Damell took a deep breath before answering. “The term ‘dark’ is merely a designation, since all Forces are neutral. The people using them for wrong purposes make the Force good or bad, light or dark.”
“Then, are many people in Varappa using their powers for wrong reasons?” Rhuna asked.
“There are many reasons a Force may be manifest as dark,” he began. “Some have good intentions but lack knowledge or experience, others are immature in their misuse of powers, while still others are misguided.”
Aradin touched Rhuna’s arm to direct her attention to some of The Observers who had approached them.
“We shall not go to Varappa, as advised by the High Council of Atlán,” said Divider of Fortunes with a deep grumble.
“We have come to say farewell,” said Reaching the Moon.
“A life without Dark Ones and the burden of responsibility being one of The Observers is most appealing to me,” said Roses of the Field in a slightly apologetic tone. Rhuna said that she understood, and wished for a similar future for her family.
“You appear to have aligned yourself with the Dark Side,” commented Designer of Works with a deep frown.
“I cannot leave my daughter, and she will not leave Beacon of the Night, whom you don’t want amongst you, so I have no choice,” Rhuna explained.
“Hmm,” responded Designer of Works skeptically.
Aradin and Rhuna shook hands heartily with each member of The Observers, and wished them a safe journey to their new homes, wherever that would be. When they turned to leave, Rhuna was suddenly overcome with sadness and uncertainty.
“Wait!” called a young woman from the Atlan group which had begun to disperse. “We have summoned a message from the Ubanti Queen by means of the Gazing of the Waters!” she called out excitedly. “Some of us are invited to return to Safu!”
Excited chatter broke out among both sides of the encampment, and Rhuna looked around for the small basin and some water to use for the summons.
“Beware! Possibly, it is a trick!” called out a man from the Atlan Masters group.
Progress of the Wind motioned to some of the Guardians of Knowledge, and soon they were arranging bowls of water among them to summon the message by means of the Gazing of the Waters.
“Is it possible for a non-Atlan to speak a message by means of the Gazing of the Waters?” asked someone.
“It is not a message, as we speak them,” explained Damell. “It is simply a normal vision in which she addresses certain people.”
Rhuna felt the excitement in the air all around her as everyone began to summon the vision of Uxbana. When everyone in her family group had assembled around the water basin, Rhuna focused her mental energy to summon the vision.
When the swirling colours cleared, Rhuna saw Uxbana seated stiffly in a chair, reminding her of The Reigning One. She was startled when the impressive dark woman addressed them, looking straight ahead as if she could see Rhuna.
“I know you Atlans can see me in the water’s reflection when you want to see people far away, so I am addressing all of you with this request. We, the ruling family of the people of the Land of Ubanti, humbly request that certain knowledgeable Atlans return to Safu as our privileged guests to establish the New Knowledge in Safu and to teach others in this Knowledge. Perhaps those of you called the New Arrivals would accept this invitation and return to Safu. You shall receive generous compensation for your assistance, such as the most luxurious accommodations, food, drink, jewellery and whatever else you desire.” Uxbana waved her hands in a gesture, revealing the golden chains and bejeweled bracelets on her arms and wrists.
“Furthermore, I, personally, make a special request for The Star Child to return to Safu at my invitation, to assist me in developing the land of Ubanti.” Rhuna watched motionlessly as the imposing ruler spoke directly to her alone. “You shall have a position equal to mine,” Uxbana said with seriousness, “…to command, direct, oversee projects, direct them, perform your mighty deeds such as making large building blocks for our own buildings and so forth. You shall live like a queen, with personal servants and assistants, your own secretary, food preparer, chamber maid and so on. Naturally, your family is also invited, except for the one who caused the death of my brother’s wife and children,” she added, her face suddenly full of hatred, bitterness and sorrow.
Rhuna exhaled loudly as the image faded, and she sat back on her heels a while to think about the words Uxbana had spoken. She looked around at Damell and Aradin, while everyone else was engaged in discussions over this new development. The Guardians of Knowledge were particularly excited, deliberating amongst themselves and then consulting Progress of the Wind and then Goram.
Rhuna stepped towards her daughter and grabbed her arm. “Lozira, we can go back to Safu and live a wonderful life of luxury, live like The Reigning One!”
Lozira stared at her mother for a short moment before her face reddened in rage.
“Did you not understand? She does not want Goram to return to Safu!” she spat.
“Perhaps I can change my appearance and take another name,” Goram began, but Rhuna shook her head angrily.
“Don’t be foolish, Goram! It would never work, and Uxbana’s family would surely kill you!”
Lozira took a deep breath to calm herself and then spoke in a resolute, firm tone. “I am staying with Goram, and shall go wherever he goes.”
“Lozira,” interrupted Goram sternly. “Heed your mother’s words! Your entire future may depend on your decision today.”
Lozira gaped at him in disbelief.
“In Safu, your life would most certainly be rewarding and fulfilling,” he continued with a deep sigh. “Yet a future with me in unknown lands would be very uncertain and perhaps filled with anxiety and turmoil.”
“What are you saying?” Lozira’s voice began to tremble. “You want me to go back to Safu, without you?”
“If you value a secure and prosperous future among your family, yes,” replied Goram, his brow in deep creases.
“But…but I thought you loved me and wanted me to be your wife!” Lozira protested, becoming hysterical. “How can you say this now, after everything you told me?” Lozira began to beat her fists on Goram’s chest in anguish.
“Be calm, be calm, My Treasure,” Goram said gently, as he gripped her flailing hands firmly. “It is out of sincere love that I say this,” he said, gripping her hands firmly in his. “My love for you transcends my own selfish wish to have you at my side, when your happiness and future wellbeing are concerned.”
“What are you saying?” Lozira screeched.
“It was an attempt to prevent unhappiness, should you come to regret your decision to sacrifice a secure and comfortable life in Safu,” he said softly.
“No, I shall never regret it!” Lozira insisted desperately. “What use are luxury, gold and good food when you are not with me!”
Goram pulled Lozira to him and embraced her tightly. “This gladdens me deeply,” Goram whispered into her ear. She slumped into his arms as she began to sob, and Rhuna felt her heart wrenched apart.
“I cannot live without you!” she whimpered between sobs, and then turned to speak to her mother.
“Even with all the best things of life, I could never be happy without him,” she told her.
“I thought you might say that,” Rhuna said softly, and then turned to look at Aradin and Damell.
“And what use are luxury and a high position in Safu when my first daughter is far away in a strange land, perhaps never to be with me ever again?” Rhuna said, fighting back a few tears.
Aradin and Damell both gave her an understanding nod.
“Then we shall all go to Varappa together,” Aradin said.
“Yes, we’ll all go,” Rhuna repeated, looking at Lozira.
“Really?” Lozira asked amazed, looking around at everyone.
“You make such a sacrifice for us?” Goram asked breat
hlessly.
“Not for you, but for Lozira,” Rhuna countered quickly.
Lozira threw her arms around her mother and squeezed hard, then turned to embrace Aradin and Damell, giving them each a heartfelt kiss on the cheek. Seeing her little sister patiently waiting, Lozira got down on her knees to cuddle Shandi, kissing her several times on her cheeks as the little girl giggled with delight.
Rhuna looked around at Possessor of Discernment, who had been seated nearby and quietly observed everything. “I shall accompany you,” he told her.
“But what about the legacy of the Pyramid’s secrets which you have to pass on to someone worthy?” Rhuna asked.
“The answer has already been shown to me,” he said with a gentle and serene smile. “My last days shall be among you, in Varappa,” he said.
The Atlan encampment was astir well before sunrise the following morning as everyone was eager to embark on the journey to their new home. Rhuna and the small group in her immediate vicinity gathered up all belongings, and after some discussion with The Reigning One’s attendants and soldiers, took only one wagon with one donkey. The wagon had only basic supplies of food and blankets, and only four of The Reigning One’s men chose to accompany the large group journeying towards the Great Sea.
Rhuna looked at the small group of young Atlans who had decided to return to Safu, along with the remainder of The Reigning One’s attendants and soldiers. She recognized many of the New Arrivals in the small group, namely Ruler of Numbers and Roaming the Hills. Their faces shone with eager anticipation, and Rhuna quickly stepped towards them and wished them farewell.
Returning to her group, Rhuna picked up Shandi who had become restless, sensing the significance of the Atlan encampment’s break-up. She looked around at the people who had chosen to take the dubious journey to a distant and unknown land, and recognized the Guardians of Knowledge, some of the New Arrivals and then some strangers she had first seen at the meeting of the Guardians of Knowledge. She guessed that they were only about thirty-five people altogether, but almost all of them in their prime, without children.
“We shall travel faster,” Damell said, having made the same observation as Rhuna.
The simple instruction to walk along the coast of the long and narrow sea was beset with obstacles every day, making the donkey-pulled wagon of supplies an impediment.
“Such an encumbrance, these wheeled contraptions!” spoke a man from behind Rhuna, and she recognized him to be the man who had complained about wheels earlier in the Atlan people’s escape from Safu.
Once they had traversed some rocky terrain past some hills, the land levelled again, and the wagon rolled along the grassy plains with ease. After several days of continuous walking and taking turns carrying Shandi, Rhuna was beginning to feel extreme exhaustion throughout her body. As they walked, she was beset with moments of intense longing for her home in Safu with all its comforts. Other times, she felt as if their journey would never end.
She looked along the seemingly endless coast of the great narrow sea, wondering if anyone had even walked along its shores before her, so rugged and wild was the terrain all around them. At times the fear of going the wrong way surfaced, mingled with the uncertainty of what lay ahead in Varappa. Her anxiety heightened one day when the group realized that their ration of water was very low.
“We have not seen even a small body of fresh water, nor a trickle from the hills since we parted from the main group,” said Progress of the Wind.
“My Insights reveal there to be no drinkable water for many days’ walk ahead,” said Damell gloomily.
“Can we not drink the water from the sea?” asked Charmer of Snakes, licking his dry lips.
“Perhaps someone with outstanding skills can remove the salt!” Damell exclaimed, giving Rhuna a hopeful look.
“Remove salt from water?” she repeated, uncertain.
“It does not sound too difficult,” stated Goram.
Rhuna agreed to attempt this unusual feat, and several of the Guardians of Knowledge quickly filled all the empty containers with sea water, placing them in front of her.
Charmer of Snakes scooped a handful of the sea water and splashed it onto his lips.
“Bah!” he spat. “Very salty, very salty!”
“Step away, now,” instructed Damell, and allowed Rhuna to sit in her Inside Focussing position to gather energy into her mind and body. When she felt sufficiently charged, Rhuna projected her mental energy onto the salty water, visualizing the tiny grains of salt turning into fine sand. Within a short time, she opened her eyes and asked that someone check the condition of the water.
“It’s free of salt!” exclaimed Aradin, and then let out a triumphant laugh. Rhuna also laughed with relief, and then warned them that the water contained sand, which should soon settle to the bottom of the buckets and water bags.
“You are also a powerful conjurer,” said Seeker of Knowledge, who had sat down beside Rhuna.
“Conjurer?” Rhuna repeated. “I’ve never heard that word before.”
“It is not a new word, yet only used by certain knowledgeable people,” she said mysteriously. Rhuna looked at the unusual woman with long, dark straggly hair and fine lines around her eyes and mouth.
“Have you been to Varappa before?” Rhuna asked impulsively.
“Oh yes,” she answered without expression. “I have been everywhere.”
Rhuna noticed a hint of an accent, and concluded that she was probably not pure Atlan. She suddenly realized that she was very curious about this woman, and was excited at the prospect of getting well acquainted with her, while at the same time also fearing such a friendship. As if the woman sensed Rhuna’s thoughts, Seeker of Knowledge stood up and said that she would avail herself to some of the newly-conjured fresh water.
After partaking of fresh water, Rhuna used the remainder of water to summon messages and visions by means of the Gazing of the Waters. She was startled to find a message for her, and more surprisingly, from the High Council of Atlán. She leaned over to see and hear the red-haired Atlan Master better.
“Keeper of Wisdom,” began Tamer of Fire slowly. “It is our pleasure to announce that you have been exonerated, and your formal Atlan name has been restored. We are pleased to absolve you of the burden of banishment.” The senior member of the Council looked uncomfortable, and on closer examination, Rhuna thought that he looked very tired.
“After lengthy investigation and examination of all the presented information from as many sources as possible, the High Council of Atlán has concluded that our previous judgement of you was…wrong. We did not have enough information, and we lacked the necessary insight and knowledge of new, Dark Powers to understand your predicament during your assignment in Safu,” he went on slowly, choosing his words carefully.
“Should you wish to return to Atlán…to reside or merely visit…then you shall be welcomed. This announcement shall be made known to all Atlans, in all the Atlan Empire.” With a humble bow of his red head the image faded, and Rhuna sat back on her heels.
Rhuna stood up to tell her family members who were huddled under the sparse shade of a small tree as they slowly gulped more water.
“I should feel happy, but I feel nothing,” Rhuna told Damell and Aradin.
“Nevertheless, it is very good news, and we are pleased,” Damell said.
Rhuna returned to where she had been sitting earlier, and spoke a message in reply to Tamer of Fire. She told him that although his message brought relief and good news, she was journeying to Varappa with her family, and would probably no longer be able to speak or summon messages when she arrived at her destination.
“Is it possible for Tozar to receive a message from me?” she asked Tamer of Fire. “There are some important things I want to tell him before I arrive in Varappa.”
Rhuna sat in silence for a long time, lost in thoughts of Tozar and the past, until some commotion nearby distracted her.
&n
bsp; “A message from Voyager of the Ocean!” announced Charmer of Snakes. Rhuna looked around and saw her family gather with some of the Guardians of Knowledge to hear the message. She quickly took her place next to Aradin, who squeezed her hand in a gesture of hopeful anticipation.
The water reflection in the shallow basin had turned opaque already when Rhuna arrived, and she watched eagerly as the image showed the unusual face of Voyager of the Ocean. His generous smile felt cold and unfriendly to Rhuna, but she dismissed her feelings and waited to hear his important message.
“During our last disembarkation, I was able to summon your messages and view your progress by means of the Gazing of the Waters. How relieved I am to see that you have almost arrived at the designated place without incident, and that your numbers are much less than before. Indeed, I was worried how my fleet of ships would transport so many people. Now it shall be a comfortable sea voyage to Varappa!” he said smiling broadly.
“You may expect us in one lunar cycle, due to currents and seasonal winds of the seas still separating us. In the meantime, avail yourselves of the plentiful food and fresh water. Build temporary shelters, for at night animals from the hills roam around, and rain is not infrequent in that area.”
The image faded and everyone seemed to sigh in unison.
“At least we know how much longer we must wait,” said Aradin.
The tired wanderers pressed on through the dismal dry land, and Rhuna provided fresh drinking water for them several more times. Finally, on a day when Rhuna had stopped counting and watching the moon and stars for indications of time, someone ahead of her shouted out.
Rhuna could hardly believe her eyes when she saw a true oasis, just as Voyager of the Ocean had described. Amongst yellow-brown dirt and dull, dry shrubbery, a lush green pocket of land lay sheltered in a large cove, protected by some rugged hills and tall trees.
As she looked around at the drawn faces of her travel companions, she saw the spark of renewed hope and energy ignite in all of them. Their feet became light, and their walk was brisk as they hurried to sanctuary from the wilderness.
Rhuna, The Star Child Page 29