A voice replied, “Are you thinking this is a survival test? You’re wrong to be so worried. The path has been paved for you, but you continue to distrust yourself. Your thinking is small, and you have much to learn.”
Tenashar heard those words, but they weren’t from A-amar. He looked in his bag and saw the Rock was glowing. There was his advice for the journey. It came from a simple rock.
Tenashar looked back and saw a figure. It was Etutsha. A-amar confronted him, stepping into his path, and Etutsha stopped in fear. The creature snarled warningly, “Why are you following us?”
Etutsha stood stock-still. He finally managed to stutter, “I’m–m a–a warrior—in training—and feel you may need my assistance.”
“What assistance?” A-amar snarled. “We have no need of your stupidity, and besides, you have always been against Tenashar. We observed, unseen by you or Tenashar, that all you boys gave him no respect.”
Tenashar stepped past his hairy friend and faced Etutsha. “What is wrong?”
Lowering his head, the young warrior slowly said, “I—I want to join you.”
Tenashar was astonished; His eyes opened wide as the full moon above. He considered if Etutsha was just trying to be cruel and would leave them later, or if perhaps he saw this as an easy way to join the council later. Perhaps he was even there to harm Tenashar, but, on further consideration, Tenashar did not feel this last possibility was likely. “Come with us and be one of our companions.”
“No.” A-amar’s snarl surprised Tenashar. The creature didn’t trust Etutsha, but when Tenashar shook his head and allowed Etutsha to join their band, A-amar backed down.
After they decided to stop for the night, they heard strange, faint sounds coming closer. At first, it was the lovely, peaceful music of many flutes. Voices slipped in, whether of people singing or some sort of voices within the music they couldn’t tell. It was all so restful that it made Tenashar and Etutsha sleepy. The voices seemed to say, “There is much to know, but watch your step.”
Other times the voices seemed to wail as if in pain.
The group tried to walk in the direction of the sounds, hoping to find a village. Tenashar was hoping to ask the village folk for directions in finding the eastern shores and food. He also hoped to ask them if they had encountered the Orbs. However, each time they thought they were getting closer, the sounds became fainter; they never seemed to reach the music’s origin.
Tenashar got the feeling someone was watching them. Maybe, Tenashar thought, it’s Tansatei or Eirshiquanai. Whoever it was, the feeling disappeared.
Etutsha looked around in apprehension, for he did not know what to expect on this strange journey. Thoughts of going back to the village passed through his mind; the night had an unsavory feeling, as if strange things lingered in the shadows.
Fear was also pressing on Tenashar’s mind. Even though the music had faded away, the words or voices still flowed around them like a slight breeze.
A human-looking figure came and went, and Tenashar considered it proof of a nearby village. The music began again, but this time it seemed to be telling them to turn back. Tenashar didn’t know what to think. Is this a warning that danger is ahead or that an evil force doesn’t want me to complete my journey? All kinds of questions went through his mind, but he kept on walking, putting trust in his instincts.
Tenashar asked in a whisper, “What do you think, A-amar?”
A-amar said, “What do you mean by that? I have no understanding of what is happening. Why don’t you ask your rock?”
Tenashar was quiet, realizing A-amar was too tense and alert to be helpful or answer questions.
“I think we should try to find this tribe or whatever they are,” said Etutsha, but they found no one. The night wore on. Their steps took them beyond what Tenashar and his people called the known world—beyond the boundary of the Senetha nation. Tenashar thought something might happen to them, but nothing did. None of their uneasy feelings changed, and Tenashar thought that perhaps there was a spiritual boundary placed there by the Senetha long ago, as his mother had told him when he was young.
In the world they could see rather than the one they were feeling, they could find no guide. The plains became dotted with strange trees that gradually became denser and turned into forests. Several hours had passed as Tenashar and his companions walked deeper into the forest, a forest so thick that they couldn’t walk without tripping on tree roots and vines.
Patches of light began to show through the foliage as the sun rose like a pearl. Their caution turned to curiosity when they saw golden disks and strange, colorful masks hanging from tree branches. The masks had red and green lines, vacant eyeholes in deep shadows, and stylized wrinkles under them. They were decorated with long braids Tenashar was sure were made of human hair.
Despite their beauty, the masks were spooky, as if they were severed heads. They decided whoever made the masks must have also played the music. Tenashar and Etutsha wished to get away from the threatening masks.
The sun disks were decorated with swirling designs in shapes of animals and humans, but some also looked like stylized human heads, and they sent a chill through Tenashar. He wondered if the disks and masks had something to do with the Orbs, which may have come to the place centuries before.
They glimpsed lights of many different colors swirling in the distance. The thick massing of trees blocked most of the light, so they could not see who might be holding them. Fearful sounds arose—gurgling, wailing cries.
As Etutsha began running home, Tenashar stopped him. “A warrior has fear, yet it’s something that must be faced without hesitation.”
Etutsha replied with a mocking tone. “This is not a warrior’s business. This is a task for those dealing in spiritual matters.” He ran off; Tenashar called for him to come back but received no reply. He almost ran after Etutsha, but Una-sei held him back. A-amar had nothing but contempt for the fleeing warrior.
It was a comfort to Tenashar that he never heard the flutes or strange voices again, but he knew he would always remember the mysterious music. He thought it may have come from the ghosts of those who had inhabited the forest centuries earlier, but he realized there was no way of knowing. Tenashar tried to forget what happened that night. Etutsha did not return.
chapter 11
The Transparent Waterfall
As Tenashar, A-amar, and Una-sei moved deeper into the forest, the foliage started to get thicker and resisted their progress. They tried to ignore it, but Tenashar felt he was suffocating. He was relieved to see a clearing ahead. It wasn’t much of a clearing, but there were fewer vines and less undergrowth.
When they had passed through the clearing, Tenashar wished for a clear path and was astonished to find the way through the forest had become clear, as if his wishes had been granted. Feeling confident, Tenashar walked ahead, and the forest began to thin out.
When they entered the next large clearing, they heard sounds of trickling water and felt a breeze that possessed a voice. This reminded them of the phantom flutes, though it was very different; these sounds were those of nature rather than those of musical instruments. With curiosity, they followed the sound and came to a strange and beautiful part of the river where water flowed in all directions—upward, downward, and sideways. They expected to see a waterfall but beheld curved shapes of glass that channeled the waters and reflected translucent colors. Tenashar had never seen anything so beautiful.
Most of the Senetha knew a lot about glass; among them, glassblowing was an honored skill, and those who had mastered the craft were considered closer to the gods. It was rare for a Senetha dwelling to have glass windows, though craftsmen had discovered ways of making both stone and metal transparent. So, when Tenashar saw the waterfall, it was so far beyond his experience that he could only stand and stare. Its beauty made them all feel more peaceful and happier than ever. They thought it must have been a place of the gods or the area of a tribe that had great wisdom—or maybe both
.
Tenashar tried to imagine a tribe of gods who could skillfully craft such a glass waterfall; he thought perhaps visitors from a star or craftsmen from Cashmakil had built the falls. The skills of whoever had made it was beyond that of any craftsman Tenashar knew. He even wondered if the Orbs or those who had made the Orbs had built the structure and if it was tied in with the destruction of the land.
A-amar said, “What we are seeing is not of Cashmakil or the Orbs. These structures were certainly built by people from the future. Notice that the sunlight hitting the waterfall is coming from another direction and that the sun has no effect. Even at night, with no moon, the waterfall will shine the same. Only the light from the future influences the glass waterfall.”
Tenashar was struck with wonder. Eirshiquanai must know about this waterfall. Did her people build this thing? Or was it someone else? he pondered. They must know of our journey to help the Senetha reclaim their land. They could advise me on what path to take.
Una-sei spoke. “I don’t think wisdom would come from this waterfall. Even the people who built it won’t show themselves. They have nothing to do with us.” Since the buffalo-headed creature seldom said anything, his words carried weight.
With A-amar and Una-sei at his side, Tenashar gazed at the waterfall for a long time. Stepping closer, the calming nature of the place swept over him. When he hesitantly touched the transparent rock, it made a lovely sound. The area was soon enveloped in colors that moved in all directions, creating beauty he had never seen. Under his fingers, the smooth texture told Tenashar the waterfall wasn’t made of glass but some other material, perhaps transparent stone or metal—or none of these.
The Rock spoke. “You are right. These are not real rocks. This was created by great skill, but I think it wasn’t put here by the people who built it. Perhaps it was other people or someone from the future.”
Tenashar held the Rock. “Now you speak—you haven’t said anything in such a long time.”
“Sometimes wisdom is found without words. Discoveries are made without someone telling you everything. You have to find out for yourself.”
Tenashar nodded. “Is this something the gods have created?”
“No,” said the Rock. “This is only the work of someone’s mind. People have created this wonderful place. The hands of the gods have never touched this. Gods do not make things like this glass waterfall.”
“How do you know all this?”
“This is only what I sense. Maybe I am wrong.”
The Rock’s words were a mystery to Tenashar; he hoped their meaning would become clear later. Tenashar rarely understood what his father said, but at times, through experience, his father’s meaning became clear.
As they began to explore their surroundings near the water, Tenashar noticed strange markings on the glassy surface. He recalled seeing markings like these before, but he could not remember where.
They all decided to sleep near the waterfall. For some strange reason, they felt at home. They made themselves comfortable, and Tenashar went to sleep. A-amar and Una-sei said they would keep watch.
As Tenashar dreamed, he saw two spheres that danced in intricate patterns. As they came together, they formed into shapes of trees, animals, and other objects. They formed into the shape of a buffalo that ran over a cliff and fell into fire. As it was enveloped in flames, the shape formed into a wolf, which ascended to the heavens and disappeared in a flash of light. The two spheres broke free to form the shapes of a rock and a mushroom and collided again to form the shape of a man. It began to spin faster and faster, and all of a sudden there was a blinding flash. The next scene was that of a village and its lands gradually withering into wasteland. The world became a desert.
Tenashar awoke to the sun shining on the grass and flowers around him. He could still hear the sound of water, but the strange glasslike structure was gone, seemingly replaced by rocky outcrops. Tenashar looked at Una-sei. “Do you see something different about this place?”
Una-sei replied in a pleasant tone, “Nothing has changed, my friend.”
“Don’t you remember the glass waterfalls?” Tenashar asked in a confused voice.
“What are these glass things you speak of?” Una-sei asked in a perplexed tone.
Tenashar didn’t know what to do. He knew A-amar and Una-sei had been with him, and they had reacted to the strange waterfall. He wondered why his companions didn’t remember anything. He started to wonder if he had actually seen the glass structures. Am I going crazy? Perhaps it was a vision? He wondered what the glass waterfall could have meant.
Tenashar was a bit disappointed with the Rock and the Mushroom because neither had an answer. If they had seen the waterfall, they didn’t say anything. Tenashar remained deep in thought, wondering why A-amar and Una-sei had not remembered what had happened the previous night. He even dared to think his companions were evil and trying to mislead him.
Without knowing why, he raised his arms to the sun with his thumbs and forefingers touching, creating a circle. He started to experience thoughts he’d never had before, like the feeling of ants marching all around him, forcing him to realize this must have something to do with the Orbs.
Tenashar also wondered about Tansatei. What could she be doing? He thought of the distance separating them. Perhaps it was the loneliness he was experiencing due to his friends forgetting things. Why had they forgotten? Did something make them forget? Confusion gripped Tenashar. Tansatei was the anchor he needed to keep to his path, and he hoped that though she was far away she was still with him in his mind and heart.
chapter 12
Tansatei’s Tears of Wisdom
Tenashar would have been comforted if he had known Tansatei was thinking of him. She sat in the sunlight and searched for him in her mind. She had seen him find the glass waterfall and had been as delighted as he had been at its beauty. She realized the waterfall must have come from Eirshiquanai’s time, perhaps sent for Tenashar to find, but she wondered about the reason for that.
She sent her mind deeply into the waterfall and found herself in turbulent water. Trapped in an endless tide, she fought to bring herself out of her meditation but couldn’t. Even though she was not physically in the water, she felt she might drown. She felt a hand pull her out of the swirling water. She was dry. She hadn’t moved from her spot in the sun.
Tansatei stood near a fire that had burned to embers. She felt comfortable with her thoughts, believing, or trying really to feel, that Tenashar was safe. A shaft of sunlight was streaming down, a pillar of hope descending from heaven, and Tansatei looked at it, thinking that the same sun and the same sky were guiding Tenashar.
She suddenly felt a presence in her dwelling. She turned to find Sanashei staring at her. She hoped for words of comfort or hope for Tenashar, but Sanashei just laughed gently. Tansatei was confused by this laugh. Is Sanashei laughing at my worries about his son?
Sanashei came forward to embrace her with kind words. “Tansatei, be careful. Do not make my son sad. If Tenashar knew how you felt, he would be worried for you. He is safe for now, but he will come across problems he will solve through his wisdom. Think of his journey as training. Over the distances, I sense his heart is asking about you and is comforted with thought you are safe with Heitac.”
Tansatei peered into Sanashei’s eyes and hung her head in sadness. She tried to understand that perhaps Tenashar’s wisdom could guide him in the right direction and keep him protected. Tansatei realized that her task would be to continue sending positive emotions to him, for they were the driving force that kept him going.
Names—perhaps just words of description—sprung to her mind. She was sure Tenashar was sending them to her, though she felt he didn’t know he was. The words said that he, or perhaps she, needed to find the “Tears of Wisdom” and the “Circle of Eternal Stars.” She wondered if these were things or people or perhaps unknown tribes or nations. Her head started to pulsate with pain. She looked at Sanashei. He stared bac
k, and their rapport drowned out all the sounds around Tansatei. Even the fire of embers seemed far away.
Something was hidden in Tansatei’s heart she dared not ask Sanashei, but she knew it was as deep and as broad as the ocean and sky. “Sanashei, there are things I never completely understood before, but now, I feel the things I must know are coming to me. I think I am beginning to fathom the richness of life and that much exists beyond this small village. Am I not right, Sanashei?” As Tansatei and Sanashei walked under the blue sky, the bright sun, and the trees, patterns of light and shadow formed on their faces.
“Tansatei, I know one thing about you. You can see Tenashar has traveled far, and the distance will become even greater. In time, you may yearn for his companionship. The two of you share a common soul. You also know from the wisdom in your heart that his life is different from that of the other boys in the village, and you have become the friend he has always needed. I appreciate that.”
“What do you mean?” asked Tansatei.
Sanashei peered into her eyes. “You are aware that Tenashar is not part of our people or time. I believe he is rooted in another place or time, perhaps even another dimension or planet. I can’t be sure.”
“Yes, I’ve felt this same thing for a while.” replied Tansatei, looking down.
“Wisdom is the ability to observe things around you and to sense what they truly are. You are now looking at the ground at those traced patterns of leaves. Each group of leaves becomes a combination of shapes that says we shall crumble into nothing but come back in another season. Only drifting hearts will accumulate anything, and nothing is from something that grows. You may perceive there is nothing there, but can you imagine a small section of undisturbed soil that weeks later has produced a sapling? The seed that brought it about was unseen unless you dug it up. There is a problem, and you look for the solution; later you find that you already knew the answer. I know these words can’t be fully understood, but just give them time to blossom. Keep your heart going, Tansatei, for Tenashar. Please do this.”
A Journey of a Thousand Seasons Book 1 (Journey Series) Page 6