*
Although boys were not strictly permitted to go into a girl's pallet, Yerwan stayed there for some time, discussing things with Rue. Rue was pleased that Yerwan, such a rule-abiding person, would break one of them for her. She was glad. Her foot, although the therapy was successful, was not properly healed yet and very stiff and she was to stay in her pallet for the next few days. Sometimes, she wandered if this was done by the Second Singer to deter her from stamping the floor again. It certainly worked.
The awful twins that had started the whole business were still innocent under their superiors but did not dare taunt Rue again. Instead, they satisfied their feelings by giving her dark looks in the corridor, surrounded by other tall female novices. It was very satisfying for Rue.
The Second Singer did indeed give his cloak to Dremon and Rue visited her frequently so they could work on it together. While they sewed the base, Yerwan translated the Singer-script that Singer Renn had given them on parchment so they could sew it on the cloak. It was a long story and it took time to translate it all. Yerwan was not always available at this time and Dremon and Rue had to continue without him. But Rue had so much spare time to fill that she was spending more of her time in Dremon's private pallet than in her own.
One morning, the Second Singer entered the pallet to talk to Dremon. They conversed in pallet-whispers so Rue would not overhear but as soon as he left, the old lady related everything to her.
"The Second Singer is going south. I don't know when exactly but he is going to the Quetzal Forest to meet a friend. He needs his cloak by then, ready and completed. Do you think we will have enough time to finish it by then?"
Rue shrugged. This was definitely important. It was the same friend he was meeting that restricted him from being First Singer. Somehow, she must get on that boat south and meet this friend. She didn't know why but it was like a voice was tugging her from the Echorium into the sea and beyond. Novices never travelled abroad unless under special circumstances. Then again, she wasn't an official novice.
*
Three months later, Rue was stuffing goat-skin tunics into a large leather case, trying to be practical and ignore the soft Echorium clothing, loaned to her by Dremon. She only had a sunstep to go before she would leave and the Echorium was searched. No one apart from Dremon was aware of her plan and she regretted not telling Yerwan. He was one of the few who understood her, and not just through signing either. They had developed a friendship that would never decay over time for they had known each other since infancy. And they also had no other friends between them except Dremon and some kind elders.
Rue peered at the rising tide. It would soon be midday, the arranged time for the departure of Wavesong, the official craft of the Echorium. Orderlies were already beginning to drag cases up the short ramp and into the adjoining cabin for storage. She had already decided that the simplest way to smuggle herself onto the ship was to hide in the last cabin, for she knew there was the Second Singer and seven orderlies travelling on the Wavesong with many crates of supplies. But she had packed her own rations anyway.
Taking the case, she noted it was quite heavy and she needed it to be as light as possible. Pausing to unpack an extra pair of sandals, she trundled the case out into the corridor and stopped. It was in the middle of Singing practice and the eerie melody of Shi drifted past her like heavy perfume. She felt unwelcome tears threaten her eyes and she hurried on, trying to stop the increasing misery rising inside her. By the time she got to the back exit, Rue was nearly bawling her relentless misery to the sky and exposing herself. The orderlies had finished the loading and two were hauling the ramp back in.
Squeaking in despair, Rue watched the Wavesong leave the Isle of Echoes on the dying tide. She realised too late that the Shi had delayed her precious moments. She had taken the long way around.
Determined to get on the ship, Rue backed away from the shore and prepared to run. The ship refused to wait for her and backed away with each moment she hesitated. Eventually, she sprinted along the coast, panting at the speed of her movement. She didn't even know she could run this fast. She put it down to desperation.
Then, she jumped. The momentum continued to propel her through the air at astonishing speed even after she had given up trying. For one awful, sickening second, she thought she was going to smash into the hull of the boat but she landed evenly on both feet in the middle of the deck.
Still recovering from the jump, it took her a moment to review her position. Then she fled from the surprised exclamations coming from below. Irritated stamps and groans could be heard approaching up the stairs nearby. In panic, she skipped lightly into the nearest cabin and shut the door on the light. It was blacker than any night she had ever known in that cabin. Looking around she saw, despite the absence of light, that it was very small. Thinking happily that it was the last cabin, the one she intended to hide in, she was totally vulnerable to the deadly knife that was suddenly poised to slit her throat. Tense and petrified, Rue listened to the shaking voice behind her: "What are.are you d-doing here, in-in- intruder?" It was more of a plea than a question and the knife was trembling. It was a male voice though Rue would have been surprised if he were older than she was. Thinking over the situation, she dropped her case to the floor gently. It made no more than a light thud but the knife flinched, as did the person holding it. She seized the knife by the blade and yanked it out of her opponent's grasp, which was not difficult, before pointing it at the chest.
Through the slivers of light that slipped through the door, Rue could see that her attacker was familiar and very small. She was surprised he could even reach her neck. Putting a finger to her lips, she gestured for her captive to come and sit on the bunk in the corner. He obeyed. A harsh voice called from the deck.
"Hey, boy! You hear anything? Are you alright? Thought there was a thump on deck. Could have been rain or dumb birds."
Rue glared at the boy and he replied quietly.
"I'm fine. I didn't hear a thump." The voice grumbled and shuffled off, calling to his friends, "OK! Just a false alarm! Let's get the Wavesong movin'!"
Rue sighed her relief and swiftly torched the wick of a candle sitting on the small table next to her. In the dim light emitted from it, she looked over the boy's face.
It was Yerwan.
"Rue?! What are you.why are you.?" She clapped a palm over her friend's mouth and motioned to him to be quiet. She was relieved that her attacker was her best friend and not a ruthless pirate that had taken over the Wavesong. Yerwan seemed to think the same.
"I don't understand. How did you get on? Why are you here?" Rue explained clearly and asked him the same questions.
He blushed vividly in the candlelight. "I'm the Second Singer's private escort." Rue stared at him. "He told me I'm really good at Singer- script: translating, reading and writing. He said that I am probably better than he is! There's something he's trying to find and it's written in a mystical language. He thinks that I might be able to help. I don't understand why you wanted to come though."
'I'm curious,' signed Rue, "I want to know about his friend. Looks like we're here together though anyway.'
"But we're going to get in trouble if you stay! If the Second Singer finds you, then.I don't know what will happen. He might chuck you off the ship at the next port!"
'No he won't. If he doesn't find me.'
"But I can't hide you forever."
'As soon as the ship gets too far from the Isle, he won't bother to take me back. Anyway, I've brought my own rations and clothes so I won't be any trouble. I'll do my part in all the chores and stuff. He couldn't refuse!'
"Alright. But I had nothing to do with you, yes?"
'Yes.'
*
Two days later, Rue decided to reveal herself to the Second Singer. She was sick of the candlelit atmosphere in Yerwan's tiny cabin and she hadn't yet ventured outside. Using all the spare courage that she kept for emergencies, Rue plodded outside, temporarily blinded by welcoming sun.
When the Second Singer saw her outside his door, he frowned. "Rue, I know you wanted to come on this trip but you could have asked me. I wouldn't have refused. You could be just as useful as Yerwan if you wanted to be and no, I am not going to abandon you at the next port."
She was so shocked that when the Second Singer stood by the door and asked her to come in, she didn't hear him. But he dragged her inside eventually and she spotted Yerwan squatted on a cushion on the floor. He had told the Second Singer everything.
Because the Second Singer didn't understand her signs, Rue cursed her friend violently using her hands but with a sheepish smile on her face, as if to say 'Hello'. She sat on another cushion and smiled at the Singer while Yerwan wilted miserably. The Second Singer began.
"Far to the East, there is an Isle, similar to ours, except overrun with Quetzal. Quetzal are half-creatures, related to the merlee, centaurs and other legendary creatures. Humans signed a Treaty centuries ago that would prevent half-creatures being exploited - used as slaves. Unfortunately, some half-creatures are not good and loyal as most are. These Quetzals living on the Isle are vicious predators and have decided to build a Central Palace for their cause, using humans as slaves to build it. Some say it is ruled by a human. Our ancestors, who signed the Treaty, assumed that it would work the other way too. But now the cause of these half-creatures is to destroy us humans. Many have attempted to rescue family from the Isle, which has now been named the Isle of Slaves, but they have either been enslaved themselves or murdered. We are not going to fight these horrible creatures but there are caves, underwater, and merlee dwell there. One of the orderlies, Karmera (we call her Karm), can speak to the merlee. It is unusual that one should be able to keep the gift past their teens but." He paused, smiled and continued. ".Karm is our special link to the half-creatures.
"In these underwater caves, there are treasures and mysterious scripts that have never been read. Apparently, they have access to the Khiz- spells of Vengeance. It is not a nice way to retaliate to what they are doing but there is no other way. Recently, the First Singer had been contacting all the Kings within our range who would care that the Treaty was broken just this once so we may be safe. They have agreed to let us be. We are to search the Isle of Slaves for the spells and then deliver them back to the Echorium so we can arrange for the spells to be used. That is all. Any questions?"
Yerwan wiggled his hand in the air irritably, if a little too enthusiastic.
"Yes, Yerwan?"
"Aren't the Khiz evil, Singer? Can we use their spells without turning evil?"
"We can use their spells. Spells are not evil themselves. It just takes an evil person to find them and then they are manipulated. If we are not mistaken, the spells on the Isle of Slaves are pure. This means that they will not react the wrong way when we manipulate them ourselves. Basically, it is like clay. Pure clay can be many types and can be found in many different areas of the world but it can still be manipulated into shapes and figures. If it has already dried and someone else tries to model it, it will crack. Yes?"
Rue gaped at the Second Singer blankly but Yerwan seemed to understand. "Yes, but where did the spells come from?"
"That, no one knows. Some think it is from the core of the earth. Others think that spells are people's feelings combined with solid materials. It is an ancient secret."
Looking disappointed, Yerwan tried another question. "How do you know that the mystical language is Singer-script? Why did you choose me?"
"We don't. It would be helpful if it was but it is probably half- creature language, merlee scratches that even Karm can not translate. But you have proved you are talented in translation, Yerwan. Even if it isn't in Singer-script."
Yerwan beamed. That was the answer he had been hoping to hear. Suddenly, Rue thought of a question and signed it to Yerwan, who related it to the Second Singer.
"Rue says 'Why don't the Quetzals use the spells?', Singer."
"Well, Rue. One reason is that they probably don't know how to use human spells, no half-creatures do, and secondly they don't know the spells exist."
Rue signed urgently to her friend.
"Rue says 'But what if they are ruled by a human, a sorcerer perhaps, who knew how to use spells and what if they know the spells are there; they just aren't using them? What if they are using them as a trap to lure the Wavesong to the Isle?'"
The Second Singer stared at Rue intently. "An interesting observation, Rue. It is possible, I suppose, but we shall have to hope it doesn't happen. Quetzals are not very intelligent but if the rumours are true about a human and they know where the spells are, then we are in great danger."
Yerwan scowled at Rue. She had asked a question that even the Second Singer didn't know the answer to and for that she had earned respect. But he put it behind him and listened to the Second Singer closely, wondering how to get respect from him.
"I am now going to contact the Isle and I want both of you to watch. Please don't interrupt me.
"I am sure you know how I contact the Isle from here. We have covered a few leagues since noon today and the pace has been steady, the weather fine. It shouldn't be difficult to negotiate a link between the First Singer and myself. Watch."
He inhaled deeply through his nose and out through his mouth several times, very slowly, to calm his heartbeat so he could listen. He carefully lifted the bluestone strung about his broad chest over his mass of blue curls and cupped it in his hands. He hummed gently, Challa probably, and settled himself, relaxing all his muscles and closing his eyes. Rue could almost imagine him searching for the waves indicating the Echorium. He seemed to find it and opened his mouth to speak; but then he yelped and collapsed abruptly, leaving the two novices alone in the main cabin with an unconscious Second Singer.
*
Although boys were not strictly permitted to go into a girl's pallet, Yerwan stayed there for some time, discussing things with Rue. Rue was pleased that Yerwan, such a rule-abiding person, would break one of them for her. She was glad. Her foot, although the therapy was successful, was not properly healed yet and very stiff and she was to stay in her pallet for the next few days. Sometimes, she wandered if this was done by the Second Singer to deter her from stamping the floor again. It certainly worked.
The awful twins that had started the whole business were still innocent under their superiors but did not dare taunt Rue again. Instead, they satisfied their feelings by giving her dark looks in the corridor, surrounded by other tall female novices. It was very satisfying for Rue.
The Second Singer did indeed give his cloak to Dremon and Rue visited her frequently so they could work on it together. While they sewed the base, Yerwan translated the Singer-script that Singer Renn had given them on parchment so they could sew it on the cloak. It was a long story and it took time to translate it all. Yerwan was not always available at this time and Dremon and Rue had to continue without him. But Rue had so much spare time to fill that she was spending more of her time in Dremon's private pallet than in her own.
One morning, the Second Singer entered the pallet to talk to Dremon. They conversed in pallet-whispers so Rue would not overhear but as soon as he left, the old lady related everything to her.
"The Second Singer is going south. I don't know when exactly but he is going to the Quetzal Forest to meet a friend. He needs his cloak by then, ready and completed. Do you think we will have enough time to finish it by then?"
Rue shrugged. This was definitely important. It was the same friend he was meeting that restricted him from being First Singer. Somehow, she must get on that boat south and meet this friend. She didn't know why but it was like a voice was tugging her from the Echorium into the sea and beyond. Novices never travelled abroad unless under special circumstances. Then again, she wasn't an official novice.
*
Three months later, Rue was stuffing goat-skin tunics into a large leather case, trying to be practical and ignore the soft Echorium clothing, loaned to her by Dremon. She only had a sunstep to go before she would leave and the Echorium was searched. No one apart from Dremon was aware of her plan and she regretted not telling Yerwan. He was one of the few who understood her, and not just through signing either. They had developed a friendship that would never decay over time for they had known each other since infancy. And they also had no other friends between them except Dremon and some kind elders.
Rue peered at the rising tide. It would soon be midday, the arranged time for the departure of Wavesong, the official craft of the Echorium. Orderlies were already beginning to drag cases up the short ramp and into the adjoining cabin for storage. She had already decided that the simplest way to smuggle herself onto the ship was to hide in the last cabin, for she knew there was the Second Singer and seven orderlies travelling on the Wavesong with many crates of supplies. But she had packed her own rations anyway.
Taking the case, she noted it was quite heavy and she needed it to be as light as possible. Pausing to unpack an extra pair of sandals, she trundled the case out into the corridor and stopped. It was in the middle of Singing practice and the eerie melody of Shi drifted past her like heavy perfume. She felt unwelcome tears threaten her eyes and she hurried on, trying to stop the increasing misery rising inside her. By the time she got to the back exit, Rue was nearly bawling her relentless misery to the sky and exposing herself. The orderlies had finished the loading and two were hauling the ramp back in.
Squeaking in despair, Rue watched the Wavesong leave the Isle of Echoes on the dying tide. She realised too late that the Shi had delayed her precious moments. She had taken the long way around.
Determined to get on the ship, Rue backed away from the shore and prepared to run. The ship refused to wait for her and backed away with each moment she hesitated. Eventually, she sprinted along the coast, panting at the speed of her movement. She didn't even know she could run this fast. She put it down to desperation.
Then, she jumped. The momentum continued to propel her through the air at astonishing speed even after she had given up trying. For one awful, sickening second, she thought she was going to smash into the hull of the boat but she landed evenly on both feet in the middle of the deck.
Still recovering from the jump, it took her a moment to review her position. Then she fled from the surprised exclamations coming from below. Irritated stamps and groans could be heard approaching up the stairs nearby. In panic, she skipped lightly into the nearest cabin and shut the door on the light. It was blacker than any night she had ever known in that cabin. Looking around she saw, despite the absence of light, that it was very small. Thinking happily that it was the last cabin, the one she intended to hide in, she was totally vulnerable to the deadly knife that was suddenly poised to slit her throat. Tense and petrified, Rue listened to the shaking voice behind her: "What are.are you d-doing here, in-in- intruder?" It was more of a plea than a question and the knife was trembling. It was a male voice though Rue would have been surprised if he were older than she was. Thinking over the situation, she dropped her case to the floor gently. It made no more than a light thud but the knife flinched, as did the person holding it. She seized the knife by the blade and yanked it out of her opponent's grasp, which was not difficult, before pointing it at the chest.
Through the slivers of light that slipped through the door, Rue could see that her attacker was familiar and very small. She was surprised he could even reach her neck. Putting a finger to her lips, she gestured for her captive to come and sit on the bunk in the corner. He obeyed. A harsh voice called from the deck.
"Hey, boy! You hear anything? Are you alright? Thought there was a thump on deck. Could have been rain or dumb birds."
Rue glared at the boy and he replied quietly.
"I'm fine. I didn't hear a thump." The voice grumbled and shuffled off, calling to his friends, "OK! Just a false alarm! Let's get the Wavesong movin'!"
Rue sighed her relief and swiftly torched the wick of a candle sitting on the small table next to her. In the dim light emitted from it, she looked over the boy's face.
It was Yerwan.
"Rue?! What are you.why are you.?" She clapped a palm over her friend's mouth and motioned to him to be quiet. She was relieved that her attacker was her best friend and not a ruthless pirate that had taken over the Wavesong. Yerwan seemed to think the same.
"I don't understand. How did you get on? Why are you here?" Rue explained clearly and asked him the same questions.
He blushed vividly in the candlelight. "I'm the Second Singer's private escort." Rue stared at him. "He told me I'm really good at Singer- script: translating, reading and writing. He said that I am probably better than he is! There's something he's trying to find and it's written in a mystical language. He thinks that I might be able to help. I don't understand why you wanted to come though."
'I'm curious,' signed Rue, "I want to know about his friend. Looks like we're here together though anyway.'
"But we're going to get in trouble if you stay! If the Second Singer finds you, then.I don't know what will happen. He might chuck you off the ship at the next port!"
'No he won't. If he doesn't find me.'
"But I can't hide you forever."
'As soon as the ship gets too far from the Isle, he won't bother to take me back. Anyway, I've brought my own rations and clothes so I won't be any trouble. I'll do my part in all the chores and stuff. He couldn't refuse!'
"Alright. But I had nothing to do with you, yes?"
'Yes.'
*
Two days later, Rue decided to reveal herself to the Second Singer. She was sick of the candlelit atmosphere in Yerwan's tiny cabin and she hadn't yet ventured outside. Using all the spare courage that she kept for emergencies, Rue plodded outside, temporarily blinded by welcoming sun.
When the Second Singer saw her outside his door, he frowned. "Rue, I know you wanted to come on this trip but you could have asked me. I wouldn't have refused. You could be just as useful as Yerwan if you wanted to be and no, I am not going to abandon you at the next port."
She was so shocked that when the Second Singer stood by the door and asked her to come in, she didn't hear him. But he dragged her inside eventually and she spotted Yerwan squatted on a cushion on the floor. He had told the Second Singer everything.
Because the Second Singer didn't understand her signs, Rue cursed her friend violently using her hands but with a sheepish smile on her face, as if to say 'Hello'. She sat on another cushion and smiled at the Singer while Yerwan wilted miserably. The Second Singer began.
"Far to the East, there is an Isle, similar to ours, except overrun with Quetzal. Quetzal are half-creatures, related to the merlee, centaurs and other legendary creatures. Humans signed a Treaty centuries ago that would prevent half-creatures being exploited - used as slaves. Unfortunately, some half-creatures are not good and loyal as most are. These Quetzals living on the Isle are vicious predators and have decided to build a Central Palace for their cause, using humans as slaves to build it. Some say it is ruled by a human. Our ancestors, who signed the Treaty, assumed that it would work the other way too. But now the cause of these half-creatures is to destroy us humans. Many have attempted to rescue family from the Isle, which has now been named the Isle of Slaves, but they have either been enslaved themselves or murdered. We are not going to fight these horrible creatures but there are caves, underwater, and merlee dwell there. One of the orderlies, Karmera (we call her Karm), can speak to the merlee. It is unusual that one should be able to keep the gift past their teens but." He paused, smiled and continued. ".Karm is our special link to the half-creatures.
"In these underwater caves, there are treasures and mysterious scripts that have never been read. Apparently, they have access to the Khiz- spells of Vengeance. It is not a nice way to retaliate to what they are doing but there is no other way. Recently, the First Singer had been contacting all the Kings within our range who would care that the Treaty was broken just this once so we may be safe. They have agreed to let us be. We are to search the Isle of Slaves for the spells and then deliver them back to the Echorium so we can arrange for the spells to be used. That is all. Any questions?"
Yerwan wiggled his hand in the air irritably, if a little too enthusiastic.
"Yes, Yerwan?"
"Aren't the Khiz evil, Singer? Can we use their spells without turning evil?"
"We can use their spells. Spells are not evil themselves. It just takes an evil person to find them and then they are manipulated. If we are not mistaken, the spells on the Isle of Slaves are pure. This means that they will not react the wrong way when we manipulate them ourselves. Basically, it is like clay. Pure clay can be many types and can be found in many different areas of the world but it can still be manipulated into shapes and figures. If it has already dried and someone else tries to model it, it will crack. Yes?"
Rue gaped at the Second Singer blankly but Yerwan seemed to understand. "Yes, but where did the spells come from?"
"That, no one knows. Some think it is from the core of the earth. Others think that spells are people's feelings combined with solid materials. It is an ancient secret."
Looking disappointed, Yerwan tried another question. "How do you know that the mystical language is Singer-script? Why did you choose me?"
"We don't. It would be helpful if it was but it is probably half- creature language, merlee scratches that even Karm can not translate. But you have proved you are talented in translation, Yerwan. Even if it isn't in Singer-script."
Yerwan beamed. That was the answer he had been hoping to hear. Suddenly, Rue thought of a question and signed it to Yerwan, who related it to the Second Singer.
"Rue says 'Why don't the Quetzals use the spells?', Singer."
"Well, Rue. One reason is that they probably don't know how to use human spells, no half-creatures do, and secondly they don't know the spells exist."
Rue signed urgently to her friend.
"Rue says 'But what if they are ruled by a human, a sorcerer perhaps, who knew how to use spells and what if they know the spells are there; they just aren't using them? What if they are using them as a trap to lure the Wavesong to the Isle?'"
The Second Singer stared at Rue intently. "An interesting observation, Rue. It is possible, I suppose, but we shall have to hope it doesn't happen. Quetzals are not very intelligent but if the rumours are true about a human and they know where the spells are, then we are in great danger."
Yerwan scowled at Rue. She had asked a question that even the Second Singer didn't know the answer to and for that she had earned respect. But he put it behind him and listened to the Second Singer closely, wondering how to get respect from him.
"I am now going to contact the Isle and I want both of you to watch. Please don't interrupt me.
"I am sure you know how I contact the Isle from here. We have covered a few leagues since noon today and the pace has been steady, the weather fine. It shouldn't be difficult to negotiate a link between the First Singer and myself. Watch."
He inhaled deeply through his nose and out through his mouth several times, very slowly, to calm his heartbeat so he could listen. He carefully lifted the bluestone strung about his broad chest over his mass of blue curls and cupped it in his hands. He hummed gently, Challa probably, and settled himself, relaxing all his muscles and closing his eyes. Rue could almost imagine him searching for the waves indicating the Echorium. He seemed to find it and opened his mouth to speak; but then he yelped and collapsed abruptly, leaving the two novices alone in the main cabin with an unconscious Second Singer.
*