by V. R. Janis
I was working on the drum, but was distracted easily. I wanted to watch the water. I always knew when father noticed that I stopped working on the drum because he would freeze and spin around to look at me. I would quickly grab the materials and began making a new drum. This seemed almost a game between us.
The sea was beautiful, always changing its personality in the way it saw fit. I was enjoying the calm day and watching the foam dance at the bow of the ship. I was excited to see a pod of dolphins try to race our ship until they swam away. I kept track of the other ships that sailed behind us.
The mermaids took advantage of the calm weather to come visit.
They brought me gifts of shell necklaces and I gifted them baskets made of grass. I had made them because I knew I would see the mermaids at some point in this journey. I wanted to make something they didn't have. They had sea grass, but the grass on land has a different texture, and I was right: they were happy with the gifts.
The mermaids were beautiful creatures that matched the sea with blue-green skin and hair. They had beautiful, big doe-like eyes. The females were the only ones who came near the ship, and only up to me. The males made a semicircle behind them, guarding the females both from us and from the dangers of the sea.
We were passing gifts back and forth when the males started speaking quickly in their language. The mermaids and males all dived under the water. One young one stayed, looked at me with a frown and then pointed toward the sky. I saw another head poke up near hers, then I looked up and gasped.
Dark boiling clouds were quickly closing on our position. I nodded at her, but she had already disappeared. I ran to my father to tell him, but he was already shouting orders.
“Go below!”
I shook my head and shouted back, “No! I'm going to help!”
He stared at me, but some of his men were shouting at him, asking him questions. He seemed torn, but finally turned toward his men. I took this to mean that I could help.
The ship swayed with waves that seemed to grow by the second. The waves and wind seemed to be fighting over the ship. I had to brace myself so I would not fall over. I ran around checking supplies, making sure the ropes were secure.
I was tightening a rope around one of the cargo boxes when the ship tipped and a wave washed my feet from under me. I went over the side and flew into the depths of the ocean.
My head came above the water. I saw my father panic and dive into the water along with some of the sailors. A wave slammed into me, stealing my breath and pushing me down at the same time.
I am sorry, Father.
Suddenly I felt hands on me and I thought it was my father, but they felt too small to belong to him. My head was pushed above the water and I gasped a breath of air.
“WAKANGLI!”
I tried to shout, “Here,” but my head was pushed under the water again. I gasped a breath and went under instead of fighting it.
There was a light moving toward me. It looked oddly like a glowing body. The hands that held me suddenly released me. I tried to scream, but water rushed into my mouth.
I swam for the surface, away and up from the light. I could not find air, started to black out and stopped swimming. All I could think was, “I’m sorry, Father, for making you go through this again.”
I blinked my eyes open, and somehow I was on the deck of the ship, the storm still raging. My father and others leaned over me. My throat burned and my chest ached. I tried to smile at my father, but I was so tired. I hadn't even made it for a day and I was already in trouble.
I woke up in my cabin. My father was sitting by my bed with another person beside him. I blinked a couple of times and then coughed hard. I guessed talking was out of the question.
“You tried to swallow all of the ocean, and your throat thought it was a bad idea.”
I laughed. “I'm sorry, Father.”
“Don’t, sshh. You are here and safe, that is all that matters to me. Thanks to this young man right here.” He slapped the young man on the back, knocking him off his chair.
I laughed as my father grinned. “Oops! Sorry, lad. Thanks to this young man, you are with me. He found you and swam you back to the ship.”
I stared at the young man and smiled. “Thank you, Wi.”
“You are very welcome.”
My father cleared his throat. “Well, we will let you rest for a while. Come on deck when you are ready.”
“I will.”
I rested for the day and into the next, with people peeking their heads in now and then to check on me.
I was not a person who scared easily, but when I thought about going on deck again, I felt my heart race.
I finally gained enough courage to go face the ocean. I stood at the deck rail, facing the water, and thought about the vastness of it. I thought about my life, how it was so fragile, and how I was one small piece in this great big world.
CHAPTER 4
My brother would not let me be distant for long. I was studying the water and thinking, but gasped in shock as a bucket of water was dumped on my head.
“Iyatan!”
I finally smiled and focused on the journey. The only place I remembered being besides our home was an island close to our land. I had heard stories about this island. Everyone said that it contained evil spirits that were dangerous.
I was curious to see other people, but I was also a little worried. What if I made a mistake, said or did something that offended someone? That was likely; I was always a little free with my words. But I did not want to disappoint Father.
I leaned over the side of the ship and watched as we moved closer to land. I tried to stay out of the way of the sailors as they scurried around the deck. Father seemed content to let the drum sit in my corner of the deck as I watched the shore.
The first thing I saw were mountains so high they were lost in the clouds. It was hard to see where the mountain ended and the clouds began because both were white. I did not need Father or the map he had made for me to tell me that this was Hinskoyela, land of the white mountains—and dragons.
I looked over at Father who had walked up beside me. “If this place is only for the mountains and dragons, who do we trade with?”
It seemed as if his laugh boomed off the peaks. “Why the dragons, of course. You see, no one else will live here with them. People are afraid the dragons might eat them in the night.”
I studied the land. “What do the dragons want? And what do you get in return?”
He smiled down at me. “Good questions for a future trader. I give them livestock to hunt and they give me jewels.”
“Really?” I huffed. “Livestock?”
His smile grew bigger. “They only have so many animals on this land and there are lots of dragons. They do not go to the other lands to hunt because they do not want to be hunted.”
I smiled. “Oh, and are they fierce and dangerous?”
He laughed again. “Yes to both, but you are safe. They want to maintain our good standing.”
He pulled me into a hug and I snuggled closer. “Father, I am glad I came.”
“I am glad, too,” he whispered.
We pulled into a small cove that had a dock. I studied it carefully.
“Did you build that, Father?”
“Yes, it made things easier.”
“Where are the dragons?”
“They will stay away until we release the animals. Then you will see greatness.” Looking at Iyatan with a smile he said, "Man the helm as I go ashore."
The men unloaded cargo from one of the ships, which seemed to be all sheep and cows. I felt sorry for the animals, but also excited to see the dragons approach. I was searching the land and air above when a roar shook my ears, followed by two more.
I spun around and watched dragons fly in around the cliffs that protected the entrance of the cove. The three dragons were beautiful and a little scary.
Deep black with silver along its wings, the biggest dragon led the way in. Following
it was the smallest of the three with a deep blood-red body and purple outlining its wings. The last dragon captured my attention not with size or color, but with motion. The dragon was twirling and twisting through the air, making me dizzy as I watched. It was dull green in color with yellow along its wings. At least, I thought so. I had to stop looking or I would have ended up sitting on the deck of the ship with my head between my knees.
My father laughed at me and boomed, “Hurry, my fairy princess. We go ashore.”
The dragons landed with a thud that caused waves to slam into the side of the ship. My father turned toward me and held out his hand to help me onto the dock next to him.
I let him help me and then followed meekly behind him, curious and yet intimidated by the beasts in front of us. My father’s steps were confident as he walked closer to the dragons. He stopped near their noses and I was happy he was between me and them.
I heard a gruff laugh and then words that sounded like the rumble of the earth. “Great Tree, we are glad you came this year.”
“It is my pleasure to come and trade with you. You make the journey always worth it.”
“Yes, it seems to benefit us all. I see you have brought your offspring.”
“Yes, that is Iyatan,” Father said, pointing toward the ship, “and this is Wakangli. I am teaching them the trade.”
“That is wonderful to hear. I am also teaching my young one, Tate. She never sits still.”
As the dragon spoke, his daughter seemed to be doing a dance, wiggling around until she noticed all of our stares. Then she sat up and wrapped her tail around her legs.
My father smiled and then turned back to the bigger dragon. “I am sorry, Aicamna, to bring the conversation back to business so quickly, but I want to leave before the tide. We have a lot of ports to make and need to leave this evening.”
“Understandable. Here are the jewels we promised. I believe you will find them more than enough.”
“As always.”
The dragons unclenched their claws and made a mound of jewels, some the size of my head. It was much more than what the livestock was worth. I frowned in confusion and met the dragon’s eye.
The dragon’s laughter echoed across the peaks. “Your young one thinks this is over payment, Great Tree. Did you not explain the situation to her?”
My father looked over at me and grinned. “It is payment for our bravery too. We are the only ones who are willing to work with the dragons.”
He motioned for the men to gather the jewels in chests they had brought from our ship. After they were done, the dragons spread their wings.
The biggest dragon bowed his head. “Until we meet again, Great Tree.”
He turned his huge eyes on me. “You have a hard road ahead of you, young one. Remember your light and love.”
He pumped his wings, swirling the sand in great gusts. When the sand cleared he was gone and so were the others.
My father turned toward the ship, hollering as he went. “Quickly men, before the tide beats us out.”
We gathered in the ships and watched the land fade from sight. I went to my cabin as the dark started to beat back the day. The dragon’s words rang in my head.
I stayed in my cabin for days, working on the drum and trying not to think about what the dragon had said. A hard road? What person did not have hard times throughout their lives?
A knock startled me out of my thoughts. I jumped up and opened it a crack. My father was blocking out all the light. I opened the door farther and let him enter.
“Hi, Father.”
“Hello, fairy princess. What are you hiding from?”
“Nothing. I'm a Great Tree and I hide from nothing.”
“Good to hear. I want you to stop worrying about what Aicamna said. Whatever is meant to happen will happen.”
“You’re right. When will we land next and where?”
“We still have about three months of sailing and then we will stop at O’kiyuta for trade.”
“Three months!”
“What did you expect, Wakangli? We only travel as fast as the wind lets us.”
“Right. Sorry, Father.”
“Anything else I can help you with, fairy princess?”
“What type of people live there?”
“Human beings who are known for their healing skills.”
“I can’t wait to see the market.”
“Are you finished with the cancega?”
“Two more days and I will be. I am not hiding, but I think I will stay in here until it’s done.”
“That is fine.”
I stayed in my room and finished the drum and then walked on the deck to get some fresh air.
I enjoyed watching the dolphins and seeing them playing alongside the ship. I wanted to join them and swim in the sea too. I enjoyed the fresh smell off the ocean.
The only downfall to the trip was seeing the silver eyes, but never being able to remember the face that went with them. I only remembered feeling that I needed to be cautious.
I caught the glance of Wi when he was on the ship. I really wanted to talk to him, but he was forever disappearing. I think it was Father’s doing that kept him away and busy.
CHAPTER 5
We went to the biggest port on O’kiyuta and I watched my father be welcomed like an old friend. He seemed to know lots of people everywhere. I watched as he freely shared his smile.
“Father, do you think I could get a room at an inn?”
“Maybe.”
“Please, I am not complaining, but after months on the ship the first thing I want is a bath.”
He laughed. “Fine, I will get you a room close to the ship at the Windy Seas Inn. But I need to set up the stall first.”
“Thank you, Father.”
“Why don’t you go explore the stalls, but stay in the market area, Wakangli. Then we will have supper.”
“OK.” I jumped up, excited to see all the different and exotic things that I could buy.
I left my father and brother discussing where they were permitted to set up the stall and how they would go about assigning duties.
I knew father would talk to me about this later so I left, happy to explore. I was looking in the stalls when a flash of silver caught my eye. I looked up and was held by his eyes. I blinked and he was gone.
I lost the joy of searching the stalls, but my search for the perfect little piece continued.
I wanted to collect a small treasure from each port we stopped at, something unique to the place. I bought a beaded bracelet, but could not pass up a beautiful embroidered wrap I saw in a stall near the inn Father had mentioned. I was happy with my little trinkets that would help me to remember this place.
My father had warned me before we started our journey that I would be tired of the constant motion, the same salty food, and the small space. He was right and I was anxious to take a bath and get the salt out of my hair.
I soaked in the bath until it was freezing and even then I did not want to get out. I knew Father and Iyatan were waiting for me in the dining room, so I quickly dressed.
When I reached the dining room I was surprised to see the silver-eyed man at the table with Father. I walked smoothly forward and sat beside my father.
My father turned toward me. “Good evening, princess. This is Hanyetuwi, one of the sailors helping the captain on Flying Waves. He was just updating me on the cargo.”
I looked over at him under my lashes. “Hello.”
My father continued with business. “Well, if that will be all, Hanyetuwi, I will see you tomorrow.”
“Yes, sir.”
Hanyetuwi searched my face and then turned and left. My father gave me his full attention.
“I hope your afternoon was good.”
“It was. I walked around and picked up a few things. It’s very muggy here, though.”
“This is one of the hottest places we are going to visit, but this is very tropical. The other hot place is on the edge of the
desert. It is a different kind of hot.”
“Interesting.”
“We will stay here for a week. This is usually one of the busier ports. Enjoy the food and songs, and then we will all get to sleep in real beds.”
CHAPTER 6
I angled my sword in preparation for the blow I knew was coming. My opponent was huge, two and half feet taller than I was and at least three times as wide. I had no fear as I faced him; I knew all of his weaknesses.
“What are you waiting for, old man? The new day?”
“Cheeky, little one. I will stop your talking!”
He swung a massive sword toward my abdomen. Geez, was he trying to cut me in half? I grinned. At least he was giving it his all, so this should be challenging. My braid smacked against my knees as I jumped high enough to clear his sword.
“You are going to have to try better than that, giant.”
“Still talking, fairy princess? Just wait.”
I laughed as our match got under way in earnest. He kept swinging at me and I kept jumping around like a bunny. It was fun.
When I could see he was getting tired, I got ready to start my attack. I angled my sword around my shoulder and brought it around to hit against his. At the same time, I planned my next move. I kicked out, connected with his knee and he fell on his back. I leapt on top of him, my sword resting against his neck.
“Surrender?”
“I am a Great Tree; we do not surrender. But to you, daughter, yes, I surrender.”
“Father, you should not lessen your blows. No one else will. Fighting against you gives me an edge against a bigger foe, but only if you don’t hold back. Promise?”
“But you are so little, I could break you!”
“You would have to catch me first. Now promise! Or else I will not keep you in shape by training with you.”
“I promise, my fairy princess. But you have to promise to work in the stall later. We need your help.”
“Deal.”
I grinned as I looked at my father. Everyone who ever met him was scared. He was so different from the other elves that even some of them were terrified when they got close to him. He was seven and half feet tall with bulging, screaming muscles. He was the opposite of me in coloring: his skin was light compared to my natural tan skin, his blond hair to my black hair and his blue eyes to my black eyes. You wouldn’t even know he was my father if he hadn’t boasted about the fact all the time.