forest.
They were glad for news of him, for they had missed him greatly since he left.
When the messenger told about the crashed Sahaynaiviums, Nainashari’s face became serious. But at the same time, his thoughts turned meditative. The messenger had seen nothing like this before. He knew Nainashari well because he had been sent to the forest many times before—but he had never seen Nainashari so serious and thoughtful at once.
Nainashari gave the messenger a reply to take back, saying that the Sahaynaiviums were not to be sent to his forest. He could not help, for he had no means to send them home.
“I am against using the sphere worlds to try to send the Sahaynaiviums home. The spheres are too unstable. They could end up in some other time or place. It is too big a risk. Let me suggest they find another flying ship to get them back to their home.”
The messenger promptly headed back to Athtap to relay Nainashari’s words.
Once he set off, Nainashari spoke to Etutsha. “It’s good to learn what happened to these Sahaynaiviums. They are so far away from home, stranded in a strange place.”
Nainashari considered Etutsha a valuable assistant in his work.
Tenashar saw the messenger retuning, ran to meet him, and asked, “What did Nainashari recommend?”
Tenashar was quite puzzled by Nainashari’s comments and asked, “Isn’t he the most wise of all the Aura-Laei-i?”
Tenashar was disappointed. He wasn’t ready to take on the responsibility of an Aura-Laei-i, even if he was on his way to being one. His training was still incomplete. What was Nainashari expecting him to do?
Athtap said, “I’m not sure how to interpret the message. But I’ve known Nainashari all my life. Is there some clue in his words as to what to do?”
Anger stirred up among the villagers. They knew that the chance of another flying ship coming to rescue Knode and his people was small. Few ships had been seen recently. Some of the more vocal villagers were causing problems. They asked one another if this burden was worth the effort. Some villagers insisted, “Take these strangers from our presence. It doesn’t matter where they go. We just don’t want to see them here.”
Tenashar wasn’t happy with the villagers.
Athtap laughed. “Tenashar if you could see your own appearance, your wide eyes, contorted lips, and stiff stance, you look so serious. I believe everything is okay.”
Some villagers burst out laughing. “You’re right,” one said. “We never see faces like this. Your eyes are so wide they’re going to burst.”
Tenashar, however, was very serious about Knode’s problem of getting back home. “I don’t see what laughing will do to help Knode and his crew.”
But the villagers laughed even harder. Knode, Siytai, and Marhidium came out to find out what was happening. Unable to even talk, Athtap pointed to Tenashar. They looked at him and giggled.
When he calmed down, Knode finally spoke. “I don’t understand how you can debate among yourselves. So this Nainashari has no way of sending us home. No solution. It is for us to find our own way past this problem. We must look after ourselves. Not you. We’ve heard some of you talking and understand your anger. Our people have done much harm to yours. Let us face the fate that has been given to us by the great celestial father.
“Tenashar, you once told us what an Aura-Laei-i was. I surmise that they are like our own engineers and scientists. Things such as flying ships are not easy to devise. It would take a lot of time to build a flying ship. Materials to build one are not available in this land, so it may not be possible.”
Tenashar responded, “I think most of us believe that building another flying ship won’t be necessary. Nainashari knew this. I think you are right; it might not be possible to build another ship. Athtap believes that building a large boat would be impractical, particularly knowing how difficult your islands are to approach from the sea. But there must be a way, perhaps by going north.”
Athtap was confused by what Tenashar was saying.
Athtap said, “How is it possible to get to Sahaynaivium by going north? Remember, Tenashar, islands are commonly surrounded by water.”
But Tenashar insisted. “There is a way to find these islands from the north. When I lived with Nainashari, he had a collection of maps, and he taught me how to read and use them. I memorized every line and symbol on the maps and learned to find my way by tracing each line with my finger. I didn’t always know what I was looking at, but I was able to figure out my mistakes and retrace my path across these maps.
“As I was looking over one of the maps, I now recall seeing large groups of islands in the north that stretched far up toward the polar caps, and many other islands that I didn’t know about. I remembered what I saw on the map as I was talking to Knode. Now I know what Nainashari meant by saying he was unable to help—he believed there was a way. He knew I’d looked over his maps, and he wanted me to tell all of you that there are islands in the far north.
“The flying ships must explore the northern regions. Some of your pilots must know about these northern islands. Knode, you must know something about the north. Have you traveled to any of the northern islands?”
Knode thought for a moment. “It is possible. The north has been explored, but very rarely. I hadn’t thought of that. I never flew over the northern part of this world myself. I am such a fool! We had many maps, old and new, but they were destroyed in our ship. Yes! The north! Some of the landmasses of the north aren’t too distant from Sahaynaivium. Maybe there are people there who build boats that can sail us back home.” A bright flicker kindled in his eyes, driving out the hopeless look.
Tenashar knew so much about the world, and now he understood the wisdom of Nainashari.
Knode turned to Siytai. “Siytai, do you wish to stay here?”
Siytai replied, “It’s better for me to return to Sahaynaivium. Perhaps I was part of these people—I don’t know much about my origins. It doesn’t matter. I am of Sahaynaivium.”
Then Knode turned to Marhidium, and she said, “My desire is to return to Sahaynaivium. Later, I want to return and bring Naydiacar and all the deceased back to their island home.”
Knode nodded grimly and then asked, “What kind of maps did this Nainashari have, Tenashar? Were the maps brown with age? How does Nainashari draw maps? What kinds of ink does he use? The tools that he used for mapping and navigation must have been interesting.”
“Nainashari didn’t draw his maps on bark, skin, or paper. He used light, not ink of any sort. For Nainashari, practically everything operates with light. He had these tablets where images could change depending on his thoughts. On one tablet, he could store thousands of maps. It seemed like magic to me at first. I soon learned how the tablets worked.” Tenashar apologized for the lengthy explanation.
Knode shook his head. “It is I that should apologize. My people always assumed that the people of the continents were primitive. Now I see that your people are wiser than mine. My people will learn about this. If I can, I will find a way to persuade my people to stop taking your children. I am not sure if I can do this, but I will try.”
“For a while, you must rest here, Knode,” said Athtap. “If you try to journey home in your condition, you’ll never make it. I welcome you to stay and regain your strength, despite the hostility from some of my people. They should welcome you, once they understand that their children are safe in your beautiful islands. When they see Siytai, they will be amazed that their children might grow up to become pilots.”
Everything was provided for Knode and his crew to be comfortable while they stayed in the village. Marhidium started to feel very comfortable, her anxieties melting away. Siytai said nothing, which showed he was well settled.
Many of the villagers asked Knode questions about the children. They asked if all of the children turned out like Siytai and Naydiacar.
“We have found that their ability to learn is often even higher than the native Sahaynaivium children. They are the ones who usually choose to fly. In time, many become commanders of flying ships,” replied Knode.
Tenashar saw that some of the villagers felt a little more at ease after hearing this, but he knew most of them still felt suspicious.
Tenashar began to see connections between the Veazith and Sahaynaiviums. Perhaps the villagers could be descendants of Sahaynaiviums who left their island homes. At one time, the islanders themselves must have lived in such villages. There may have been a reason for leaving Sahaynaivium. How and when they came to the continent was perhaps lost in the remote past. Despite sharing a probable common ancestry, the villagers of the plains and mountains still felt distant from the Sahaynaiviums. Yet the villagers understandably felt there was no reason good enough to excuse taking their children. Tenashar sensed this and knew that they were justified in their feelings.
Knode, Marhidium, and Siytai retired to their dwelling to rest. Tenashar went with them.
Athtap also followed, still seeking a more detailed explanation about the children.
Tenashar realized that some of the villagers weren’t too happy that he seemed to be siding with Knode, because he was from a distant tribe and only a few years older than some of the village children. It bothered them that Athtap relied so much on someone only fifteen years old. Yet, to the villagers, it wasn’t that unnatural for Tenashar to take on a difficult task. Naiena-sa had done something similar at about the same age. It was common to send fourteen-year-olds across the continent, alone or with a protector, as part of an apprenticeship.
Athtap said to Knode, Marhidium, and Siytai that he decided to keep them away from the villagers until they were ready to go north. In addition, he advised them to try to find out where the Orbs came from and why they were destroying the land. Athtap admitted to Tenashar that it wasn’t always easy listening to him, not only because he young, but mainly he had strange ideas.
When Tenashar left his village, he was only fourteen years old, the same age that Naiena-sa was when he left his people. Now fifteen, different thoughts were starting to emerge in his heart for Tansatei. These thoughts became a burden and further confused him. Tansatei was far away, learning from Heitac. She had been a friend to him through the difficult times in the Senetha village, and she had been a beacon to light his way when he left on his journey. Tensahar had kept her in his heart. For Tenashar, many years had passed in the desert world when he was there, but only a couple of seasons went by in this one. Tenashar now realized that he was developing knowledge and understanding, but he still had a long way to go. His accomplishments were starting to be respected by Athtap and the villagers. He rarely thought about his age, and they seldom considered him a boy.
That night when everyone was asleep, Tenashar started thinking about the journey north. He was excited about seeing new things and peoples. Athtap would later advise him on how to go north with a compass the Veazith had devised that used sunlight. No matter how they explained its workings, it remained a mystery. But that wouldn’t stop Tenashar from using it.
A few of the Veazith merchants traveled north to trade, but the markets in the south were more prosperous. The north was sparsely populated, or so everyone believed.
Athtap had presented Tenashar a compass shaped like a ring that lit up at night by absorbing power from the sun during the day. It was twelve inches in diameter, with markings representing east and west where the sun rose and set, and marks for north or south. Tenashar had used a compass before, but no one taught him; he learned by watching other people. Tenashar learned that the Veazith didn’t always use a compass; some of them just used their experience and knowledge of nature.
Tenashar was aware that the Veazith were wise and had very good reasons why they didn’t always rely on a compass. The east was pinpointed by finding the rising sun; parts of the compass would glow due to its chemical composition. Sunlight would catch on certain numerical markings. Then one of the thinner outer rings had to be m
oved to match up to a number, and this would indicate north or south depending on where one wanted to go. Tenashar learned the Veazith number system with ease. This surprised Athtap.
Tenashar explained. “Don’t be surprised. Nainashari and a woman named Ilaythesia were my teachers. I learned many things from them. I simply watched what they did and learned, and I have done the same thing with you. I observed how you used the compass.”
Athtap and Tenashar looked into the sky above and understood that soon Tenashar would be leaving for the north. The sky was a lighter nighttime blue because the moon was shining brilliantly. The only thing they heard in the quiet night was their own breathing.
Tenashar continued to play with the compass Athtap had given him as a gift.
As if he had found a precious stone, the next morning Knode inspected the compass and marveled at its properties. It was smoother and harder than a diamond, and even its inner workings were a mystery.
Knode shook his head in amazement. “This is something I am entirely unfamiliar with—a compass that captures light. I have never seen the like! Athtap’s people are very clever. It is a worthy instrument for travelers like us. I only hope that you bring it with you, Tenashar. I would like to analyze it more as we travel.”
Knode handed the compass back to Tenashar and spent the night pacing about and looking up at the stars. Then he stood near a tree and gently touched it as if he were caressing someone he once cared for.
Tenashar was quite confused. “What are you doing, Knode? Why do you pace around? Is something wrong? Are you nervous about going back home?”
Knode replied, “No, I’m not nervous. I just have an interest in trees. However, please understand that I am not ready to make the journey home. There is so much to see in the land of yours. Naydiacar is here. I will miss her.”
Journey to the Grassland and Sea Page 6
