Geneva Sommers and the Secret Legend

by C J Benjamin

  “Niv! What are you doing?”

  But I knew the answer to that question instantly, because two seconds later I was sitting on my rear end again thanks to Quin. She had followed Niv’s path up the tree and unfortunately also thought she could land on my shoulder. She was much bigger than Niv and caught me off guard, sending me sprawling. To make matters worse, I landed in the tiny puddle that had been forming under me as I washed myself off. I looked down at the spattering of mud that Quin and Niv sprayed all over me, as they chased each other in circles.

  “That’s enough!” I scolded and scooped up the wiggling wex. Quin covered me in excited kisses, making it hard for me to stay mad at her.

  “Quin! There you are,” came a familiar voice.

  Jovi came panting into view and stifled a tiny shriek, her hand flying to her open mouth when she caught sight of me.

  “Geneva! I’m so sorry! Did Quin do this? Quin! Bad Quin!”

  “It’s okay, Jovi,” I said handing Quin to her. “It was an accident,” I added when I saw the mortified look on the little girl’s face.

  “Is there anything I can do to help,” she asked with her big doe eyes blinking up at me.

  “Well, not unless you have any clean clothes that would fit me,” I said half joking, knowing I couldn’t wear any of the pint-sized girl’s clothing.

  “I do! I’ll be right back!” she said, and was gone before I could stop her.

  She returned in a flash, padding barefoot up to me. She pulled open a sack that she began rummaging through.

  “I knew these would come in handy! I always keep the things I find along the way. Clothes, gems, tools, shoes . . . Everyone calls me a pack-rat, but I always say ‘it’ll have a purpose someday.’ Today’s that day!” she said excitedly as she pulled a pile of material out, handing it to me.

  I smiled at her contagious enthusiasm and pawed through what she’d given me. I held up a sage green, linen shirt. It was oversized, with a soft collar and wooden buttons down the front. It was too large for me and obviously meant for a man, but I pulled a sash from the heap and used it to cinch in the waist. I inspected myself, running my hands over the fabric, trying to smooth the wrinkles. I didn’t look half bad. It was a definite improvement from my tattered uniform, which lay in tragic pieces at my feet.

  “What do you think?” I asked playfully twirling for Jovi, who squealed in delight!

  “It’s perfect!” she said, clapping her hands with glee.

  “Now for my face . . .” I said, going back to the watering hole in the tree.

  “Here! Try this,” Jovi said, coming up beside me.

  She dipped a piece of moss that she pulled from the bark into the water and handed it to me. “It helps scrub off the thick stuff.”

  I tried it and she was right. It was a vast improvement.

  I smiled at her. “Thanks.”

  I took one more look at my reflection in the watering hole and sighed deeply. It was the best I could do and I couldn’t come up with any more reasons to delay meeting the chief. I had to stop procrastinating and do my duties as the Eva.

  “Okay,” I said as I returned to where Nova and Eja were standing outside the chief’s tent. “I’m ready.”

  “Wait, one more thing,” called Jovi, running up behind me.

  “What is it?” I asked.

  “Bend down,” she said.

  As I complied, she tucked a bright ruby red flower behind my ear. “Perfect!” she said. “Good luck!”

  “Thank you, Jovi,” I smiled at the young girl.

  “You ready?” Nova asked as he reached for my hand.

  I nodded nervously and Eja held the tent flap open for me.

  15

  It was humid and fragrant inside the tent. It took a second for my eyes to adjust to the dim light. When I was able to focus, I saw that the tent seemed somehow larger inside than I expected. The light from outside painted everything inside with a glowing orange hue. I noticed it was similar to the one I’d awoken in, but with more candles and incense burning. Instead of a hammock, there was woven grass mat with a large man sitting upon it. My breath caught at the sight of him. He was sitting with his legs crossed. He was lean, yet muscular. He had dark skin and long, raven black hair collected in a series of braids down his back. His weathered hands were resting upon his knees, palms upward and open. His eyes were closed and he was breathing slowly and deeply.

  I studied the barely present lines in his face. They started between his dark, bold eyebrows and continued around his almond shaped eyelids, fanning out, connecting to dimples that creased his cheeks. The faintness of them made it impossible to guess his age. He was definitely younger than I’d expected. I guess when I heard the word chief, I assumed an old and sage leader.

  We stood before him for what seemed like an eternity. Neither of us spoke. The chief continued to sit, quietly breathing, in and out, in and out. I gave Nova a questioning glance. “Do you think he’s sleeping?” I telepathed.

  “I am not asleep, my Eva. I am meditating,” replied a low, smooth voice.

  “Oh, I’m sorry, Chief, I . . . I didn’t mean to interrupt you,” I stammered, mentally kicking myself for flubbing up my first impression with the Beto chief.

  “Don’t despair, young one. I was meditating on you, and here you are. Your interruption is welcomed,” the chief said, bowing his head to me.

  I glanced nervously at Nova. I didn’t know if I was supposed to bow back or curtsey or say something special. This whole chosen one role was still new to me. Nova smiled reassuringly at me and after a moment, the chief motioned for us to join him on the floor. Two men moved swiftly and silently from the wings of the tent to roll out grass mats for us. They startled me when they emerged from the shadows. Their faces were painted with dark ash, depicting sinister skeletal masks. I hadn’t noticed them when we came in. How was it, that everyone around here was able to catch me off guard? The Betos just moved so much more gracefully and silently than I was used to.

  “Don’t be alarmed, Eva. These are Beto shadow scouts. I always have a few of them with me, working as bodyguards. They are good at seeing the things that I can’t always see. They paint masks of death on their faces to scare away the evil spirits they may encounter, for they can see the dangers present in all realms that may wish to harm us.”

  I didn’t really understand what the chief meant, but I nodded anyway, trying to regain my composure. Perhaps Eja was right, I need to pay attention more, I thought to myself as I sat down in front of the chief, folding my legs to mirror his.

  “Eja is very wise. He will serve you well, my Eva,” the chief said.

  “You can read minds?” I asked forgetting myself for a moment. “Oh sorry, am I allowed to ask you that?”

  He chuckled softly. “Yes, I can tune into the minds of those around me and hear their thoughts. Yours are very clear to me. That is proof of your strength. And you are our Eva. We are here for you. We have been waiting for you for a very long time, so please hold nothing back. We want to help you in every way we can. If you have questions, by all means, ask them and we shall do our best to answer.”

  “Thank you,” I said, feeling more at ease.

  Nova, cleared his throat and I suddenly remembered my manners. “This is my friend Nova,” I said.

  The chief nodded to Nova and I felt silly. Surely, if he could read our minds he knew who Nova was.

  “What’s your name?” I asked before I could stop myself.

  Again, I felt like the words just slipped out of my mouth. I felt so open and unguarded around the Beto chief. I wondered if he had some sort of power that disarmed my thoughts.

  He smiled ruefully. “No one has asked me my real name in a long time. You are refreshing, my Eva. My given name is Koele, but my people call me Jaka. You may call me Jaka as well, if you like.”

  “Like the first chief?” I questioned.

  “Yes. Do you know the story?”

  “Yes, I know the Legend of Lux. The Beto
chief Jaka sacrificed himself into the volcano to stop the war and cleanse the island. I never dreamt it could be true, or that I could be part of it.”

  “I know the feeling, young one. I too was thrust into the role to lead my people at a young age. Take comfort in knowing that these roles are only bestowed upon those who are meant for them. It may feel overwhelming at times, but always remember you are never given more than you have the means to bear. My people and I will be here to help you along your journey.”

  “Do you know why I was chosen to be the Eva?” I asked.

  “Your destiny was written in the stars. You weren’t chosen out of many to be the Eva, you just are and you being who you are, is why you are who we need.”

  “Okay, you kind of lost me,” I said apologetically.

  The chief smiled warmly. “Maybe that is because you are asking the wrong questions. We already know you are the Eva and the time for you is now. We need you and you have come. Do not waste time questioning what is.”

  Jaka’s words were so simple, yet so powerful. They could be applied to everything I was dealing with right now. I needed to stop questioning how it was possible that Jemma was my sister and just appreciate her. I needed to stop wondering what to do about my feelings for Nova and just welcome the moments we were spending together. I had to stop questioning my relationship with Remi. We were best friends and that would never change, no matter what happened between us. I had to stop wondering if I could fulfill my duty of being the Eva and just be myself. None of what was happening to me lately seemed to be in my control, but I could control how I reacted to it and to stop questioning it all. To embrace my destiny, seemed like the best idea I’d ever heard. It instantly took a weight I didn’t even know I was shouldering, off of me. I hadn’t realized I was wasting so much energy worrying and questioning my future. Embracing it was liberating. I took a freeing, deep breath and cleared my mind.

  “So, what do I do next?” I asked calmly. “We have the Book of Secrets, but I don’t know what to do with it.”

  “I think you do, Eva. You just need to do what you feel is right and it will be so.”

  I looked at Nova, who with a simple smile, encouraged a confidence in me that allowed me to speak my mind.

  “Well, I haven’t been able to really study the Book of Secrets, but from what I do know, I’ve been thinking . . . I feel like I need to go back to the Troian Center.”

  “What?” Nova whispered. The approving smile on his face vanished, replaced with a startled expression.

  “Nova, you know how horrible that place is. And now without Greeley there, who knows what’s happening. What if no one is taking care of the other Johns and Janes? And I was thinking, I didn’t get to really read much of the Book of Secrets, but Jemma and I were in it. What if there are other orphans in that book? What if it can help explain who they are or where their family is? I can’t keep that from them. It’s my duty to help them if I can.”

  As I said the words out loud, I realized I truly meant them. It was more than that. I felt them in my bones, like something underlying that had always been there. But, now suddenly, I was able to put my finger on that feeling. I needed to free the other orphans, the way the book had freed me.

  Nova must have felt my conviction, because although he didn’t look enthusiastic about the idea of returning to the Troian Center, he didn’t look like he was going to resist it either.

  “You are very wise indeed, my Eva. The Book of Secrets tells of many others.”

  “You’ve read it?”

  “Eja and I have been interpreting it since you arrived. I trust that’s all right with you, my Eva?”

  I nodded.

  “Can you tell me what it says?”

  16

  “Master, look! Something is happening with the Book of Gods again. The Eva must be accessing the Book of Secrets.”

  The brittle pages of the Book of Gods had since dried out. And now, once again the men watched in awe as large, looping script bled across the barren parchment landscape, causing a smile to curl the edges of the tall man’s lips.

  “She lives! The Eva lives! And she’s in the forest, Master. I think she’s with the Betos.”

  “Where in the forest, Kobel?”

  “I need more time to narrow it down, Master.”

  “I’m not a patient man, Kobel. I want the Eva and the book!”

  “I’ll find them, Master. I won’t stop until I find them.”

  “Redirect the search to the forest.”

  “Yes, Master.”

  “And Kobel? Don’t let me down.”

  “Yes, Master.”

  17

  My mind was whirling as Jaka filled my head with what he knew of the Book of Secrets. The Legend of Lux was just the beginning. There was so much more. He said the book reiterated that nature requires a balance; for every good there is an evil, for every birth there is a death, for every light there is a darkness.

  He told us of a dark book, the Book of Gods. It was the balance to the Book of Secrets and it was believed to be possessed by the Ravinori—a secret society of Ravin supporters. Their sole purpose was to consume power, until they had enough to resurrect Ravin.

  “My Eva, you must be very cautious of them. They will lay waste to those who opposed their views. They will be your biggest opponents.”

  “Do you know who they are?”

  “No, they are very secretive and keep their identities hidden. I only know their beliefs and that I can feel their power growing. They are preparing for you, my Eva. They are very powerful. If I can feel their presence we must assume they can feel yours.”

  “What can you tell us about the Book of Gods?” Nova asked.

  “I have never seen the Book of Gods, as the Ravinori guard it heavily. I do know that it was never intended to be a dark book, but as with any literature, it can be misinterpreted. The Legend of Lux begins with the Book of Gods. It is said, that when Ravin read the Book of Gods, he was reborn. He believed it was a manifesto to create gods and he dedicated his life to becoming one. The book supposedly tells the story of the first war that took place among the immortals long ago. The results of this war were said to have divided the world into realms and given birth to mortals and gods and demons.”

  “So it’s true? There were really immortals? Gods?”

  A warm smile slowly spread across Jaka’s face. “Yes, Geneva. All the legends are real. You of all people should believe this to be true.”

  I was almost afraid to ask, but I couldn’t stop the word from escaping my mouth. “Why?”

  “Because you are a direct descendant of them.”

  Nova reached out to steady me before I even realized I was shaking. I didn’t know why I felt so shocked. I already managed to accept that I had magical powers, a long lost sister and that our parents were part of an ancient legend. Being a descendant of gods wasn’t such a stretch. I guess hearing confirmation from a respected source just made it more real. I was so used to letting my imagination carry me away, but this was far more than I could have ever dreamed. My mind was buzzing with fear and questions. I felt the weight of expectation heavy on my shoulders and I was having a hard time knowing what to do or say next. I was grateful that Nova could read my mind. He knew to take over the conversation.

  “Can you tell us about this war among the immortals?” Nova asked Jaka. “I’ve never heard of it.”

  “Ah, I suppose that is the way the Ravinori prefer it. They don’t want to draw attention to the secrets they’ve learned from the Book of Gods. There will be time for all of that, but for now, I think I’ve filled young Geneva’s head with enough to ponder. Why don’t you take some time getting her acquainted with the tribe and our ways,” Jaka said to Nova.

  He turned to me and smiled warmly. “Tomorrow we would like to welcome you formally with a celebration in your honor.”

  My eyes bulged. I was sure Jaka could sense my panic. A party where I was the center of attention? This sort of thing would have
suited Jemma perfectly, but I was never comfortable in the spotlight.

  I tripped over my tongue, sputtering any excuse I could think of to get me out of an awkward party where I’d be paraded around in front of a tribe of strangers.

  “Oh . . . um . . . thank you . . . that’s not necessary. I . . . they don’t need to . . .”

  “I insist. We have been waiting for our Eva for a very long time.”

  “I don’t really do well at parties,” I whispered to Jaka. “I’ve um, never been to one,” I said shamefully embarrassed.

  Jaka placed his hands on top of mine and I felt his confidence in me. “Just be yourself, my Eva, and that will be just fine.”

  With that he bowed, giving me the distinct signal that our meeting was over.

  I left the tent feeling like a bundle of nervous energy, yet somehow, refreshed and ready at the same time. Although the chief told me my journey would be difficult and he warned me of darkness and dangers along the way, he had also given me clarity and a goal to focus on. I knew that I had to go back to the Troian Center and free the other orphans. According to Jaka, there were more of them that were like me in the Book of Secrets—Truiets with magical powers. He said there were four in particular that would need my help. He called them the four Pillars and said they were in danger because their power was instrumental in the Ravinori’s goal of bringing their leader back.

  Nova stood by my side, his eyes, questioning green pools. But I had no answers for him. My mind danced with Jaka’s warnings echoing in my ears. Thoughts of dark forces whirled through my head. Jaka had said they’d been set in motion long before I was born. He cautioned me against the ancient cult of Ravinori that would stop at nothing to accomplish their goals. He said, they had formed to preserve Ravin’s power hungry ways and to oppress the Betos and steal their powers in order to bring Ravin back. I knew my tasks of freeing the orphans and protecting the Pillars would be far from simple, but I could feel Jaka’s faith in my ability to succeed against all odds and it drove me onward. For the first time, I was starting to believe that I could actually fulfill the prophecy of the Eva; the chosen one who would bring our island to salvation.