Refugees

by R. A. Denny

  After sniffing Pergassi, Telski turned back toward Sholfo. The boy noticed that Pergassi had something in her mouth, like a mother cat carrying a cub. Sholfo’s heart started beating faster, and he called out, “Good girl, Pergassi, come here.”

  Sholfo could barely believe it. He had almost forgotten Pergassi’s trick. Metlan had called it the messenger game. With wonder, Sholfo now remembered that he had promised Metlan that he would personally deliver any such message to King Maltan. Sholfo had never dreamed that day would come.

  But here was Pergassi walking towards him with bark in her mouth. Sholfo smiled as he watched her. She padded right up to him and performed her trick perfectly by dropping the bark right at his feet and then looking at him expectantly. Sholfo was glad that he still had several pieces of dried flier meat left, and tossed her one, which she caught in the air and gobbled up greedily. Sholfo picked up the bark, pulled the tied pieces apart and looked at it. Sure enough, there were berry stains drawn on it. Though he could not read, Sholfo knew it was a written message, and it could only be from Metlan. He shuddered to think that he would be appearing before King Maltan after all. Or should he give the message to his own father? Whether his head remained on his shoulders would probably depend on what the message said. He looked at Pergassi in amazement.

  “You are one smart cat,” he said as he petted her. Telski strode over and stopped a few feet away, staring jealously. “Don’t worry, Telski,” Sholfo assured her, “you’re still my kitty.” Sholfo carefully placed the bark inside his bag. Metlan had been clear that he was to give the message only to the king himself. But, first, Sholfo would ask his own father what to do. The others would see Pergassi and assume that Metlan was dead.

  But Pergassi did not stay. She turned and went back the way that she had come. Sholfo was tempted to follow her. After all, she might lead him to Metlan. But, he figured he better return to the tribe and deliver the message instead. It would not be wise to disobey the instructions of the prince with regard to a message for the king. Metlan had been friendly and only a few years older than Sholfo, so Sholfo had not been intimidated by him. King Maltan was another story. Sholfo trembled at the thought of him, for he was truly ferocious.

  Chapter 34

  Trees - Brina

  The nights went by far too quickly, and I kept so busy that I didn’t have a chance to think about Elder Lepton’s directive, but it was always in the back of my mind weighing on me. I had told my parents about it and they had both agreed that I would have to honor her request and meet with her. It was considered a great honor to be invited to meet with an elder outside of council, but I was dreading it.

  When the magpie arrived on the platform just after dawn, the message was clear. “Brina come to Elder Lepton.”

  “Brina come to Elder Lepton. Brina come to Elder Lepton,” the bird repeated in its high, harsh voice.

  Fortunately my mother had helped me pick out appropriate clothing. My outfit was already hanging from the beams on the hooks near my hammock so that I would not keep Elder Lepton waiting. It was a simple silk wrap held together by bow shaped bird fibulas, one at my breastbone and one at each shoulder. The cloth was the color of mesmeringa leaves, with a matching cloak. Mama had said it would help show my unity with the forest. She came hurrying out of the kitchen at the sound of the magpie. She had volunteered to come with me so I would not have to go alone, and she was also hoping to speak with the elder about Glorna’s situation, if the opportunity arose.

  “You look lovely,” Mama said to me approvingly.

  “Thank you. I’m so nervous.”

  “Just remember that you are not going there to defend yourself or express your opinion. The decision of the council has been made. You are expected to listen to whatever Elder Lepton has to tell you. To hear her words is a privilege she has afforded you.”

  “I guess I won’t be so nervous if all I have to do is listen.”

  “That’s my girl. The forest recoils from agitation, but draws near to a peaceful heart.”

  I had heard this saying all my life. I couldn’t help but feel as if the forest had already withdrawn from me. But I tried not to think such thoughts, and I certainly wouldn’t give them wings by speaking them aloud.

  As we prepared to take off from the platform, the magpie flew away.

  “Do you know the way to Elder Lepton’s house?” I asked Mama, since we could not follow the magpie directly.

  “Yes, it is near the center of Kalpok,” Mama responded. “We’ll take the path toward the center and stop at the lowest meeting hall tree. From there I will point out the way. Are you ready?”

  “Ready,” I responded, and Mama leapt from the platform with me right behind her. As I felt the freedom of my limbs, the wind rushing along my body seemed to lift the weight of my worry and send it to the sky. As long as I could soar in the air, my spirit would be raised to please the Forest.

  I was curious to see what Elder Lepton’s house would be like. I was surprised to see that her tree was not a large one, but then I realized that she would not have been able to care for a large house, and so it would have been taken away from her, if she had once had one. It was the custom in Kalpok that if a person could not or did not take care of anything the Forest had entrusted to them then it would be taken away by the council. There was a large tree close to her tree and many connecting bridges between the two. Her tree had a winding staircase that went gradually around it. Hanging next to her tree was a fancy carrying carriage which was a wooden box with open slats, a solid roof, and a hammock inside. Only the oldest residents in Kalpok owned carriages for transportation and then only if they were able to care for them. Hers was decorated with fancy carvings of birds, which I recognized with pleasure as my father’s skillful work. I knew she had a large family. The large connected tree must belong to her family, and they must help her to care for her home and carriage, so she would not lose them.

  We arrived at a lower platform and waited for her to come into view on a balcony above and call to us. She was dressed without ornamentation. I was thankful that Mama had advised me to do the same.

  “Welcome,” Elder Lepton said with a warm smile that crinkled her entire face. She seemed different here than at council.

  “Thank you,” Mama and I both responded. Then we waited.

  “I was not aware that you would be accompanying your daughter here. I would like to speak with your daughter alone. Please have a seat,” she said to my mother, and with a flowing motion, she turned her palm up, and swept it toward a wooden chair on the terrace. The request was made in such a way so as to not leave any room to say no.

  “Of course. Thank you,” my mother replied, but she seemed uneasy.

  “Please, follow me, Brina.” Elder Lepton started up the staircase which wound around her tree to her home. Mama took a seat as she had been directed.

  When we got to the terrace upstairs, there was a table with an umbrella over it and two chairs. There were two wooden cups of mesmeringa tea and a bowl filled with various fruits. “Please have a seat and help yourself to some fruit,” Elder Lepton said as she poured me a cup of tea, her wrinkled hand shaking slightly.

  I sat down, dutifully reached for the cup, and began sipping the tea. It was obvious that she was trying to make me comfortable. For the first time it entered my head that maybe I had not been banished after all. Maybe she had invited me here to explain my mission. Maybe she knew that I had been honest, and that the cat rider had tricked me. After all, he had definitely been banished. It said so in the message that I had read to him.

  Elder Lepton interrupted my thought by speaking, “I know you are wondering why I have asked you here.”

  “Yes, ma’am,” I responded politely.

  “The forest is beautiful even in the daylight, don’t you think?” she said as she paused to look around at the light streaming through the leaves and casting flickering shadows. Just then, a breeze flipped many of the smaller leaves that grew in bunches that ca
scaded down the branches.

  “Yes, ma’am, it is,” I agreed.

  “Did you know that trees symbolize the different choices in life that people can make?”

  “Yes, so I have been taught, ma’am.”

  “Every choice has roots in the person’s upbringing, branches out in expression, and hopefully results in fruits. You will be leaving our forest. But it is my hope that you will bear much good fruit.”

  “Yes, ma’am, I hope so too.”

  Now I felt sure of it. She was going to explain to me that I was not banished after all. I was filled with joy! I wanted to jump up and hug her and then twirl around the terrace with joy!

  “You must remember that you are called to rejoice, whatever your circumstances.”

  “I will rejoice always!” I agreed heartily.

  “Then you understand why in this circumstance we have chosen not to reveal to you whether you were banished or chosen,” she continued, to my disappointment. I felt my spirit fall. “If you were told that you were chosen, then you would learn nothing about the nature of joy. If you were told that you had been banished, then your bitterness might cause you to grumble and lose your way.”

  I wanted to ask her: if I had been chosen, what it would hurt to just share that with me? She wouldn’t have to make it generally known. It would at least take away my inner shame, and it might save Glorna and my family from so much anguish. After all, when people had been banished before, the council had told them that they were in fact being banished. They even told the cat rider. But I remembered that Mama had told me not to ask questions, just to listen. I had to work very hard not to beg the elder, or at least ask her to level with me. I sat still and listened, as Mama had told me to.

  “The council has determined that you will never know if you have been banished or chosen for this journey. Our acceptance or rejection will not define you. From here on out, if you do what is right, you will be accepted by the Great Creator. But if you do not do what is right, evil inclination is crouching at your door like a lion on the prowl; it desires to have you, but you must rule over it and be its master. Do you understand?”

  I started to say, “Yes, ma’am,” again but then I realized that if I did so I would be lying to the elder.

  “No, ma’am,” I said, honestly. “I…I’m not sure what you mean.”

  “Even if you do not understand my words, then at least make sure you remember them. Say them over and over, and you will come to understand,” she explained. “I repeat: you must rule over evil inclination, and be its master,” she said, as she rose. It became obvious to me that this meeting was over. Elder Lepton started for the stairwell. I pushed in my chair, and followed behind her.

  My mother looked up in expectation as we came down the stairs. Elder Lepton had poured out a cup of tea and now she handed it to my mother.

  “Forgive me for not offering you some tea earlier,” she said warmly, placing the cup in my mother’s hands. “I am a mother myself, and I once had young girls. Many nice couples from our village are going on this voyage with Brina. They will be sure to look after her,” she said reassuringly. “And it is my understanding that there is also a certain young man…” her voice trailed off, but I thought I saw a twinkle in her eyes.

  “Yes, of course, several of the adults have spoken to me since the meeting and assured me they would look out for her,” my mother said. I could tell she wanted to say more, but she wasn’t quite sure how to continue.

  Elder Lepton gave her an opening. “And how are your other children?” she inquired.

  “They are well, thank you,” my mother paused, as if unsure whether to continue. “Glorna has had a problem with the other children teasing her. They are saying that Brina has been banished.”

  I even wondered if this was a veiled attempt for my mother to tempt Elder Lepton into giving us an answer about me.

  “Their parents should have taught them not to say unkind things to Glorna about her family,” she responded, and then added, “whether they are true or not.”

  Elder Lepton had meant what she said earlier. The council was going to see to it that I would never know if I had been banished. But then, if they did not shame me by announcing it, then how could the others, and why would I choose to shame myself? Part of the reason banishment was so terrible was because of the shame that went along with it. Without the shame, was it really so terrible?

  “May I speak, please?” I asked quietly.

  “Certainly,” Elder Lepton replied and looked at me expectantly.

  ”My parents have taught us that who we are is not defined by what others think of us,” I said.

  Elder Lepton and my mother looked pleasantly surprised. “I am glad to hear that,” Elder Lepton said. “It gives me good reason to believe that Glorna has been well cared for and should not be removed from her home.”

  “Glorna did not follow her teaching. She pushed Layna. Then Layna clawed her on the arm, drawing blood.” My mama had found her voice and reported the incident.

  “Go to her parents, but apologize first. Let them know that you have disciplined your daughter. If they respond by apologizing and disciplining their daughter as well, you have made a friend. If they do not, you will need to follow up by officially reporting their daughter to council.”

  “Thank you for your wise advice.”

  Elder Lepton turned to me. “Evil inclination is crouching at your door like a lion on the prowl; it desires to have you, but you must rule over it and be its master.”

  My mother looked surprised, but I think I understood, at least for now. I may have been banished, but even so, I was not going to allow it to fill me with bitterness.

  “Thank you, Elder Lepton,” I said, and I meant it.

  “I believe you are ready for your journey,” was the last thing she said to me.

  Mama and I went across a bridge and then climbed up an adjoining tree. As we reached the first terrace on the tree, Mama asked me, “So, what did she tell you in private?”

  “She did not tell me whether I was banished or chosen. She just gave me some advice.”

  “And what was it?” Mama asked.

  “Nothing that you and Papa have not already taught me,” I said, and I leapt into the air knowing it was up to me now whether I would become a thorn bush or a mesmeringa.

  MAYBE END HERE?

  Chapter 35

  Rocks - Moshoi

  We walked down the side of the volcanic hill that our home was built into. In the flat valley below was a pathway that cut between numerous pointy rock pinnacles that had stairways and arched doorways carved into them. Some of the large rocks looked like they had been twisted toward the sky. Inside these picturesque homes, the people of my tribe safely slept.

  “So besides Star, the provisions, and that jug, did Rhabdom happen to give you a map?” Tuka asked.

  “No, he just told me to follow the star,” I replied.

  “But it’s daytime.” Tuka chuckled.

  “True, but we have seen what direction it appears in the sky. For now, that will have to do.”

  We walked along in silence for a moment, carefully picking our way among the rock formations.

  “You’re not wanting to change your mind, are you, Tuka? If you are, it would be easy for you to go back now,” I said, though I hoped he would not take me up on it. I knew it would be harder to defend myself without a partner, but I did not want to endanger my younger brother.

  “No, my mind is made up. To Tzoladia!” Tuka said and pointed upward at the place in the sky that the star had appeared last night.

  “To Tzoladia!” I agreed heartily, my spirits starting to rise. Unfortunately, along with the pointy rocks that rose to the sky in every direction, the heat was rising as well.

  “It’s going to be a really hot day,” Tuka commented.

  “It’s going to be a really hot journey,” I added.

  “Have you thought about going through the underground city of Trenggol instead?” Tuk
a asked.

  “Yes, but I don’t think we could even get in. It would be closed for the rock season. And besides, we can’t very well follow a star from underground,” I replied. “At least at night above ground we can reorient ourselves toward the star. I wouldn’t know how to navigate through the labyrinth of tunnels underground.”

  We walked along in silence for a while. All around us were the beautiful spires of rock, rising from the valley, filled with our sleeping friends and neighbors. I slowed as we neared a pinkish rock tower that rose high and was topped with a darker flat round rock, which made it look like a giant mushroom. I had been up the stone stairs here many a time and spent many memorable nights sitting on the veranda with Lasulla. I knew she would be sleeping since it was not her year to watch. Still, I longed to at least look at her while she slept, though I would not dare to wake her. Her brother, Obsider would be watching. Tuka knew why I slowed as we passed the massive rock.

  “I can wait here with Star if you want to stop to try to talk with Obsider,’ he said.

  “Was I so obvious?”

  “I know it is hard for you to leave without saying goodbye to Lasulla.”

  As we got closer, I could see that the millstone was blocking the arched doorway. Obsider was probably deep within feeding the animals. I would not be able to get his attention. I tried to think of something I could leave behind so Lasulla would know I had been there. I wore leather on my palms, with straps across the back of my hands, just like the leather pteruges I wore strapped around my waist with flaps that hung down to cover my soft underbelly and loins. An anvil, my family symbol, was carved into the leather. I removed my left palm protector, then walked up the stairs two at a time and placed it in front of the millstone. I knew Lasulla would know that it was meant for her. I hoped my father, once he calmed down, might tell her father that I was going on a great adventure from which I planned to return with a fortune. First, I needed to help this duck man save mankind, but afterward, I dreamed of returning as a rich hero to find Lasulla. She knew of my dreams of going on a quest and my meetings with Rhabdom, and I believed she would know that I would do my best to return for her someday. I hoped that she would wait.