Rai hesitated yet again. He didn't know about her amnesia, and thus wasn't testing her memory. Instead, she rolled the dice. "If you could, yes. I understand that they're quite remarkable?" she asked, hoping to draw the attention back toward the Headmaster.
"Indeed they are, but I wouldn't have expected you to have heard of them." he replied. Curiosity soon gave way to his desire to teach. "Please sit, Mistress Durmah, and I will address the geography of that area."
Rai sat, and the Headmaster continued with his lecture, covering the unique formations of caves meeting up with the ocean at Jeweled Cove. Here Az'Unda's deep cave complexes met the briny ocean air, exposed to the ocean at Jewel Cove, which happened rarely on the planet. He explained that this was a very difficult to reach location, and was only safe during the low tides. Unfortunately, the tides were under the influence of three moons, making for complex and somewhat unpredictable tidal schedules. The caves were in a state of partial collapse at the Cove, because of the relentless forces of the ocean tides constantly ripping them apart.
In the early years of the settlement, people tried to explore the caves, and often disappeared. The area had been marked off-limits after repeated rescue efforts cost the young colony more lives. The Az'Un believed that the cave complexes ran deep, perhaps even merging with other cave systems further inland. They'd never identified hints of such an extensive network.
Rai gorged herself on these details--the first solid link she had to her pre-amnesia memories. The possibility the amnesia was lifting filled her with hope, and she felt the flush on her cheeks fading and giving way to a rush of weightlessness in her chest.
The school bell rang, signaling the end of the afternoon session. A quick glance out the window confirmed the late hour—she should return to the Waystation before much longer. All of the students were jumping up and moving toward the door, eager to return to their homes. The door was near the front of the class, so Rai had to wait until the other students filed out as she had sat in the rear.
"Have a good evening, students," the Headmaster spoke. "Remember tomorrow we cover the unique flora and fauna you can only find in the spines." The students streamed past him, not paying much heed on their way out.
"Mistress Durmah, could I have a word with you?" the Headmaster directed at Rai. By his tone, it was clear to Rai the coming discussion was not optional. The other students shot her wide-eyed glances, happy not to not be in her shoes.
Rai waited until most of the other students had cleared out and then approached his desk at the front of the classroom. Why she cared what the other students thought, she didn't know. Rai hadn't even bothered to talk to any of them yet.
"Yes, Headmaster John. Your lecture today was quite good. I really enjoyed it." Flattery didn't appease the Headmaster. She sensed his suspicion and impatience growing, so she quieted in hopes of not irritating him further.
"Mistress Rai, I am considering enrolling you in etiquette and eloquence training." Rai got the distinct impression that he was trying to figure her out, despite his vexation with her earlier behavior.
"This school offers classes in etiquette and eloquence?" Rai replied, surprised at the suggestion.
Headmaster John laughed in response. "Sadly, we do not. I'd argue you'd benefit greatly from such training, were it offered. Tell me, what school did you attend in your pre-Service years that allowed outbursts like the one you shared with my class today?"
Rai got the impression he was goading her, so she shifted her weight, unsure of how to respond without revealing her amnesia. "I can't remember a time my teachers ever encouraged my exuberance."
"Well, I'm sure they didn't, and neither do I." He held up his hands in a gentle plea. "Don't misunderstand me, I prefer my students to take an interest in their lessons. I must say, however, you spent most of the lecture staring out the window as if you'd rather be somewhere else. Then out of the blue you disturbed the class with your comment."
"I'm quite sorry, Headmaster. I just thought they'd enjoy hearing about the history of the Jeweled Cove, given your discussion on cave geology."
"And I'm sure they did, but you could do us all the favor of making your future queries using the appropriate protocol in the future. You know, raise your hand and wait your turn. Asking your question in complete sentences would also be an enhancement to your communication style."
"I will keep that in mind, Headmaster. Again, I'm sorry that I offended you and that I disrupted your class."
"That's alright, Mistress Durmah. I just wanted to make sure you understood the expectations I have of my students. I must say I'm pleased you're devoting yourself to your schooling. I know it must be hard to get away from the Waystation, and your attendance is a testament to your desire to learn. I do wonder, however, if you might consider studying other subjects. Planetary history doesn't seem to captivate your attention. The discussion on Jeweled Cove was the first time I've seen you engaged in the discussion."
Rai had signed up for the Headmaster's classes because she'd already met him. Getting to know other teachers would just expose her to more questions about herself. Usually the Headmaster was too busy to speak with her one-on-one like this. She took Jesse's warnings about not sharing her amnesia seriously.
"Oh, I may appear bored, but I do like planetary history." She guessed telling the Headmaster she took his classes, in part at least, to avoid spending time with the Tinker Somnu wouldn't go over well.
Headmaster John gathered his things in preparation to leave for the day. Apparently, her argument wasn't terribly convincing in light of her disinterest during his lectures. "Well, you enjoyed hearing about the Cove. Did you grow up near Resounding Cliff's city?" He asked this in an offhanded way, although her senses told her he was digging for more information on her.
"I'm afraid it wouldn't be proper to talk about that time. It precedes my life with the Durmah," Rai responded, pulling protocol on him this time.
The Headmaster now took a turn to apologize, a surprised look on his face. "Oh, I'm very sorry. I'd forgotten you're new to the Durmah Sept. I didn't mean to question you on a forbidden subject."
Rai doubted he forgot much. Still, he now knew she wouldn't entertain questions about her past. Hopefully, that excuse would keep her from having to answer any further questions that might lead to suspicion of her amnesia.
Rai shrugged it off. "That's alright. I'm afraid I don't have enough of a history yet with the Durmah. I find it doesn't leave me with a lot to talk about sometimes."
"That will change in time."
Rai was tempted to like this man, despite his earlier chastisement. Not that she could trust him. So far, Jesse was the one she trusted most, and even she didn't know all of what was going on inside of Rai.
"I'm sure you're right. It's all just a matter of time," Rai replied, thinking also of her memories returning. Headmaster John nodded in agreement.
Rai stared at the map again, looking at the words 'Jeweled Cove' imprinted just north of the Resounding Cliffs city. Looking anew at the map, it struck her there was no ocean line drawn above the Great Northern spine. Was everything beyond that landmark simply wasteland?
"What's north of the Great Northern spine?" Rai asked without thinking. Someone who'd grown up there should know, after all.
She smelled curiosity swell anew within him. Someday she'd learn to think before she spoke. Someday.
"Oh, I'm sure I can find one of the old surveying maps for you, if you're curious." A glint in his eye shone as he tried to comprehend the source of her interest. "There are no cities or settlements up there, so there's no point in adding it to the maps."
"Why haven't we settled that area?" Rai asked, not addressing his offer of full area maps.
"It's all highland area. The air's too thin for comfort for us up there."
"Oh, that explains it. Why have maps for a place you never go?" Rai said.
"Exactly. Shouldn't you be heading home? I don't mean to keep you beyond your appointed hour."
L
ooking out the window, Rai realized it was getting late. The Waystation was only a few minutes away from the school, so she wouldn't get back too late.
"I'd better be going. Thanks for humoring my questions," Rai replied.
"We'll see you tomorrow?" Headmaster John asked.
"If I can get away," Rai promised half-heartedly while walking out the door. After staying so late today it wasn't likely Jesse would let her attend tomorrow as well. Still, if the Headmaster found more extensive maps it could be worth the trip. Rai bounded out the door, eager to share her news with Jesse.
The Headmaster looked after her. Rai feared she'd not only risen to the level of high-maintenance student, but also one with a mysterious history. At least her past was a little less mysterious to her today, with the newfound memory of the Cove. This brought a smile to her face while she jogged home.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
Rai returned to a quiet Waystation, at least compared to the prior few nights of singing and storytelling. For the first night in days, Tinker Somnu wasn't entertaining the crowd, and because of this, the Waystation's patronage had dwindled to near-normal amounts, with only about half of the tables full. Rai breathed a sigh of relief, happy for the return to normalcy. Jesse stood behind the bar, and motioned her over. Somnu sat over in the far alcove, talking one-on-one with a patron.
"Good day at school?" Jesse greeted her as she cleaned off the spigots on the beer barrels.
Rai leaned against the bar. "Yes. You might say it's beginning to have the desired effect."
Jesse tilted her head, looking back over her shoulder at her while she worked. "Is that so? How about we talk about what you learned today over an early dinner?" Jesse called over one of the staff to tend the bar for her and to bring over some food, and then she and Rai sauntered toward Jesse's preferred alcove.
Somnu waved at them, and Jesse motioned for him to come over and join them. Rai gritted her teeth, not wanting to share this newfound information with him. However, it was obvious to her that excluding him now wasn't an option, not with Jesse inviting him to join them. Through a series of discussions over the past week Jesse had made it clear to Rai that Somnu was a trusted and reliable resource. What about him bothered her enough to continue defying her sister?
"Does this explain why you're back later than normal?" Jesse asked as they sat down around the table.
"Yeah, it does. I'm sorry about that. You know I don't want to make things harder on you," Rai explained.
"Ah, don't worry. Today's been quiet, what with Somnu just finishing his business here. I doubt it will get busy until a bit later, after the dinner crowd."
Rai hoped that meant he'd be leaving soon. The sooner the better, she thought. "What business is that?"
"Tinker business." The waiter arrived and they paused in the conversation a moment while he placed the food on the table.
All Rai had observed Somnu do was sing, craft stories, drink, and chat it up with the patrons. "What's his business, besides singing and storytelling?"
Jesse opened her mouth to answer, but was cut off by the arrival of Somnu to their table. He appeared a bit pensive, in contrast to his usual jovial attitude. Rai wondered if something in his business was troubling him, but what that might be?
"Good afternoon ladies." Somnu greeted them, taking a seat across from them both. "What's on your minds?"
"Well, my sister here had a productive day at school, and I thought you'd enjoy hearing about it as well," Jesse said.
"Is that so?" he asked. He leaned on the table, his attention focused on the conversation. "Did you get the whole puzzle, or just a piece?"
With their joint attention so focused, Rai brushed off her reticence and decided to share, despite Somnu's presence.
"Just a piece, I'm afraid, but at least it's something." She paused, debating how to tell the tale, but both Jesse and Somnu waited. "It was during Headmaster John's lecture on Az'Un geology. He described how the cave complexes run along the feet of the spines, and a memory just opened to me."
Rai closed her eyes, letting the image fill her mind completely. "I stood on a beach. There was black sand underneath my bare feet, cool and damp. On both sides, the beach ended at the rising walls of craggy cliffs. The tide rolled in around me, beating against the cliff walls in a deafening thunder. The damp wind whipped at the waves. The sun hid behind the clouds; I think a storm was forming. Behind me, a large gaping mouth in the cliff wall stood. It wasn't bright enough out to see far into the cave."
"And you were alone?" Somnu asked his voice quiet. Rai sensed the concern in his voice.
Rai opened her eyes, still in the daze of her memory. It was so clear to her; she smelled the ocean even now. Considering Somnu's question, Rai frowned. "I'm not sure. I don't see anyone else in this memory, just myself."
"What else was on the beach? Wreckage from a ship or a boat, tied off?" Somnu asked.
"No, the beach was clear. Just rocks, shells, and sand. Nothing else."
"Do you remember your emotions in that moment? Upset? Afraid? Alone?" Somnu asked.
Was this how he honed his stories? By delving into other people's minds?
"I'm not sure. It's not clear to me what was going on. I think I was afraid, but not alone. I do know I knew the name of the place: Jeweled Cove."
Somnu leaned back in his chair and let out a low whistle. Jesse's face mirrored Rai's frown. This was also new territory for her.
"Is that Cove still declared off-limits?" Jesse asked Somnu.
"Oh yeah." He nodded. "It has been for the past few hundred years. Still, that doesn't stop some of the locals around there from trying to explore it anyway, despite the risks. Is that all you remember?" he directed at Rai.
"I'm afraid so. It creates a larger puzzle than it solves. Still, it's nice to remember something. Anything."
"That it is, my girl, that it is. This memory might also yield more useful information than you'd at first think." Somnu sat and pondered.
"What do you mean?" Rai asked.
Somnu looked around first; ensuring no one was near enough to overhear him or her. "First off, that Cove is about a day north of the city by wagon, and about a half-day by boat. It just makes sense, as there are no other cities along that coastline, and not many safe harbors there either. Resounding Cliffs has a large, open bowl of a bay that shelters the city. Therefore, I'd say we should consider that you grew up in Resounding Cliffs."
"Secondly, your birth family must be fishers. Not just river fishers either, but likely bay fishers. Boating down south here or at Raven's Call is just too dangerous, what with the unpredictable ocean tides. Further north the ocean tides improve and there are some brave folks who are willing to take the risk. That narrows down the search to a small handful of Septs in Resounding Cliffs."
Jesse and Rai exchanged looks and shrugs. This conjecture of Somnu's might help them to understand Rai's past, so they awaited his conclusion.
"Now we can't confirm any of this yet," Somnu continued after a brief pause, "but consider this possible scenario. Some time ago, your birth Sept set out for a day of boating and fishing with you. We can't know exactly when, as we don't know how long your stay of service at the Temple took. That could have been months or years in length."
"Anyway, as you were out boating, either by chance or by choice, you came upon the cove. A storm might have caused the ship to sink and you swum ashore. A deliberate choice to go there may have netted the same effect. Any Sept that's willing to defy the quarantine on that Cove isn't too fond of the Temples and their edicts, that's for sure."
"Why would anyone want to go there?" Jesse asked. "I mean, it's off-limits because it's dangerous, right?"
"True enough. Still, there are tales of the cave walls lined with precious stones. Thus, the name 'Jeweled Cove,' Somnu informed them.
"Well, I don't remember anything about that," Rai jumped in. "Just the beach."
"I doubt you would," Somnu interjected. "Those are just ancient tales
, from the early days of settlement when we were still exploring and not yet accustomed to this world. The most probable scenario, with the memory you rediscovered today, is that you beached there after a storm."
"Perhaps the Matriarch of Raven's Call was telling the truth," Jesse added, bringing dubious looks from both of them. "I mean, she told Stoi and Meik you'd been injured prior to being brought to the Temple. She believed your amnesia occurred under the care of your birth Sept. Perhaps that moment you remember, on the beach, is your first memory after your injury," Jesse explained.
"Right, so maybe I'm getting the post-injury memories back? So in theory the Temple's medicinal or crèche-induced amnesia is finally wearing off, allowing me to know what happened before that?" Rai asked. The thought that this could be just a small step to regaining her complete memories disheartened her. Still, it was the first of many such steps, she hoped.
"Sure, that's possible," Somnu agreed. "Still, until more of your memories surface or we're able to locate your birth Sept, we can't know for sure. Have you had any more of your nightmares?"
With her caution toward him, Rai wasn't sure she'd tell him the truth if she'd had more of them. She hadn't, however, so the choice was simple.
"No," Rai replied, "I haven't." Jesse gave her a probing look, looking to confirm her honesty. Rai simply shrugged in return.
"Well, my girl, I know you don't want to have any more of those nightmares. But if you do, they may provide valuable information, so try to write down as much detail as you can. You never know what may solve the mystery," Somnu replied. He appeared so earnest, Rai wanted to trust him. Almost.
"I'm headed out of town in the morning, to Resounding Cliffs where I can try and figure out this mystery. I'll be discreet, but I owe it to the Durmah to do what I can to help out." Somnu respectfully inclined his head toward Jesse.
"You don't have to go all the way there just for me," Rai replied, shocked that he'd go so far out of his way.
Somnu chuckled. "Nah girl, I needed to get out that way again regardless. It's been a few months, and people are starting to ask for me again."
The Dream Sifter (The Depths of Memory Book 1) Page 21