Author's Note- Sorry for the wait, but I started writing a response for a Power Rangers (kinda cool huh?) challenge. AND I finished up Chapter 12 for this story. Review and check out my website if you haven't already…and if you do, let me know if my graphics are showing up (they like to do disappearing tricks).
The Journey of Escaflowne: Book One
Chapter Three
Hitomi awoke to a soft humming that played on her subconscious. The tune was oddly familiar, but she couldn't place it. A haunting melody that slowly lulled the listener into a sense of calm.
Green eyes slowly opened, and stiff arms rose above a honey colored head. After rubbing away the sleep, Hitomi turned to see Magna fiddling with various bottles on the single shelf in the room. She was mixing their contents with a mortar and pestle. The hum faded from her ears and was replaced by the old woman's greeting.
"Rise n' shine! Ya need to hurry and eat yer breakfast before it gets cold. Then I can take ya outside. The fresh air would do ya some good."
Hitomi silently celebrated at the idea of getting out of bed. She was so sick of it! But then memories of the day before began to filter past the sleep in her brain. "Excuse me, but I can't exactly stand you know. I-"
Magna had crossed the room and had begun massaging her fingers against Hitomi's temples in timed intervals. The action left her feeling dizzy and disoriented. "Hey! What are you doing?"
Suddenly the room righted itself and the ceiling stopped spinning like a merry-go-round. Magna's fingers had been removed and the old cuke had taken a step backwards. The therapeutic measures left Hitomi feeling strangely relieved. Talk about voodoo.
"Whoa. W-what did you do?"
"Stand up."
"But I-"
"Stand up!"
Hitomi reluctantly moved to her knees and held a hand out to brace herself in case she fell. Little by little she moved to one foot and then the other. Her legs straightened and she even took a small step forward. Hey! She could walk!
Braver now, the seeress walked several more steps and did a little hop.
"How did you do that?"
"A woman never reveals her secrets," the healer replied mysteriously (if not creepily). "Now you'll eat properly at the table. Lester and Marid have already left ta tend the flocks, but ya can see them later. Okay? Good."
She steered Hitomi out the door into a much larger room. It too was also dome-shaped but had four curtains for doors. A large wooden table stood in the very middle surrounded by eight chairs; three on either side and two on either end. A small stone stove and fireplace were built into the far wall next to a large basin. A simple but clean rug covered most of the dirt floor. Magna pointed to each of the doors in turn.
"That's the room Lester and I stay in. That one there is Marid's room. Here's your breakfast."
The stew was cold, and now that Hitomi wasn't as hungry as the night before, it didn't taste quite as great. But the cold muck was passable. Barely.
Magna sat down next to her and stared intently before asking, "Where ya from?"
Uneasiness bulged in Hitomi's stomach. She wasn't sure how to reply. Even though they had been kind to her she really didn't really know these people (they had, after all, accused her of being a spy). Somehow she doubted that coming out and saying she from the Mystic Moon was going to higher their opinion of her sanity.
A little fib never hurt anybody.
"The East."
The elderly woman looked at her blankly. "Where in the East? What were ya doin' out in the desert by yer lonesome?"
Hitomi ignored the first question but addressed the second one, "My family and I were traveling from Fanelia in a levi-ship when it caught fire. I was able to jump out by sliding down the anchor. My parents didn't make it." Hitomi bowed her head in the guise of mourning. Even though she knew only a psycho would believe such a tale. But considering who she was talking to...
"Oh, ya poor dear. I am so sorry. Ya know what? I'll take ya to the village elder. He'll know what ya should do."
Hitomi had no idea what the village elder was, but she owed it to this woman to give it a shot. Besides, maybe this elder character knew how to get her to Fanelia. To Van.
So once she had finished her meal and chased it down with a sweet drink called plage (a substance that tingled as it went down her throat), the odd duo left the hut. Outside was warm, but not hot, and clouds filled the sky. The ground was hard and dry. Only weeds grew between the cracks. Trees were scarce and the only grass was found in small gardens outside each hut. Every home looked similar with minor changes in size and layout. There were no streets, but paths worn down from horses and karts passing through them. Overall it was a small village, perhaps sixty homes. But as dull as the place appeared, the people were a different story.
It was just past dawn and already it seemed everyone in Casanada was up and about. Bakers and weavers were taking their goods to the center of the village where there appeared to be a small market place. Bright colors were seen everywhere as people passed by in robes and flowing dresses. Not a single soul appeared to be dressed casual. It was so…uncanny. The vividly clad citizens moving about in a barren world of their own.
"Well at least I wont stick out," muttered to herself, remembering with dislike the atrocious dress she was wearing.
Magna shook her hands in impatience. "Stop yer starrin' and get a move on."
The village elder lived on the very outskirt of the village ,away from the hustle and bustle of the peoples' activities. And yet another wonder, the elder's home stuck out like a sore thumb next to the thatched huts. It was a bright orange tent twice the size of Magna's own humble house and was intricately beaded with red glass. A tall woman stood outside the entrance and immediately puffed up when she notice Hitomi and Magna approaching.
"What are you doing here, Fragler? You know that you're not allowed to bother the elder. We wouldn't want a repeat of last time now would we?"
Magna turned cold eyes to the imperial looking woman and said icily, "Of course not, Camber. We wouldn't want ya to make a fool of yerself again." Camber stuck her nose in the air and looked down at the two in distaste.
"Who is she?"
"Well that really aint yer business, is it? She's here ta see the elder an that's all ya need to know."
Camber 'humphed' and examined her nails as if bored. "The elder is busy and asked not to be disturbed. He doesn't have time for…Hey! You can't go in there!"
Magna had grabbed Hitomi's wrist and yanked her in the tent without looking back. She clucked in dislike. "That was Sadie Camber. She be a rotten snake of a woman who got it in fer me. You do best to ignore her."
They came to a halt outside of a beaded curtain, and stood there for a good few minutes. Hitomi began shifting her weight from one foot to the other nervously. She had been yanked around like a rag doll ever since she'd arrived and didn't plan on getting use to it any time soon. Her body worked just fine on its own thank you very much.
"Who exactly is this elder anyway? And how will he get me to Fanelia?" she asked still slightly ruffled from the other day. Her pendent was in Fanelia with Van, and no matter how awkward it might be seeing him after such a long time, it was her best chance at getting home…well to Earth anyway. One step at a time.
"The elder is a very wise man who can predict the future and see inta other realms. This one's been our elder fer nearly fifty years now and has the respect of the entire village. So listen ta what he has ta say."
"Fifty years? How old is he?"
"Ahhhh! Never ask that question! It's a sore spot fer the elder, so ya best not bring it up in conversation. Lets just say he don't think it natural to live over 110 years."
Hitomi nodded and mentally added it to her list of things not say while in the presence of others, right under the fact that she had visions…well speak of the devil. In Magna's bony hands was none other than the bane of her existence. The tarot cards. Hitomi winced when she remembered this was how she got in this whole mess in the first place. She shouldn't have touched them. She should have let fate remain in the shadows. But no, she was to damn stubborn not too.
"These were in yer pocket when Marid found ya. I just wanted them in safe keepin'."
Hitomi highly doubted that the latter was true. Her host appeared to be a very curious person and didn't doubt that she had rifled though her deck a few times trying to figure out how they worked. Hitomi wearily accepted them and quickly tucked the pack away in the folds of her dress. A deep voice sounded from the other sound of the curtain.
"Enter."
Hitomi swallowed fretfully and went through.
"No. Just the girl," the voice resonated after Magna began following her in. The old woman ignored Hitomi's pleading look and left the tent head bowed. The girl took a couple more steps into the incense filled room, but stopped at the sight of the elder.
He sat on a cushion placed in front of an oriental table with his hands clasped in prayer. His form was decrepit and marred with scars. Blind eyes were wide as he chanted quietly just below a whisper.
She approached him and hesitantly kneeled on the other side of the table. He didn't acknowledge her presence or stop his prayer. And as the minutes ticked by Hitomi grew more and more on edge. The sweet sent wafting through the air caused her head to spin in circles and burned her eyes. Hesitantly she asked, "Can…Will you help me find my way to Fanelia?"
The elder's head rose slowly, and as if he could see he peered straight into her eyes. His words were slow and strained as he croaked, "I will do what is in your best interest, Hitomi."
Eyes widened, and she asked suspiciously, "How did you know my name?"
His lips gave a faint smile of amusement. "I did not know your name, but They did. They tell me many things, and They have a lot to say of you, girl from the Mystic Moon."
A gasp. That was impossible! And who was 'they'? And what were they telling this man? She remained silent though and didn't voice her questions. Curiously, the elder removed three twenty sided dice from his robes and rolled them between his fingers. "Do you know what these are for, Hitomi?" he asked.
She shook her head 'no'.
"These," he began, "like your cards that you carry, help me to see into the past, present, and future. They take a certain talent to be used properly. One, that I understand, you possess."
He offered the dice to her. "So here," he instructed, "roll them and tell me what you see." Hitomi shook her head in protest. "But I-I don't know how to read them. I-I've never seen anything like this before," she tried to dissuade him.
"You should have more faith in your gifts, otherwise your insecurities and fears will influence the readings you receive, and if you have enough power you could change the future. And that is something strictly forbidden from any seer."
Hitomi shook her head and protested, "I can't. I-I won't."
Flashes of blood, of war, burned her inner eye. The visions from years ago that still haunted her dreams.
Panic rose in her voice. "When I predict the future, bad things happen. My-my anxiety chooses the worst possible outcome. That's the reason I left Gaea!" A tan hand flew to cover her mouth and she willed for the words she had spoken to disappear. She had never admitted to anyone the awful truth behind why she left. She didn't want everyone to know that she…was a coward.
Hitomi had been too afraid that she might do more damage to those she loved. So she ran, ran as far she could. After what Varie, Van's mother, told her, she was so frightened. Hitomi had firmly pledged not to predict the future any longer.
The elder seemed to know what she was thinking and said, "My child, I am not asking you to predict the future; I'm asking you to see it. There is a grave amount of difference between the two. When you see the future you are getting a vision of what will come to pass if no outside powers intervene. But when you predict the future (which is what you've always done in the past) your emotions subconsciously choose a future from all the possibilities. Do you understand, Hitomi?"
She looked unsure but answered, "I-I think so." The elder reached for something on the floor and set it on the table. Hitomi leaned closer and noticed that it was a wooden spinner. Thin black lines separated twenty different colors and the arrow in the center was left unpainted. He gave it a strong spin, but his blind eyes stayed on Hitomi.
"Now," he began, "this should help." A bent finger pointed to the spinner. "Right now there are no outside forces effecting the spinner, so the color that it stops on will be one chosen by fate." His lids closed for only a moment before opening.
"I see that it will land on gray," hestated as though it were a matter of fact.
And sure enough after another half minute of spinning the arrow stopped on the gray sliver.
He began the spinner again. And again he closed his eyes briefly. "This time orange. But now, Hitomi, I want you to predict what the outcome will be."
Unable to resist, she shut her eyes and pictured the spinner in her head. The arrow went around and around until…it stopped. Black. It would stop on black.
She reopened her eyes and waited for the arrow to come to a halt.
Mouth open, she stared in wonder at the black sliver. She was right! The arrow landed on black.
"You see, I saw the color that fate intended for the arrow to land on (orange) or rather that destiny They had chosen. But you used your prediction to choose one of the other nineteen colors or destinies. You are the outside force. It can be very dangerous to have your power, and it is my hope that you no longer use it. It will corrupt you as you use it for your own needs and wants. It is not your place to interfere with fate."
Hitomi couldn't help feeling undignified at the accusation he made. To say that she would only use it for her own selfish desires. When had she ever done such a thing…then realization set in, as she remembered the incident in Asturia. One destiny had been changed for another, just because she didn't like the results!
"It takes someone with a great deal of power to predict. I myself have never been able to do so. And I've only known one other person besides you who can accomplish it. Seeing will be new to you, as it takes a different type of concentration, but with a bit of practice I believe you'll adapt to it well."
Her heart skipped a beat. Had he said practice? That sounded long term. Did that mean she wouldn't be leaving? Her thoughts were interrupted when the elder handed over the three die, not to be turned down. She took them and analyzed the signs carefully. Only one of the dice had numbers and it was painted black. The other two each had small symbols etched into the surfaces; one painted white and the other red. She nestled them between her hands and shook them gently. The elder spoke.
"Think of nothing but the dice in your hands. Do not think about the outcomes, just them moving around in your hands. And once you feel you're ready, let them go."
Hitomi did just that, and the three dice fell beside each other in a neat row onto the table. The first one was red and had the symbol of an egg facing up. The second die showed the picture of a bear head. And the last die showed the number 3.
An egg.
The head of a bear.
A 3.
What did they mean? She looked to the elder in question.
"You must decide if all three of the dice are connected or not. Two could be telling you of your past and perhaps one is showing you the present. You must look inside yourself and see which is which," he said wisely. Hitomi reached a hand over the dice and concentrated on her gut feeling, not digging too deep to where her emotions lay.
A subtle twist.
That was it! The first two were telling her of the present and the last one…was her future. A smile broke across her face, but she soon found herself frowning again. But what did they mean?
The egg and the bear head.
Like before she concentrated on a different level than she was used to and found the answer more quickly.
"My powers are being reborn and I must find the strength to get through my past."
The elder nodded his head and signaled her to continue. The 3. She stilled her thoughts and waited for the definition to float to the top of her mind and then grabbed it before it surfaced. It meant… "In the future I will be reunited with someone from my past and the encounter will effect my present greatly."
"Very good, very good. You were vague, but it will come to you easier after more practice."
Hitomi looked down at her hands resting in her lap. She didn't like the way this conversation was going. He spoke of practice, but she hoped to be in Fanelia before too long. The elder seemed to have different ideas.
"I have consulted They, and They say that I shall instruct you and give you my knowledge. No," he said when he saw her about to interrupt, "it is not time for you to return to the king yet."
Her fists clenched in anger. What right did he have in telling her what she was to do? She needed to see Van. She couldn't stand being so close to him yet so far away. "I really don't think my place is here, elder. I haven't seen my friends in years and they would want to know that I have arrived. So if you would please tell which direction to start walking in." But the elder only shook his head in despair.
"I see that we will have to work on your patience. These next several months are going to be a challenge. But if They wish it, then I must."
"Several months? Months! I-I can't-"
He raised his hand for silence. "You are no longer to use the phrase 'I can't'. They are foolish words that are often lies. And as you will be my apprentice, my word is law. You shall meet me here before dawn every morning ready to listen. The Fraglers will give you room and bored and in turn you shall work for them. No complaints," he ordered.
Shoulders slumped; Hitomi couldn't do anything but nod. Did she really have a choice? It was either walk into the desert without a clue which way was north or to stay in this quaint village and be tutored by an elder who seemed to have it out for her. So she chose life (no matter how much of a pain in the rear it would be).
End Chapter Three