“Would you like a small sip Grandfather?” Asked Tuy.
Haam nodded at his grandson and smiled weakly as Tuy poured a little water into his grandfather’s mouth.
“You are a good man Tuy. You will make a fine pioneer and a fine husband. My sweet Selene would have loved to see the man you have become, do you remember how she used to call you her ‘little Tuy Tuy’.” Haam smiled at the memory of his wife. “Have I ever told you how we met?”
“Yes Grandfather, you have it was on the hills above the big blue sea.”
“Ah, you know the story. I tell you Tuy, that if you know your way home you can go anywhere you like. That’s the mistake many other pioneers make, they forget to learn the way home. It may take many moons to get there but you can only be a successful pioneer if you come back. Otherwise, all you have learned and achieved cannot be shared.”
Haam reached for his grandson’s hand and took it in both of his and pulled himself up to sitting. As both men clasping each other’s hands Haam stared deep into Tuy’s eyes for a long moment before saying, “Go follow your stars home my boy. I know you’ll make me proud.”
With that Haam sank back into his cot as his last breath rattled free from his mouth. Haam held on to his grandfather’s hands for another long moment before placing them across his chest and closing the old man’s eyes. A single tear slid down his own cheek and he wiped it away knowing his beloved grandfather was gone but no longer in pain.
For a full moons cycle, after Haam’s death, Tuy studied the night sky above HattHaam memorising the positions and constellations above his home. After that he travelled to HenewPet and spent another moon there talking to the elders and learning all he could about the realms that had been explored.
Now Tuy stood in the gathering hall that had been built in the centre of the circle of PetTuru on HenewPet. It was not large and of a simple stone construction with just enough room for twenty or so people inside. In the centre a fire smouldered and the smoke drifted up through a hole in the roof that also let in a dim light.
“Oya,” said Tuy addressing the leader of the elders on HenewPet, “we have discussed how many pioneers have begun to explore the Pacha realms. I will be embarking on a journey into the Pacha of Rocks. Your council is aware that no-one has gone more than two days into this realm. No water or food has been found and all previous pioneers have turned back.”
“Tuy, your grandfather embarked on a journey into the unknown but in a realm where he knew he could find water and food. He was gone almost two generations. We share the resources we have as there are few, but this realm has none to share. It is folly to go, what could you hope to bring back except your own demise.” Ora had seen too many enthusiastic and foolhardy pioneers leave her council chamber never to return and it broke her heart. In front of her was a young man, nay a boy, who had his grandfather to live up to. I his eyes she could see passion, and on his shoulders she saw a burden of expectation that appeared to way heavy on him.
“Oya, I am aware of the risks, the thirst I may experience. My grandfather’s dying words to me were, ‘…if you know your way home you can go anywhere you like. That’s the mistake many other pioneers make, they forget to learn the way home.’ I will come home. I can carry water for many days in the large flasks of damma hide I have made. Dried fish and bread will survive the rocky deserts and I can return many times to build stores in the realm. I need not make only the one journey. Time is on my side.”
“You have a considered plan Tuy. I see your grandfather has taught you well. You have the councils blessing. Is there anything more you need?” Offered Oya knowing she could not stop this young man.
“Volunteers,” replied Tuy. “If any exist that would be willing to carry extra food and water into the Pacha of Rocks with me and help me build stores that would be useful.”
“How do you mean?” Replied Oya.
“It’s simple really. If one person can go two days travel into the Pacha with me and carry an extra two days of provisions they can leave me with the extra supplies and return with my empty water-skin s. If we both returned leaving two days extra I would have a four-day supply of water all ready for my return.
“Repeating this could extend the time I have. I plan on spending at least two moons building stores all around the PetTuru so I can explore in any direction After that I will explore a little further from all my supplies and then choose one direction to go further into the Pacha.
“However, if I find an oasis on one journey my plans would change.” Finishing Tuy smiled at Oya, and the council, in way that he hoped would inspire confidence.
“You have come to us in the most unusual way Tuy.” Said Nour who was sat on a stool next to Oya. You have asked many questions since your arrival and have a plan the like of which we have never heard before. Most come to us and tell us they are going. We wish them well and hope to see them again someday.”
All were silent as Nour looked thoughtfully at Tuy. With his head on one side and stroking his beard, Nour continued. “What makes you so sure that this realm is worth the effort you suggest?”
“I cannot say Nour, but I do find it odd that all other Pacha have something to offer and yet this one does not. Even Misso Pacha can offer us something for those brave enough to face the heat. The bread baked on the rocks from there is the best bread I’ve ever had. I believe we should at least look properly to see what may have been left there for us.”
Solomon now spoke, “You speak with passion and a logic that assumes all we have found since Lateef and Aka led us here has been left to us by an Almighty. I cannot say I disagree but I must say you appear to put much faith in this.”
“I do not believe in chance, Solomon, but I also do not believe in taking unnecessary chances.”
“Tuy, I believe you have asked to see us this day not to ask for permission to go but for help. This is not the way we have done things in the past. You understand how scarce our resources are. You see this hall; it took a generation to build.” Said Oya as she gestured to the simple building.
“This I understand and I have no guarantees. I can do this on my own but I believe we can accomplish more together.”
Solomon spoke, “I suggest this bargain Tuy; you are a man of ideas. We can benefit from you as much as you from us. Stay with us through the eleven moons of our seasons and work with us to build the stores you need and the extra stores for any volunteers you can recruit. All the extra you can harvest over these moons you can surely use.”
“Solomon, I believe we elders can agree to this idea.” Said Oya
Nour nodded. “What say you Tuy?”
Thirty moons had been and gone since Tuy had met with the elders of HenewPet, thirty moons of preparation and graft. Time in which Tuy had made some close friends and just as many doubters who felt that the food and time would be wasted on the Pacha of Rocks. Tuy had held firm to his beliefs and had, thanks to his volunteers, completed his preparations and surveys. Now it was a full two moons since he had left HenewPet on his solo journey into the barren realm. Through his strategy, Tuy had been able to complete a full exploration of everything within a three-day walk of the PetTuru on the Pacha of Rocks. He had found nothing but rocks and dust. No moisture, insects, plants or any other living thing had been seen. His heart yearned for success and his eyes ached from staring at the same bland grey vista and deep blue sky that he had seen day after day, the only distractions for his eyes were his own belongings and the night’s sky.
Making camp by one of the stashes left by his volunteers Tuy sat on the floor with his back against a rock to watch the orange sun head toward a distant horizon. He was getting anxious to see colour again and sunsets were one his few enjoyments. There was still several water-skin s piled by this rock and the food had remained remarkably fresh in the arid environment. No moisture seemed to exist here, everything was arid, just one expanse of desert.
Eating a super of dried fish and bread, the only food he’d eaten since he had star
ted his journey, and the only food he could now remember, Tuy began to drift into a dream of fishing by his beloved river. He could hear the sounds of the waters as the flowed by and imagined eating the fresh purple berries that grew along the bank of the river. The silence here was almost as maddening as the featureless surroundings. All his senses were as starved of variety as each other. He began to drift further into his own mind subconsciously looking for anything to break the monotony. The fish in his mouth began to taste fresh and as Tuy took a bite of dry bread, it tasted freshly baked and warm, melting in his mouth as he chewed with pleasure, his mouth watering. Slipping deeper into the dream Tuy found himself by the river he had left so many moons ago, his nets in his hands as he pulled them in. He could feel the cord running through his fingers and the weight of the fish in the nets as they struggled. Pulling hard to haul them in he gave a final heave and woke with a start as water from a water-skin poured over his face making him jump.
He had lifted his sloshing water-skin above his head in his dream spilling it on himself. Tuy sobbed, he was wasting precious water and now his mind had started to play tricks. He knew he needed to return to HenewPet, to return home as his grandfather had told him to.
“Grandfather,” Tuy murmured as the orange sunset to reveal a deep purple night sky studded with yellow pricks of light, “you would have loved the sky but this adventure is nothing like yours. I am failing you. I have been out in this wilderness for many nights and for naught. I need your strength, I am worried about getting home.”
“Tuy,” he could hear his grandfather’s voice. He knew it was not real but listened all the same, “you are a strong man and can pull through. There will always be challenges.”
“I know Grandfather, but I am talking to you and you are gone.”
“Only from the realms you are in. In your spirit, I live. While you live so do I.”
Tuy slept in peace.
Waking as the dawn approached Tuy knew he needed to head back to HenewPet, even if it was just to see the colour green again. He was becoming more and more concerned about his own mind and shivered at the thought of the conversation he’d had with his grandfather the night before. Knowing he was weak and that the PetTuru was three days walk Tuy carefully chose the largest two water-skin s and as much food as he could carry. After a large breakfast, he began his journey toward the PetTuru, HenewPet and home.
For three days Tuy stumbled in the direction of the PetTuru vigilantly keeping the sun to his left day after day. As he began to think of setting camp at the end of the third day he noticed the rocks begin to change colour under his feet, at first he thought nothing of it, and he mused that it must be the change in light as the sun began to set or the delirium of hunger. However, he felt he should find the PetTuru soon and this gave him solace. While his mind wondered on the vague thoughts and questions in his head the ground began to slope up becoming steeper and steeper. With his head was down in mournful self-pity and for step after step, he continued on without noticing how high he was climbing. Suddenly the steepness had made it hard to continue, he had to stop and as Tuy looked up he awoke from his malaise, realisation struck like a deadly blow to the head. He had not seen any of his way markers or any of the increasingly familiar horizons since he had left the last stash.
He had been traveling north to that stash and should have turned east to the PetTuru, not west. Tuy collapsed to his knees where he stood, his remaining water-skin falling to his side as he did so. He screamed but there was no one to hear him. He shouted, “Grandfather! Grandfather!” At the top of his raspy voice as the sun shone bright in his face.
“Remember while you live so do I.” Tuy heard his grandfather say.
“You crazy old man! There was always food and water on WaytaPata. Here there is nothing, only rocks and my dead body.” Screamed Tuy with desperation in his voice.
“You are not dead. You are not even lost. Remember the way home. Go follow your stars home my boy. I know you’ll make me proud.”
Tuy stared ahead at the sun not sure whether to cry out further or take heed of his grandfather’s dying words. He knelt on the ground for long the sun set and the yellow stars began to shine in the purple night sky.
“…follow the stars home.” Tuy eventually whispered to himself, and as he did so realised how thirsty he was. The words could hardly pass his cracked lips which had almost stuck together. A sharp pain pierced his consciousness as his lips split and bled. Blinking a sunburned face Tuy cried out trying not to move his face. Salty tears slipped down his cheeks stinging his face and increasing the agony he felt.
Lost under a strange sky with little water and food Tuy felt crushed and alone. More alone than he had thought it was possible to feel. He was beaten. He let his mind go and fell unconscious to the floor.
“Get up, Tuy. Come on I want to live.” Tuy could hear his grandfather but could not understand what he was saying. The old man must have lost his mind.
Tuy rolled over and the morning sun hit his face. Shrieking in pain he rolled back and opened his eyes that had half stuck together.
“Ahh!” Tuy whimpered and tried not to weep. He was desperate for cool shade and water. With blurry vision, he struggled to his feet and felt the weight of his satchel swing around his neck as he did so. Remembering the food he winced. No food could pass his lips without pain. Water, he needed to find his water-skin.
Blinking as much as he dared Tuy tried to clear his vision without rubbing his eyes or facing the sun. Eventually, he could see beyond the end of his own arm and then a little further and shading his eyes he could look further still. Carefully scanning the ground now he searched for the tanned hide of his water flask. Fear filled every breath he took.
Seeing the flask was a blessed moment of relief. Tuy fell to his knees amongst the rocks of the slope and crawled to it. Pulling it close he picked it up and shook it. Over half full. Tuy wept dry tears and sat on a small rock with his back to the sun.
Feeling like he had won a small victory Tuy untied the stopper and carefully lifted the neck of the skin flask to his cracked bleeding lips and prepared to take a large swig of the precious water. The water hit his lips like ice hitting fire. The shock was so intense Tuy convulsed spilling mouthfuls of the lifesaving liquid. As the water hit the rock Tuy was sat on it hissed slightly and vanished into the rock. The next moment Tuy fell backwards off the rock as it rose into the air.
As he fell Tuy’s arms went out either side of him and as he landed his head banged hard on the ground. More precious water sloshed from the water-skin and spilled on to the rocks around him. Opening his eyes, and blinking to clear his vision, he shook his head. Now Tuy knew he was hallucinating as all the loose rocks the water had hit had risen to knee height and were floating around him. Lying in a small circle of floating rocks Tuy was convinced he was about to die. He laughed at the absurd vision. The laughed felt good and he laughed some more absolutely enthralled by these floating rocks. He pushed the closest one and it floated away down the slope, the way he had come the previous day. He pushed another and the same happened, he was having fun and if he was about to die this was the best fun he’d had since leaving Pachamama and his beach.
Laughing and forgetting his pain Tuy saw a large flat rock about as long as he was tall and half as wide again. With a mischievous grin, he walked over to it as poured on a little water. It rose too, and to about knee height. Now he could have some proper fun.
“Ok Grandfather, let’s see what my adventure holds shall we. You wanted to live let’s live.” Yelled Tuy. In his ears his voice was strong and true. If anyone else had been around it would have sounded like gravel speaking in a hoarse whisper.
Tuy jumped on to the floating rock, in his mind he’d jumped on. In truth, he had fallen on to it and most of his weight was on the downhill side. The rock slid off down the slope at an increasing speed reaching the bottom of the slope in a fraction of the time it had taken Tuy to walk up the slope. As it hit the level ground and level
led off Tuy was thrown back a little and the stone slowed and stopped as Tuy sat dead centre and dead still. His hallucination had ended in a sobering realisation that everything that was happening to him was real. Tuy sat there not daring to move for what was an unknown amount of time, but what he did know in his soul was that his reality was falling apart.
Eventually, the stone he was sat on began to sink and Tuy felt it settle on the ground, an unnerving feeling but as soon as the stone touched the ground Tuy leapt off and stood staring at the rock that had carried him down the slope. Unconsciously Tuy reached into his satchel and pulled out a piece of fish and chewed on it slowly. He then pulled out another and ate that too, this was followed by a gulp of water and then another piece of fish. As he ate and drank he thought, his mind considering all he had just seen, trying to separate what was delusion from reality. Coming to a conclusion Tuy stepped forward and poured a little more water on to the rock. It rose again and hovered at knee height. Looking at it thoughtfully Tuy carefully pushed down on the front of the rock. It moved forward.
Tuy Jumped backward.
“It’s time to go home grandson.” He heard his grandfather say.
Tuy knew he had found what the Pacha of Rocks had to offer. He would follow his stars home and share his discovery. Carefully he climbed on to the stone and, steeling himself, he poured a little more water on to its surface. The stone slowly rose and Tuy wobbled forward slightly, as he did so the stone began to move forward, slowly at first. Delicately Tuy leaned slightly further forward and the stone sped up to the speed of a fast run. Now Tuy knew he could get home, and soon. This stone would change everything.
.
Teaser
It was a hot, humid and starlit evening in August 1971 as a tired David responded to reports of an illegal party at Stonehenge. As he drove along the winding roads of Wiltshire a strange darkness fell across the sky that made him shiver in the heat. Meanwhile, a local farmer out tending his pigs could hear hippies partying among the stones of the ancient monument.
DiPacha Lore Page 4