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I retrieved another, rather large, stone from the riverside and angrily dropped it in the water, disturbing its peace. Letting out an exasperated sigh, I plopped down on the sandy bank and grumbled. "Ayashe," a warm, gentle voice from the woods behind me spoke, and, startled, I jump from my seat. "Our morning water will be spoiled with the river bottom's dust if you continue like that," said the man, whose skin was a warm tan color and his hair long and black, with quiet hints of grey. My cheeks turned the red of my hair as I replied with a noise of embarrassment and surprise. The man smiled softly and walked toward me, crouching and resting his hand on my shoulder, "The river sleeps, too." I nodded, looking to his warm, brown eyes. "Yes, father." "Now then," Chesmu Rowle said gravely, and I looked up at him with curiosity, wondering what was wrong, "We best return home, or your mother will have our heads." My cheeks changed from the red to a green tinge. "Oh no," thought I, and I gulped. Father chuckled and nodded, "Aye." I picked up the bucket of water and we returned home.
We were nearing the house when my father stopped abruptly, a worried expression on his face. "Father...?" I asked, wondering again what was wrong. He held up his hand to silence me, and I frowned. "Alice," he said sternly and my expression was puzzled, for he rarely called me by my name, "Igasho will take you and Sanuye to the valley of dead oaks. I will meet you there before dawn. If you do not see me, Igasho will lead you to the Wahkan people. "Father," I began. "Promise me you will do as I say," said he. "But father," I insisted. "Promise me, " he said desperately. "I promise." He nodded and muttered some words to the grey wolf, Igasho, who had trotted toward them while they spoke. As they spoke, a film went over my eyes and I saw woods similar to where we were now, but they were further downstream. "Sanuye," I thought, "Come, now. Something is wrong." The image shifted and I blinked, looking toward Igasho and father. "I'm on my way," said a voice in my head. My father looked toward me. "She's coming."
I hugged my father, fighting back tears. "Be strong, Ayashe." I nodded, wiped a tear from my eye, and kissed his cheek. "Good luck," I said quietly. He smiled sadly, "I will see you soon." He nodded to Igasho, who howled and took off into the woods. I ran after him, Sanuye at my heels. After what felt like hours of running, Igasho stopped. All around us were dead oak trees, and I shrugged, "Its name tells the truth." Igasho shot me a glance that said, "Keep quiet." He led us over to a massive oak and entered a hollow in the tree. I looked back at Sanuye and she seemed to shrug, so I followed after him. There, we waited. I grew impatient and worried as the sun began to set. Finally, I heard a rustling outside of the hollow. I jumped out of the hollow with glee. "Father?!" An arrow came flying at me and suddenly a grey blur was in front of me. I heard a howl of pain, and Igasho fell to the ground, blood seeping from his wound. I grabbed my spear and hid behind a tree, willing Sanuye to stay put. Another arrow flew at me, lodging itself into the tree I was behind. Spear raised, I stepped out from the tree and took aim. Before I could send the spear at my attacker, an arrow lodged itself in my left forearm, my strong arm, and I yelped out in pain. A red and grey blur flew past me, and I heard shouts and snarls.
When I woke, I seemed to be surrounded by tall grass. I held my head and groaned in pain, frustration, hunger, and confusion. I had a strange feeling in my stomach, and I knew that my mother was dead. On my right was Sanuye, her head resting on my leg. "Igasho?" I asked sadly, not wanting to hear Sanuye's response. "Dead," I heard her say in my thoughts. I cried, and cried. I knew I must be stronger than this, so I willed myself to stop and be sensible. I looked to my left, gasping out of shock. A puddle of blood surrounded my arm, and the arrow was still lodged there. I took hold of the arrow with my right hand and winced, waiting for the pain. I yanked on the arrow and pulled it out of my arm, yelping in the process. The pain wasn't as bad as I thought it might be, but this didn't comfort me. I looked around dizzily for some sort of bandage. Deciding the grass would have to suffice, I tore some off using my foot and my right arm. I took some leaves from a nearby plant. As I did this, I felt a sharp pain from my wound and I looked to see Sanuye, licking the wound clean. Wincing as she continued and finally finished, I thought, "Thank you." I quickly applied the leaves to my wound and wrapped them with the grass, tying it with my teeth. I frowned at the makeshift bandage and shrugged. It'll have to do. I looked around for some water but all I found was a puddle. I moved toward it and drank from it, willing Sanuye to do the same. After I was satisfied, I stood. Said I to Sanuye, "Are you rested?" "Well enough," said she, "to travel several more miles." I nodded and climbed onto her back, passing out again.
Chapter Five: Growing
The fire feasted on the wood given to it as I cooked a part of the deer I killed the day before. Before eating I murmur some words of thanks to the deer and the forest. As I ate and enjoyed the warmth of the fire, I thought back to the day, many years ago, when I last saw my father. I sighed, and wondered if I would see him again. "Stop that," I told myself, "You will find him." I finished the meat and drank from my old waterskin. While Sanuye was out hunting, I decided to refill the water supply, so I put out the fire and took my spear and my hunting knife, heading towards the bank. I made it to the river and began to refill the waterskins. When I finished, I waded into a slower spot in the river, washing my hair. After I returned to the bank, I saw Sanuye trotting toward me and I smiled.
Then an arrow flew over my head. I cursed under my breath for not paying attention and called for Sanuye to jump in the water. Ducking under the surface, I began to swim away from the attacker(s), arrows flying after me. The rapids began to move faster, and I rose to the surface for a breath. The waters soon pulled me back under and I panicked as Sanuye followed suit. I grabbed hold of her and let the river carry us down without a fight. Gasping for breath whenever we could, the rapids didn't seem to end. At last they seemed to slow, and we washed up on shore. These lands were different...very different. I fell asleep from exhaustion as soon as we climbed to safety.
Chapter Six: MagicDuel
When I woke, the forest and river were gone. I seemed to be trapped in a wooden room, with a young girl asking me questions. I met strange spirits and obstacles as I found my way out of the room and a strange carnival. This place, along with its people, is strange. Sanuye is with me still, and my search for my father hasn't ceased. I am certain, however, that this realm is my home now. Sanuye and I are not alone.
(Image may be subject to copyright. Read the note at the end of this page.).
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