Journey to Water's Heart

by Lea Ben Shlomo

  Now, thunder joined the voices. Hail started falling. A huge boulder broke away from its place and started sliding quickly, mowing down the round creatures in its way. The frightened furroids started running and rolling, grabbing each other, biting and scratching in an attempt to turn back and climb up the wall of the left mountain, scrambling in unruly piles, leaving behind their dead and wounded, and wailing silently.

  Tanti hurried toward the only opening through which he could escape from the hail of stones. When he looked back, he noticed the huge boulder, which had already reached the path and was rolling toward them, leaving a carpet of crushed, bleeding fur.

  Before them, the passage looked like a narrow crack. Tanti wasn’t sure they’d be able to pass. “Come on, Gayalo,” he whispered pleadingly.

  There was no need to urge the horse forward. He flew like the wind. By now, they were close to the passage. Gayalo leaped and squeezed himself through, panicked, while Tanti lifted his legs and pressed himself to the horse’s back, trying to make himself as small as possible. The rocks scratched his ribs and tore his clothes. Gayalo continued shoving and squeezing, the screams of the furroids and the rumble of the rolling boulder behind them spurring him to make an effort beyond his strength.

  Suddenly, both of them managed to squeeze through to the other side. When they burst through, Tanti flew off the horse’s back and hit the ground, rolling. The earth shook behind them and shuddered when the huge boulder hit the passage with a crash and blocked it.

  Only a head-sized triangle remained, and above it, a thin, narrow crack. The rest of the passage was blocked.

  Stunned and hurting, Tanti lay there for some time, listening to grunts and snorts of rage, noticing the arms that flailed through what remained of the passage.

  He started to rise slowly, straightening his clothes and holding the tassels of his scarf. “Damn creatures!” He grumbled when he noticed the tears in his coat. “Ugly balls of fur!” he said and turned to Gayalo, who stood trembling and sweating, wounded with bites on his legs and flank.

  “Poor Gayalo!” he said. He grabbed the reins and pulled Gayalo after him. “We’re safe,” he whispered in the horse’s twitching ear. The horse’s knees buckled, but Tanti wouldn’t let him lie in place. “You have to continue. You’re sweating all over. If you stop, it’ll be the end of you. Come on, let’s walk a bit more. We may find a clear spring to bathe in and refresh ourselves.” Tanti coaxed the horse to continue walking, while he himself would’ve preferred to lie down and calm his lingering terror.

  While they walked, Tanti searched for familiar herbs with which he could dress the horse’s wounds, ease his pain, and protect him from infection. The vegetation looked odd and unfamiliar, paler than what he was familiar with.

  In the end, he stopped to rest under a silver poplar tree that stood on the side of the road. He removed the equipment and saddle from Gayalo’s back and cleaned his wounds the best he could. Then he sat down to rest, leaning back against the tree trunk. Despite his wounds, Gayalo started grazing the whitish weeds with pleasure. Tanti looked at the bag where he had stored the food from the Water Farm. The bag, which was tied to the saddle, had ripped when they had pushed through the narrow passage between the rocks. Most of the food in it had fallen out and disappeared. Luckily, he still had a package tied around his waist, holding the bread and cheese, courtesy of the mountain people.

  He took out several rolls and a bit of the hard, salty cheese, dipped two pieces in some water, put them on the rock beside him, and waited for the saltiness to recede and the cheese to soften. He had only a few drops of water left.

  Suddenly, he heard a rustling sound behind his back. He whirled around quickly.

  On a wide rock stood a boy and a girl, wearing torn, ragged white clothes. They were barefoot, their faces drawn. Each of them was holding a slice of cheese in one hand, and a roll in the other. They were chewing ferociously, their glassy eyes almost transparent, staring at Tanti with interest.

  “My cheese!” Tanti said, looking at the children and then at the rock where he’d just placed his meal. “And the rolls! You cheeky children!”

  Tanti started walking toward them. In a second, the children turned around and ran away. He hastily gathered his belongings, saddled Gayalo, and started riding toward the direction the children had run off to. He saw them disappear around the bend of the path, and galloped after them. The taste of the lost cheese filled his mouth with saliva. The smell of the rolls, baked at dawn in the mountain people’s yard, waking him to a new, bright, and promising day. The children were pretty, delicate, and thin. They looked starved, so why was he chasing them? Let them eat. He slowed his gallop and continued following them.

  When he arrived at the place where he had last seen the children, he saw a line of hills with paths winding among them. The children stood on one of the hilltops, holding each other’s hands, watching Tanti approach. They ran down the other side of the hill and vanished. Tanti didn’t think he would be able to retrieve his stolen meal. He assumed that on the other side of the hill there was a settlement of sorts, and he would be glad to rest, enjoy a decent meal, and take care of his injured horse. On the other hand, he was afraid that a bunch of raging village people would meet him, armed with sticks, after the children told them about the strange man with the long-necked horse chasing them.

  He stopped his horse. “What do you think, Gayalo?” he asked. “Should we continue or turn back?”

  Gayalo turned to him and opened his huge eyes as though saying, Since when do you care what my opinion is? Ultimately, you’ll do whatever you want.

  Tanti pulled his scarf off his neck and examined the map of the bird beaks. “According to the map, we have to walk down the path before us. There’s a turn here, and a clear sign of a spring, and next to it a passage with a pointy head. Right now, we should be careful and stay away from settled areas.”

  Gayalo didn’t stop grazing. Tanti continued with a heavy heart, obeying the instructions on the map, which showed a frame shaped like the head of a pear. His eyes searched for the marked place.

  Chapter 10

  Spinning

  Despite his thirst, Tanti was afraid to finish the last drops in his waterskin before he found a spring or stream. It would be so wonderful now to dip into cool water. His eyes half-closed, guiding his heart and soul to the water. It flowed through his limbs, washing his body with faint tickles, and pulled him to the right, to a pale thatch of shrubs that became thicker as he walked up the hill. Gayalo obediently dragged his feet behind him. When he pushed aside a cluster of bushes blocking his way, he discovered the entrance of a cave, round but pointed at the end. Water dripped down the rock wall. He saw—clearly—small, barefoot footprints on the moist path facing the cave. Children had been there. Perhaps they came to drink or bathe.

  Tanti reached out happily and drank the water pouring down. He went deeper into the cave. The entrance wasn’t much higher than he was. As soon as he entered, he saw that the cave was spacious inside. Water ran down its sloping walls into a pool in its center. Gayalo walked into the pool, the water reaching his knees. Tanti took off his equipment and placed it at the entrance. He undressed hastily and bathed. After splashing about for a while, cleaning himself and his horse, they both went out and let the sun warm and dry them.

  While he lay there, ravenously eating his two remaining rolls and enjoying his refreshed body, he examined the map again. A clear, emphasized arrow brought him back into the cave. It seemed that he had to cross the rock and penetrate the heart of the mountain, which seemed impossible. The subtle instructions showed that the entrance to Anura was through the gate shaped like half a pear, from which a winding road descended. From where he stood, he couldn’t see any of them.

  Among his stuff, he found threads and needles, and he sat down to sew his ripped clothes. When he finished, he returned to the cave and started searching for an opening
in its walls. When his eyes got used to the darkness, he noticed the water flowing from the walls, and the gentle waterfall that burbled down the stone stairs, like a transparent curtain. He approached the waterfall. The word “curtain” got stuck in his mind. He reached out, trying to pull the water aside. Behind the water, he noticed a narrow, elongated space. Tanti walked around the waterfall and examined the crack. A rock stood at its left. When he leaned on it, the rock moved a bit. Tanti pushed it. The rock gave in when he leaned against it. The crack grew a bit wider, and Tanti pushed. The rock spun as though on an axis. Slowly, a wide entrance opened before his eyes.

  He walked in. Beyond the door, he saw another entrance, round like a large channel, moist, and dark. Its route grew round and spiraled. “The entrance to Anura,” he whispered. “I found it.”

  He turned back to the cave and whistled sharply. Gayalo responded immediately and stood before him. Tanti stroked his long white neck, hugged him, and then faced him.

  “Listen to me, Gayalo,” he said. “I have to continue. It looks like the waterslide here isn’t horse-friendly. Dear Gayalo, I have to go and bring the mushroom.”

  Gayalo tossed his head. His huge eyes seemed to grow even larger. He nudged his head into Tanti’s chest.

  “I can’t take you with me,” Tanti said sadly. “Wait for me here. There’s water and grass. If you stay away from people, you’ll be able to survive until I return. I’ll relieve you of your burden and take my backpack.”

  Gayalo whickered, tossing his head up and down, baring his teeth in a smile.

  “Gayalo, I’m serious. I’m going to leave you here.” Before he had time to reach out for the saddle, Gayalo pushed him aside with his head, shoved him back, and burst forward toward the waterfall, through the open entrance. As he passed through, his body touched the rock, which started to close. Tanti ran after him before the entrance was blocked and managed to see the horse sliding down the round channel. Horrified and amazed, Tanti tried to grab him, but the horse disappeared.

  “Gayalo!” Tanti shouted and dove into the narrow tunnel. He found himself slipping and sliding, unable to stop or slow down. The noise in the tunnel was awful. Whines of rage and pleading accompanied the noise of his body swooping down. It was pitch dark, which added to his fear. The walls were moist and slippery, without a bit of traction. There was no way to stop or soften the fall. He was sucked down into the spiral tunnel, helpless, without knowing where or how his fall would end.

  After what seemed like forever, he started feeling the circles become wider and more moderate. The spinning stopped and turned into a downhill slope on which one could walk. The walls grew further apart as well. The darkness was no longer as suffocating, and a faint light lit the gloom. At this stage, he managed to break his fall with his legs and continued sliding slowly on his behind.

  He heard the clack of hooves somewhere ahead of him. He got up and started walking forward, dazed and dizzy, his arms spread to the sides to maintain his balance. “Like a fool gone free,” he mumbled the words of the song while swaying to and fro like a drunk. “While I ride the wind on wings above, into the heart of the world.”

  His voice rolled and echoed and came back to him, accompanied by wailing and pleading. It seemed as though when the sounds scraped along the walls, they turned into the wails of demons. “The whining tunnel,” Tanti said. The walls became a cave, his horse waiting at its entrance. Tanti sighed in relief. He hurried toward the entrance and stood by Gayalo. He had much to say to him, and wanted to teach him a lesson he wouldn’t forget until his dying day, but what he saw next took his breath away.

  They were standing on a stone ledge, on top of a high mountain made of sharp rocks and steep slopes. Before him he saw a wide land, plains, and after that, another range of mountains and hills, soft billowing clouds shrouding their peaks. On one of the hills, he thought he saw buildings and turrets surrounded by a wall. The air was fresh, as though the land had been thoroughly bathed and scrubbed with water and a brush.

  The sun started setting, coloring the clouds and mountaintops with deepening shades of red and purple.

  Tanti shook himself. It was getting late. He had to make his way down to the plain and find a place for the night. He examined the area, but he didn’t notice a downward path from the ledge. On both sides of the cave grew rough-leaved shrubs. The ledge itself was no more than several feet wide. Had he arrived there in darkness, he and his horse would’ve definitely fallen into the abyss, with nothing to stop them. Tanti lay down on his stomach, searching for a solution or a downward path.

  He could take a risk and climb down the sharp rocks. But the descent was impossible for Gayalo. He didn’t want him to die.

  His clothes were moist, and the cold seeped into his bones. He took the pack off his horse’s back and changed into dry clothes.

  “Gayalo,” he said in frustration. “You stupid horse. Why did you jump into that crazy tunnel? And I’m just as stupid as you are, jumping in after you. Now we can’t go back, but we can’t go forward, either.”

  Gayalo turned his rump toward him. What was done was done. The boy’s scolding wouldn’t help.

  “Gayalo, I’m talking to you!” Tanti yelled. “Turn around!” He wanted to hit him. Push him and shove him down. They were trapped there because of him, that hotheaded horse. His voice echoed, rebounding around him, angrily and beseechingly. Tanti covered his ears. “Gayalo, I’m sorry. I really didn’t mean it. I just got scared thinking we’d never get out of here. Forgive me. Gayalo, I’m talking to you. I’m sorry. Do you hear me?”

  Gayalo continued standing there, his face in the shrub, his tail waving lazily. Tanti became curious. He sidled closer, careful not to stumble. The horse stood there eating. He seemed to be enjoying himself greatly. “What’s that you’re so preoccupied with?” Just then, Tanti noticed the fruit hanging from the shrub. The fruit was a transparent white, as big as a bird’s egg. He gently shoved aside Gayalo’s head and picked one. Gayalo tried to take the fruit out of his hand. Tanti flicked him lightly on the nose and hastily shoved the fruit into his mouth. His eyes lit up with pleasure. The fruit tasted rich, sweet, and delicate.

  For a long time, they stood by the shrub, gorging themselves on fruit, playfully trying to see who’d grab more. The game became so rambunctious that Tanti almost fell off the ledge. He walked around his horse, picked some more fruit, and sat down to think. The sun became a burning red ball. The view now looked like something out of the landscape of an enchanted land, the shadows growing long, colors of gray and purple flooding the world and glowing out of the margins of the clouds. A cool wind crept beneath his shirt. Soon it would be dark. It was hard for him to accept the fact that his journey would end here. He had to find a way to get out of this place. He was tired and had had his fill of adventures for the day. He decided to seek shelter in the cave for the night.

  While he arranged a makeshift bed, he remembered the wineskin he had kept in the saddle bag. He was pleased to see nothing had happened to it. “Just the time for a drink,” he mumbled to himself while leading Gayalo to one of the niches. He hugged the horse’s long neck and petted him. “Good thing you didn’t stay next to the pear-shaped cave, you loyal, annoying horse.” He emerged again, sat down, and drank his wine. He relaxed, following the last rays of light disappearing beyond the mysterious city, which could’ve been nothing but an illusion conjured by the limestone mountains, carved by the wind.

  Darkness was heavy. The stars twinkled and shone against the dark canvas of the sky. A jackal howled somewhere. He fumbled his way to his pallet in the heart of the cave. He lay down and was soon asleep.

  Chapter 11

  The White Queen

  When Tanti woke up, the rising sun sent long rays that lit up the cave entrance. He lifted his head and, once again, came across the rocky, wild, and intimidating vista. His stomach clenched in fear. Was he a prisoner here? Or should he abandon
his horse and throw himself to the sharp cliff below. He pushed away his thoughts and started searching for water to wash his face and hands. After a short while, he found a small spring trickling from the rock. He drank and washed himself and led Gayalo to drink. Again, he washed the horse’s wounds and was relieved to see that infection hadn’t set in. Then he went out to the stone ledge, to see if there was a way down he hadn’t noticed the night before.

  But first, he went to the shrub and reached out to pick the pale fruit. Not one fruit was within reach. In the light of the day, he noticed another shrub on the other side of the entrance. The shrub was full of juicy fruit.

  He managed to pick and eat three fruits before Gayalo appeared behind him, shoving and stretching his long neck toward the branches.

  “You don’t deserve another one of those, after wiping out all the fruit from the first shrub,” Tanti said and pushed the horse’s head away. The horse continued to nudge forward eagerly. Tanti couldn’t resist his pleading and decided to try and reach the more distant fruit. He held the end of a branch and pulled it to him. With his other hand, he reached beneath the branch, to the cluster of fruit. He pulled a bit more and the branch broke. Tanti fell on his behind, the branch fell to the ground, and the desired fruit broke away and rolled down.

  Gayalo looked at him contemptuously. Is that the best you can do?

  He decided to try again, but then he noticed that where the branch had broken, a wide stone stair was exposed. The stair was a bit lower, on the east side of the stone ledge. He pushed the branch aside. Another stair was revealed, and after that a path that obviously hadn’t been trodden on in a long while. He turned to Gayalo again, his eyes gleaming with joy. Gayalo stared derisively at his empty hands. Tanti started jumping and hooting happily. “Wait here. I’m going to check things out.” Gayalo blocked his way.