Journey to Water's Heart

by Lea Ben Shlomo

  “I’m glad to see you,” Yoven said. “The scarf… When I saw him holding the scarf, I knew his intentions weren’t good. Don’t trust Dio…” Yoven’s eyes closed.

  “Don’t trust who?”

  Yoven’s head slumped. Tanti called his name, but Yoven was unresponsive.

  He went to the water and wet his hand. Then he took some of the mud out of the makeshift cloth, wet it slightly, and gently spread it on Yoven’s wound. The mud fizzed and was sucked into the wound. Tanti waited. At first, he didn’t notice any difference. The wound was deep, and Yoven had lost a lot of blood.

  Then, before his eyes, a miracle occurred. The wound stitched together slowly. Yoven opened his eyes for several seconds and then closed them again. Tanti could feel the body he held in his hands become calmer. Rhythmic breaths moved his chest slowly. Yoven fell asleep.

  ***

  Queen Cyan walked arm in arm with her lady, Tiponet. They walked slowly in the peaceful, blooming garden. The queen rested her hand on the swell of her stomach, delighting in the signs of life of the fetus moving inside her. Walking was good for her. For a moment, she forgot about the war, about her concern for the king, who insisted it was his duty to be present where the fighting was taking place.

  She missed him—his warm and adoring gaze, his laughter, and their nightly conversations. She wanted him to place his hand on her stomach and feel the baby’s movements.

  Soon the two of them would meet. The war was ending. Would he return before their baby was born?

  Since the big victory, the king’s messengers hadn’t succeeded in finding the officers of the White leadership. They wanted to discuss with them the conditions of the cessation of hostilities. Didn’t the Whites want to end the fighting? Hadn’t they had enough of blood and pain? Why had they snuck away and disappeared, avoiding a meeting and ending the war officially?

  Tiponet didn’t disturb her thoughts. She was busy missing her Balanter, who had accompanied the king. She no longer tore petals from flowers. She knew her fate was his. Her life was connected to his, no matter what.

  The queen’s cry of surprise jerked her out of her thoughts. Cyan pointed at a figure standing before them, next to the bench beneath the platanus tree.

  They saw a thin boy, his clothes ragged, a hat covering most of his tiny face.

  “Queen.” The boy kneeled. “Forgive me, Queen. Forgive me,” he said.

  Tiponet took a step forward and stood before the queen, prepared to protect her. “Who are you?” She was tense, and ready to scream and alert the guards.

  “I must speak with the queen urgently. It’s a matter of great importance.”

  “Who sent you, boy?”

  “I came of my own accord. Please, Your Majesty, listen to me,” the odd boy said in his melodious voice, still kneeling, glancing to the sides cautiously. “I’m not a boy. Here.” He pulled off his hat, revealing a crown of tiny, tight curls, covering a graceful head. “I risked my life by coming here.”

  “Why is that?”

  “My name is Arisan, and I’m a daughter of the Swamp Dwellers. I ran away when they wanted to wed me to my old uncle. Therefore, I’m disguising myself as a boy. That’s the truth.”

  Tiponet and the queen exchanged looks. Marriage to an old uncle, a girl disguised as a boy. The story sounded interesting.

  “And why have you come here?” Tiponet asked. “And how did you manage to enter the palace grounds?” She tried to maintain a firm expression.

  “I’m quick,” Arisan said. “We Swamp Dwellers climb trees easily. It’s safer and easier in the trees, because of the water.”

  “Come,” the queen said and approached the girl. She held out her hand and helped her rise to her feet. “Sit,” she said, as she herself sat on the bench. “Tell me why you’ve come and what you wanted to tell me.”

  “I came to warn you of the Hayatulaum. They’re already on their way.”

  “The Hayatulaum? I heard that name once. What do you say, Tiponet?”

  “They’re ancient mammals who lived in the past in the western prairies,” Tiponet said. “They became extinct thousands of years ago.” She turned to Arisan. “Why are you warning us? You say that the Hayatulaum are on their way here? That sounds strange to me.”

  “They aren’t extinct. They live and reproduce in the prairies and on Table Mountain. That’s where the sweet grass grows.” Arisan was agitated, which thickened her Swamp Dweller accent. “Mabul Otonto trained the Yenook. He wanted their help to control—”

  “One moment. Stop, my dear,” the queen said. “I can’t follow you. Your story, though fascinating and intriguing, sounds now as outlandish as ever. Perhaps you should start from the beginning. Who is this Otonto, and who are you? And why would he want to train extinct animals?”

  Arisan told them about Mabul Otonto, the king who ruled the Bonook—who were the Swamp Dwellers—with an iron fist. How they started training the Hayatulaum pups in order to attack their enemies. She told them about the human sacrifices, meant to appease the Hayatulaum and enable them to train their pups. About forced marriages, and how she found out, right before her escape, about the treaty signed between the king of the Bonook and the White captain of the guard.

  The queen and Tiponet listened carefully, horrified by her story. “Do you mean to tell us that the Bonook managed to train these monsters? It sounds like something out of a fairytale,” Tiponet said.

  “A very bad fairytale,” the queen said. “Please continue.”

  Arisan told them how Zoded had rescued her.

  “You mean Zoded the hero, the leader of the volunteers?”

  “Yes, that’s him.” Arisan blushed. She took a deep breath and continued. “And I had a feeling that the last victory wouldn’t remain a victory. The Whites won’t resign themselves to defeat, and Galrock will set the treaty in motion.”

  “That’s what I thought,” the queen said.

  “Then I thought about Mabul Otonto, who wouldn’t want to miss his opportunity.” Arisan continued and told them how she’d decided to leave her safe house in the village, and see with her own eyes if her suspicions were correct. Despite his concern, Zoded’s father lent her his horse, and she rode there and saw them, gathered next to Knee Lake. “About one hundred Hayatulaum were tied to poles, their eyes covered. Each of them had ten guards or more.”

  “Tell me, please,” Tiponet said. “Why did you hurry to come here, instead of going straight to the king or to Zoded to warn them?”

  “They’re men. They won’t listen to me. I thought a queen would listen,” Arisan said. “No one knows how terrible the Hayatulaum blow is. They’re not only huge, cruel predators. They have poisonous thorns in their tails. All you need is a slight scratch in order for the poison to seep into the body and cause an agonizing death.” Arisan kneeled again before the queen. “Please, Your Majesty. Do what you can to convince the king to leave his current location. The valley is a death trap right now. Have him retreat to the mountains and block the passage before a terrible disaster strikes.”

  Silence fell.

  “And who can guarantee that you weren’t sent by the Whites to convince us to leave the valley?” Tiponet asked.

  Arisan jumped to her feet. For a moment her mouth was slack, as though she couldn’t find the words to reply. And then she said quickly, “Zoded.”

  “Zoded?”

  “Yes, he knows me. He’ll tell you who I am. He’s there, at the camp. And kind Iralu as well. She knows.”

  The queen stood.

  “Tiponet, if her words are true, we must reach Dark Blue as quickly as possible. When we arrive at the camp, we’ll call Zoded and verify the girl’s identity, before going to the king. My heart tells me she’s telling the truth.”

  “Please, Your Majesty,” Tiponet said. “You mustn’t ride in your condition. Let me do it. I tend to believ
e her as well. Her story explains the disappearance of the Whites from their positions at the edges of the valley.”

  “The king won’t listen to you, Tippy, when he thinks he’s so close to victory. I must go there myself.”

  “Balanter will listen to me,” Tiponet said.

  “Of course.” The queen smiled and stroked her cheek. “He’ll definitely listen to you. But we need to see the king.”

  “Balanter will listen to me and to the girl. And the king will listen to Balanter,” Tiponet said determinedly.

  Cyan insisted on riding herself. She felt that time was running out, and it was worth the risk.

  “You have birds,” Arisan said. “Nakod would receive from Iralu tiny pages with instructions on what to prepare.”

  Tiponet looked at her impatiently. Now wasn’t the time for foolery. Nonetheless… Perhaps the girl was right? They could use the mail birds.

  “Yes, we have birds,” she said in her high voice. “Your Majesty, write to the king and announce our arrival. Hint that… Well, you already know what to write. The bird will probably arrive before us. And it’s important that we not waste another minute.”

  “Yes, it’s important that I remain here and idly arrow letters, while you gallop off to the battlefield. I know you, Tiponet. Yet, since there is logic in what you say, and since I am familiar with you and your stubbornness, I’ll do as you suggest. Now run, dear Tiponet, and make the required preparations. Run you two. I’ll send Afleck the servant to accompany you and help. From the day Tanti Marin left, he’s been terribly restless. A little activity will calm him.” She hugged and kissed her girl.

  “My horse is on the other side of the wall,” Arisan said.

  “We’ll take care of him,” the queen said. “And you, dear girl, will receive another horse, refreshed and well trained. Go. Go now, and I’ll go to my room to arrow a letter.”

  Tiponet grasped Arisan’s hand, and the two of them ran off. Queen Cyan went to her room, strolling with her hand on her stomach, while she mumbled a version of the letter she’d send to her man at the battlefield.

  ***

  Mabul Otonto, king of the Bonook, paced furiously. He waited for Galrock’s permission to leave. The fulfillment of his dreams was close. He planned to ride the adult Hayatulaum himself and lead the attack. His name would forever be remembered in the history of the Bonook and the entire area.

  His plans were much more ambitious than what he’d told Galrock. The trained Hayatulaum were gathered in enclosures. They couldn’t hold them there for much longer, feed them, and control them.

  They had one hundred young Hayatulaum, driven by the daring men of the Bonook. Three riders for one beast: the leader, an archer, and a warrior, facing the back—and seven more team members. Around them were the leaders, the warriors, the feeders, and other curious Bonook who wanted to experience victory, prepared and impatient to be on their way.

  Mabul Otonto decided to wait until the evening. If a missive didn’t arrive from Galrock, he’d leave anyway. When he arrived at the valley, it would be too late to turn him back. Galrock, hesitant, would thank him in the end for taking initiative. Only later, much later, would the White captain of the guard understand that he had signed a treaty with the king of monsters.

  The announcement from Galrock arrived in the evening. Two messengers, with their spotless white uniforms, saluted formally and gave him the message.

  “Stop the ‘riders’ and wait.”

  It seemed as though the White messengers didn’t know a thing about the Hayatulaum.

  Mabul Otonto was so frustrated he ordered that the White messengers be stripped of their uniforms, tied up, and placed at the edge of the camp.

  The two miserable men sat trembling, frightened, and desperately humiliated. They preferred to die than to be seen without their uniforms.

  Mabul Otonto paced for a long time.

  “We’re leaving tomorrow with first light,” he finally said to his commanders.

  “Galrock will protest.”

  “If Galrock has been keeping all his plans a secret,” Mabul Otonto said to his people, “then obviously his power isn’t great now among his people. And I have no intention of retreating now. We leave with first light.”

  “And Galrock?”

  “Since his messengers fell prey to an unfortunate accident, he’ll never receive the missive.”

  Mabul Otonto knew his people. They remained silent and followed his orders. Their expressions disclosed their concern.

  “Speak. I see you have something to say about the matter. Babu, you wanted to ask something?”

  “Yes. I ask myself why Galrock is waiting. There must be a reason.”

  Judging by his expression, there was no knowing how Mabul Otonto would receive his words. Babu tensed.

  “What do we know about the battle right now?”

  “The Blues have a great advantage,” Babu said, relaxing slightly. “They arrived at the Valley of the Edges and progressed far beyond the border.”

  “And the Whites?”

  “Are retreating.”

  “Galrock was supposed to embark on the great attack now.” Mabul Otonto thought aloud. “Yet he asked us to wait. Why?” For a moment, he was silent, and then he smiled. “He wants the Blues, drunk with victory, to enter deep into the valley. Once there, we’ll trap them easily. Even ten Hayatulaum pups are enough to destroy them. Especially if they arrive unexpectedly. Yes, we’ll wait. Dress those messengers and send them off with this message: ‘The horses will wait four days, and no longer than that.’”

  The commanders left to follow his orders. Mabul Otonto decided to take advantage of the following days in order to prepare his armor and the glorious helmet he imagined he’d wear for the big day. The poor messengers returned to their camp, unaware that they’d been saved from an unfortunate fate that day.

  Chapter 45

  Changes

  Two women walked through the field. They tore out the weeds, chopped off dry leaves, and dug the irrigation tunnels. Work was hard. Ever since the men had been recruited to war, they helped each other, and tried to maintain the fields and houses as best as they could. The children helped take care of the farm animals, carried heavy buckets of water, and filled the troughs. After some time, they’d sneak away and go play in the backyard.

  Two pairs of eyes followed them from a distance, hiding in the reeds.

  “Look, Tanti, sir,” Yoven whispered, exhausted. “They’re going into the house. Go get some eggs from the chicken shed. Did you see the apple tree? Pick us a few. I’ll check if there are any shoes in your size.”

  “No eggs, no apples, and no shoes,” Tanti said. “We’re not thieves.”

  “What’s wrong with you, Tanti? We can’t go hungry and limp forever. They won’t even notice if we take some eggs and apples, although they may notice if we take the horse after darkness falls.”

  “I prefer to go hungry and limp than steal from women and children.”

  “Wait here and I’ll go alone. I can steal the shoes off their feet without them noticing.”

  “I’m sure, my dear Lizard. But this time, you’re staying here. You’re still weak from your injury. And besides, let me do it my way.”

  For the last four days, they’d been walking, limping, and stumbling. Tanti because of his missing shoe, and Yoven because he was weak and in pain from the wound to his chest, which still hadn’t healed completely. Most of the time, Tanti supported him as they walked, but it was obvious that Yoven needed rest and good food in order to heal.

  To Yoven’s great concern, Tanti got up and stood exposed.

  “I’m coming with you,” Yoven said. “I won’t let you go alone.” He caught Tanti’s hand, pulled himself up, and leaned on his shoulder. The two of them walked slowly, until the woman who noticed them screamed in alarm.

 
Together with her friend and the five children who emerged from the backyard, the White woman watched the two strangers in tense fear. One of the women picked up a stick, and a young boy raised his hoe.

  “We come in peace,” Tanti said. “We just need help. My friend is injured and ill, and I’m wounded too.” He showed them his bandaged foot.

  “Are you Blues?” the boy holding the hoe asked.

  “No, no!” Yoven said. “We’re Greens from Izmeran. This is Tanti, completely Hue-man, and I, as you see, am blacker than black.” As he spoke, the two of them came closer.

  “We’re not enemies, and we won’t hurt a soul,” Tanti said without contradicting Yoven’s inexact words. He knew he had to calm these people in order to gain their trust. “Please, we need food, rest, and all the help you can give us,” he said. “I’ll pay for anything you can give us. Here.” He took several gold coins out of his pocket.

  The women looked at each other hesitantly. The two strange men looked extremely ragged, and gold coins in these difficult days were an irresistible temptation. Yoven dropped down, and Tanti knew he did that in order to increase the impression that they were just helpless passersby who needed help.

  “Stay there,” said the lady of the house. She ordered her children to go fetch food and water. Her son stood by her side, the hoe in his hand.

  “Don’t you dare take anything from them but what they give you,” Tanti whispered in Yoven’s ear.

  A pale girl drew water from the well and brought it to them. The two women brought them plates with food—bread, cheese, and some vegetables. The children crept closer and sat before them, staring at them as they ate. Men eating eagerly didn’t look so dangerous. Their hostesses apologized for the meager meal and explained that during these difficult days, they had no more to spare. The oldest girl and her brother continued drawing water from the well. Tanti and Yoven washed their hands, their faces, and their feet. They felt refreshed and content.

  The women didn’t talk about their men’s absence. Tanti sensed that they were trying to create the impression that the men would arrive at any minute. He didn’t ask questions, and when he offered to pay for their help, they firmly refused.