Chapter 14 – Truth in Tales

Vivi learned a few days after her coming of age ceremony that it wasn't an empty ritual to signify adulthood. There was knowledge that came with it and now her father could share it with her.

The nomads in the north told stories of mystical, magical objects that granted their owners amazing abilities; magic carpets, lamps of wondrous power, other strange potions, and fantastical creatures.

The nomads were good storytellers, but they did not spend their days spinning yarns. Separate from the general populace yet loyal to the monarchy, the nomads guarded the spring that fed the great river Sandora. The spring was sacred to them and they would let no outsider get near it. The tribes had kept it free and flowing for thousands of years and had most recently kept it out of the clutches of Baroque Works agents. That is why older generations called them "The Keepers of the Waters."

Vivi took a deep breath and then said, "It's not only the Sandora they protect. The Water of Life is not a story and the nomads guard it now like they have for a thousand years."

Shocked silence filled the room. The shadow of the Water of Life loomed in the most spectacular stories – villains craved it for dark schemes, heroes sought it for noble purposes, and alchemists attempted to duplicate it. Wars were fought for it. Great tragedies were created by it. Or so the legends said…

But Vivi was saying that this was no legend. This was a secret that had stayed within her family for thousand of years, Kohza thought. He could use the knowledge in myriad ways, for good or ill. Considering their recent history, she was making a very bold statement about her faith in all of them.

"The only way we will succeed is if you know the truth," Vivi said, glancing up at Kohza. "And I trust you. I trust all of you."

Eric repeated the warning that was threaded through all the stories. "'It bears a high price.' What's the 'high price'?"

"I don't know," Vivi said. "The nomads do and maybe Bracken does as well."

Kebi voiced their fear. "Bracken and the Water of Life…"

"We can't let that happen," Okame declared.

Vivi nodded. "We must stop him to save the people who are following him. The nomads will kill anyone who gets too close, no matter the reason."

"Then we have to convince them otherwise and figure out a way to stop Bracken," Kohza said firmly.

"We'll have to leave now," Vivi added. She waved off the protests that were already forming on Eric and Kohza's lips. "Yes. I'm going. The nomads might listen to you, Leader, but they will to listen to me."

"And why's that?" Kohza asked.

"Chief Urgano." Vivi laughed at the displeased expression on Kohza's face. "I don't think you'll get far talking to him on your own."

Kohza pushed his hands through his hair. There would be no way around the chief and considering how well their last meeting went. He sighed. "You're right."

"Of course she is," Okame said.

Kohza gave the other girl a withering look then said to Vivi, "Let's go over what we planned after you…ah. Look at this."

Vivi studied the weathered map of the kingdom that was laid on the table. She followed his finger as he gave an outline of their journey.

"We'll get passage to Ermalu. From there, we can take a river barge up the Sandora. Then we walk the rest of the way."

Vivi couldn't find fault with the plan, but the idea of passing near Rainbase made her nervous. Baroque Works agents might have returned to their old headquarters. She said as much to the others.

"Then they might have left clues as to what they're up to. We'll have to be careful though." Kohza looked at Eric. "And prepared."

Vivi remembered the short list of Officer Agents that might still be in the country. Could anyone prepare themselves for an enemy with Devil Fruit powers? The sickening crack as Miss All-Sunday brought Pell down echoed in her head.

"We should go to the docks and try to find the three of you a ship that leaves for Ermalu," Okame suggested.

"Anyone have ideas on how to pay for that?" Kebi asked.

Kohza stood up. "We'll be okay."

"You have money?" Eric asked, but Kohza only smiled.

It was time for him to take advantage of his notoriety.

===============

Kohza left the newly restored city building escorted by the Mayor of Nanohana. Vivi, who had been waiting across the street for him with the others, immediately pulled her hood closer around her face and tried not to laugh at what happened next.

"I'll send word right away, young man! Just take that missive to the dock warden and he'll put you on the first ship out, no questions asked. Then use the other document – "

" - and do the same in Ermalu. Thank you very much, sir." Kohza tried to extract his hand from the enthusiastic grip of the mayor. "And if you would keep this to yourself…"

"Mum's the word! You can count on me!" the mayor exclaimed; attracting the attention of everyone in the immediate area. The mayor pumped Kohza's arm up and down a few more times before returning to his office. When Kohza was sure that the man wouldn't pop back out to give another ebullient farewell, he found his friends.

"Someone has a fan," Kebi remarked.

Vivi couldn't help herself and said, "And someone was worried about me giving us away?"

He smiled back ruefully. "Yeah, yeah. We'll be out of town before he can get word to the palace, assuming that he does. So let's go over this one more time."

"Okame and I will send messages to whomever we can find. Maybe a few of the others can meet you in Rainbase. And we'll make sure Eyelash makes it back to Alubana safely." Kebi glanced over his shoulder at Okame, who was holding the reins of the camel.

"You won't mind staying with me for a while, will you, boy? You're such a good boy, aren't you? Yes you are. You most certainly are." Okame patted his nose and the camel's eyes rolled into the back of his head.

"You'd almost think that animal is…" Kebi shook his head. "Anyway."

"We're set, Leader," Eric concluded.

"Then let's go."

Vivi walked next to Okame, wondering about the next step of their adventure. Should she try and contact her father? There were so many reasons why she should but she hadn't asked Kohza about it. Her father was probably worried. And if Baroque Works was involved, the northern tribes alone might not be enough to protect the Water of Life. Perhaps she should suggest it –

She stopped.

No.

"Vivi?" someone asked.

Impossible!

She sprinted away. She ignored the cries that followed her as she raced into the crowd, pushing past people, calling out breathless apologies. Her eyes were on a green cloak that was always just too far ahead of her.

Gaining, she was gaining! She stretched out her hand to catch the hood - and was yanked firmly back.

"Let go of me! Let go!" she spit angrily. The grip on her arm was loosened and she pulled away, but her quarry had been swallowed by the bustle of the marketplace. All her anger disappeared, leaving her feeling empty.

"Gone. He's gone."

"Don't do that!" Kohza wasn't sure why he was so angry that Vivi had bolted, but he yelled anyway, taking the cowl of her cloak and yanking it firmly over her face. "Don't ever run away like that again!"

Kebi was at Kohza's elbow. He touched his friend's sleeve in warning. "People are getting curious…"

Kohza grabbed Vivi's wrist. His firm hold brooked no argument, but he was surprised when she didn't argue and allowed him to lead her back to the others.

He didn't know that all Vivi could see was the moonlight on a million crosses and a searing red explosion.

====================

A/N: (wipes sweat off brow) Phew. That took a bit too long to finish. Sorry everyone. I tried to guess-timate how many chapters this might round out to; a safe estimate was thirty. I hope that doesn't turn anyone off from the story. I meant to make this a tight, short narrative and that has not happened in the least. My apologies to those who think this is dragging and if you don't think it's dragging, I guess no apologies are necessary! J