Ascension Watchers

by Amy Proebstel

  The trip to Roanoke was uneventful, and they were the last to arrive. Everyone had already taken their places in the main town square, which had been beautifully transformed into a lush garden with seating all around and a raised platform in the center. Amanda immediately noticed a beautiful glass vase and platter which sat prominently on the table on the platform. She assumed it had been Callan’s work, making her appraise his skill as a glazier.

  She leaned toward Riccan and whispered, “It appears Callan has figured out how to get the sands to blow properly from here. I wonder how long it took him to get that shade of blue?”

  “I don’t know, but I’m sure you’ll be cornering him to find out!” He playfully nudged her shoulder. “Let’s go take our seats at the front.” Riccan held her hand and almost pulled her along after him in his rush to sit.

  Amanda had no idea what had suddenly come over him until she looked out and realized Vinia had begun walking toward the crowd. Several people began to sing a song Amanda had never heard before, creating a beautiful melody surrounding her. She noticed Riccan had also joined his voice to the masses and wished someone had told her about this aspect so she could have prepared ahead of time. Too late for that, she focused her attention on her sister, almost willing their mind-link to return so she would tell her how beautiful she looked.

  Ozian had somehow appeared on the dais next to Elder Daven, both of them had taken advantage of everyone’s preoccupation with Vinia’s arrival for them to take their places unnoticed. Ozian looked resplendent in a new white tunic and tan trousers. The expression on his face was even more powerful to look at than his physical dress, he radiated love for his wife-to-be.

  Amanda turned back to watch her sister’s progression, also seeing her three children sitting across from them. She frowned, wondering where Danika had gone until she suddenly spotted her in the row behind the triplets being held by Juila. Thinking this was a sweet moment for all of them, she wished this moment could be forever frozen in time, everyone hopeful, happy, and in love with one another.

  Vinia made it up to the platform where Daven offered her a hand up. The custom was that the man could not touch the bride until after they had been joined together. The dress Vinia had made for this occasion had hints of Ozian’s outfit, yet hers was a fitted dress with subtle designs woven over the top in a silver thread that sparkled in the sunlight.

  Daven smiled at the couple before clearing his throat and looking out at the audience. “We are so pleased to be gathered together for this joyous occasion. This will be the first of many weddings in which I’ll be honored to perform here in Roanoke. Now for a bit of formality before we can begin the actual ceremony.”

  Daven winked at Vinia and chuckled, which caused the attendees to chuckle along with him. Daven raised his voice loud enough for even the back row to hear and declared, “If there is anyone who wishes to speak out against this union, speak now or forever hold your peace.” Getting ready to begin the next line, Daven was surprised when he heard a woman shout.

  “I saw Ozian out at the sacred lake with Fraya. No good could have been had with that girl involved. For all we know, Ozian is the father of her baby,” Agetha cried out snidely.

  Silence reigned just before everyone began speaking at the same time. Ozian’s eyes grew wide with dismay and a little bit of shame, causing his cheeks to redden.

  “Ozian? Is that true? Did you go to the lake with Fraya?” Vinia whispered accusingly.

  “Well, yes, but nothing happened, really,” Ozian stuttered on the last part.

  “I knew there was something off with you two! You got so defensive when I teased you about her, and now I know why. I don’t know why I believed you wanted to be with me when Fraya is closer to your own age. Is that your baby, Ozian?”

  “What? NO!” He turned to Daven and said, “Excuse us.” He grabbed Vinia’s arm to take her away, causing another gasp from the crowd as he broke tradition by touching her. He pulled her out of hearing distance from the crowd and rounded on her. “I got defensive because Fraya tried to seduce me, and I was embarrassed. We went swimming in the lake, and things got a little uncomfortable.”

  “Really? Why’s that? Is that because you were naked?”

  “Well, yes, actually. Fraya said everyone swims there naked, and she convinced me to get in the water. She made it seem like I was a prude for not joining her in the water. Anyway, against my better judgment, I got in, and we swam across the water to the ledge at the back.

  “She started making suggestive remarks and I told her to stop. Things got a little difficult when she touched my private parts and it decided to have a mind of its own. I was embarrassed to tell you because I don’t feel anything for her, but she was nice to look at. I mean, I’d never seen a woman in the nude before then.”

  “Never?” Vinia asked, flabbergasted by his claim enough to temporarily forget his involvement with Fraya.

  “No, it wasn’t done on Heliok. We were too busy trying to stay alive to get involved in frivolous relationships. That was one of the reasons why Fraya was able to get me to go along with her crazy idea. I had no idea what was customary here and I wanted so badly to fit in.

  “I promise you that was the only reason I agreed to swim naked with her. We’ve never done anything even remotely like it since. Trust me when I say I was mortified by the whole thing when I realized the lake was seldom used and she had simply tricked me. Still, I tried to be nice with her so she wouldn’t try to cause trouble.”

  “Until now.”

  “Well, I guess she realized she couldn’t have me, so she set her sights on Behn instead. I do feel sorry for him to be burdened with her manipulative ways.”

  Vinia paused to think through Ozian’s statements, only finding truth in them and knowing he had never tried to be with any of the other women in the village. “I find it rather convenient that Agetha would be the one to stir up trouble. How much do you want to bet that she’s the one who put Fraya up to taking you to the lake?”

  “That woman does seem to bend her ear quite often. You may be right.”

  “Yes, only now, my son has to pay for his indiscretions.” She frowned slightly and then realized this was not the time for any discussion other than their own. Looking up into Ozian’s hopeful eyes, she said, “I believe you, Ozian. You’ve always been completely honest with me whenever I asked you anything. I already know Agetha’s resentment toward both of us, and I’ll have to do something about that later. Right now, however, I’d appreciate it if we could get back to the job of getting married. Would you mind leading the way?”

  Ozian’s evident relief had him leaning forward to kiss her in relief; only she bent backward to avoid making contact. “What’s wrong?”

  “You’re getting ahead of yourself! No kissing until after we’re married!” She grinned and gestured for them to go back to the waiting crowd of onlookers.

  Ozian complied readily, and soon enough, they had resumed their positions in front of Daven. The Elder cleared his throat several times before silence descended once again on the crowd, a few remaining titters of conversation finally dying out.

  “A claim has been made against this union. Have the two of you made a decision of whether or not you’d like to proceed?” Daven looked first at Ozian and then shifted his gaze to rest on Vinia’s eyes.

  She smiled and pronounced, “I’ve determined the claim to be categorically false and egregious. We agree to proceed with the ceremony as if the interruption had not taken place.”

  “Very well, the lady has spoken,” Daven said with a grin, with many approving chuckles from the crowd.

  “Ozian, will you care for Vinia and her offspring to the best of your ability, always keeping her needs above your own, and loving her for the gift she is?”

  “Oh, yes!” he replied emphatically, never looking anywhere but at his beautiful bride.

  Vinia smiled at his response, knowing he truly meant it.

  “Vinia, will you care for Ozian a
nd any of his offspring to the best of your ability, always keeping his needs above your own, and loving him for the gift he is?”

  “I will.”

  “Please hold out your right hand, Ozian, and, Vinia, please place your left wrist over the top of his.” The couple complied and Daven pulled a length of string from his tunic pocket. He looped it around their wrists three times and tied it with a bow. “By the tying of this knot, I pronounce you husband and wife. By leaving this on for the next three days, you will know what it truly means to always look to one another. Ozian, you may kiss your bride.”

  Ozian wasted no time leaning forward, slightly encumbered by their tied hands. He kissed her passionately for the first time in public and reveled in the act of claiming this amazing woman as his own wife for all eternity.

  “Let her breathe,” Daven admonished as the kiss continued.

  Ozian abruptly ended the contact, eyes opening with alarm to make certain Vinia was still fine. His reaction caused the crowd to laugh and cheer. The couple turned to face their friends, family, and neighbors, where they descended the dais and went to mingle with them.

  Daven held back, watching from above to witness the scene before him. He noticed the empty place where Agetha had been seated and wondered where the woman had gone since he planned on having a talk with her. Not seeing her anywhere in the vicinity, his gaze traveled over to where Juila still held Danika. He smiled at the two of them, thinking it was wonderful for them to know about their relationship while there was still time in their lives to create family childhood memories.

  For some reason, this thought triggered another, more depressing notion of the child of Riccan’s who had been lost at sea. He did not think there would ever be a time where he would tell his son about it, but he wished it could have been otherwise. Sighing in resignation, he decided to join the crowd of happy well-wishers. He ended up standing directly behind Jon and Sofia, waiting for his turn in the line, which had formed for congratulations to the couple.

  He reached up and touched Sofia’s shoulder, leaning forward to talk, when he felt an odd, tingling sensation within him. His brow furrowed as he tried to place the idea in his mind.

  Sofia, feeling the touch, turned and smiled when she discovered Elder Daven. “Hi there. That was a very nice ceremony. It’s the first one I’ve ever seen.”

  Daven simply stared at the girl, not replying or even indicating he had heard anything she said. When she had turned, the sunlight had cascaded across her, making her birth crystal’s chain sparkle in the sunlight. Almost as if the flash of light created a thought in his head, he blurted, “Is your mother’s name Yoshida?”

  Sofia looked slightly confused by the sudden shift in conversation, but recovered swiftly and answered, “Yes. Why?”

  “Come with me,” he replied excitedly, grabbing her by the shoulder and turning her toward Vinia’s cabin.

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  “WHAT’S GOING ON, Elder Daven?” Jon cried out in alarm, tagging along beside them and wondering if he should get anyone else’s attention. The Elder moved too fast to do much more than jog with them and find out what the Elder had in mind. Whatever it was, it seemed important.

  Daven entered the house right beside Sofia, letting Jon come inside before shutting the door on the noise from the party outside. He rounded on her and asked, “You said you prayed to Jehoban for that birth crystal.”

  “Yes, you already said that He blessed me to keep me safe. Do you think that’s no longer true?”

  “I did say that, and I think it’s truer now than ever. Sofia, will you allow me to touch your life-line?”

  “What? Wait a minute, is that even proper?” Sofia took an involuntary step backward to create more space between them until she could find out what was going on.

  “Absolutely, it’s part of my job as an Elder to make sure the citizens are healthy and that their life-lines are properly grounded to the earth’s energy.”

  “Oh, the elemy? My father has been teaching me the crystal skills, and he says I’m quite good at it.” Sofia seemed relieved to hear this was what the Elder referred to by her life-line. “Go ahead, if you’d like to check it. What do I have to do?”

  Daven looked slightly confused as he processed Sofia’s blithe statement. “Your father has been teaching you?”

  “Yes, I found out he’s from Tuala, which is probably why I was able to get this,” she said, touching the fabric of her shirt where it covered her pendant.

  “Yes, your father…,” Debbon whispered, recalling the man who Yoshida had been married to was also listed as deceased. This news of their survival made him very excited, and he had to shake his head to get back to the matter at hand. “All I have to do is touch your head, and I’ll be able to read your life-line. Are you ready?”

  Sofia was unsure what to expect, so she looked around swiftly and seated herself on the bench at the kitchen table. “I’m ready.”

  Daven’s hand shook minutely as he reached forward, not knowing if he would rather find the signature flag or not. He let the elemy flow from him and through her until he followed her life-line to its source. Not only did he see that she had an amazing and strong connection, but he also saw the tag which wise-woman Copa had placed on the child still in utero.

  There was no doubt in his mind that the girl who sat before him was Riccan’s unknown daughter. The problem he now faced was how to let everyone know the truth without causing anyone to get hurt in the process. Sofia obviously had a great relationship with the man who had raised her, but he did not want to have Riccan go any longer without knowing his other daughter.

  He withdrew his elemy, having confirmed his suspicion, and then removed his hands from her head. With a tender smile, he said, “Your lifeline is very strong.” He turned to Jon and asked, “Can you please go get Riccan and have him come in here?”

  Jon’s brow furrowed at the sudden request. Without question, he nodded and left the cabin.

  “What is this about, Elder Daven? Is something wrong with me that you didn’t want Jon to hear?” Sofia inwardly looked at herself and thought everything seemed normal, only further confusing her.

  “No, nothing wrong, per se, although there is a story you’ll need to hear as well as my son. Please be patient for a moment, and then all will be revealed.” He patted her shoulder tenderly, not wishing to cause her any pain with the revelations to come.

  “Can’t you give me some hint?” Sofia asked gingerly.

  Daven chuckled at her tenacity and merely shook his head.

  Several seconds later, Riccan burst into the house as if it were on fire. He searched the interior as if to discover the source of the trouble in which Jon had sent him to find. “What’s wrong, Dad? Jon asked me to hurry in here.”

  “Oh, I wish he would have been a little more subtle. Please, be at ease, son, and sit.” He gestured to the bench beside Sofia and began to formulate his words. Just as he opened his mouth to speak, the cabin door opened again, this time admitting Amanda, her expression of worry the same as Riccan’s had been. Daven chuckled and advised, “You should hear this as well, Amanda, please shut the door behind you and take a seat. Hopefully, I can get through this without any more interruptions.”

  “What’s this about?” Amanda asked as she crossed the room to remain standing with her hand on Riccan’s shoulder as if for support.

  “Something I learned from Elder Vargen’s trial. It seems as though there were many women, old souls, who were held against their will and used badly.”

  Amanda nodded. “I was one of them. We already knew about this. Have you learned something else?”

  “Yes, something terribly important to all of us, actually. It appears wise-woman Copa helped two women escape from their torture.” He gestured to Amanda and said, “You were one of them.”

  “Yes, I vividly recall all of that.”

  “Do you also recall another woman by the name of Yoshida?”

  Amanda’s expression turne
d thoughtful as she sorted through her memories from so long ago. She shook her head and said, “It sounds familiar, but I couldn’t put a face to her. Have you heard what has happened to her?”

  Sofia finally put together where she believed Daven was going and eagerly supplied, “That was my mother!”

  “Your mother?” Amanda and Riccan echoed together.

  Daven nodded and waved his hand for Sofia to take up the story.

  “Yes, when my mom got home, she reunited with my father and brother in Gamb. They didn’t feel safe there after what had already happened, considering they had no idea who had turned Mom into the Elders in the first place. Anyway, they moved to the Port of Cresdon, where my father was a fisherman working under a man named Ahn. Unfortunately for my brother, both of my parents were out fishing when a bad storm struck and accidentally sent them to Earth. My mom reunited with her family, who believed her dead, and then a few months later, they had me.”

  She reached up to pull on the chain at her neck to expose the birth crystal to their sight. Touching it reverently, she declared, “That was why I was given this. When my dad saw it, he told me the whole story about where he grew up in Tuala and how they ended up on Earth. So, you see, my sneaking here to see where Jon was from actually turned out really good!”

  Riccan smiled at how happy everything had worked out for Sofia. With the merriment still on his face, he tilted his head up to look at his dad. “So that’s what you wanted us to know about? It sounds like Sofia already got the whole story from her dad.”

  “Wait, I have a question.” She turned to Sofia, kneeling in front of her with the urgency of her thought. “You said you had a brother and it sounds like he became orphaned once your parents went missing.” She looked over to Riccan and said, “Barla took in all those orphans, you know. It’s possible we could find him and then they could be reunited.” Looking back at Sofia, she asked, “Do you know your brother’s name and possibly know how old he is?”