“So how did the Naiadens do it?” Chari asked, raising her voice toward Oya Dihya.
The beautifully chiseled woman didn’t turn, but slowed in her walking. “We built our society from the ground up. There was no old way to get rid of. At least, nothing we weren’t all ready to do away with. It was one of the reasons we had come to this col… this island, so we could do exactly that. Even with all of our innovation, it was still painful but I believe we succeeded.”
Ashrak eyed the tall Naiaden suspiciously. “How come you speak as if you were there? Wasn’t that before the Cataclysm?”
For the first time, Aiden heard Oya Dihya chuckle softly. It was a pleasant, warm sound that seemed to thrum in the air. “Valeran, these children are more inquisitive than your entire people have been for five hundred years. It is refreshing.” She cleared her throat and then nodded her head. “Yes, I was here at the founding of this island and before you wonder, I would not have been so free in my speaking prior to this visit. Things are changing. As a result, old things must be re-learned, even if it’s knowledge of how old I am, though as with any woman it would be wise if you did not mock me for it.”
“Wait, I thought you said you were not a Glimmer Man. That question does include Glimmer Woman, you know.” Valeran cursed under his breath for a second. “I swear, this is going to give me an ulcer.”
“No, I am not a glimmer man or woman. I am a Naiaden. We are not made from glimmer steel but flesh and blood like you.”
“But how can that be?” Valeran asked, frustration clear in his voice. “Nothing lives for thousands of years!””
“That is untrue, there are some plants that easily live that long, but I do understand what you are asking. However, I cannot answer that question. It will all depend on Carol Reid and the decision we make.”
“The decision to tell me why you are thousands of years old?”
Oya Dihya shook her head, a gravity settling over her that was even more stoic than her usual self. “No, Your Grace. It is the same decision we have been approaching for five hundred years. Do we rejoin this world or keep ourselves apart.”
Aiden frowned, worried about something Oya Dihya was not saying. “What if she decides to keep the Naiadens apart?”
“Then, Aiden Wilthorn, we will all be killed.”
Chapter 7
Despite the ominous news, when they finally turned down a lane toward one of the well-maintained homesteads, Aiden was looking forward to getting something to eat and a place to rest. Most of the women who had been working on the farm were heading back as well, followed closely by several animals. They were a mix of large, slow moving horned beasts and two types of smaller, more agile ones.
The larger creatures were familiar to Aiden, being Grelox and a common herd animal. He’d never encountered them up close as they were mostly outside of the city, but he’d heard they were quite ornery and aggressive. They were a large breed, taller than an average human but these must be larger as they came up to the shoulders of the women. The most alarming thing about them was for a potentially dangerous animal, they were walking directly into the courtyard with everyone else. However, no one was acting alarmed, and Aiden watched in fascination as they politely moved through and around anyone in their way. The last, largest one gently nuzzled one of the women before following the others toward a large, barnlike structure.
The two types of smaller animals came up to the Naiaden’s hips. One had hooves and horns, and when Aiden looked closer it had an odd eye, almost looking like the number eight at its center. They seemed to be the rowdiest of the lot, head butting each other with one of the breed actually climbing some hay bales and perching on top of it while its curved horns stood proudly. Glowby took an immediate liking to them and flitted over, circling above and around the excitable little animals. Aiden was also heartened Glowby did not seem concerned around any of them.
The other were the fewest in number, and Aiden could clearly see they were some sort of predator. Flowing while they walked, their pointy ears and flat, considering eyes took in the trespassers with unhurried interest. They would occasionally rub their faces against the women’s legs, looking content while their ear’s flicked and tails waved in the air. Overall they were an attractive animal but one he’d never seen before.
“It's odd, isn’t it?” Chari whispered quietly.
“What is?” Gavin asked, looking quizzically at Chari.
She shrugged, still watching the animals all move around the large, open courtyard. “They all seem to know where to go. Do you notice none of the women are leading them anywhere?”
“That is odd,” Aiden said, nodding. “Also, those Grelox must be twice as large as the ones back home if they come up to the Naiaden’s shoulders.”
“Huh? No, they aren’t that big. Don’t you notice?” Ashrak said, giving them all an odd look. “Those women are our size.”
The three others looked first at Ashrak, and then a closer look at the women in the farmstead they were approaching. Chari finally gasped. “You’re right! But how can that be? I thought all Naiadens were huge?”
The Duke grunted and nodded. “The ones that travel to the mainland are called Exemplars and are all just like Oya Dihya. However, not all Naiadens are Exemplars. Most of them on the island are just like us, as far as I’ve been able to see. I stopped asking why after the sixth year.”
As they made their way closer, Aiden disagreed they were just like them. While only slightly taller than the average person in Terek, they all had the same flawless, almost chiseled look as Oya Dihya, though their features were of wildly different varieties. Though dirty and sweaty with the day’s chores, they all simply looked thoroughly content rather than worn as those that labored so hard usually appeared. He watched in awe as one very dark-skinned, blue-eyed woman easily lifted a large sack of grain he knew Valeran himself would have struggled just to drag on the ground. The woman smiled brightly as Oya Dihya led them into the courtyard, her teeth shining from her sweat-glistened face.
“Welcome, Dihya, it is good to see you again.” She said in a deep, vibrating alto filled with a warm mirth, “Just in time to avoid all the work, as usual.” She held her unencumbered hand out toward Oya Dihya who engulfed it in her huge one. The dark woman paused before continuing in a more formal voice. “The denact welcomes you. May our burdens, knowledge, fruits, and cares become as one.”
Oya Dihya nodded, bowing in return and speaking formally. “We honor the welcome, and freely do we share our burdens, knowledge, fruits and cares.” Oya Dihya then calmly reached over, easily lifting the large sack from the woman’s shoulders and smiling. “And no, Serilda, I certainly haven’t come to avoid work. I just thought I’d give you the chance to catch up for all those years in training.”
“What’s a denact?” Ashrak whispered, leaning close to Chari and Gavin.
“I think it means this farmstead. Maybe it's just what they call the compound?” Gavin half-guessed, confirmed by the slow nod of his father.
Aiden turned just in time to catch Serilda’s gaze and he was caught by her eyes. She had the same, intense gaze as Oya Dihya, and despite being much closer to his size, it was still full of a commanding presence.
“Duke Valeran I know,” she said, bowing low to the man who returned the bow. “But these are the other four, yes? The assembly has spoken of nothing else for months since we learned the news.” She walked forward, her steps graceful and measured before she stopped in front of them. “Which of you is Aiden?”
Aiden could feel his eyes widen slightly and sweat trailing along the back of his neck. How could they even know about him? As far as he knew, Naiadens frequented the lands of Terek only rarely. Glowby was flitting around the tall woman’s head curiously, but he didn’t seem to be overly concerned. These people were enigmatic but he didn’t think he’d figure out their mysteries overnight so decided to not let it bother him.
“I am Aiden,” he said, stepping forward and offering his own clumsy
bow.
Serilda’s eyes fell on him like razors, but she did not have an unkind look on her face as she returned his bow. “Welcome, Aiden Finn-Wilthorn. Is it true you can make things of magic?”
Taken aback, Aiden merely blinked and shared a glance with his friends. “Uh… I make things of glimmer steel, yes.”
Oya Dihya picked up two more bags of grain and began walking deeper into the denact. “Leave off of him Serilda. You must wait for the assembly like everyone else.” She turned, calling back to the rest of them and pointing to another large building. “Please help carry the grain to the storehouse as best you can. Once we are finished, we will make food and talk over dinner.”
The four friends and the Duke got to work though it took two, and sometimes three of them to carry the bags. Fortunately, there were not many bags to move as they were tired from walking most of the day. Afterward, Aiden was more than happy to follow Oya Dihya to a large structure partially open to the air. There were long tables and heavy chairs, along with one set built to Oya Dihya’s size. Along the back were several alcoves which looked to have wooden, padded cots set up within them. Off to one side sat a large cooking area.
There were some odd holes in the floorboards all along the edge of the building, and Aiden realized they allowed slats to be inset to serve as walls. The back half of the building had them set up, and they looked to be tightly fit with felting along each edge so no air could pass between. He imagined during bad weather, the building could be made secure against the elements, but during a hot day, it could be open and airy as needed.
Cooking was a communal affair with everyone pitching in. As they finished making the meal, they could hear a wagon coming up the lane just as dusk was slipping into full nighttime. As it came trundling up, being pulled by a team of grelox, Aiden could see the large form of another Exemplar towering along the side of the wagon, and an exuberant, off-key melody being belted out by the driver's young-sounding voice.
Aiden watched curiously for a few moments before putting his plate of food down on the table and heading over to get something to drink. There were a few different types of exotic juice available, and he was anxious to try some of what he’d smelled. He heard the loud singing get closer behind him and then cut off, followed by enthusiastic chewing noises. When he turned around, he watched as the driver shoveled food into her mouth and chewed loudly, if she chewed at all. Ashrak, Chari, and Gavin were all sitting, watching in sick fascination as the girl ignored them and focused on eating. Aiden suddenly realized she couldn’t be more than ten years old.
And she was eating off of his plate.
“Hey!” he half-squeaked as he raced over to the table, carrying his cup of juice.
The young girl looked up and stopped chewing, one of her eyebrows raised questioningly. “Wuf?” she said, food spilling out of her over-full mouth.
“That’s my plate!” he said, angry at the trespass.
“Thif if?” the girl responded with more food spilling out, her own eyebrows lowering as she stared back at him. She took a second to swallow and straightened up, glowering at him. “It is not! It's mine! I’m eating off of it!” She gathered one of her arms around the plate protectively and pulled it away from him, almost growling like some sort of animal.
Aiden had no clue what to think. Though he hadn’t known them long, all of the Naiadens had been extremely polite and gentle with him and everyone else. This girl was actually growling at him!
He was just about to snap back at the girl when Chari tugged on his sleeve. “Aiden…” she said, looking around and making Aiden do likewise. All the Naiadens were staring. At him. Not in a hostile way, but there was a very slight look of disapproval on their faces. It made him pause and think furiously. With the threat of possible death hanging over them, he didn’t want to make a mistake which might hasten that decision. Glowby was flitting over his cup, circling the lip of it and trying to tell him something.
Finally, he got it. Frowning, he looked back at the girl who was still growling and slowly put the glass in front of her. “Uh… sorry. You are right, I am just not used to the island. Here, take this drink, too. It will help wash everything down.”
The girl narrowed her eyes at him for a moment longer, and then just like that, her mood changed and she reached over, grabbing the glass and sniffing it. “OOooo! Oh, my favorite. Thank you! I love guaran berry.” She took a long drink, then put the glass down while smacking her lips loudly and grinning at him. “You are so awesome! What is your name? My name is Analil.”
“Uh… Aiden is my name. I’m going to go get some food now since you, uh, nevermind. I’m just going to go get food.”
“Okay!” she piped, smiling and patting a seat next to her. “When you come back, sit here.”
He nodded and turned away, slightly grumpy but thinking hard. This was their way. No one owned anything, it was all everyone’s. This was exactly what the Duke was talking about when he said the people in Terek weren’t raised to easily accept this kind of lifestyle. He was just about to… No, he corrected himself. He had yelled at a ten-year-old girl just for taking his plate of food.
When he’d gotten his second plate of food, he grabbed his drink first and then made his way back to the table. As he arrived, Analil was talking excitedly to a slightly bemused Chari.
“Yes! I drive a wagon. It’s fun and I get to see the countryside. My favorite stop ever is up by Kyfiin’s. She’s a wood carver and gave me a piece of wood with my face on it! Want to see it? Okay! Wait, I’ll be right back.” She jumped up, preparing to race back to her wagon but stopped as Aiden walked up, pointing at him and then at the seat she’d indicated earlier. “You! Sit here, I’ll be right back! Hehehe!”
As Analil raced off, Aiden sat down and looked wide-eyed at Chari who just shook her head in amusement. “Wow,” is all he could say.
“I think she told us her life story in the time it took you to get your food, Aiden,” Ashrak offered, slowly cutting up a huge, meaty looking mushroom. “That girl can talk. I wish I could put her voice in a can and make Father listen to it for a week.”
“Be nice, Ashrak,” Chari said, glowering at the tall boy. “She’s probably lonely. I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but there are no other kids around here. I wonder where they all are.”
The Duke spoke from the end of the table, “I’ve only ever seen a few and she’s the most rambunctious one by far. Most of the others are polite and calm like the adults. You are right, though, she’s probably lonely for company her own age, but I really have no idea. It's another one of those questions the Naiadens never answer.”
Gavin leaned toward his father, whispering softly. “How can they have kids when there’s no… um… men?”
Valeran only shrugged and raised his eyebrow. “Are you brave enough to ask?”
Gavin shook his head, grimaced, and took another bite of food. Aiden couldn’t blame him and was pondering the question when Analil came racing back with a weather-worn piece of wood.
“Look, look, look!” she said, waving her skinny arms. “Isn’t it pretty! It looks just like me!” She quickly took her seat, admiring the piece of wood before turning it around to show everyone. Aiden was flabbergasted. The face carved into the wood was exquisite and delicately done, looking exactly like the young girl. Without much prompting, they all ooh'd and ahh'd over it which made the young girl glow with pride.
“That’s… wow. That’s really beautiful.” Chari said, taking the wood and cradling it delicately. She ran her long fingers across the carving, admiring the skill. “I could sell this for,“ she paused, looking around and frowning softly, “well, a lot, but that’s in Terek.” She sighed softly, looking sadly around at the others. “It’s really hard not to think of owning things, isn’t it?”
Analil grinned, digging back into her plate of food and seeming unconcerned the work of art she’d just shown them was floating around the table. “Yep! Things are things. They’re only useful for doing, not hav
ing. If they’re sitting in a room under someone’s bed, what use are they?” She finished by shoveling a huge wad of greens into her mouth and then waving her fork around.
Suddenly, their eating was interrupted by a large thump and bang. Looking over, Aiden watched as Serilda rushed over to where Oya Dihya and the other Exemplar stood, staring at each other with tensed muscles. “Stop!” Serilda commanded to the two Exemplars glaring at each other, “the assembly is in six days. You know the question will be resolved then, for good or ill!”
Oya Dihya’s deadly gaze didn’t leave the other Exemplar, but she spoke slowly and clearly. “Yes, Ontay Jiada, this fight is pointless. It is clear what your position is, but this will help nothing.”
The other Exemplar frowned, but finally nodded and stood back up. “Very well, Oya Dihya. We will wait until the assembly but this path you have taken us on is madness. Our whole purpose for coming here was to make our own lives away from beings like them.” She said, waving one of her large hands back toward the table Aiden and his friends were sitting at. “Whatever caused the Cataclysm was only their own doing. Our ways have protected us and we should not change them.”
The Glimmer Steel Saga, Boxed Set, Books 1 - 4 Page 40