Journey to Water's Heart

by Lea Ben Shlomo

  “You’re very brave, my child. I think your mother wouldn’t want you to be unhappy.”

  “No. She was afraid something bad would happen to me, like my sisters.” Now the tears fell more quickly.

  “So maybe she’s glad you’re not there, that you weren’t found?”

  Arisan raised her eyes and stopped crying suddenly. “Yes. She’s happy I ran away. And that I’m not… I’m not…” She shook her head from side to side. Zoded served her fragrant tea. Arisan fell silent. She couldn’t find the words to express her pain. Iralu continued holding her and stroking her hair.

  It wasn’t easy hiding her existence from the village people. People came to visit. Women came to ask why Iralu was acting differently and why the meeting had been canceled.

  They hid Arisan in Zoded’s room. People talked and rumors spread. Iralu hid all signs of the girl’s existence. She decided to resume her activities, so people wouldn’t come looking for her in her house, asking questions.

  The next day, Nakod returned from work earlier than usual. He arrived, panting from the walk up the path.

  “A messenger from the City of Water arrived,” he said excitedly. “He announced that a war was going to break out between us and the Whites.”

  “A war won’t break out so quickly,” Iralu said. “They probably want to collect money for the end-of-summer celebrations.”

  “I imagined this would happen,” Zoded said.

  “You imagined what?” his father asked.

  “From the moment the borders closed, from the moment they stopped the activity at the market, and the armed guards started patrolling day and night on the other side of the fence, I thought Galrock was planning a war. We should have woken up earlier and prepared ourselves for that possibility…”

  Zoded started squirming uncomfortably under his parents’ gaze, who were staring at him as though seeing him for the first time.

  Iralu felt her heart clench, just like it had when she saw her son carrying the wounded girl in his arms. Zoded wasn’t the same boy she’d known until today. He had grown up without her noticing. He was distancing himself and breaking away from her.

  “They announced that they were establishing headquarters in settlements all over the country for civil warfare action and recruiting young men to the army from all over the country,” Nakod said.

  “It’s about time,” Zoded said. “It was obvious that the Whites were looking for a reason for war. They want the fertile hills of the eastern region. And we’re turning a blind eye. At least we were until now. Let’s hope it’s not too late.”

  “It’s not too late,” Iralu said decisively. “We’ll find a way to stop this foolish war through negotiations. And you men, don’t get too excited. War isn’t a game. You, Zoded, aren’t enlisting, and you, my dear husband, aren’t going to leave your carpentry shop and start wasting your time with useless meetings about war games. As for me, I’m going today to assemble the women’s society.”

  Arisan, who until then had been sitting unnoticed, went to Iralu and put her hand on her shoulder.

  “War. Yes, it will happen. I know. War will happen.”

  “Don’t worry, child. There won’t be a war.”

  “I know many things,” Arisan said. “I’m quick. Before my feet were like this, I climbed many trees. I hid. I listened. The Whites and the Bonook. They talk. They have plans, and they are very dangerous. The Whites will make a big war. I know.”

  “Why would the Whites join the Bonook?” Zoded asked.

  “The Bonook want dry land. They’re dangerous. They do things to people. They have no mercy. I know. They kill. They take…” Suddenly, she paled. She stood frozen in place, horror and fear in her eyes. For a while, she didn’t respond to their words or to Iralu’s touch. Iralu led her to bed. She refused to lie down. She sat, her eyes cloudy and distant. Occasionally, she’d shiver uncontrollably. She’d get up, go to the window, then to the kitchen, take something in her hand, and put it down again. Nothing calmed her, and she still hadn’t said a word. Iralu felt helpless when faced with the stasis that had gripped the girl.

  “She went through something very difficult over there,” Nakod said and went out to the yard to take care of the animals.

  On the other side of the window, Zoded tuned and played the dalitar. He sat on a tree trunk by the window and started playing, humming to himself. Arisan approached the window. She stood and listened.

  What happened to you tiny bird?

  Why did you stop singing?

  Why have you abandoned your safe nest

  To fly and fly, finding no rest?

  I am not abandoning this safe nest,

  It is the tree that quivers and cannot rest.

  “Ach, he’s singing off key!” Iralu said and waved her hand dismissively. Arisan hummed along quietly with the new melody, swaying back and forth.

  He strummed the dalitar with a thin slice of wood. The sounds flowed out like tiny waterfalls, merging with each other. Arisan gripped the windowsill. She glanced at Iralu. The frozen look disappeared from her eyes; they were clear and alive again. She smiled. “Again, that silly song,” Iralu said. Yet she didn’t budge from her place by Arisan.

  What happened, dear tree, that your branches shake

  And tremble making your leaves fall …?

  –I’m not the one letting leaves go,

  It is the stormy breeze as it blows and blows.

  What is happening, breeze, blowing with wild fury,

  Shaking the branches in the top of the tree?

  –I’m not the one moving, nor coming apart,

  It is the world showing its fierce burning heart.

  Why is the world angry and beating its breast,

  So the birds in their shelters can hardly find rest?

  –It is not I, ruthlessly shaking serenity apart

  It is the young man, and the fire that burns in his heart

  The mountains are restless, raising the deep,

  His beating heart shaking the worlds from their sleep.

  What happened, young man, can’t you slow down and see?

  Be calm, and bring back our tranquility…

  –It is not I, sparking the flame

  My girl smile at me from the meadow.

  If she comes down the path

  My lips she will kiss,

  My heart will rest in utmost bliss

  Then the wind will stroke my face and her face,

  The world will have peace, calming the trees and the leaves,

  Letting the bird return to its nest in ease,

  Singing the song of of jubulous delight

  The air will fill with joy, and a soft loving light,

  Loving light,

  loving

  Light.

  Arisan burst into laughter.

  “Not me, not me,” she sang, clapping her hands. “It is not I, sparking the

  flame ..”

  She looked at Iralu, sharing her pleasure with her. Then she looked at Zoded’s back. Iralu noticed that familiar, long-forgotten spark. Her heart pinched. She knew what that look contained. Zoded sat on the tree trunk, his back to them, and didn’t dare turn his head toward them.

  Iralu left them alone and retreated into the house. Zoded had power over the girl that she had no part of.

  “What’s the matter little bird?

  “Why did you stop singing?

  “Why did you run from your nest?” Arisan sang and laughed again.

  “I’m a little bird…

  “I am,

  “I am.”

  Chapter 33

  Zoded

  Iralu put lunch on the table. She set it for four people, something she wasn’t used to doing in the middle of the day. Today, there was a festive feeling in the air. Nakod wa
s home, as was their new tenant, who had started talking again.

  Zoded hung the dalitar on the hook on the wall. He changed clothes and grabbed his blue summer jacket. For some time, he stood before the open door.

  “Zoded, why are you dressed like that? We’re sitting down to eat now.”

  “I have to go.”

  “First eat, then go. Before that, prepare the horse. I have to go to the SPPN meeting today.”

  “I have to go now,” Zoded said in a voice she hadn’t heard before. He didn’t look at them.

  “What’s so urgent that it can’t wait another half hour? The food is already on the table. Sit please, next to your father.”

  Zoded continued toward the open door. “Another messenger arrived. The situation is indeed urgent,” he said. “We can’t lose another minute.”

  Iralu and Nakod looked at each other in surprise and concern.

  “What’s going on with him?” Nakod asked quietly.

  Zoded had already left and closed the door behind him. Nakod stood up and looked at his wife questionably.

  “Bring him back home,” Iralu said. “First, he’ll eat some soup, and then, if he’ll explain exactly what madness came over him, maybe he’ll be able to go.”

  Nakod grabbed his summer jacket and followed his son.

  “I’m sorry, Arisan.” Iralu lowered her voice. “They’ll be back soon.”

  “Zoded won’t be back,” Arisan said. “He’s going.”

  “Where is he going?”

  “I don’t know. He needs to go.”

  After some time, Nakod returned alone. “He couldn’t be stopped,” he said.

  “Well then, we’ll eat without him,” Iralu said, her voice shaking.

  ***

  In the center of Tipin Village, people gathered in groups in the square, talking excitedly and stating their opinion on the news. The messengers left the stage by the square and went from there to another village, leaving behind agitated people, arguing among themselves about just how seriously they should treat this approaching war.

  There were many different opinions. Each person was sure that his opinion was the right one. Many declared that a huge disaster was approaching. “The Whites will bleach our country terribly,” people said.

  “Nonsense. This recruitment is nothing but an attempt to instill fear,” others said.

  “Did you see the new uniforms? Anyone who enlists gets a free uniform.”

  “I would enlist if only to wear that uniform.”

  “Like you’ll enlist…”

  Someone brought a barrel of wine and glasses. People started drinking. “Drowning their sorrows in wine,” they said. Shortly after, someone opened a stall of potato pancakes and stuffed dumplings, which were quickly consumed with the excellent wine.

  In all the commotion, no one noticed Zoded approaching the square, mingling with the crowd, making his way to the stage. Occasionally, he stopped to listen, and then continued. Finally, he climbed the stairs and stood on the stage.

  For some time, he stood and looked beneath him. He felt the current rising from his feet to his chest, shaking his body and filling him with excitement. He opened his mouth and said loudly, “Dear villagers. Listen to what I’ve been wanting to say for a long time. And I’m sorry I’ve kept silent. I was asleep and detached from reality, like many of us.”

  People standing close to him shushed their friends. It was strange to see modest Zoded stand up and speak to them. Some people laughed, others snickered, while others voiced their discontent loudly. Gradually, the arguments ceased and they stood before the stage to listen.

  “We cannot wait, not even one more day or one more hour.” Zoded continued. “The Whites have a huge advantage over us. They’ve been preparing for this war for more than a year, and we’ve ignored all the signs. We can’t wait any longer. We can’t let them hold an advantage over us.”

  Among the crowd, Zoded recognized some of his friends, looking at him in bemusement.

  “Our king, Dark Blue, was right,” he said. “When he sent messengers to alert the people. The Blue army, as it is today, cannot protect us when faced with a real threat. We need many soldiers. Each and every one of you can say that this war is none of his business, that he has to take care of his family and himself, and that the king and his ministers should protect us. And I say that in this hour, when our lives are threatened, every man is a soldier protecting his family.”

  “Well said, Zoded,” someone yelled.

  “Nonsense!” someone else shouted.

  “Go home to your mother! How dare you tell us what’s right and what’s wrong?”

  “I’m going to the City of Water,” Zoded said. “I’m joining the army of volunteers, and I’m calling on you to come with me, and on the way, to collect our friends from the nearby villages.”

  “Pfft. Be on your way, boy. We’re staying here,” Yargel, the cooper, said and raised his half-full glass.

  “I’m coming with you, Zoded.” He heard a clear, cheerful voice. It was his friend Afun, a gentle, smiling young man, who joined him on the stage. “What is the matter with you, gentlemen?” Afun said. “Where’s your bravery? Where are the Blue heroes that became so famous? When the White army breaks through the borders and comes to us, what will they find? People wailing, drunk, and panicked? They’ll overpower us and enforce their White rules in our country. And worst of all, they’ll spread the word that the Blues are a country of cowards.”

  “I’m coming with you too! We aren’t cowards,” said Talul, also one of his friends, a chubby, energetic, and kind young man. Who would’ve believed he’d be one of the first to respond to his summoning. Others joined them, gathering around the stage.

  “I’m coming with you.” Zoded saw Mazof walking away from Matana and approaching him hesitantly. Zoded reached out, and at once, the tension between them dissipated. They embraced warmly. Now that he was surrounded by his three good friends, Afun, Talul, and Mazof, he felt encouraged.

  Matana stood and stared at them, her mouth hanging open. Zoded, with his newfound confidence, impressed her. She hadn’t known he was so daring and sharp. Oh, how she’d like to reconnect with him. And Mazof, he’d joined him. She realized that, just then, she’d lost them both.

  The volunteers multiplied. Zoded continued calling people to join them and fight. “Every man can contribute his strength, abilities, and talents. Each one of you is important and necessary for our army of volunteers.”

  “Hurray for Zoded!” someone shouted.

  “Hurray, hurray!” Others answered. More young men joined them.

  Zoded was satisfied with the growing number of volunteers.

  “Tomorrow morning, we’re leaving for the City of Water,” he said. “All of you, take clothes and food for the road. We’ll meet by the poplar tree at the village’s entrance.”

  Just then, he noticed his father standing among the crowd before the stage. He fell silent. He didn’t want to disobey his father and disrespect him before the village people, yet he knew he wouldn’t budge from his decision. He jumped off the stage and went to him.

  “Father, I had to.”

  “I see you couldn’t postpone recruiting volunteers until after the meal,” Nakod said and pointed at the group of young men, the new volunteers of the forming army.

  Zoded nodded.

  “All right,” Nakod said. “We’ll just have to reheat the food. I’m warning you, son, the soup won’t be as good as it was.”

  “I’m sorry, Father.”

  “Don’t be sorry, dear boy. You did the right thing.” Nakod hugged his son warmly.

  “Hurray for Zoded!” someone shouted.

  “Hurray for the Blues!”

  “Hurray!”

  “Tomorrow, by the poplar!”

  “Don’t forget to bring food, water, and w
arm clothes.”

  Afun burst into song:

  I’m not the one moving, nor coming apart,

  It is the world showing its fierce burning heart.

  Why is the world angry and beating its breast,

  So the birds in their shelters can hardly find rest?

  –It is not I, ruthlessly shaking serenity apart

  It is the young man, and the fire that burns in his heart

  The mountains are restless, raising the deep,

  His beating heart shaking the worlds from their sleep.

  What happened, young man, can’t you slow down and see?

  Be calm, and bring back our tranquility…

  Iralu fussed about in the kitchen, moving things from place to place unnecessarily, glancing worriedly at Arisan, who sat in the yard on a chopped log, watching Nakod repair the wheel of a wheelbarrow. She no longer flinched in fear when Nakod came close to her. “Men over here are different,” she kept saying. “Where I come from, they… How do I say this? They think everything is theirs.”

  “My dear, we have people like that too. Not all Blues are the same. And I’m sure there are good people where you come from, right?”

  “There was one. Seniro. And they killed him.” Her face turned dark.

  Iralu stroked her hair. She couldn’t find the words to console the girl.

  “Here you’re safe,” she finally said. “No one will hurt you.”

  “They’re searching for me. Mabul Otonto won’t give up. He’ll chase me until he finds me, if only to save face.”

  “They won’t find you,” Iralu said. “We’ll be careful.”

  “Ha. You can be careful,” Arisan said, her voice shrill and sharp. “Mabul is the epitome of evil. He destroys everything good. He’s not afraid of anything, and he’s strong and very smart when he wants to do harm. I’m afraid of him, Ms. Iralu.”

  “You ran away from him,” Iralu said. “And he didn’t catch you. And he won’t, because you’re brave.”