Chapter Four

Chances

The day seemed to drag along at a lethargic pace for the rest of the daylight hours. The pod regrouped towards the inlet where the ancient glacier slowly crawled back to where it had began millions of years before, so the adults could rest, before they held their dispute for the fate of Sage. Few of the adults would allow Sage near them, or their children, in fear of what had happened, so Sage was left mostly alone for the tedious stretch of time.
The calf's mind was in turmoil. Sage understood little of what had happened. Why had Gol attempted to save him, by lessening the blow? Why hadn't he spoken out the truth of Uton's crime?
Why? Why? Why? Why? Why?
Every question began with Why?
Throughout the day, Keeki was alongside Sage, comforting her child with her loving songs, her touch and her very presence. "I don't believe you killed Aris on purpose," she whispered, as she rested her pectoral fin behind Sage's dorsal. "No matter what happens my son, I am proud of you."
Sage blew as a sigh, unsure of what to say. Should he admit the truth of Uton's sin? He was unsure, his mind swimming in anxiety and fear. He glanced up with his eyes, nuzzling against his mother for her comfort, but unable to utter a single song.
Keeki rolled her eye to look at her calf, her tender eyes glancing in curiosity. "Why do you fall so silent? Your song is so beautiful, yet you don't sing…" She stroked his flank gently, sighing in song. "Sage, is there something you hide from me and the pod?"
Thoughts of the chance to avoid reprimand ricocheted throughout the mind of Sage. Would she believe him if he told? And even if she did, would others? Was it a good idea to explain? Or was it something he should hold within him, shelter the truth forever?
"Mother," Sage asked, glancing with his wet eyes at the bulk of his mother. "If someone did something wrong, but avoided being seen in the act, what would happen to them?"
A glint of curiosity crept into Keeki's eye. She blinked, pondering the question for a moment, before replying gently with, "They would escape persecution of the pod, but never would they escape the persecution of the conscience. The mind would forever sketch the memory into their head, scarring them forever, making them relive the memory over and over… The conscience has the ethics of right and wrong, helping to make one choose the decision that is right, and although it may be a wonderful gift my Sage, it can be a terrible weapon of self-destruction, if it is ignored. Many a creature who has ignored their conscience over their lives have well wound up in complete madness…"
Sage blew in a sigh. His conscience was turmoiling within his skull, pounding harder than waves in a great storm of winds. He glanced into a chunk of ice that floated upon the surface, observing his reflection upon the floe. Breaking away from his mother's embrace, he floated next to the berg, watching the orca that mimicked his moves, expressions, but not the soul.
What is it that can be seen in you? Do I see truth? Do I see lies? Do I see fear? Do I see courage? Do I see honour? Do I see shame? What is it that I see in my-self, that others cannot see? And what is there that they see, which I cannot focus upon to observe to myself?
Rambling thoughts were severed, as he felt the soft, warm touch of the mother, as she sided up next to him, nuzzling him once more. Although she was large with calf, the love for her firstborn was everlasting and no less than the moment he had been born. "Pay no heed to your conscience my son," she whispered in song to his ears alone. "What it says to you, that is was your fault, that you should explain more…" she paused, lifting his sunken spirits with a small note of song, a lullaby she always sung to him. "A conscience is but a guide. It is the decision of whom owns the conscience to how they interpret what it tells to them, and how they act accordingly. A singer is judged, not by the song, character, strength or appearance of them-selves, but by the deeds they perform with their skills. A conscience helps to make the choices that form the legacy a name will forever carry, with every intention for the right choices."
Sage absorbed the information the mother told of him, adding it to his memory as a possible song he could one day sing. He gave a chirrup of agreement and content, as he nuzzled his mother. "Thank you… Your song is beautiful mother…"
With a small chuckle, she tilted her head side-to-side as a sign of disagreement. "No Sage… Your song is more magnificent than any of the pod put together. None could ever overtop your song." Keeki paused as she held the moment of embrace in her heart. Then, "Sage… Every singer sings of something that inspires his or her songs. Okura sings of the great hunts he has been in, Kiera sings of her younger brother, Okura… I sing for you, my love for you…" Watching her calf, she blinked slowly, gazing down with her open eyes of affection. "What is it, that you sing for, my Sage?"
Tilting his head to the right in wonder, Sage blinked in confusion, "I… don't know. I just like to--"
"You sing Sage," rang a voice. Gol, the song-master. The elder male swam forward, smiling at the mother and calf. "For the great hero of legend of past, Ecco. You sing of a tale that has captured your heart and has provided you with the motivation to sing." Gol smiled with his eyes, glancing his vision between Sage and Keeki slowly. "Keeki, I wish to sing alone with Sage for some time? May I?"
More confusion and curiosity swamped into Keeki's eyes. She blinked, and sighed, before replying, "The choice is not mine. You wish to speak with my son, and I have few objections. But, will my son listen to you in this time of tragedy?"
"Yes, he will," Gol answered for Sage, giving him a firm, yet soft look. "For it is known to Sage, questions that he needs answers, that only I may answer to, as with my questions that require his answers…"
Sage looked up to his mother. "I will listen and sing with Gol. He speaks correct of the questions I wish to ask of him, and of the answers I hold that his mind questions." With a fake smile in his eyes at his mother's concerned eyes, Sage added, "Worry not mother… I would not withhold information from you, that I share with the song-master."
Blowing again in a sigh, Keeki brushed her body against her child's, "Very well. I shall converse with the pod-masters about this matter. But please be swift in your singing… Be it that you are indeed banished my son, I wish to spend every moment I can to touch, sing and love with you…"
"I shall mother. We will sing quickly."
With a nod, Keeki hauled her large flukes to haul her child-bloated body, moving away from the song-master and her calf. Sage felt more alone as she left, but understood that she had to leave in order to converse in private.
As soon as she was out of hearing range, Sage exploded into a fury of questions. "What is going on? Why did you step in like that? Why did you lie? Did you see what happened? How did…"
With a simple low note for silence, Sage fell hushed before the song-master. With keen eyes, Gol watched with bemused quiet for a few moments before venturing, "Do you know what really happened to Aris, Sage? For, I find it hard to believe that a simple game would result in death…"
Sage glanced about nervously, his eyes hyperactive sprats, unsure of how to answer. Was Gol trying to test him? If so, what was the correct answer.
"It was Uton, wasn't it?" another voice asked. The sweeter tone of Elli. As he turned, Sage found himself staring at the fiery rage of Elli. "I've seen it in Uton's eyes and heard in his flat song before, that he's wanted to kill Aris. I know that you would, and could, never kill a pod member Sage. It was Uton, who finally lost control and did it, am I right Sage?"
After a few seconds of thought, Sage nodded, "Yes. Uton was the one who murdered Aris in cold blood, landing a blow of spite with the flukes that snapped the spine of life. He conspired with Bria to shift the blame to me." Finally having let others know, Sage felt a sudden dose of cold, clammy dread warm and melt into a more joyous emotion.
Elli snarled her teeth in anger, her rage mutating her beautiful song into one of great hate and desires for vengeance and violence. Gol, however looked on calmly, nodding as if his very suspicions had been fulfilled and answered. After a few moments of Elli's growls, Gol spoke up, "Sage… I know that you would want Uton to feel the brunt of this, but there is something else about this, that I wish for you to do…" he paused, beginning to circle the two calves. "Sage, I am greatly impressed in your song, as I am also with that of yours, Elli. However, there is more to the song than simply repeating what you are sung."
Sage watched and listened in curiosity, as Elli blinked in confusion.
"Sage, the song develops strong during youth. But, few calves aren't prepared to leave the pod, or else mothers to their children. But this is a chance for you to travel young and learn the strengths of the song, by singing alongside singers of other kinds, and seeing sights and experiencing life in different waters than this frozen world," Gol smiled, his voice open and cheerful.
Sage was in shock at what Gol was suggesting, but Elli was disgusted. She exploded, "How… How can you say that? How can you allow the adults to blame Sage for the death of Aris, and Uton escapes without mention? For a song-master, keeper of the ancient songs and the pod seer, your ideas are not very honourable!"
Gol turned to Elli, "Elli, if you were in Uton's place, what would you think? If you are worried that Uton will never receive what he deserves, do not fear. Maybe days, moons, or years, but one day he will succumb to his guilt. His guilt will overwhelm him. And also, the adults will understand the story, for I must sing the song of the pod, when I pass on to the end… the beginning, and all present will hear the song, if I do not xplain it to them beforehand." Gol paused, watching the two calves again. "Yes my friends… Aris' passing is indeed most saddening, with the acts of Uton, but from the destruction of a storm, new life can emerge. Sage, this is your chance to learn the world, learn the song, and learn of the destiny we all have. Even from bad, good can grow. Seize the chance and use it…"
Sage glared at this comment, "So… I am banished forever from the pod, just to learn the wonders of song as you feel I should? Where do I get a choice in your plans?"
With a small chuckle, Gol replied, "Why do you think I spoke for you? The pod will not expel you forever, but may want you to swim alone for an age, to learn the values of life at the very most… This is what we want, so you can explore, learn of legends and songs that none here have ever heard before… But it is your choice Sage… If you do not wish to leave, I will speak what you spoke to me, and Uton will forever be banished from the pod…"
"No…" Sage answered instantly. His eyes were determined. "I will not convict Uton. He will convict himself with his memories. And the chance to travel… I will use it to learn the song and grow stronger…"
With a nod, Gol turned to Elli, questioning her with his eyes. "I cannot believe what I am hearing… One of our number is dead, and…"
"Aris was to die some time Elli. We all are," Gol cut in, his voice soft and sad. "Aris was born ill, and was slowly dying as he lived. Uton ended it fast, although brutally. Uton only brought the inevitable to pass sooner…" He looked to Elli and smiled. "You are both masters of the song, but I sense something to Sage, little Elli, that is more than simply a marvellous voice. He needs to explore at a young age, to develop his songs. To develop as a singer." He paused, turning to Sage. Then, with a smile, "Sage, the hero Ecco, that you idolize, was no older than you were, when he was thrust alone by the storm, and made to journey the seas alone. Perhaps you may ascend as much as he did…"
Before they realised it, the sun had been replaced with the crescent moon and a summoning for all adults was called out. Gol turned to heed the call. "I am sorry my students, but now I must go. I shall see you both soon." Then, the song-master turned, fluking towards the entrance to the bay, where the gathering of Sage's fate was being held.
Sage turned Elli as the song calmed to a crawl. He was worried if he'd made the right decision or not. It was too late now to back out. Elli hummed a small reassuring note to Sage, her way of expressing her confidence in him and his choice.