“You mean you’d go without me?” asked Rhuna perplexed.
Tozar laughed and pulled her onto his lap. “Never! The choice is yours, I merely offered an opportunity!” he said enjoying Rhuna’s moment of confusion. “It is a ten-day walking journey with traveller’s inns at regular intervals. Our sojourn may be of one lunar cycle or more, and others would accompany us to assist in various matters.”
Rhuna agreed without hesitating, and Tozar said he would inform the High Council of their choice the next morning, then make preparations to leave the following day. She was relieved when her teachers all approved her absence from lessons, saying that the journey would be a beneficial education. Seer of Worlds told her to make thorough observations and continue forming precise conclusions, but as she left his rooms, he also said that the journey to Zitán was a convenient opportunity for husbands to temporarily avoid challenging issues confronting their wives.
Part Four
(Zitán)
Rhuna felt the cool wind tug her dress and warm cloak, and it reminded her of Chinza, where the wind felt the same. She had recalled more memories of her childhood since she heard the High Council discussions concerning Zitán, and began to think more about the differences in people and cultures.
Tozar walked silently by her side as they began their walking journey to the territory of Zitán. The first day they took the same road they had walked when arriving in Atlán, but during the second day, when they had descended from the higher terrain, they turned onto a northward road which intersected their original path. Tozar told her that this road stretched a great distance along the coastline from north to south, and that Zitán now lay directly to their north.
Walking with them at regular intervals of about ten paces were twenty-two other Atlan men and women, each one with a certain skill or mission to accomplish in Zitán. Rhuna learnt that many of them were members of the Low Council, which sits in the outer circle segments in the High Council hall, along with representatives from other territories or colonies. Everyone carried a bag of belongings, usually with a strap to hang around the shoulder. Rhuna also carried hers containing a few necessities such as a comb, mirror, bathing soaps and lotions, while Tozar carried a bag containing two of Rhuna’s dresses and a warm cloak. The pockets in his Master’s robe held all the essentials for any long walking journey, and the material of his robe appeared to never soil or need replacing.
Their road led them through somewhat dry and barren terrain at first, but they found refreshing green forests and a few small rivers later along the way. Rhuna noticed that the birds were smaller and sung differently from those she came to know in Medíz, and in general the flowers and plants were not as big and boldly-coloured in this big brown land that was her new home. The only animals she spotted were rabbits and small rodents, as well as lizards and an occasional large eagle or vulture soaring high above them.
When they rested at a traveller’s inn each night, Rhuna practiced the Inside Focussing more diligently, and often recalled her recent lessons with Seer of Worlds concerning summoning information and interpreting it correctly. The beds, rooms and meals at the inns were of a high standard, and Rhuna learnt this was due to the regular traffic along this north-south road. On their third walking day, they met another party of Atlans heading southwards, and everyone stopped to sit along the roadside and talk a while. Rhuna noticed that many of them were holding long staffs and other equipment, and all of them wore Masters’ robes, both men and women.
Rhuna sat next to Tozar and listened keenly to their conversations. She learnt that the southbound party had been in two of the northern Atlan colonies which were two to three lunar cycles walking journey from Atlán, and where they made observations, held discussions with local Council members and generally made evaluations of the towns and people in order to make an overview report to the High Council in Atlán. Their mission also involved surveying the land to make more accurate charts for journeys, and examine the landscapes more thoroughly using Plant and Earth Harmony knowledge. Rhuna learnt that the north-south road they were on had been carefully plotted using various techniques to find the most positive flow of earth energies. She remembered her earlier lessons in Medíz about Plant and Earth Harmony and surveying land using the long thin staffs, but she had never seen such a staff. She asked one of the women carrying a staff if she could look at it and touch it.
“All staffs are of an exact length,” explained the young Atlan woman, “and a staff may be used to measure small distances, such as planning the construction of a road like this one, or in conjunction with other staffs to measure longer distances.” She told Rhuna that each person with a staff stands along a line at specific intervals, holding their staffs upright. One of the methods of surveying was to make an alignment across the tops of all the staffs. It reminded Rhuna of the techniques used at a plasmos when more than two objects align in one’s sight. She also learnt that the staffs had notches at precise intervals which were used for more complicated measurements.
“Do you also make the roads?” Rhuna asked.
“Yes. Several members of our party are adept in element transformation and stonework of various kinds, so that the construction of a simple paved road progresses with ease and speed. Before this commences however, we erect small marker stones at specific intervals along the straightest course possible in order to facilitate the road construction, or at other times, to pioneer a new road in uncharted territory.”
Rhuna found these things very interesting, and she still grappled to comprehend the enormous size of the land, trying to imagine a walking journey of two lunar cycles to one of Atlán’s northern colonies. She told the young woman that this was her first real walking journey to a new place, and that she was still learning many things.
Then she returned her attention to the others sitting near them.
“We passed by the new territory of Zitán,” said the Master who appeared to be in charge of the southbound party. “We observed various separate groups of people living in small to medium clusters, scattered throughout the entire territory,” he told Tozar.
“This may be an important factor in identifying problems and gaining a better understanding of the people in question,” said Tozar. “It is not uncommon for a people to become divided due to disagreements over traditions, beliefs or laws. This shall be one of our main investigative subjects.”
Shortly after, the parties agreed that each one should continue their journey in order to reach the inn before darkness set. Rhuna was struck by the sudden silence when everyone resumed their walking journey and stopped talking. She heard only the faint gusts of wind and the dull scrapes of their sandals on the paved road.
Almost every day they came across another road branching off to their left, and Tozar explained that these roads led to other Atlan settlements along the coast, and that Zitán was only the next territory northwards along this route which Atlans had begun exploring more thoroughly in order to find suitable land for new settlements. He explained that many of these outer regions between cities and colonies were established because of their suitability for growing certain food plants or extracting minerals from the ground, and that this was yet another investigative task of the survey party.
On the sixth day of their walking journey, Rhuna thought about her lessons with Seer of Worlds and recalled his parting comments.
“Do you still want me to have another teacher, instead of Seer of Worlds,” she asked Tozar who was walking by her side.
“It is not a matter of which teacher, rather of what may be expected of you,” he answered.
“Is it wrong to find out what my abilities are?”
Tozar hesitated. “It may not be wise to do so,” he said.
“Why not?”
He hesitated again. “It is possible to acquire more knowledge than one is able to assimilate.”
Rhuna accepted this answer, but felt there was still much more to this matter.
Near the end of their nint
h walking day, Rhuna saw a small settlement of rough stone houses near the visitor’s inn where they had stopped to spend the night. Tozar said that this was the beginning of the Zitán territory, and that the houses had been built to accommodate some of the Zitán inhabitants. When they reached the inn, they were greeted by other Atlans who had been staying in the area, and who were preparing to return to Atlán the following day. Tozar motioned everyone to sit comfortably inside to discuss certain issues. Rhuna once again sat next to Tozar and listened carefully.
“Within the small area of our building construction we observed several varied reactions,” explained a young man wearing a Master’s robe. “Some groups, notably young men, observed our work yet kept a distance from us, while others carefully approached us asking for food or other items. A short journey eastwards, we encountered families who displayed fear of us, in particular when observing our building techniques.”
Rhuna remembered that most people on her home of Chinza also feared the Atlans because of what they could do.
Tozar nodded. “Ignorance is an initial barrier, though not an insurmountable obstacle.” Then the discussion was directed to the Master in charge of the visitor’s inn and Tozar explained that the place would be used as a base for the time of their sojourn, but that other members of the party would travel further into the territory for some days.
That evening, as Rhuna settled into the comfortable bed next to Tozar, she asked him what would happen if the Zitán people became as hostile and aggressive as her homeland elders who wanted to kill the Masters.
“Retreat and keep distant,” he answered. “We may even build a new road that bypasses any hostile or uncooperative territory. It has been done before. In fact, in one case it became necessary to quickly erect a massive high wall to contain the hostile group in their own area and to protect Atlans passing by on the other side.”
Rhuna thought this was interesting and a little funny at the same time. Then she wondered once more why some people would be so hostile in the first place.
During the following days, Rhuna accompanied Tozar and about half the members of their party to visit some of the nearby villages. Their homes were simple huts made of wood or other plant material, and they sat on the ground to prepare and eat their food. Many of them were barefooted and dirty. All of them reacted with caution or suspicion as the Atlans approached them, and most of them were reluctant to talk much.
In one of the larger villages, Rhuna recognized the nervous man who had spoken at the High Council, along with two of the other men she had also heard speaking there recently. They told Tozar that matters were still unresolved as far as they were concerned, and that they were glad to see Tozar and his party. They found grassy seats nearby to sit and discuss things further, and Rhuna heard the interpreter’s account of the people’s superstition.
“As far as I can find out, the main obstacle seems to be their beliefs about their dead ancestors punishing them if they don’t continue their traditions, but when I try to find out more, they stop talking,” explained the man who had been nervous at the High Council. Tozar asked him several questions concerning the location of their land of origin, and when they left it.
“That’s even harder to find out,” answered the despondent mediator. “They don’t have any time and distance reckoning system or even a sense of direction. All I can work out is that they came from that direction,” he said pointing in a north-easterly direction, “and that they haven’t been here very long.”
“Very well. It appears more patience and diplomacy are required in this regard, if we are to establish the nature of this people’s apprehension,” said Tozar.
They continued walking around and observing the villages and people, and Tozar told Rhuna that much insight could be gained simply by making such visual checks before attempting to even speak to them. At meal times, they sat on the ground outside the villages, within sight of the people, and gestured to them that they were welcome to share their food. Some of them came and ate, and a very simple, casual chat with them often resulted. Tozar explained that this approach usually gave people the impression that the Atlans had peaceful intentions, and thereby they might slowly gain the trust of the wary people.
After eight days spent walking around the area observing people and having simple conversations with some of them, Rhuna noticed a group of six young men she had seen on previous days. She told Tozar that she recognized the group and wondered if they were following the Atlans. Tozar nodded and said that they had already been following them for the past four days, and that he expected them to approach the Atlans very soon.
Not long after this, while they were sitting on grassy mounds eating some fruit, Rhuna noticed one of the young men in the nearby group beckoning an Atlan man to approach them. She watched as the six men in dirty drab garments sat in a circle around a small fire and invited the Atlan to join them. He sat down but stood up again after only a few words had been spoken. When he had walked the sixty or more paces back to Rhuna’s group, he approached Tozar directly.
“The members of this particular group converse in our main language and wish to speak to Adopted by the Rain,” he said. Tozar jumped to his feet and became agitated. He took a step, but was hindered by the Atlan bearing the message. “They were precise in their request to speak with Adopted by the Rain alone, without your presence,” he added.
“What manner of introduction is this?” he said angrily. “It is not acceptable!”
“Valued Colleague,” began a woman of the Low Council members, “perhaps they find her appearance less intimidating.”
“What?” snapped Tozar, restless on his feet.
Rhuna stood up. “I can go,” she offered. “You can watch from here.”
“This is most unorthodox!” said Tozar shaking his head.
“If I may add,” spoke up another Low Council member in the group, “it is not uncommon to send a suitable individual to broach the initial introductions.”
“Certainly, however…” Tozar pressed his lips together and looked at Rhuna.
“I can go,” she said.. Tozar looked displeased, but gave her a nod of approval.
Rhuna walked over to the group of sitting men and sat on the ground where one of them gestured with his hand.
“I’m called Mikkel,” he said. His skin was of a medium complexion like her own, but his hair was dark and straight. His nose was quite narrow, but his lips appeared thick under a sparse growth of beard.
“I am Adopted by the Rain,” said Rhuna.
“That’s not your real name, is it? Don’t you have another name?” asked Mikkel as he offered her a bowl of the hot beverage they were drinking.
“Yes, it’s Rhuna,” she said as she took the bowl.
“Ah, that’s more like it! You’re not one of them. Your skin’s too dark and you talk different. You’re more like us!” said Mikkel smiling and inviting her to take a sip. Rhuna smelled the bitterness of unfamiliar herbs and carefully sampled it. “Don’t you like it? We drink it all the time; it’s good for you!”
“I’m not used to these drinks, thank you anyway,” said Rhuna putting the bowl down and feeling awkward with the people. She looked around and saw that all eyes were on her.
“So that man’s your husband, eh?” said Mikkel lifting his head towards the group where Tozar was still standing and watching. “You’re pretty shrewd, eh!” he said with a sneering smile while the others nodded or chuckled.
“How do you mean?” asked Rhuna, feeling more uncomfortable.
“You chose him, the big leader. And I bet you live in a big stone house, eh?”
“We do, but Tozar is just a member of the High Council,” Rhuna explained.
“Ah, that’s plenty! Someone like you, people like us,” said Mikkel moving his hand around to include her and the other men, “we don’t get up to those levels of the Atlans without special connections,” he said giving her a false grin.
Rhuna was still unsure what Mikkel was tryi
ng to say, so she kept silent and waited for him to continue.
“So you must’ve been pretty shrewd, making a catch like that, eh!” he said with another ugly grin. “Not too hard, I bet, for someone as pretty as you!” The other men made some noises in agreement, and Rhuna felt the blood rush to her face.
Mikkel pointed his finger at his neck. “You got that necklace from him?”
Rhuna covered the orrichalcum pendant with her hand and said it was a gift from Tozar.
“That’s nice. We don’t have any nice things like that,” continued Mikkel.
Rhuna found an opportunity to say something. “You could have some of these things if you want to live with the Atlans.”
Mikkel shook his head and looked to the ground. “Hmm, we want to have those nice things you’ve got, but we don’t like the way the Atlans want us to live,” he said firmly.
Rhuna felt they were getting to the main issue now, and thought carefully what she should say next. “What exactly don’t you like about the Altan way of living?”
Mikkel stalled and shrugged. “Well, you know. It’s like you… why work hard just to get enough food and a nice house when you can have good connections to get you all those things?” He gave her another sneering smile.
Rhuna straightened her back and breathed deeply. “So… is it connections you want?” she asked.
Mikkel laughed and the others joined him. “Yeah, yeah, why not? You know what we mean, you’re like us!”
“I’m not sure how I can help you get those connections,” said Rhuna.
“Oh, that’s okay. We thought you can be our connection, you know,” said Mikkel still sneering.
“Oh. Okay then,” said Rhuna after a moment’s thought. “You’d better tell me more about your people and what they want, so I can figure out how I can help you.”
Rhuna, Keeper of Wisdom Page 16