“Be heartily embraced, Rhuna,” began his message. “Your progress and passion for knowledge continues to warm my soul and lift my spirits! Even your handiwork is of a high standard, Rhuna. Your second rug with complex designs in purple and green tones enthralls me. My own rugs and tapestries adorn my abode, here in the center of Atlán. When you have progressed enough, summon my rooms and behold my many splendid rugs and textiles, as well as fine artifacts of various metals. You shall become very adept at transforming elements, this is evident by your first effort! Your attempts to compose a song for the vuda also foretells of future success and rewards!” Then a twinkle appeared in his eye as he paused a brief moment. “Perhaps you shall also learn to make fine delicacies of cocoa?” Rhuna felt the blood rush to her face. “Your days of learning are more pleasurable than mine at this time. Our High Council deliberations continue long into the evening darkness, and Sunshine on the Mountain has taken ill due to the entire matter. He is recovering by means of healing aromas and diet. I have remained in good health, although I desire a lengthy rest. Be well and happy, Rhuna.”
She returned to her room feeling excited at the thought of summoning Tozar’s rooms, but deeply troubled that Tozar knew about something she had withheld from him. She sat on her bed to think more thoroughly, and then a memory struck her like a hard slap in the face. Mala Mahuni had said that the Dark Master spied on people and knew what they did. She had to know immediately whether Tozar had spied on her, and what this meant. She calmed herself and prepared to speak a message to him. She asked him if he knew all about the cocoa dishes Mala Mahuni had made for them, and whether one could often use the Gazing of the Waters to see what people were doing in private.
Still agitated, she then left her room and sought out Solver of Riddles, who was going to one of the wash rooms carrying several containers of oils and lotions.
“Solver of Riddles!” she called after him. “There’s something I have to know!” Her teacher readily stopped and listened to her, then nodded understandingly as she told him of her troubled thoughts.
“It is neither difficult nor uncommon to view the actions of another, especially a person for who one has affection. However, one must use restraint and caution at all times when summoning the powers of the Gazing of the Waters. It is foolish, and at times even dangerous, to summon certain information. Hence the supervision of a teacher or mature person when a student embarks on this, the most diverse and challenging of all Atlan gifts.”
Rhuna was relieved, but was afraid to mention what she had heard about the Dark Master. Instead, she asked Solver of Riddles whether it would be appropriate to summon the High Council deliberations to see what Tozar did there. The teacher’s brow furrowed as he thought.
“It is permissible to observe the High Council proceedings, but I fear the subject matter may be disturbing to a young student. Perhaps when the High Council discusses a less complex theme, such as the development of a new colony?” Rhuna said that she agreed, but still longed to know what was being discussed about her old home and the things that took place there. At that moment, she noticed the kind expression in her teacher’s face, and she realized that he was always happy to explain everything to her. Rhuna tried to imagine Guardian of Knowledge as her teacher, and was immediately grateful that Solver of Riddles had been chosen to take care of her education. She thanked him for always explaining things to her so kindly, and he raised his eyebrows in mild surprise.
As she walked back to her room again to ponder all these things, she remembered why she didn’t like Guardian of Knowledge. He had explicitly told her not to tell anyone her father’s name, and now she began to wonder why. Then she remembered that Tozar had been very certain about her father’s name, and that Morning Glory had asked whether he knew her parents. She decided to speak another message to Tozar about these things.
A few days later, Rhuna longed to summon Tozar’s messages again in the hope of having more answers, but Solver of Riddles was not to be found in the usual places. It was the recreation day at the end of the lunar cycle, and most students and teachers had left the buildings. After searching the school grounds some more, she assumed her teacher had gone somewhere outside the school. Dismayed, and anxious to hear Tozar’s answers to her troubling questions, she decided to summon the message by herself. There was no one in the entire building when she made her way to the room of the Gazing Waters, and the empty hallway eerily echoed her footsteps.
With a racing heart, she took the small bottle of powder Tozar had given her, and spoke the incantation words as usual. She felt the strong pulling sensation again, became slightly dizzy, then watched as the opaque water cleared.
Tozar’s face appeared in front of the now familiar gold-red background of his large room, and he spoke his usual greetings before pausing and taking a slower and more serious manner.
“It is natural to feel uneasy when first becoming acquainted with the powers of the Gazing of the Waters, Rhuna. Be assured that those of us skilled enough to summon various information are also mature and restrained in this respect. It serves no beneficial purpose to casually invade the privacy of others, however it is common for friends and family to regularly summon such daily images, especially when they are apart and cannot tell of these matters to each other personally. Or did you not wish me to know of your delicious cocoa food discoveries?” he asked teasingly. Rhuna felt relieved, but her heart still beat quickly. “Concerning the use of my family name; it is appropriately used among close friends also. However, since you inquired, I may add that I knew of your father’s journeys across the Great Ocean and therefore surmised your heritage.” He paused again and briefly looked to the ground. “Your father’s sudden and unexplained departure on those journeys… caused disquiet among certain individuals.” Then he ended his message as usual, and Rhuna felt satisfied with his explanations.
After the water had returned to normal, she stayed at the stone basin and listened to her surroundings. She heard the distant song of birds and a gentle rustle of wind in a nearby tree. She concluded that all teachers and students were far away from the room of the Gazing of the Waters, so she looked around for the green powder Solver of Riddles had used to summon the general place visions. She found no powders anywhere in the room, and was once again crushed by disappointment. Then she wondered what would happen if she used the usual red powder and used the incantation of general place visions, then concentrated on a place. She hesitated a while, remembering her teacher’s words about needing supervision, and that she would not be skilled enough yet. She expected no results, but wanted to try it while she had the opportunity.
She looked behind her at the doorway where the drapes were still pulled closed, then listened once more for any voices or footsteps. She recalled to mind the other incantation words Solver of Riddles had spoken to summon the place visions. As soon as she finished speaking them, she sprinkled the red powder and shut her eyes to concentrate intensely on Tozar’s room. The usual dizzying sensation engulfed her, and she quickly opened her eyes. Dark clouds were forming in the water, moving about and changing shape like a violent storm. It took a while longer for these clouds to disperse, but when they did, the opaque white cover emerged, then cleared to present a colourful image. Rhuna sucked in her breath.
Rhuna recognized the golden and reddish wall and saw that it was a giant tapestry made with many colours, including gold thread. In front of it was a large bench with a back rest and dark red fabric over it. To one side of the image Rhuna saw a wide bed with purplish and gold materials draped over it. The floor looked like waxy, polished stone tiles, and near the bed was a thick rug of white and tan colours. To the other side of the image Rhuna saw a window, but it appeared strange to her. It looked iridescent, as if it reflected light like shiny metal. Exotic fabrics in dark red or purple with gold patterns hung down each side of the window. When she had examined each area of the image, it began to fade.
Rhuna stepped back and took several deep breaths, lett
ing the tension and excitement flow out of her body. She thought about what she had done, and wondered if the colour of the powder was not such an important requirement.
When she had composed herself, she thought of another place she had wanted to summon. She took a deep breath, then repeated the same process, this time intensely concentrating on the mysterious old homeland of the Zao ancestors that Mala Mahuni had told her about.
Dark, stormy clouds moved about in the water for a length of time until a vision appeared. At first Rhuna saw only a dense jungle of tall trees and thick vines all about. Then some stone shapes came into view and she recognized part of a building. The tops of the walls had fallen down, scattered stones and rubble lay about, and there were no people, animals or any sound in the place. The image was haunting, and Rhuna was relieved when it soon began to fade. Instead of returning to normal water as she expected, the water produced another image. This time she saw people and heard sounds.
She saw naked Zao people holding clubs, spears or other weapons. She heard screams and shouts, and before she realized it, a massacre took place before her eyes. The naked men with weapons began to viciously beat and stab others whose screams of anguish stopped abruptly after a sickening thud. Some of the beaten ones were women and children, and Rhuna saw blood spurting from their wounds as they fell dead to the ground.
Rhuna pushed herself away from the basin and ran out of the room, holding her hand over her mouth. She scrambled through the nearest doorway and fell to her knees in the garden where she vomitted on the clean green grass. Her entire body heaved and trembled once more, and when she stood up on her unsteady knees, she noticed she was covered in a cold sweat. She felt worse than the evening after Mala Mahuni had told her about the Dark Master, so she promptly turned in the direction of Windy’s home for more healing aromas.
When Rhuna reached the small stone and wood house that always smelled of oils and perfumes, she suddenly had the urge to vomit again. Windy saw that Rhuna was ill, and quickly beckoned her inside to sit down. She reached for a small bottle and held it under Rhuna’s nose, telling her to breathe regularly and not to talk. The strong scent had a numbing effect and quickly took away her urge to vomit.
As she began to feel better, she told Windy that she had seen something horrible in the Gazing of the Waters.
“There was no teacher to supervise you?” asked the woman with wide eyes. Rhuna explained that she couldn’t find Solver of Riddles so she tried it herself.
“Be silent now and rest,” said Windy as she gently propped more cushions behind Rhuna’s back. “There are stronger healing aromas for your distress,” she said, and then went to prepare them quickly.
“You must tell Solver of Riddles of this, and rest quietly for some days. Refrain from your studies until you feel better,” she said when she had given Rhuna a tied bundle of strongly scented healing aromas. “I shall send for Solver of Riddles.”
After Rhuna had rested a while and her inner trembling had stopped, Solver of Riddles entered the room where Windy had been taking care of her. His face was distorted by surprise, concern and puzzlement. As soon as she saw him, Rhuna sat upright and began to cry.
“I did something very bad and now I can’t go on with my studies,” she blurted with loud sobs. Solver of Riddles silently sat down beside her. “You won’t trust me anymore and you won’t want to teach me anymore!”
“That would be most unlikely,” he said warmly.
Rhuna shook her head vehemently. “Oh no, you won’t! I did something I shouldn’t have done and now I don’t want to use the Gazing of the Waters ever again, not ever!” She cried anew and Solver of Riddles laid his hand on her shoulder while Windy handed her a small soft cloth to wipe her face.
“You summoned the Gazing of the Waters for a purpose other than a common message?” asked Solver of Riddles bewildered.
Rhuna nodded.
“How did you do this?” His eyes stared widely at her and his slack mouth hung open in wonderment.
“I used my red powder and spoke the incantation for summoning a general place vision,” she blurted. “I didn’t think it would work, but it did, and I could see Tozar’s room, and then I tried to see the old Zao homeland and…” She let out a wail and sobbed loudly. Windy held the healing aroma pouch in front of her face.
“The Zao homeland?” asked Solver of Riddles, still bewildered.
“There were Zao people there, all naked and running around killing women and children,” squealed Rhuna between sobs. “And the blood came shooting out everywhere!”
“Oh!” said Windy holding her delicate hand to her face. Her eyes became moist and she sat down next to Rhuna to lay her arm around her.
Solver of Riddles slowly shook his head in disbelief. “You summoned these images merely by using the red powder and the incantation you heard in the lesson?” Rhuna nodded and breathed in the healing aromas. “Is there more?”
“No, but…”
“It is enough. Rest and be calm, Adopted by the Rain. No lasting harm has been done.”
“But, but… I disobeyed you! You won’t trust me anymore and I did a bad thing! I don’t deserve to be at school anymore!”
Solver of Riddles shook his head. “You have freely told me of the matter. Should you have withheld it from me, I would view the incident differently. Do you understand?”
Rhuna wasn’t sure. “What will Tozar say?” she said with a new flow of tears.
“We shall know soon, and perhaps his words may quell your distress,” said Solver of Riddles patting her forearm. “I shall inform Harbinger of Solace immediately. Find peace and recover well,” he said reassuringly.
The following night and day, Rhuna stayed with Windy and helped her make more soaps and fragrant oils, then laid on soft cushions slowly breathing in more healing aromas. In the evening, Solver of Riddles appeared at the door and told Rhuna she could summon a message from Tozar.
“I’m afraid,” she told Solver of Riddles as they entered the room of the Gazing of the Waters.
“You must overcome it. There is nothing to fear. Summon the message in the usual manner,” said Solver of Riddles as he stepped behind her.
With trembling hands she carefully spoke the incantation and sprinkled the red powder, then waited with bated breath for Tozar’s reaction to her disobedient act.
“Be most warmly embraced and comforted, Rhuna!” he began. His expression was the same as always, which reassured her. “I am aware of what has transpired, and am grateful to Solver of Riddles and Whisper of the Wind for their tender concern in your time of distress. It is not uncommon to see or hear of alarming events. It is an unfortunate aspect of life, and we must grow to maturity knowing and understanding the gruesome and violent world.” He paused and sighed. “It was inevitable that you would come to know of the cruelty in the world, as you already learnt when we were forced to leave Chinza. However, we guard ourselves against this darkness by careful forethought when summoning the Gazing of the Waters, and in other aspects of discussion and daily life. Hence the supervision by teachers or mature Masters when students learn of its power and usage. Regrettably, the best lessons are the most painful ones, though be of cheerful spirit, Rhuna! You have shown exceptional qualities! Your passion for knowledge has led to a revelation, a process unknown to us, namely the use of a common powder to invoke place visions and occurrences! By a student of your early level! This action is the subject of many lengthy exuberant and vibrant discussions in the Capital, and you, Rhuna, are praised for your exceptional gift and ambition to progress!” He grinned happily. “Therefore rejoice and overcome your sadness, Rhuna. You have learned a great lesson, namely the painful cutting edge of Atlan abilities, and why laws are formed for our protection. Continue to study and grow in wisdom from every unpleasant experience. This is the true Atlan way. Speak to me soon, that I may see your progress and recovery!”
When the message faded, Rhuna wiped a few tears from her cheeks and breathed a deep sigh of re
lief. She turned around and saw her teacher’s smiling face. “You see?” he said raising his eyebrows.
“I think so. Does this mean I’m allowed to summon the Gazing of the Waters again, when you’re with me?”
“It means this and much more,” he said still smiling, and led her out of the room.
Part Three
(Atlán)
Rhuna continued with all her classes, and her love for learning grew stronger. The horrible images she had seen in the Gazing of the Waters faded from her thoughts, and she only summoned the Waters under her teacher’s supervision. Whenever she became curious about a place, Solver of Riddles let her use the common place vision incantation and appropriate green powder. Once, she summoned her old home and saw dirty and barefoot people digging for yams or other root foods, making tents or shelters out of plant matter, and relying on the fishermen to catch a sufficient supply of fish. The visions were distant and foreign to her, and she found it hard to believe that she once lived that way.
She continued to help Windy search for and collect the flowers and herbs for her soaps, oils and essences, and she usually saw Mala Mahuni when a fleet had arrived and she was curious what supplies the ships had brought. People could take foodstuffs and unworked materials as needed, but occasionally a finished product like a rug, specially-worked textiles for drapes and beds, or carved wood items like a vuda arrived from Atlán, and these were exchanged for goods made by the people of Medíz. These included products made from plants and flowers unique to the islands around Medíz, such as the strong, sweet-scented flowers Windy often used for perfumes. She often exchanged these flower fragrances for ready-made items, some of which she later gave to others who needed them. When threads, yarns or dyes arrived, Rhuna and Morning Glory thought of new designs and techniques for making rugs, tapestries, clothes or bags with them. And once every three lunar cycles, she and Morning Glory walked to the communal center where a market took place. On one occasion, Morning Glory traded two of her rugs for finely woven cotton to make clothes, sandals made by an old Zao man, and a large, wide basket made in the old Zao tradition. Rhuna also traded a few woven mats she had made for new sandals and a comb.
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