“Lost, Basha, lost...” Oaka mumbled, groaning. He had not started any fire anywhere except in his own mind.
Monika got up the next morning half inclined to leave, but as she was packing her horse, Basha approached. “What’s going on?” Basha asked.
“I’m sorry I brought about this rift between you and your brother Oaka.” Monika said. “I never meant for anything like this to happen, I just wanted to know some things, I suppose, and travel along with some company. I will keep out of your way, if you want me to, and--I might show up somewhere again, if you’re ever in any trouble, but I will be traveling along on my own way.”
“Wait, Monika--” Basha said, shaking his head. “I don’t--you really didn’t cause that much trouble.” He told her and himself. “Actually, with everything that has happened, it was only a matter of time before he would question why he should keep going. I have been considering the problem myself, though, and I’m certain I can convince him to continue. After that, you can travel with us if you want, and if Oaka agrees. I don’t have any qualms on my part.”
“Thank you, Basha,” Monika sighed. “I think I will take you up on that offer. Where are we going, exactly?” She asked. “Coe Pidaria-wise?”
“Coe Pidaria, if it exists, might be in--”Basha went to his horse. “The northwest corner, southeast corner, or northeast corner of the Wastelands,” He said, fumbling with his saddle-pack to take out the map, and he accidentally brought out his wallet as well.
“What is that?” She asked, pointing at the paper and cloth sticking out of his wallet.
“That is--” He paused, and then decided to share. “I’ll show you,” He said, sitting down on the ground, with the map spread out in front of him, and Monika sat down beside him. “This is my mother’s handkerchief,” He told her, taking it out of the wallet first so that she could examine it under his watchful eye. “Kala’s handkerchief. I think I told you that I had nothing of hers,” He said, looking up at her, “but then sometime after you left, my mother Habala found it and gave it to me. See, it says ‘K&M’ right there,” He pointed out, “Kala, and whoever my father was. And then it says ‘Blessings, your Sisters’ right here--I had family, or at least Kala did, my aunts, Monika.” He smiled at her and laughed.
Monika looked serious as she closely examined the indigo thread, and then nodded to herself. “I suppose she did,” She said, handing it back to him. “What about that piece of paper?”
Basha hesitated again, but then brought it out and unfolded it. “Before I left Coe Baba, I went to see the Oracle of Mila at the town council’s insistence, to ask her if I should go on my quest. But I got more than I bargained for.” He said, handing it over for her to read. “A long answer, one that--say, Monika, what did the Oracle tell you when you visited her?” He asked. It was what he had wanted to ask her at The Walking Duck inn just before he got punched.
She hesitated now, but said, “I think it was nothing, really, just a few words on a piece of paper, but this--” She read softly to herself, “As you wander, welcome strangers into your group, for friends you will have great need of in this journey.” She paused, glancing over at him as if she might wonder if this was why he had allowed her to join them. In a way it was true, but he did not tell her that, because there were more reasons why she was allowed to come.
She continued, “Travel southward through the forest, hills, and valley of this--your path may change,” She had just skipped over a part she might not believe in, Basha realized, about Arria—‘great country’. “But your goal must remain clear. Someone will try to hinder you, and stop you using his powers over man and beast.”
She paused, and then tried to continue on without seeming to hesitate, as if it was nothing she believed in, though she spoke a lot slower and more seriously than before. Basha was starting to wonder about that as well. “He cannot see all, but he knows much about what is to come, and he will wait for you to come and meet him if you are not beaten.” She inhaled deeply, and then pressed on, “Seek not only the Cup, but seek also the Tigora’l in this quest--” She paused, blinking for a moment. “seek him and know the truth.” She sighed. “No more can I say, for I speak of only the beginning. But you will learn more at the river o so wide and long--” She stopped there. “It’s amazing.” She said. “I cannot believe--”
“Well, what do you think it means?” Basha asked, staring at her. He wanted to know the truth of her opinion.
Monika stopped and looked at him. “I think you need to be more careful,” She said, handing the prophecy back to him. “Try not to show this to anyone whom you don’t trust.”
“I would not do that.” He sighed, wishing she would be more forthcoming about what she saw in there. “The Old Man told me to be careful as well,” He said, stowing the prophecy and handkerchief into his wallet again. “He said it was my prophecy, and could be used against me. I did not believe that, but--I have guarded it.” He said, putting the wallet back into his pack.
“Have you shown the prophecy to Oaka?” She asked.
Basha hesitated. “I may have, but it was awhile ago, and...I did not show him everything.” He said. “I only gave Oaka a brief moment with the paper, and told him most of what it said.”
“What did you neglect?” Monika asked.
“Uh--the part of ‘man and beast’, I think, and the Tigora’l. I don’t know what that means, but do you--”
“Stop asking me that, I’m not an Oracle.” She said.
“Sorry, Monika.” Basha said. She knew something, though, and he suspected something as well, especially about the ‘man and beast’ part with some of the strange experiences he had with terrible creatures. But it did not answer the question as to ‘why’ for him.
“Basha--what about--” Monika stopped, and looked at the map. “Where are we going? I mean, in what direction, what--”
“Sir Nickleby came up with the route,” Basha said. “We follow the coast here in Mila Forest for the most part, from Coe Baba to Coe Anji and then Coe Aela, followed by a straight shot through the Popo Hills once we have gathered enough supplies to survive the trip without stopping at a town, to Coe Kiki. From there, we go west again to the coast, and follow that all the way down to the Wastelands. At that point, we start looking along the coast and edges of the Wastelands in search of Coe Pidaria, heading east from west, and hopefully find Tau’s Cup without getting any of Doomba’s notice.”
“But the Black Wolves…”
“That was a few days ago, and we haven’t seen any since,” Basha said, looking up. “I don’t think it means anything. Maybe they were just out hunting, or chasing Fato the falcon like he said, and we got caught up in that mess. Poor Sir Nickleby, he died without a reason.” Basha said, lowering his head. “I don’t think it means anything.” He said, trying to convince himself. “We’ll get Tau’s Cup without disturbing Doomba or his forces,” He added.
“What do you think he’s dreaming about?” Monika asked, turning towards the sleeping Oaka a few feet away.
“Probably about leaving.” Basha said with a shrug.
“Why do I have to be brave all of my life?” Oaka asked, the forest-fire burning inside of his dream. “Can’t I be a coward, or am I one already?” He asked. “Is it better to be a coward, or would it be best to be brave? What if I was brave once, and lost my life for it? What if…I do not know,” Oaka sighed and shook his head. The forest-fire died down inside of him as he said, “It could be true that he’ll die because of me, that I was not there to help him. But he could kill me as well if I was to continue on with him. What am I supposed to do, Sisila?” He asked, turning around to face her. “He has to live, does he not?”
“He has to fight to live.” Sisila said, sounding not quite like herself, emotionless and lifeless. “We have to give him life and love, and live with him--”
“This is hopeless, Sisila. What--”
“Forgive him, Oaka.” Sisila said, sounding even more commanding than before. “Forgive him and live
. Live, and right your errors, do not make mistakes. Remember--” Her voice changed, as she spoke from the past, “...‘together you both have a chance. Together you are both stronger than you will ever be apart. You can survive this journey with him.’”
“Forgive him.” Oaka said. “I have been trying, Sisila, but it’s hard, because I am being dragged, just like I said I would be!” He added.
“You are unwilling because you do not believe.”
“I made no oath to Tau for Jawen,” Oaka said. “I may not believe in a lot of things, like Tau’s Cup, Jawen, Fato, Monika and the whole point of this quest--but I believe in you, Sisila.” He said, turning to the dream figure. “I made an oath to you. You are the one that--that pushed me forward,” He said.
“Do you believe in Basha?” She asked.
“I--believe--”
He woke up as he remembered something. When Basha went missing all those years ago, just after he had found out that he was not a part of their family by blood, but rather adopted, Oaka had been worried about his brother being lost in the forest, an awful place where anything could happen to him. And then he had been so relieved when Basha had been found that—
“Oh, balnor,” Oaka said as he remembered an oath that he had sworn, late at night just before falling asleep beside his brother again, that he would always protect Basha. And it was an oath, not one sworn by Tau or any other god, but he had meant it then. Many years had passed since then, but still they were the same, brothers by choice and not by blood.
Oaka would have sat up then, but he heard Basha and Monika talking in the distance, and he remained still, pretending to be asleep as they talked about the prophecy Basha had received and the route they were taking. Oaka listened, realizing Basha had not shared everything with him about the prophecy, and that even he had doubts, though he tried to deny it, of what those Black Wolves were doing.
Basha had emphatically insisted that they defend Fato, Oaka remembered, especially after the falcon had admitted the wolves were Black Wolves, Servants of Doomba--who could have ‘powers over man and beast’. Even though Oaka generally did not believe in the words of the Oracle, like his mother and father did not, Basha could be in even more danger than they had first thought if Doomba wanted to stop him, but why would Doomba want to interfere with--Tau’s Cup and the Tigora’l, Oaka could not get those two things out of his head. If Doomba wanted to stop Basha before he could find those two things, then now would be the perfect time.
Oaka shook his head, it was ridiculous to think that this was even possible, that Doomba would ever consider them a threat just because…he could not believe that…mind you, Monika had seemed interested in joining up with them after they had mentioned Tau’s Cup and their quest...Oaka stopped. Monika?
Oaka had known that she was suspicious, claiming that she was protecting them and had the best of intentions, but she never stated just why she wanted to join up with them. Oaka could not leave Basha alone with Monika, if she was an agent of Doomba or something like that who might kill him, and Fato was suspicious as well if the bird was lying to them, but…Basha did not trust him, Oaka realized.
After all Oaka had done, threatening to leave, not wanting to go in the first place, Basha did not trust Oaka to stay with him. How could Oaka get Basha to trust him again, and maybe not follow what Monika and Fato wanted him to do, if they were leading him to his death? Oaka had to stay. And keep an eye out for Basha.
Oaka cursed his and Basha’s misfortunes. Then he pretended to wake up.
Basha and Monika were both sitting close together, too close for Oaka’s taste. They both looked up, tense as he stood before them. Oaka wanted to question Monika right then, and wondered if he could reach Monika’s pack before she could, if she tried to attack him, but--not right now, he thought. Better to make her think he suspected nothing.
“So--what have you got to say, Basha, about last night?” He asked, hoping his brother would have an answer by now that would ‘satisfy’ him. “I asked you what I would receive from this quest. Now tell me, truly--for what end did I leave our home and my Sisila?” He said.
Basha inhaled. “Oaka, I know I haven’t been--very supportive of you these past couple of days,” He said, “With everything that you have gone through alongside of me, and all of the doubts that you must have after I...sort of let things get out of hand,” He said, looking around at the others. “But I want you to understand that--I still trust you and rely on you and you’ll always be my brother. I don’t want to let you down. I know that you want something out of this trip, and I’ll try my best to give it to you. I’ll ask you for advice more, and I’ll follow that advice, and--maybe after we get back home, if Jawen is satisfied with seeing the Cup and me alive, then perhaps you might get the Cup.”
“You can’t promise me that.” Oaka said.
“I know, it’s Jawen who will have to be asked.” Basha said. “Sisila--I miss Jawen too, but you and Sisila have been together for such a long time, longer than us, it’s hard being apart. I can’t--I will try to keep you safe,” He said. “So that you can return home to her. If anything else should happen, I will send you home to her myself. I won’t expect you to go any further. I just believe this trip is worth it, I--”
“Basha--” Oaka sighed. “I will give you one last chance to prove yourself to me before I think about going home. You will--try your best to satisfy me, maybe with asking me for advice and possibly giving me Tau’s Cup, and maybe then I will stay with you for the rest of the way.”
“All right, Oaka, I will. Thank you,” Basha said, getting up to hug his brother.
“I knew it!” Fato called from up in the tree, as everyone turned their heads toward him. “I knew that Oaka is loyal! Good, let’s go have breakfast now!” He cried, and then flew off in search of breakfast for himself.
“Did that bird just compliment me?” Oaka asked.
“He is a good bird,” Basha remarked.
“Do I--can I--” Monika asked, hesitating.
Oaka sighed. “You can join this quest, Monika,” He said, glaring at her. “I have no problems with you. But don’t--be careful, and I will watch out for you.” He said.
Monika frowned at him, but said nothing then. Basha looked back and forth, sensing something was wrong between them, but he could not fathom what it was. Fato seemed to be the only one unaware of any problems.
They ate breakfast slowly and quietly, not speaking to each other much as they were still contemplating what had gone on before. Everybody was frowning, especially Monika and Oaka, unsettled by what had not been truly explained.
At one point, Fato said, “Can we bypass Coe Aela?”
Basha and the others stopped eating. “Why?” Basha asked.
Fato shrugged. “I have a bad feeling about that place, after all of the trouble we’ve been through recently, and I’m tired of resting--we just left Coe Anji.”
“That wasn’t much of a rest.” Oaka remarked, glaring at Fato as he wondered what the bird was up to now.
“No, it was not, too many humans about.” Fato said, glaring back at Oaka. “Besides, we have enough supplies to last us awhile.” He suggested a moment later.
“Fato, we haven’t got enough supplies to last us all of the way through the Popo Hills,” Basha said, “And we need those supplies. Coe Aela is the only place. What is your problem?” He asked.
“Nothing, nothing, consider it nothing.” Fato said, looking away. Oaka was glad he was still going on with Basha, considering that even Fato was acting suspicious.
Yet after breaking camp, dousing the fire and loading all of their supplies onto their horses, they set off, going at about a steady rate for that day and the next, once more into the routine of travel. Monika and her horse Deja, which she soon explained meant ‘brother’ in the Old Language, seemed to be used to that routine. Deja maintained his speed as Talan and Joko, Basha’s and Oaka’s horses respectively, seemed to lag behind, or went too fast and soon had to slow down again. Fato
flew ahead, or rested on one of their pommels as they traveled.
Monika usually was quiet, while Basha and Oaka sang songs or told stories to entertain themselves during the long hours. Occasionally, Monika would be prompted by Basha to share some information about the Za Desert. Whatever problems Oaka might have had with Monika, he had to admit she was a good companion in that she knew what she was doing, and she was a good hunter as well, which she proved that night when they stopped, and she shot two rabbits with just two arrows. Monika took her turn at watch that night and the next, and while Oaka remained half-awake during those times, making sure that she did nothing which would reveal her true evil side, Monika remained constant--sitting by the embers of the fire, staring down at the smoky remnants, or else looking around with vigilance into the darkness when she seemed to hear something. She did not reach for a knife or anything like that.
The morning after Monika started traveling with them, the 13th day of Markee by Oaka’s reckoning, Monika went over to confront him. “Why did you--” She sighed, and shook her head. “Why did you continue along with us?”
“Us?” Oaka scoffed, and said, “There is no ‘us’ with you in it.”
“For real.” Monika said, glaring at him.
“You never really answered that question of ‘why did you come with us?’” He remarked.
“I did. I said I wanted to protect you all.” She said. “Now--”
“That’s not the real answer.” Oaka said. “You know something about us, about--whatever it is we’re supposed to be searching for. I heard you and Basha talking yesterday morning about his prophecy and what not--you know who controls man and beast. And you know what the Tigora’l is.”
“Don’t say that.” Monika said, stepping towards him. “Not here, not now. I don’t know everything, but--”
“I’m here to protect my brother.” Oaka said. “From your deceit and lies.” He told her.
Monika stared at him, and then turned and stomped off as Oaka was surprised by her reaction. Why would an agent of Doomba act like this? If she was a Follower of Doomba, or whatever they were called, surely she would have killed him? No, she would not have, Basha would have known then that she was untrustworthy, and she was trying to keep her real alliance with Doomba a secret, after all. Oaka sighed, and shook his head. He was confused by all of this, and wished that he had not permitted Monika to travel with them.
Servants and Followers (The Legends of Arria, Volume 2) Page 12