Seemingly frustrated by his lacking comical ability, he cleared his throat and began again.
“Ahem, as I was saying, I have a sixth sense when it comes to lying. It’s something I’ve always had, I can hear the truth underneath the words.” He said without a trace of humor in his voice now. I swallowed hard. So here come the hard questions, I thought.
“Can you see essence?” He asked me.
Panicked I looked to Ethera and Sengei, then back to the falcon as my mind raced to think up something that would appease them and be the truth. “Yes, although I didn’t know that’s what it was. I only found out recently.”
I expected, from Sengei and Ethera asking me to keep this to myself, that they would be outraged. But I was surprised when only Corrigan spoke up, or more to himself actually.
“A side effect for all humans I would guess.” He mused. Although I couldn’t be sure, I thought I heard a grinding of teeth from someone else.
“Yes, I was afraid of that,” said Valcone, taking up the questioning again. “Thank you for your honesty.”
“If she were hiding anything don’t you think she would have lied about this?” Ethera asked the group, standing up for me.
“That might be.” The falcon said taking a breath, I could tell he was debating whether or not to ask me anything else.
“What kind of person are you Hailey?” Valcone decided to ask instead.
I had to think about that one.
“I would say that I am a quiet person,” I said, measuring each word by their reaction. “I enjoy being outside, and reading. I love my family.” I said. The thought of them bringing a stinging to the backs of my eyes. “I miss them.”
“Would you ever hurt one of us?”
“No.” I answered, although for some reason I had a feeling there was something I should be remembering that just wouldn’t come to the surface. But each time I tried to bring it forward in my mind it slipped just out of reach again.
Valcone looked at me for a time, up and down. His hawk eyes drilled into mine as I fought to not blink.
A few minutes passed before a different voice cut through the silence.
“This girl is a threat. Why are you all so blind?!” Metis snarled and crept forward.
“Metis!” Seraphina cautioned him. “You are out of line and speaking out of turn.”
The strange dog continued to stare at me, standing crouched and frozen. I could feel my heart beating in my ears as I watched his every movement, bracing myself.
“She’s telling the truth, if that matters.” Valcone spoke up, shrugging his great wings.
Metis relaxed a bit at this, but still stayed out of the circle. “You’re not welcome here.” He growled.
“I give the floor to Metis, not that he cares. Obviously.” Valcone gave a brief bow to me. “As far as I’m concerned you’re welcome here.” He turned, giving Metis a look before he hopped back to his place.
I could feel Metis’ stare although I refused to meet it. What I really wanted to do at this moment was ask what his major issue was, but I kept quiet as I waited for him to speak again.
I glanced at Ethera who smiled her support. I did however realize that with the support of Valcone and Corrigan, the majority vote was now in our favor. It helped relax me a bit.
“I don’t trust you.” Snarled Metis who took one step in my direction. “I don’t like you.” He stepped again. One more and his nose would almost be touching me. “I don’t . . .”
“I don’t like you either.” I spat at him. “What are you so afraid of? Metis, is it? Why are so afraid of me?!” I asked, staring him right back down.
He looked around as if decided what to say next. There was something they didn’t want to tell me, something deeper than what they wanted me to know right now, I thought.
If I was smart enough I could play this to my advantage, and turn the tables putting him on the spot. Metis was the bully of the group, I decided. I knew how to deal with bullies.
“Why is my being able to see your essence such a problem?” I continued to needle him with questions. “I saw it change. It’s yellow now. Are you frustrated Metis? Angry at me?” Every exhalation gave him away, his essence yellow with a hint of red now. I was getting to him.
“Come on! You have a problem with me, let’s have it.” I felt my face growing red as my mind raced ahead to my next attack on him. “Afraid I’m going to be just like Drugan, afraid I’m going to what? What?!” His lips raised, showing the front canines, pearly in their perfection of intimidation.
“Hailey . . . Hailey?” I felt Ethera’s hand on my shoulder. She had changed from the lamb into the woman I first met on the beach.
I whipped my head around to meet her eyes. “That’s enough.” She said.
I relaxed my hands, which had formed themselves into fists at some point. I also realized I had started to cry out of frustration and exhaustion. I breathed deeply and willed myself to be strong, to hold back any more tears.
Metis had relaxed as well, he was no longer snarling, but still never left his stance, poised to attack.
“Answer the question Metis.” Ethera said, as I realized she had chosen my side, no matter what the council decided. A decision against me would ultimately be a decision against her. Our fates were aligned now. I felt terrible. I never asked her for this.
“And risk her knowing?” he snarled at Ethera now instead of me.
I was right. There was something they weren’t telling me. I had a pretty good idea what it was but I wasn’t sure. I certainly wasn’t going to ask and tip my hand at this point.
“Then. Back. Down.” Ethera told him, which to my surprise he did, stepping back and taking his original place between Corrigan and Lars.
“Nuneuka, do you have anything to add, or to ask?” Seraphina asked the sea lion at my right.
The large pinniped slowly lumbered forward a few bounds and stopped. “Number one, I admire your spirit kid.” She barked, with what could almost be a smile for a seal. “I’ve wanted to tell Metis off for a thousand years or so,” she said, taking a sidelong glance at him.
I could have heard wrong, but there was a possibility that the others may have snickered just a bit, much to the chagrin of Valcone.
“Second,” she continued, “I know what it’s like to be misunderstood. Many of us who call the ocean home are seen as dangerous, when in fact we’re not. I’m sure that you feel the same about us.” She looked at me.
“Well yes, I don’t like sharks much. Especially when I’m out at the beach.” I told her honestly.
She laughed, “They don’t like you either. You scare away all the good fish for them to eat most of the time.” I didn’t know how to answer, but of course it made some sense I realized.
“I’m sorry, I guess I never thought of it that way, but you’re completely right.” I said.
“And the mosquitos you swat, the deer you hunt, the tigers you keep in cages,” She looked around as she continued to tick off animals from each island, “the birds that find your windshield on the road or the mice you trap inside, all these animals have come to Enrovia with their own story of humans, not all of them good” She paused letting it sink in all around.
“Perhaps we’ve judged you on image as well.” She hung her head. “I’m sorry for that. You must understand that the darkest light we’ve ever seen was brought here in one like you. And the stories we hear from many who come here include terrible things done by your kind.”
I did sadly understand her point.
“We are not evil as a whole, although there are exceptions. I will choose to believe the same about you. That while your kind has the ability to do great evil, you also have the capability to exist in harmony with us. And of course those from Eaforasa will wait decades here just to be reunited with their human. That speaks volumes. And I believe you are one of the good ones.”
Some of the other leaders were now nodding along with her, some hanging their heads. Only one seemed unaffecte
d by her grand standing speech.
Seraphina spoke up again. “We have heard from Hailey, and from all heads of the council. It’s time to make our decision. I will allow you all a few moments, then we will call for the vote.” She spread her wings and flew to the branch just above us.
One by one the council members filed out and through the woods. Ethera stayed behind for a moment, coming up behind me. “I’ll be back shortly. Wait for us here with Seraphina.” She glanced into the trees and then smiled at me before turning to follow the others.
I stood there for a while, expecting the others to be right back, as Ethera promised, but before long I began to get restless.
“I think I can go ahead and tell you that I’ve decided to overrule the council on one thing tonight, should it come to that.” Seraphina said, looking down at me. “I can see you’re anxious, and I want you to rest assured that you will not be harmed. Should they decide for it, I will stand against them and demand you be allowed to attempt to leave our land instead.”
“Thank you,” I told her, and I meant it. I did feel a little better knowing I wouldn’t be left to face whatever justice Metis deemed appropriate.
“But,” she said, prompting my stomach to drop just a bit. “You would have to leave tonight, immediately, if that is what they want.”
“I understand,” I told her, as the others began walking back into the clearing.
The council members spread out around me again, although they now looked up at Seraphina instead of at me. Ethera had again changed into the lamb from before and stood at my side. I was grateful for her support and her presence.
Although I was fairly sure both she and Lars already knew what the decision would be, they gave me no indication, and only continued to stare up at Seraphina. I wished one of them would at least turn and give me a reassuring smile or a wink.
“Have you reached your decision?” she asked to the group around me.
Metis stepped forward. Oh great, I thought. I guess I had my answer. He never made eye contact with me, never seemed to acknowledge me as he handed down their verdict.
“We have,” he said. “One which I am still uncertain is the right one.” He paused. “She may stay until she either becomes a threat or Ethera is confident it is safe to return to her land, whichever is sooner.”
I released the breath I’d been holding. Seraphina didn’t need to supersede the council, they had decided on their own to let me stay.
It was more than obvious that at least one of the council needed a little extra convincing, but as a whole they decided to give me a chance. I still had the option of leaving on my own, if I was brave enough, but I also had the option to stay.
“Thank you all,” I told them in unison. With their job done, and the decision made, most of them shifted shape into different birds and flew off. Even Seraphina had left. Only Ethera, Lars, and Metis remained.
“Metis,” Ethera said, “Thank you for giving her a chance. She will not disappoint you.”
Metis took a few steps toward me, his eyes narrowing in a glaring stare. “You’ll see what fools you’ve all been. I do not trust you. Not one bit.” I continued to look him in the eye, challenging him to prove I wasn’t afraid.
Before I knew what had happened he shifted his shape into a towering tyrannosaur, bending down and pulling back his large lips to show me inches upon inches of razor sharp teeth.
I almost fainted, as he huffed once and turned away, his steps thundering as he walked, the ground under my feet shaking, which matched the shaking in my knees.
“He’s the only one that can do that.” Lars said, deciding on the form of a butterfly and landing on my shoulder. “Show off!” He yelled at the giant tail swinging through the air as he lumbered away.
“Do what?” I squeaked.
“Turn into an old one. He’s the only one that can. I tried once, as soon as I was chosen to rule Eaforasa. I got crocodile instead. Still impressive, but far short of what I was going for.” He chuckled.
“Don’t let him scare you,” Ethera consoled me, “He’s just angry the council didn’t side with him. He’s a little quick in the judgment and thinks we all should be too. He’s a very take no prisoners kind of ruler, and we very rarely see eye to eye. Over the centuries it’s made him bitter.”
“What kind of animals live on his island? Are there more like him? Like that?” I asked in awe, having just seen a real live dinosaur and all.
“Envalisa is home to animals which no longer live in your world. And yes, there are a lot like that, which is why they would make such a difference in the fight, if only Metis would join us. However, I can see his side as well. The animals in his charge have chosen to stay here forever, never going back, because to do so would mean they would never again have the form they do now. So they stay to themselves and have no interest in fighting for the safety of Empira or to regain control of the well of rebirth because they have no desire to use it.”
I supposed that made sense for them, but I certainly saw why Ethera was so eager to have them join her against Drugan’s men. I nodded. “So, what now?” I asked.
“I guess we go back home,” Ethera said.
“And I have to be going as well. I will see you later Ethera, and congratulations Hailey.” The butterfly hovered for a moment and then slowly flitted up towards the tops of the black trees, now almost indistinguishable against the dark sky.
We walked back to the camp with very few words exchanged.
I fell into my bed of fronds as soon as I walked back into the bungalow, and then into a blissful sleep of exhaustion.
Home . . . for Now
I was too tired last night to think about much, the relief of the council’s decision coupled with the draining hike left my mind blank and trancelike. I barely remember my head hitting the fronds.
I opened my eyes to another beautiful day, although this morning felt different. I was full of energy, ready for something new. I picked up a piece of the cherry fruit from the floor next to the bed and ate my breakfast before pulling on my shoes and pack.
Today would be a day for exploring, I decided. If this was to be my home for the foreseeable future then I would like to know more about it.
I remembered seeing trails which led off from the center of town yesterday and set off in that direction. My eyes took in each break in the brush around the clearing. There were more paths than I had noticed.
Choosing one at random I ducked under a limb and into the forest I had come through on my journey into town a few days ago. I wondered with curiosity, if I could find my way back to the shore and my boat. I did want to check on it at some point. Perhaps another day, I decided.
The path I ended up choosing led father to the west, very well worn and full of numerous animal tracks. I walked along for probably a few miles, seeing nothing spectacular and decided to turn back, when another path, veering off from the main one caught my attention.
It was almost covered with vines, but I could tell that at one point it had been used frequently, although not recently.
I picked my way along, stepping over palm fronds, which I considered cutting and laying by the wayside to collect later. Several times I had to stop and disentangle myself from a stray thorny vine or two as the trail wound back and forth up a steady uphill climb.
Ahead I saw a rocky section of the trail which eventually emerged onto a cliff overlooking the city below. I had come full circle and ended up atop one of the stark red cliff that surrounded the village. It was breathtaking, the view from up here. I could even see my little hut, off in the corner of the clearing.
I sat for a while, watching the animals come and go on their daily routines. The trail ended here, the cliff to the left and right too steep to attempt the climb down. I wondered why the trail had become grown over. This was such a pretty spot to come and sit. This would be my spot, I decided. Although not a secret, I felt reasonably certain I could come here and be alone if I needed.
I reached into m
y backpack and pulled my phone and earbuds out, choosing a relaxing playlist and watched the animals below come and go, busying themselves with conversations or lying in the warm sun.
I considered all I knew about this place, what it was and what Ethera and the others were fighting for. And although I could find the merits of returning to the world I knew; as an eternal place to call home this was in fact heaven for them. No wonder there were so many who chose to stay here forever.
For them maybe the war that raged between Drugan and the council was of little interest because they had made their choices to stay. But at the same time, what would happen to my world if only dark lights kept coming back? And what about those like Angel who wanted a chance at finding that human connection that would take them into the falls? Going back to my world was the only way for them to find that ultimate peace.
I realized that although I desperately wanted to go home, I also cared about what happened to the animals here.
I sat for a while longer until I began to get hungry again and turned back down my path.
I visited the outlook, as I called it, for the next few days. It became my routine. The animals continued to pay me very little mind, although Lars did check in on me from time to time. Once he showed up at my door as the crocodile.
Everything seemed to be going well. Even though I was still an outcast, I was tolerated better and better as the days went on.
I heard little about the war efforts, and Drugan. I saw Ethera only once since the council’s decided to let me stay. I assumed that she had been busy and gave it no more thought.
On the fourth day of visiting the outlook I made the acquaintance of a squirrel named Wishu, who became a companion on my trips almost every day. Other than introducing himself, we said very little to each other preferring silent company over conversation.
Today I decided to leave at a different time than usual, waiting until the sun had just started to awaken and the town was still asleep.
Ethera and the Island of Evisara: Book One of The Enrovia Series Page 14