I flew.
Sometimes guilty thoughts came to me of Venn, who was only two. I knew he would be a burden on my journey, but if he followed my intentions he would join me. I hoped he would find Yinyay a good temporary replacement for me. But only temporary. He would join me.
I did feel bad, leaving him a doll for a mother unless he could get in the Star, which would require courage. I couldn't tell if Venn had it, but he was two, after all.
Venn. What sort of man would he be? He would hate me forever. A tear ran down my cheek. Yes, I love Venn. But I can't take him with me. I doubt I'll ever see him again. But a mother can hope, can't she?
I crossed the sea. I wonder how Venn is doing. One day maybe he can visit me. And I can explain everything. I just want him to know I love him.
As I lowered myself, I felt sand. Hot, hot sand that burned my feet as I brushed it. I looked for something to make sandals out of. I found some grass, and with a bit of Power, molded it to fit my feet.
I walked for hours until I saw my mother, Ironel's City. The very same City that had sent me to the Rise. Looking at it, I turned away.
Mother. How was she doing? For a moment I felt tempted to check, but thought better of it.
I began walking in the other direction now. As night came, I plopped myself down on the sand (which was now cool).
When morning came I opened my eyes. How would Venn feel this morning? I had loved him, sang to him, told him stories; how would he react to a loveless mother? Then I felt an urge to return, to hug him and tell him it was all a dream, that I was back. But my new life overpowered me. I got up and trudged onward.
In the distance I saw people riding horses. I cocked my head. Were they friendly? I fingered my diamond ring. I had left my topaz one for Venn; if he didn't use the Star he could fly to me. My heart sank when I realized that if I followed this path it would be years before Venn came to me, if at all.
I ran to the people. The man in front looked down at me, then dismounted. I smiled. He had dark skin, with coarse black hair. He wasn't much older than I was.
I spoke first. "Hello, my name is..." I hesitated. I wanted to cover up my past. I made up a name. "Zeera."
"Welcome to the Hulta," the man said gracefully. "I am the leader, Kirad. You are welcome to stay with us for a time."
I was amazed. In the City, you didn't invite someone to stay with you. But I knew this was where I belonged.
"If you would take me in, I would be glad to."
He smiled. "Welcome, Zeera."
Sometimes guilty thoughts came to me of Venn, who was only two. I knew he would be a burden on my journey, but if he followed my intentions he would join me. I hoped he would find Yinyay a good temporary replacement for me. But only temporary. He would join me.
I did feel bad, leaving him a doll for a mother unless he could get in the Star, which would require courage. I couldn't tell if Venn had it, but he was two, after all.
Venn. What sort of man would he be? He would hate me forever. A tear ran down my cheek. Yes, I love Venn. But I can't take him with me. I doubt I'll ever see him again. But a mother can hope, can't she?
I crossed the sea. I wonder how Venn is doing. One day maybe he can visit me. And I can explain everything. I just want him to know I love him.
As I lowered myself, I felt sand. Hot, hot sand that burned my feet as I brushed it. I looked for something to make sandals out of. I found some grass, and with a bit of Power, molded it to fit my feet.
I walked for hours until I saw my mother, Ironel's City. The very same City that had sent me to the Rise. Looking at it, I turned away.
Mother. How was she doing? For a moment I felt tempted to check, but thought better of it.
I began walking in the other direction now. As night came, I plopped myself down on the sand (which was now cool).
When morning came I opened my eyes. How would Venn feel this morning? I had loved him, sang to him, told him stories; how would he react to a loveless mother? Then I felt an urge to return, to hug him and tell him it was all a dream, that I was back. But my new life overpowered me. I got up and trudged onward.
In the distance I saw people riding horses. I cocked my head. Were they friendly? I fingered my diamond ring. I had left my topaz one for Venn; if he didn't use the Star he could fly to me. My heart sank when I realized that if I followed this path it would be years before Venn came to me, if at all.
I ran to the people. The man in front looked down at me, then dismounted. I smiled. He had dark skin, with coarse black hair. He wasn't much older than I was.
I spoke first. "Hello, my name is..." I hesitated. I wanted to cover up my past. I made up a name. "Zeera."
"Welcome to the Hulta," the man said gracefully. "I am the leader, Kirad. You are welcome to stay with us for a time."
I was amazed. In the City, you didn't invite someone to stay with you. But I knew this was where I belonged.
"If you would take me in, I would be glad to."
He smiled. "Welcome, Zeera."