To My Reader,
I've included the last page or so of the book to refresh you memory of how the book ended.
As always, all recognizable characters belong to Terry Pratchett
Enjoy!
*Dare-To-Take-Flight*
Another World, Another Story, Another Life,
Without Regrets
Chapter One: At The Whim of The Sea
"The right way. It's the sunrise wave, and we are its children, and we will not go into the dark again. I vow it. It's a new world. It needs new people. And you are right. Your father is a good man, but he needs you more than . . . this island does."
"Well, I think-"
"He needs you strength," Mau went on. "I've watched you together. You give his world a shape. He will give your poor nation a shape. You must be with him on that ship. You must be by his side. In your heart you know this. You will have a purpose. People will listen." He took her hand. "I told you Imo made many worlds. I told you that sometimes I think I can see a little into the world where the wave did not happen. Well, now you will get onto that ship, or . . . you won't. Whatever you choose, you choice will mean there are two new worlds. And perhaps sometimes, on the edge of sleep, we will see the shadow of the other world. There will be no unhappy memories."
"Yes, but-"
"No more words. We know them all, all the words that should not be said. But you have made my world more perfect."
Frantically, Daphne sought for something to reply, and came up with: "The bandage on Mrs. Whi-ara's leg should come off tomorrow. Er, I still don't like the look Caah-a's hand; the Wren's surgeon said he thought it was getting better, but it's worth waking up Mrs. Gurgle to have a look at it. Oh, and don't let her fool you-she can't chew meat with those gold teeth, so someone else needs to do it, and . . . I'm getting this wrong, aren't I . . .?"
Mau laughed. "How can that be wrong?" He kissed her on the cheek, a little clumsily, and went on: "And now we both walk away, without regrets, and when we meet again, it will be as old friends."
Daphne nodded and blew her nose on her last good handkerchief. And the ship sailed away. And Mau went fishing. He owed a fish to Nawi.
Yes, the ship sailed away. As Daphne boarded the ship, she sat down upon one of the many barrels crowding the deck and readied herself to slowly watch the Nation disappear. She uncrossed her legs, as it would be improper for someone of her stature to sit as though she still lived on the island, as though she still controlled her life to it's fullest. But that was when her thoughts seemed to come together as a jigsaw's pieces fit into place at last. Her life, her new life, was not back in England with her father, the civilized life that she had always known until a few months ago. No. It was with the Nation, helping Mau to rebuild his people to their former glory. It while bandaging wounds and having her voice heard where she had found her true self. She quickly turned to her father, and no words where needed. He could see the determination in her eyes, and she could see the sorrow and pride in his heart. And the last true vision that she had of her father was him smiling the grin she had seen so many times in her childhood when she did something that he was proud of, even though it would almost make him cry. And then she jumped. The icy waters were like knives upon her skin. And then she suddenly realized how careless she'd been!
"How thick-headed of me!" she thought. "I may have been able to go swimming many times as I cared at the island, but that was when I was only three garments away from being as clothes less as a newborn babe!" and those where her final thoughts as her many skirts pulled her underneath the water's surface to join Locaha.
To My Reader:
More will be coming! Keep posted!
*Dare-To-Take-Flight*