So, this is the end of Part 1 (dont' know why I have it as chapters for the labels.) I hope you all enjoy.- Miveen

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It was night. A full moon rested like a shining disk of silver in the center of the blue-black velvet sky. Surrounding it, a billion flickering stars shone down. Book of Ti'ana

There was only a murmur of noise out on the sands; the faintest sound of the wind moving back and forth. As the stars pulsed and shone overhead, Atrus imagined it was silent enough to hear them.

Two weeks; he and his family had stayed here now for two weeks. Tomorrow it was time that they headed back to Tomahna.Eedrah would be wondering when they would be coming back.

Yet even as he thought about what lay in store for him upon his return, Atrus found himself considering remaining just a little bit longer.

"No," he scolded himself. "We have to go back."

Yeesha would be upset at having to leave. She had grown attached to the place, Atrus could tell. He often saw her just sitting and staring at the small, scraggly, baby tree they had found on the second day they were here. After, she would seem preoccupied and even a little lost but she always returned to the same spot.

Hearing the sound of footsteps approaching, Atrus tilted his head to one side, acknowledging her presence, but didn't look over. Catherine bent down beside him and rested a hand on his shoulder.

"What are you thinking about?" she asked.

"Yeesha and how she and the Cleft just seem to match."

"Yeesha and the desert match."

Atrus nodded his head twice. Catherine was right, Yeesha and the desert did seem to match. Just watching her as she walked about on the sands, her protective cloak fluttering out behind her, anyone could see she fit in here. More so then he, Atrus, ever had.

Catherine shifted positions agitatedly. Glancing over at her where she now sat cross-legged on the ground, Atrus could see that she seemed disturbed. Catherine obviously wanted to say something but was still forming the words. Content to wait- Atrus returned his gaze to the sky.

Sighing in frustration, Catherine at last spoke.

"Atrus, I think it is time you taught Yeesha how to write."

Echoes of another time and voice floated through his mind. A pair of pale eyes staring into his own with crazed obsession flaring in them, two hands painfully gripping his young shoulders.

I plan to make you my apprentice, Atrus, and teach you about the books. Would you like that? Book of Atrus

Pushing away the memory, Atrus stared at his wife. He could see the determination in her eyes; she wanted Yeesha to learn the Art more then anything. And why shouldn't Yeesha? She was old enough or- well- as old as Catherine was when she learned to write. But Atrus and Catherine had both been taught by Gehn, even now his teaching in some ways polluting everything they did. Atrus had struggled long and hard against it until he realized that his father had no control over his life anymore. Still, Atrus feared for his daughter that somehow, something might overcome her and destroy her.

"You don't know what you are asking for," he said.

"Yes I do. Yeesha deserves the right to learn- you cannot withhold it from her!"

"Catherine, my love, think-"

"I have done a lot of thinking. I know how scared you are, I am scared too. But I also trust in the Maker and believe that he will protect her."

Atrus didn't feel like telling her yet again that he didn't believe in the Maker. His mind was too logical for something like a Creator of All. It also drew too many memories about his father playing "god." But Catherine believed in Yahvo and so Atrus tried never to argue with her about it.

"Catherine..." he started, not knowing what it was he wanted to say.

Leaning forward suddenly, Catherine stared up into his face, her green eyes glowing in the moonlight.

"I also believe in you," she whispered, kissing him.

--

Yeesha was supposed to be asleep but it had eluded her for hours now. Neither one of her parents were back in from watching the stars out on the surface so, standing up, she decided that she was going to walk about.

There wasn't much in the Cleft, only four small rooms. Yeesha could see the potential of there being another, though it would take more tools and time then she had to carve it out of the stone. Father had insisted that they were leaving to return to Tomahna tomorrow. She didn't want to leave but had no choice...at least right now she didn't. Maybe some day when she was older she could revisit the Cleft. Though for right now, she had to content herself with wandering about one final time.

As always, the pool drew her to it. For some reason the tiny pool, with its precious supply of water and the struggling tree beside it, called to her. Sitting beside it, her thoughts ran wild but always seemed to make sense. It was only when she moved away that she felt confused and out of focus.

The stars were reflecting bright in the calm water. All around it the blue flowers were closed up tight for the night. Yeesha reached out a hand and brushed her fingers across the water, disturbing the reflection. Softly she recited the prophecy from Terahnee to herself.

"Flowers in the desert. The child's eyes

Opened wide.

A thousand million stars dance

In the dark mirror of the pool." Book of D'ni

Katran often recited that prophecy while looking at Atrus and when she thought that he wasn't listening. Yet Yeesha heard. She even once found and read the book that Katran had compiled, writing about what happened with the D'ni before Yeesha was ever born. After reading that Yeesha couldn't help but marvel at her father's path.

But in her marveling she also felt wonder and fear about her own path. What was it? Where was it? She was nothing, no one. Only a descendant of greats; wonderful people who had brought so much to the D'ni while she...she...

What?

Laying her head on the ground, Yeesha sighed. She could still see the star's reflections in the pool, the faintest ripples seeming to make them sway in the night sky.

"A thousand million stars dance..." she murmured.

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