Rhuna, Keeper of Wisdom

by Barbara Underwood

  As Rhuna advanced in her music lessons, she received her own vuda and was introduced to a new teacher, an older Atlan woman who had played stringed instruments all her life. She had a strongly hooked nose and the corners of her mouth sloped sharply downwards, giving her face a sinister expression, but Rhuna liked and respected her. She taught Rhuna to listen carefully to all sounds and visualize them in her head so that she could imitate the sounds on musical instruments. She also learnt how to make best use of the vuda’s long and fretless neck by sliding her fingers along the strings on the neck to create half-tones.

  Together with Morning Glory, she also enjoyed her extra afternoon classes of Plant and Earth Harmony. They learnt how rocks, trees, shrubs, food and flower plants all had their proper place in accordance with the geology and layout of the land. If there was a stream of water above or underground, then certain plants should be either close to, or more distant from the water course in order to stimulate the energy flow through the earth. It was also important to examine the geology of a place because some rocks, like granite, either facilitated or impeded the flow of earth energies. Some rocks stored electro-magnetic energies, while others worked as conductors. It was therefore necessary to recognize the geological structure of rocks when choosing building blocks or setting up an erect standing stone for certain purposes.

  Most important of all, the lay of the land had to be examined carefully before developing fields for crops or planting food plants. If an obstacle like a rock layer of a non-conducive kind, or a large body of water impeded or re-directed the natural flow of earth energies, then the soil would become poor or even die, and food would not grow well, if at all.

  The Plant and Earth Harmony classes quickly came to an end when both girls had eagerly acquired all the knowledge that was available about this subject. Instead, they began taking long walks to the plasmos and expanding their knowledge and understanding of the cosmic cycles and methods of measuring time and distance, especially with a view to navigation. Solver of Riddles allowed them to go to the plasmos in the early afternoon to study the heaven at early evening and night, and then report to him about their discoveries the following morning. Solver of Riddles always listened intently to Rhuna and Morning Glory, and instructed them joyfully. He was especially pleased whenever Rhuna wanted to use the Gazing of the Waters and asked for his approval or opinion on her chosen subject prior to summoning.

  She also used the Gazing of the Waters room regularly to summon messages from Tozar, and after a while, Solver of Riddles said that he no longer needed to supervise those sessions. Tozar continued telling her about his activities in Atlán, about the discussions of the High Council, and that he was an important member whose opinion was often sought after by both High Council members and other various people in the capital. He explained that his journeys to other lands and experiences with different cultures and their problems were the main reasons he was always needed in High Council talks.

  He also told Rhuna that the subjects of High Council discussions varied greatly, from mundane matters such as a disagreement over trading of goods, or more complicated situations like the three masters on Chinza who disobeyed new Atlan legislation. In the High Council’s long deliberations, it became evident that only Sunshine of the Mountain was free of any deliberate actions against the Atlan Empire. The other two Masters had been aware of a degree of danger or mischief in sculpting stone idols in the image of the Dark One, but were deemed not completely culpable because their perception and understanding of the Dark Master and his influences were too limited. Therefore, the High Council judged the degree of misdemeanor by each one’s understanding of the issues involved. Sunshine on the Mountain had become deeply distressed and physically ill when he learnt of the extent of the Dark Master’s work, while the other two Masters knew or suspected the lengths and depths of the matter. Rhuna remembered how sick she had felt after the stories Mala Mahuni had told her about the Dark Master, and she sympathized with Sunshine on the Mountains. Tozar said that none of the three would ever be given any responsibility, but were content to do various work under the supervision of other Masters.

  Rhuna loved hearing about Tozar’s involvement in the High Council and the things that were discussed, deemed and judged there. She often asked him what he was doing at that time, as well as asking him various things about Atlán. In turn, she continued to tell him about her favourite lessons, excursions to markets, to the plasmos or the visitor’s inn to sample another one of Mala Mahuni’s delicacies. She no longer withheld anything from him, and felt comfortable that he could see her at any time by means of the Gazing of the Waters.

  When more than three solar cycles had passed since Rhuna arrived in Medíz, Tozar spoke a special and unexpected message which she summoned by herself in the school’s Gazing of the Waters room. After the usual greeting and news, he moved in his seat and paused.

  “Advancing in your seventeenth solar cycle, you will soon finish all the lessons available to you in Medíz,” he began slowly, “and therefore I now offer you a much advanced education here in Atlán where the wisest and most knowledgeable teachers reside. Your passion for learning has not diminished, and you have not yet reached the limits of your abilities…and I therefore offer you my spacious and comfortable living rooms for… the length of time you desire. Perhaps, when you arrive in Atlán, you would even wish to remain, either alone or…at my side as my…companion. There are choices and opportunities available to you, and perhaps you may choose when present, in Atlán, after you have seen the opportunities, and after we have discussed matters in person…” he tapered off with a hint of uncertainty in his voice. Rhuna felt thrilled and very nervous. She thought of her intense curiosity and enchantment with the images and stories about Atlán, and that she had waited for the time when she could journey there to see it. She realized that Tozar’s offer was not about whether she wanted to finally come to Atlán, but whether she wanted to be with him as his wife.

  Rhuna went to her room and took the small pink-purple package she had kept safely near her bed. She had often unwrapped it and looked at the gold necklace with orrichalcum pendant, recalling the tender moment when Tozar gave it to her and told her to wear it when she visited him in Atlán. She had never worn it because she wanted to save it for a special occasion. She put the necklace back in its special place and walked the grassy path to Morning Glory’s home.

  Morning Glory was still a small and slender girl, and Rhuna still thought of her as a little songbird. She was several solar cycles younger than Rhuna, but they had progressed at the same pace in the same classes. Rhuna found her friend behind the house, sitting under a shading tree where she could observe one of her cats. A few days earlier, Silver Paw had given birth to four kittens, and now Rhuna and Morning Glory watched the mother and her newborn babies.

  “She looks very happy,” said Rhuna.

  “Yes, she is. Come closer and touch the kittens. My father says one shouldn’t remove them from the mother, only stroke them gently that Silver Paw may know we also love her babies,” explained Morning Glory. Rhuna gently stroked each one while the mother watched approvingly.

  “Tozar has invited me to come to Atlán,” said Rhuna while still admiring the cat family. Morning Glory looked at her friend with a forlorn expression.

  “Will you go? You have always wished to go…as I also wish, but…” she twittered nervously.

  “I want to see Atlán of course, but Tozar also offered me to be his companion.”

  “Oh. I assumed this, due to the necklace he gave you,” said Morning Glory in a sad tone. Rhuna nodded. “What is your decision?”

  “Tozar said I could decide when I’m there and after I’ve seen his home and the new school in Atlán.”

  “That is very wise.”

  The friends were silent a while and Silver Paw looked up at them.

  “I don’t know how to kiss and those things,” said Rhuna.

  “Nor do I, but my father says such things ta
ke place instinctively when the feelings are right,” said Morning Glory. She looked down at Silver Paw who had begun licking her kittens on their heads. “Would you have children?”

  “I’ve never thought about that,” said Rhuna.

  “We learnt about the various methods of preventing pregnancy,” said Morning Glory. Rhuna nodded once more and they were silent again.

  “I shall miss you very much!” said Morning Glory emphatically, and Rhuna felt tears well up in her eyes.

  “And I’ll miss you! And everyone else! Oh, perhaps I shouldn’t go?” said Rhuna beginning to panic.

  “You should go,” said Morning Glory. “It is the course for you, I know it. The other matter you may still decide upon later.” Rhuna agreed and slowly got up.

  When Rhuna returned to her room, she spoke a message to Tozar and said she was very excited about going to Atlán, but also sad to leave Medíz and her friends. She also said it was wise to decide on further matters after she had arrived in Atlán.

  The following day Rhuna learnt that plans for her ocean voyage had already been made, and that Solver of Riddles had also been informed. She summoned a message from Tozar in which he said that a small fleet would leave Medíz for Atlán at the beginning of the new lunar cycle, and that the present season was most suitable for such a voyage, the weather being usually fine and the winds and currents providing a swift and pleasant passage across the Great Ocean. There would be the usual load of supplies and trading goods on board, but no other passengers.

  Rhuna decided to take her vuda to play during the long and lonely crossing, and then she began to gather her other belongings that had accumulated in the past three solar cycles. She attended a few more lessons with Morning Glory, and then it was time to farewell the other students. Solver of Riddles stood aside and waited for her to finish talking to them, then asked her to accompany him to his rooms. She watched him reach for something on a shelf on the far wall of his room, and then he presented it to her. He held a perfectly round stone ball which fitted neatly in his cupped hands. It was smoothly polished, in a mottled creamy colour with fine lines and markings to represent lands, oceans and currents.

  “A farewell gift,” said Solver of Riddles.

  Rhuna took the small globe from him, and was surprised how light it felt in her hands.

  “The natural weight of dense stone has been altered by means of concentrated thought energies,” explained Solver of Riddles. “May it serve as a fond reminder of your days in Medíz.”

  She looked up and saw sadness in her teacher’s face, even though his voice sounded happy. She took the present thankfully and expressed her gratitude to him for the many wonderful lessons he taught her. Then he offered to carry her bags of belongings to the harbour.

  They walked mostly in silence, and Rhuna felt a tightness in her stomach as they approached the water and five ships, some of which were already preparing to depart. When they reached the ship that was waiting for her, she saw Morning Glory, Windy and Mala Mahuni waiting nearby to say a final farewell. They each gave her a present as they spoke more words of farewell and good wishes. Windy gave her oil fragrances of the flowers that were unique to Medíz and surrounding islands, as well as several bundles of healing aromas for sea-sickness and the anxiety of a long ocean voyage.

  Morning Glory gave her the finely woven and decorated wrapping cloth she had made and which Rhuna had always admired, and Mala Mahuni gave her a basket of fresh food to enjoy during the first few days, as later she would have to resort to mostly preserved foods only. He gave Rhuna a friendly peck on each cheek and said he was sad to say good-bye, but still gave her his usual wide grin. Morning Glory wiped a few tears from her eyes and said she would regularly summon Rhuna’s messages in the school’s Gazing of the Waters room. Then she carried her presents on board while Solver of Riddles carried her vuda and bags of belongings. He stacked them along the wall in the small cabin that would be her home for at least two lunar cycles. Then he shook her hand and said his final farewell.

  Rhuna felt abandoned and near tears as she stood on the outside platform watching the land drift away from her and seeing her friends wave to her. She waved back until the ship turned to leave the harbour and her friends disappeared out of her sight.

  Rhuna had resigned herself to staying mostly inside the small cabin for many days, but the voyage was more lively and interesting than she had expected. On the same ship was one Master in charge of navigation, five Zao men and two Zao women who were well trained in handling sail, steering boards and oars. She often shared meals with the Master and some of the Zao men and women, and had lengthy conversations with many of them about travel and the lands they had seen.

  Other times Rhuna enjoyed her solitude by playing her vuda and trying to compose her first song. Twice a day she practiced the Inside Focussing she had been doing regularly since learning it at school, and every few days she spoke a message to Tozar and to Morning Glory. She longed to summon their messages, but it comforted her to think that once she was in Atlán, she would no longer have to speak and summon messages to communicate with Tozar.

  She enjoyed the fresh food basket Mala Mahuni had prepared for her, and savoured the chocolate he had added, remembering her early days in Medíz when she discovered these exotic foods. She had no need for any of Windy’s healing aromas, but was thankful to have them at hand.

  One morning during the second lunar cycle of the journey, she sat comfortably to practice her Inside Focussing. She often sensed a mild vibration and humming in her head when she did this, but she had become used to it. This particular morning, the vibration felt stronger, and then a clear mental image appeared to her. It was a vision of a very tall and thin man wearing a dark robe with a flowing cloak, walking quickly up a hillside. He turned his head and Rhuna saw his long nose and dark hollows where his eyes should be. She snapped open her eyes and breathed heavily several times. The image had shocked and frightened her, and worse, she knew it was the Dark Master and that he was alive, walking up a hill somewhere.

  Rhuna waited until she calmed down, then spoke a message to Tozar telling him of her vision. Then she tried to distract herself with her vuda, and later by going outside to watch the waves and any playing dolphins that might be accompanying them. She hadn’t seen as many dolphins this time, but was glad that the water was calm and the currents fluent for the greater part of the journey.

  After her frightening experience, she decided not to practice any Inside Focussing for a while, and instead began to count the days until her arrival in a harbour port, from where she would be taken up into the mountains to Atlán. Before she left Medíz, Tozar had told her that he would summon her location and therefore would know exactly when she would arrive. He promised to meet her somewhere, and assured her that others would help and escort her along the way, if necessary. She felt assured, but still nervous.

  Finally, land appeared on the horizon and she heard shouts of joy from both her ship and the four accompanying ships that were always within sight. The long strip of land looked brown, and stretched from one end of the horizon to the other, as far as Rhuna could see. She felt her heartbeat quicken at the thought of soon seeing Tozar there.

  She stood outside the cabin and watched the land grow in size until she recognized a cluster of white houses at the shore, and more clearly defined shapes and colours indicating a mountain range rising in the far distance. She went inside to take out the golden necklace which she had packed with a white cotton dress that she had made not long before leaving Medíz. She put on the dress and for the first time also put the necklace over her head and examined herself in her hand mirror. The pendant sat perfectly on her chest, just above the low and sweeping cut of her dress. She didn’t know exactly when Tozar would meet her, but she wanted him to see her in the new dress, wearing his necklace. Then she gathered and packed her other belongings, and finally sat down to speak one last message to Morning Glory before finally setting foot on land again. She told her that
she was happy and excited about arriving, but still felt nervous and wondered about the several days’ walking journey still ahead before finally reaching Atlán.

  The cluster of white houses formed into definite shapes, and Rhuna recognized a visitor’s inn and a large warehouse, then two smaller homes for people who lived and worked there. People stood and walked around the open area between wharf and houses, and as the oars came out and the ship slowed down, Rhuna also noticed solid stone walls forming a sheltered and practical harbour for many ships. She farewelled her travel companions and thanked them for their hospitality, then bundled all her belongings together and waited for a walking plank to be placed between ship and jetty. In that moment she saw a brown-skinned man standing on the jetty, raising his arm towards her.

  “I’ll carry your goods!” he said with a smile.

  Rhuna noticed that he wasn’t Zao, and that his skin looked paler, his nose much narrower, and his profile as he came aboard struck her as very unfamiliar. She assumed he was one of the original inhabitants of the land, and recalled her school lessons about the many different peoples that had spread across lands and oceans. The native man was rather small, but his broad back showed he was accustomed to carrying weights on his shoulders with ease.

  She stepped off the boat and walked in the direction the others had taken, and then she stopped abruptly. A few paces ahead of her stood Tozar with a wide grin, opening his arms to welcome her. She gave a happy laugh and ran towards him. He clasped her firmly in a warm embrace and also laughed for joy. Then they stepped apart and Tozar looked first at the necklace, then down her entire body. Rhuna noticed grey hairs in his beard and on his temples, but his eyes still shone a clear blue. Although she had grown, her eyes still reached slightly below his chin.