Journey to the Grassland and Sea

by Robert Matsunaga

  On the whole, Tansatei was a pure and vibrant girl. She gave her heart to those she supported, and Tenashar was one of those individuals. Sanashei came and sat beside Tansatei. He looked at her, remaining quiet for a long while. She also said nothing.

  Finally, he broke the silent rapport. “Do you miss my son?” He smiled at her.

  She looked up but did not smile in return. “I know he is out there on the ocean traveling to another land. I’ve known for a while that his life would take such a turn. He is traveling with good companions. But Etutsha is no longer with him. Have you not seen it in the stream?”

  Sanashei simply pointed to the leaf and nodded, looking kindly into Tansatei’s eyes.

  “Tansatei, don’t you need to speak with Heitac? I think she is waiting for you. Remember that this training is important for your future,” said Sanashei.

  Tansatei finally gave him a smile and walked away, still in a quiet mood.

  Soon Tansatei walked up into the dense forest even deeper in the mountains where Heitac lived. Tansatei wasn’t alone, because even here were some of the dwellings of the Senetha—scattered as they were in many places. But as she continued to walk, the homes gradually became sparse until finally there was nothing but forest.

  Tansatei arrived at another stream with fast moving water. She crossed the stream easily, knowing this path well. On the other side, she came to an outcropping of huge moss-covered boulders. Here again, she knew where to walk around the treacherous and slippery rocks. After passing these, Tansatei entered what looked like dense trees and growth.

  There, sitting quietly and waiting for her, was Heitac. The old woman’s smile brought needed warmth to Tansatei’s heart. Her training was beginning to become complex and difficult, but she welcomed the duties. Tansatei would complete any task given to her by Heitac. She learned all the secret arts and techniques by studying hard and working on all her assigned tasks. In reality, there were no secrets involved. “All you have to do is understand things the way they are and investigate why by observation and experimentation.”

  “What if we can’t seem to find the answers?” said Tansatei.

  “Then there is a need for more investigation. And remember, everything takes time. Yes, sometimes an answer is never found, but in time, others could find what is not yet answered,” replied Heitac.

  “I have knowledge of plants, and I wish to continue using this. There are many things involved in this area—history of plants, biological things, ancient legends about plants and everything else.” Tansatei helped the people by using her special knowledge of plants.

  “You’re correct. Everything in this world is interrelated. One subject entwines with another, with another, on and on,” said Heitac.

  “Some have said that I would one day take your place, Heitac, but I have other plans.”

  “I know what you are saying now, but in time things will change. I was older before I came to live here. I did other things. Just give it patience.”

  “I still have no wish to follow such a path. My sister is beginning her studies with you. Perhaps she would be the next Aura-Laei-i,” replied Tansatei.

  “Perhaps. Remember—in time, life will be different. You have to learn a lot more in life. You’re changing,” said Heitac.

  The next day, Sanashei once more came to Tansatei’s side as she was going about these duties. “Your thoughts and dreams of Tenashar were correct. He is in a faraway place on the ocean. The ship that he is on is headed for a group of beautiful islands called Sahaynaivium.”

  Tansatei looked up at him. “How do you know where he is? Sahaynaivium? Where is that?”

  Sanashei was glad to bring the light back to her, at least for a moment. “When I was young like Tenashar, I visited a people called the Veazith. He is doing much as I did long ago. A messenger was sent to tell these people what happened to Tenashar when he departed on the ship. The Veazith wished to know if Tenashar was safe.”

  Tansatei was shocked and happy, knowing that Tenashar was well and that Sanashei was familiar with these people.

  Sanashei came closer to Tansatei and recounted what the messenger said. “Tansatei, Tenashar is safe. He departed to the north on a ship. The ship is still in transit. That is all that was said; don’t worry.”

  Closeness developed as if they were father and daughter.

  chapter 18

  A New Shore

  Soon the ship was sailing closer and closer to shores that were already encased in ice. The ship then slowed down, making its way carefully through the frigid waters.

  From time to time, the seas became rough. Tenashar started to feel the effects of the rough waters and became seasick.

  Marhidium, Knode, and Siytai said they were used to turbulence—it felt much like being up in the sky in heavy winds. A-amar and Una-sei were unfazed.

  Jarviashar gave him a bright green liquid to drink. The appearance of the liquid did nothing to help his roiling stomach. He finally drank it and almost at once began to feel better. Soon the ship stopped rocking. Tenashar attributed this to the drink.

  Tenashar began to feel well and took the chance to walk around the ship, observing everything with heightened curiosity.

  At the front of the ship, he saw the crewmembers whose job was to watch for unexpected dangers. They were housed in a small room crowned with a dome that could open and close like a planetarium. They were used to the cold, so didn’t mind that the observation room—as they called it—was often open to the elements.

  There were similar observation posts on either side of the ship. Tenashar got up into one of them and felt the cold breeze on his face.

  On the whole, he felt good.

  He found his way into the area used for navigating and controlling the ship. Tenashar asked about a rod that was moved constantly back and forth in tiny increments, and a crewmember told him that it controlled the ship’s rudder. The rod had to be centrally balanced to keep the ship going straight on its course. If it was either left or right, the ship was off its path. Each major change in direction meant the rod had to be recalibrated to match the new course.

  Another machine controlled the unfurling of the sails, but a hand crank was the backup, in case of problems. Knode was somewhat familiar with the operation of the ship. As a child, he had sailed on ocean-going ships with his father. The Sahaynaiviums had many ships, although they were rarely taken outside the calm waters surrounding the islands.

  The crew seemed to enjoy answering all the travelers’ questions, showing pride in their ship and their technology.

  After two nights on the ship, Tenashar and Knode looked out one of the windows and saw magnificent icebergs. Some were the size of small islands and as tall as the mountain homes of the Senetha. Tenashar enjoyed this first sight of something exotic he had heard about. Siytai just rolled his eyes at the sight of the iceberg, because he had seen so many on his journeys.

  Ahead in the distance lay a patch of green between the snow and ice. As the ship got closer, they saw that it was a wide expanse of forest. Steam rose from the ocean and the rivers that drained into it.

  Jarviashar said that volcanic vents caused the warm streams. They flowed down from far in the interior where cascading warm waterfalls brought powerful, rushing waters down.

  They also started to see boats. As they got closer, they soon found there were hundreds of boats and ships. They were looking at another fishing village.

  “This is not a simple fishing village,” Jarviashar corrected them. “This is actually a small city called Sovazal.”

  Soon the ship came to a stop, and some boats came out to meet them. The people were dressed much like the Honazal sailors—just more warmly clothed, with leggings and long sleeves.

  An elderly fisherman came out on an open side deck of a permanently docked ship to greet them. This deck was close to water level, and they could walk across to meet some of the people from the boats. When they approached, the elderly fisherman, who was obviously the Sovazal
leader, greeted them with a smile. Then he came aboard, escorted by the Honazal ship’s captain.

  He entered the cabin with a big smile. Tenashar thought he resembled Athtap, though he was taller and looked much more weathered from time spent on the water.

  He acknowledged the ship’s captain first and then offered a Honazal greeting to Tenashar and his friends. He seemed particularly interested in the two Sharzeens. He said he had never seen one before, though he knew that they were guardians.

  Jarviashar greeted him enthusiastically, calling out, “Esetha!” and jumping on him with an affectionate hug. Esetha was the elder leader of the Sovazal. He clearly was expecting them, and once again Tenashar saw evidence of extensive communication lines that ran between even the most remote settlements.

  Jarviashar said, “Esetha, you are growing younger every day. I thank your people on behalf of the council and your friend, my father, Leineha. These are my friends, and we have been sent to take them home.” She then formally introduced Tenashar, Knode, Marhidium, and Siytai.

  He gave each of them a nod of acknowledgment and then turned back to the little girl. “My wonderful friend, you are growing into a most excellent sailor. I hope you don’t mind my sweet words of praise. Just know I am so happy to see you.” Esetha’s last words verged into song.

  Jarviashar later explained to Tenashar and Knode the reason why Esetha sang. It meant that everything was going well and that the journey back to Sahaynaivium should be smooth.

  They were all brought to the boat that would take them to shore. Once their belongings were gathered, Tenashar, Knode, Marhidium, Siytai, A-amar, and Una-sei left the ship with Jarviashar—who would continue on with them.

  On land, Tenashar saw the true beauty of Sovazal. Steam vents and hot volcanic springs combined to create a blanketed haze that obscured large portions of the mountains and town. Despite the ice and snow, the immediate area wasn’t much different from Honazal, except that there was a great harmony of trees and dwellings. Some of the beautiful dwellings looked like eggs that were nestled high up in the distant snowy mountains. Though it was hard to tell since so much was hidden, Sovazal seemed to be even more extensive than Honazal.

  The same type of tubes that held ships and boats in Honazal was here as well, hidden away amidst the moss, ferns, and trees at the edge of the water.

  “These things are nothing new to me. I’ve been to Sovazal many times,” said Jarviashar.

  Tenashar was unaware of Jarviashar eyeing him. He was absorbed in the strange beauty of Sovazal.

  Tenashar understood that the sea voyage would be safe, but it was good to be cautious. There were dangers that he was not aware of.

  chapter 19

  The Departure from Sovazal and Final Journey to the Islands

  Expecting to be led to someplace to stay, Tenashar and the others were surprised when they were brought to another, smaller ship. Esetha explained that their trip would be short—and after that, as planned, they could find a way to Sahaynaivium. This meant that the ship would be their home for their brief stay in Sovazal. This was a disappointment for the group, especially for Tenashar who wanted a chance to see Sovazal’s beauty. He couldn’t take his eyes off the steam that created a veil and made the green and snow-covered hills sing with harmony.

  Tenashar wished he could make his home here in the deep snow. Everything about Sovazal was inviting to his senses. This land created a strange feeling within anyone who observed its beauty. Even A-amar and Una-sei were not immune to the beauty.

  Tenashar was struck with the sudden desire to romp in the snow and play in the warm springs. Though he wanted to play with the children of Sovazal in the snow, there was no time. Tenashar made up his mind to come back to Sovazal someday, if at all possible.

  In Sovazal, the same events were beginning to unfold, as were in the rest of world. The land was starting to rot away from within. In places, the warm springs had begun to run cold. The people of the north were starting to take notice.

  Tenashar would have to leave behind this beauty. It was time to depart. Once they were settled on the ship, it started to slowly sail away.

  Jarviashar said, “Tenashar, it’s necessary to stay off shore for the day because the ocean is becoming unstable. Tomorrow, we should start on the journey for a small island that is heavily forested and sparsely populated. When the ship nears the island, we will be brought ashore and make our way from there to Sahaynaivium.”

  The waters were generally calm around the northern islands, so it would hopefully be easy for them to go the rest of the way in a small canoe once they were let off by the ship at Zdevayium—the northernmost island of the Sahaynaivium archipelago. There were Sovazalians scattered on many of the islands in the north, so they knew most of the island wasn’t a wilderness.

  Tenashar stared at the ocean. “I don’t know anything about these hundreds of scattered islands. I only heard that they are not considered important because of their extremely small size. They are desolate rocks sticking out from the ocean, nothing interesting.”

  Tenashar then asked, “Jarviashar, what is the fastest and best way to get to our destination?” Jarviashar just smiled and reached her hand to his face. “Please don’t do that; it’s making me uncomfortable,” said Tenashar. “Stop doing that. It’s annoying.” He pushed her hand away. “Jarviashar, stop playing. Things are serious,” said Tenashar.

  She paid no attention and continued ignoring everything around her except Tenashar. In anger, Tenashar told her, “If you can’t be useful, you shouldn’t have come along.”

  Jarviashar only retorted, “Without me, you’ll never find the way to Sahaynaivium.” Now Tenashar started to mistrust Jarviashar.

  The ship finally reached the shore. Small boats were lowered, and their belongings were taken to the beach. There was no one to welcome them because there were no people, dwellings, or boats—at least not that they could see. If there were people, they lived on a different part of the island.

  The ship and the boats that brought them to the shore had already departed and was a long way out to sea. The island was not too far from Zdevayium, but they were lost.

  Marhidium whispered to Tenashar that she had a feeling this would happen.

  “Why didn’t you tell us this?” Tenashar was exasperated.

  “I didn’t want to believe what I was sensing about Jarviashar,” she replied. “Yet there have been many times in the past where my intuitions turned out to be true.”

  Siytai came running up. “There’s an old dwelling. We can take shelter there when the night comes or if it rains.” He slowed down. “What’s wrong with you?”

  “Where have you been?” Marhidium asked.

  Siytai said nothing but continued pointing in the direction he came from. They all decided to follow him. Inside the old building, there was a large canoe, though it was old and tattered. The back of the canoe had a small canopy to keep the rain out. It was obviously a fishing canoe, capable of going far out to sea.

  It was clear that this canoe would be the best way to get to one of the inhabited islands so they could find a Sahaynaivium ship.

  A-amar and Una-sei quickly hauled the large canoe to the shore to get it ready for a short sea voyage. Tenashar and Knode ran their hands over its surface and found no holes. They hurriedly put their provisions and belongings in the canoe. Knode sensed that the northernmost island of Zdevayium wasn’t far off.

  Jarviashar remained quiet and stood aloof, which puzzled Tenashar. Perhaps she wanted the Sahaynaiviums to go and never return. Later, there were some words between Marhidium and Jarviashar, behind the ruins. What went on there, no one else knew, because nothing was said afterward?

  They had planned to go before nightfall, but the sun was already traveling toward the crimson, blue-green, and orange horizon. The clouds made patterns like floating islands in the heavens complete with mountains and trees. There was no problem navigating by the moonlight and the stars. Knode, like all Sahaynaiviums,
learned the paths of the sea and air by the signs of nature.

  Tenashar was becoming an Aura-Laei-i, because without previous learning, it seemed he was now able to talk with the waves and stars above. Nature was telling him that it was a good night to depart. Knode and Marhidium were becoming aware of Tenashar’s ability. From this time on, they treated Tenashar as an equal—a great honor for someone so young.

  As time came to depart, Jarviashar stood alone and said she didn’t want to enter the canoe. They called out to her, and even Marhidium encouraged her to come along. Tenashar walked up to Jarviashar, asking her what was wrong. Jarviashar didn’t answer.

  With a kind of shy courage, he gazed into her eyes, but she looked in the other direction. No words were exchanged. Tenashar understood her mood.

  He looked toward the canoe at A-amar. The Sharzeen understood and promptly ran up and grabbed Jarviashar. She struggled to pull away from his strong grip but could not escape. He put her into the canoe. Then Una-sei pushed off the canoe as Tenashar jumped in. Once in the ocean, A-amar and Una-sei propelled the canoe forward with tremendous speed and strength, making it difficult for Jarviashar to go back to shore.

  As the canoe headed into the dark seas, it was as if a dark hole had swallowed them up. They lit some of the Sovazalian torches, which were very bright. They were simple to light. One just pulled on a small string, and it burst into a bright flash. Then it slowly dimmed to reveal a glowing blue rock that went out with the day and relighted itself with the coming of night. This gave them enough light to guide their way out into the ocean. Their navigation was also aided by Tenashar’s compass that lit up in the dark, and there were the maps from Honazal.

  It was a beautiful night. All the stars were clustered together, helping the moon to light up the sky. They passed some tiny islands of no significance—just rocks showing themselves above the waters, as if ashamed to come out in the open.