Journey to Water's Heart

by Lea Ben Shlomo

  “We can solve that problem easily,” said Tanti, and took a lump of fresh white cheese out of his rucksack.

  The cheese, although slightly squashed, was cause for joy and enthusiasm. Therefore, Tanti thought it odd when, after taking a bite of the cheese, Dionnie’s face crumpled and tears welled in her eyes.

  Milo got up and ran to hug her.

  “Don’t worry, Ma. He’ll be back.” His face was miserable. He turned to Tanti. “Every time Ma eats cheese, she remembers her brother—my uncle—who promised to teach me to climb the wall. He doesn’t know that I can already reach my father’s chair. The Whites caught him and took him far away. They kill anyone caught crossing the border.”

  “Milo!” Dionnie said.

  Milo started running around the room. He leaped and crossed the room quickly, continued running until he reached the opposite wall, took several steps on the wall, flipped backward, and stood on his feet.

  “Have you ever seen anything like that?” he asked, beaming with pride. “No other child in my class reaches so high.”

  “Very good!”

  “And my uncle, when he comes,” Milo said, “will be so happy to see me. He can reach the ceiling. He walks on the ceiling as though it’s the floor. You won’t believe it until you see it with your own eyes.”

  “I actually saw someone walking on the ceiling as though it were the floor.” Tanti froze in place. He looked at Milo, then at Dionnie. “His name was Dionun.”

  “You met Dionun?” Milo’s eyes were wide.

  Tanti nodded.

  “He told me to tell the winemakers he was fine. And he has a twin sister.”

  “That’s me,” Dionnie said. She covered her mouth excitedly. “You met my brother.”

  Milo leaped into Tanti’s arms, slamming his forehead into Tanti’s nose. “You met Dionun and saw him walk on the ceiling? He promised me he’d teach me how to run on walls. What did he tell you? When’s he coming back?”

  “I don’t know,” Tanti said, his eyes tearing from the impact of the blow.

  Dionnie came and gently pulled Milo away. She put something moist and cool on the bridge of Tanti’s nose. The pain eased a bit. She sat him down and pulled her chair close to his. “Where did you meet Dionun? When? Is he alive?”

  Tanti nodded. “Yes, he’s alive. I met him in Anura. We were locked in the White Tower. He helped me escape.”

  “I can’t believe it. He sent you to me? When did you last see him?”

  “I left him just this morning, in the mountains.”

  “The good Lord has sent you,” she said. “Bless you, young man.”

  “Why didn’t he come with you?” Milo asked.

  “He had some things to do.”

  “And then he’ll come?”

  “I imagine so.”

  Tanti glanced at Milo. Dionnie understood immediately. “We have to celebrate the news. And I want to make a cake. Run over to Robin and ask her for a cone of cane sugar. Then go to Ganoli and ask for orange eggs. Five or six. Hurry, Milo.”

  “But we have tons of eggs in the pantry.”

  “But I’ll need them for the pie. Run!”

  “But I want to hear.”

  “You’ll hear it all later.”

  Milo sprinted out of the house, and Tanti told Dionnie how he had met Dionun, and how they had escaped from the White Tower. He told her about Anaman and his injuries, and about Dionun’s decision to stay in Anura and help Anaman’s family. Dionnie accompanied his story with exclamations of wonder, shrieks of fear, and hoots of joy. She knew Anaman and his family. Once, when the border was no more than a chain of mountains, the Blues and the Whites would meet once a week at the market and exchange their goods. Anaman’s children were Milo’s friends. When the borders closed, there were no more market days. Only one hill was left, called Hey Hill. Yet even there they couldn’t meet the Whites. Dionun and his friends continued to risk themselves and smuggle products, and that’s how he was caught.

  Milo returned, his arms full of vegetables and a jar of honey, and an embroidered map between his teeth.

  Dionnie pulled the map out of his mouth and examined the pile of vegetables he had brought and dumped on the table.

  “Milo,” she said. “I can’t make a cake out of vegetables.”

  “Well, Robin said you’ll probably want to make a salad,” Milo said as he opened the jar of dark honey, dipped his finger in, and then licked it happily. “And the honey is good for the barodia.”

  “I asked for a cone of sugar—”

  Before she had time to finish her sentence, Milo jumped on the windowsill. “I’m going now to bring Ganoli’s orange chickens.”

  “Milo!” Dionnie said. “Why are you bringing chickens?”

  “You said…” Milo disappeared among the houses.

  Dionnie sighed and started puttering about in her kitchen, while Tanti tried, unsuccessfully, to follow her quick movements.

  Chapter 20

  The Party

  Even while she was busy with her preparations, Dionnie never stopped asking about her brother. Their conversation was cut off as she lit the oven, scraped and cut the vegetables, searched for a certain dish, and clattered the kitchen spoon against the pots. Dionnie asked endless questions, while disappearing occasionally and returning with a bundle of herbs, or going through her pantry and pouring aromatic potions into her stew. All those interruptions distracted Tanti, and he had a hard time answering. She wasn’t surprised that Dionun had decided to stay in Anura. Anyone else would do the same, she thought, for their friends. Whether they were White or Hue-man or TransRiver.

  Especially if they were in the same society.

  Dionnie paused for a moment. She sat facing Tanti, holding a bundle of dry herbs. For a moment, there was silence in the room.

  “Tanti,” she said quietly. “What do you know about Dionun?”

  “I know,” Tanti said. “And I also know I was better off not knowing.”

  “Say the word.”

  “Isn’t it better if I…”

  “Nowadays, not only wall climbers are members of the society. You understand, I’d like to help in some way.” The butterfly fluttered lightly on the flower in her hair.

  “I need a horse,” Tanti said.

  “A horse?”

  “Can you tell me where I can buy or rent a fast, reliable horse? I must reach the king’s city today.”

  “The day is over, Tanti. You can’t go anywhere,” Dionnie said. “Besides, we’re having a party today, in your honor. You’ll sleep here tonight, and tomorrow, you can leave.”

  “And the horse?”

  “In our village, the horses work in the fields. Of course, there’s Ganoli’s horse. She’s old and blind in one eye. But she’s gentle and obedient. The sisters Sylin and Thymin have donkeys that take grapes to the vineyard. You can borrow them.”

  Behind the door, they heard a noise. Milo burst in, a rust-colored chicken under each arm. After him, a woman entered, a tray in her hand. Tanti understood that the discussion about blind mares and vineyard donkeys would have to wait for another time.

  The woman stopped and stared at Tanti. Dionnie quickly took the tray and the steaming pastry from her neighbor before she dropped them.

  “Milo said there’s word from Dionun. In honor of the good news, I brought…”

  “Pear patties,” Dionnie said. “What a wonderful smell.”

  The neighbor continued staring curiously at Tanti.

  “This is Tanti,” Dionnie said. “A fisherman from the south. Or the east. This is my neighbor, Reviva.”

  “You met Dionun?” the neighbor asked.

  “Yes.”

  “You fished together?”

  “No, we didn’t fish.”

  Through the window, he noticed people and children appro
aching, carrying packages.

  “I don’t think your house can contain all these guests,” Reviva said. “Rumor’s spread all over the village. Who knows how far it went?”

  “You’re right,” Dionnie said. “Milo.” She called out. “Stop chasing the chickens! We have to arrange the wood tables on the grass.”

  A family walked through the open door.

  “Where’s Dionun?” the father of the family asked. “We brought him that wine he likes. Rona made an excellent radish salad. Where should we put it?”

  “Dionun will come later,” Dionnie said. “This is Tanti, my friend. Here, put the salad on the table, and let’s go outside to arrange the benches.”

  The father, mother, and their seven children shook Tanti’s hand, embraced him happily, and went toward the yard, trying to pass through the doorway that just then had been blocked by two plump women. While the father and his children tried to push out, the women tried to shove in. Now they couldn’t move, not out and not in. The chickens, which had successfully evaded Milo, ran between their legs, and Milo crawled after them. The guests that had arrived after them passed the food and flowers they’d brought over the head of one of the women, who was pushing her sister’s shoulders in an attempt to pry her out of the doorway.

  Three boys peeked through the window. “Here he is!” They pointed at Tanti. “The Red forester who saved Dionun.” They climbed the window and tried to get in. Dionnie blocked their attempts. “Go bring beams and boards from the clubhouse. We have to set up tables in the yard,” she said. “And remember, you enter this house through the door.”

  “But Milo…”

  “Milo lives here. You don’t. Hurry up and bring the boards. I’ll talk to Milo later.” While she talked, Dionnie went to the door and easily pushed out the trapped visitors, while pulling in her neighbors. The doorway was clear again. In the house, the table filled with all sorts of refreshments and foods. The women started organizing the food in bowls that Dionnie quickly pulled out of her cabinets.

  Tanti was taken to the western yard, where there was a wide lawn. Tables, benches, and huge pillows were scattered along the fence. The place filled with people eating, drinking, and rejoicing. Tanti heard the guests telling each other how he and Dionun had killed dozens of White guards and burned down the White Tower before they’d escaped, how they hid in the ice hall and froze until they looked like statues, and that’s how they were saved. After that, they slid down the drainpipe, caught the guards, stripped them, tied them face-to-face, wore their clothes, and joined the queen’s guard.

  Tanti suspected that Milo was the one spreading these stories, although he wondered when he’d had time. He wanted to have a few words with him, but he couldn’t catch the boy, who was running around with his friends, emerging and disappearing among the many guests who continued to flock to Dionnie’s house. It seemed as though no one in the village had stayed at home. There was so much noise that Tanti wondered if the celebrators, who were rejoicing as they eagerly ate and drank, hadn’t forgotten the reason for the celebration.

  Someone pulled out a potbellied stringed instrument and started playing, as he sprawled on a huge, pliable pillow along the edge of the garden. He was joined by a cymbal and wind instruments. The two plump sisters were the first to start an energetic dance, and shortly after, other dancers joined them.

  The men displayed their abilities with acrobatic feats. The women skipped in rows and circles, whirling around and flaunting the many layers of their fluttering skirts, in all shades of blue. The village people wore colorful layers of textiles in shades of blue, turquoise, and purple. It was mesmerizing against the background of the abundant vegetation and the sky, which became darker toward the end of the day.

  Dionnie approached Tanti, accompanied by a dignified-looking man, who carried a huge wood cup filled with wine. A small group of people followed him, also wearing expressions of much importance.

  Dionnie introduced Tanti to Aoi Golerai, the mayor of the village, who was very pleased to meet him.

  “Bird Village is glad to have you, fisherman from Izmeralda. You’ve come from afar to cheer us up with your news about dear Dionun. Let’s drink and rejoice, Blues and friends.” The crowd applauded, had some more wine, and the dancing continued and became wilder. The mayor of the village embraced Tanti tightly.

  “He needs a horse,” Dionnie said.

  The mayor thought it over for a moment.

  “In our village, horses work in the fields. I’ll see what we can do for you, Tanti. There is, of course, Ganoli’s horse. She’s free tomorrow since she’s old and blind in one eye. She’s quiet and obedient. If you’re not in a hurry…”

  “I’m in a hurry.”

  “Well then,” Aoi Golerai said. “Maybe I’ll talk with the sisters Sylin and Thymin. They have donkeys taking the grapes to the winery.”

  “I need a horse,” Tanti said.

  “I’ll think about it,” the mayor said, slapped his shoulder one more time, and turned away, accompanied by his smug entourage. He joined the circle of dancers, his people with him. Tanti felt his head spin from the clear blue wine, the noise of the village people who ate, drank merrily, and danced, and the children who ran around. He moved to the edge of the yard. Someone started singing, and the crowd answered him. Tanti couldn’t hear the words from where he stood, but he responded to the song and quietly hummed the refrain’s tune.

  Beyond the trampled fence, he noticed a man standing alone, under the shade of a large bush, looking at the celebrators. His clothes hung from his body, his posture hunched and melancholy. In his hand, he held a bottle he wasn’t drinking from. For a long time, he stood there, without trying to approach or mingle.

  Lights went on in the corners of the yard. The sky became as red as fire. The dancing ceased, and the musicians were playing softer and slower songs. The crowd lounged around in groups. Little children fell asleep in their parents’ arms. The man beyond the fence melted into the shadows.

  Milo arrived at a run. “Come on, Tanti. I told them you know how to whistle.” He pulled Tanti’s arm. “Everyone wants to hear it. Maybe you have tunes we don’t know.” A group of singing people sat next to the musicians. Milo led Tanti to them, and they made a place for him, slapping his shoulder and offering him fruit and cake. Tanti sat down, and Milo stood beside him. A slender girl sang about a fisherman who went to search for a goldfish, and his beloved, who waited for him. The notes of the mylona softly accompanied her warm voice. The trill of the flutes decorated her voice. A young man sat next to him and ate a huge sandwich.

  “Where is your country, Tanti?” the young man asked.

  “South of here. And a bit east. Beyond the wall of mountains.”

  “How much does a yard of velvet cost in your country?” a girl wearing a flowery dress asked.

  “I don’t know.”

  “What do you know?”

  “He knows how to whistle,” Milo said.

  “Oh, shut up!” the young man with the sandwich said. “Let him talk.” He turned to Tanti. “Talk. We’re listening.”

  “What should I say?”

  “Where are you from?”

  “I’m from Izmeran. Izmeran is a small country…” Tanti imagined the green plains, the Basalt River mountains, and the village that always surprised him when it emerged from around the bend, green and cheerful. “A wide river divides the village, on which dinghies, cargo ships, and barges sail.” He continued, the images rising before his eyes. Talking about Izmeran made him feel good. He’d been away from everything familiar for a long time. “In Izmeran, there are forests and lakes, plains and valleys, surrounded by high mountains with peaks like pointy hats.”

  People came closer and sat around him to listen. “Did you hear that? They have mountaintops with hats.”

  “With hats!”

  “Shush! Listen to him! He says th
at in his country, the hats are like pointy mountains.”

  “You wake up in the morning to the sound of the workers singing.” Tanti continued. “They leave for work and sing. Not long after that, the smell of baking bread carries in the wind. We spread a thick layer of butter and honey on the bread.”

  “They eat butter with honey.”

  “They don’t eat it. They spread it.”

  “What do they spread?”

  “Quiet, you’re disturbing.”

  “So what do people do there, in Izmandag?” the girl with the flowery dress asked. “Fish?”

  “It’s not Izmandag. It’s Izmeran.”

  “But Milo said…”

  “No, I didn’t!”

  “Quiet! Stop disturbing.”

  “There are fishermen in Izmeran, but mostly, the people of Izmeran like making beautiful things out of wood and stone. Also jewelry out of precious stones.”

  “They say there are demons in the south. And they attack travelers. Have you seen them?”

  “No. I haven’t met demons in Izmeran. But at the beginning of my journey, I came across furroids.”

  “What are furroids?”

  “Furroids are round creatures, with short legs. Their bodies are covered with fur, like plush dolls. But in spite of their appearance, they’re incredibly cruel. They lie in wait in the canyon, waiting for innocent passersby. Then they surround them and attack.”

  “Did they attack you?”

  “They did.”

  “Did you hear that? Demons attacked him!”

  “Not demons, stupid. Rabbits.”

  “You ran away from rabbits!”

  “Not from rabbits,” Tanti said. “From the furroids. In the beginning, I didn’t notice them. I saw entrances to caves on both sides of the path. The deeper I rode into the canyon, the more entrances I saw. I didn’t think those round entrances were dangerous. And then, all those holes started moving.”

  A murmur of excitement passed through the crowd. People repeated his words, anxious and admiring. “The mountains on both sides became higher and closer…”