A Few Days Later
Gaga wiped the last of the water from his face, and then tied back his hair in the usual tail. His morning grooming ritual done, he slipped into his jacket, adjusting the round collar so that his white shirt didn't show, as was customary. He wondered what Niobe would have made for breakfast today. Whatever it was, it was sure to be delicious. He left the wagon, and started towards the kitchen area. It was always a surprise to him how early the majority of the gypsies woke, considering how late they stayed up. He'd always been an early riser, because he needed to be up and prepared before the princess, but he wasn't used to the late nights. Grenda usually liked her rest. Luckily, his newfound youthful energy kept him awake and alert, so he was able to cope with the hours.
He arrived at the kitchen and took a plate of what looked like toast. He looked closer and saw that the bread had been soaked in eggs before being fried in a pan. He shrugged, if Niobe had made it, it must be good, and the others ate it with obvious relish. He looked for a place to sit, and saw Onua sitting on a bench next to Joconan, talking to him between bites of toast. He walked over to them and said, "Do you mind if I join you, Onua-san, Joconan-san?"
"Not at all, Gaga-san. Please, sit." Replied Onua brightly, while Joconan merely smiled his welcome, mouth too full to say anything.
Gaga sat, and tried the toast. It was good, eggy and filling, with a bit of nutmeg flavor. Joconan finished his mouthful, and turned to Onua. "So, are you going shopping again today? I've got a few more whittled-bits I'd like to sell, and you could tell some of the townspeople about them for me."
"Actually, I'm not going shopping today. Mother said that what she has will last a few days, and Papa had something else he wanted me to do."
Gaga looked up from his breakfast at that. "Oh? What did he want you to do?"
"She's going to Luna Mountain, to collect some of the water from the Mére of the Moon." ere Niko had come up behind them.
Gaga choked and sputtered. "What? You can't be serious, Niko!"
"Of course I'm serious. I wouldn't joke about something like this."
"It's entirely too dangerous!"
"What are you talking about?" asked Yuushi, as the girls had arrived by now. "What's dangerous?"
"He said that he's sending Onua-san to Luna Mountain, to collect some of the water from the Mére of the Moon!"
Kokoru, Beth and Yuushi were still confused as to why Gaga was so upset. "Is that a bad thing?"
"The Mére of the Moon is a pool whose waters contain great healing powers. While they cannot cure magic or heal wounds, any bodily disease or poison is completely neutralized by it." Erumina explained with her usual decorum. "However, like most desired things, it is difficult to obtain. I believe what Gaga means is that to collect the water, you must go to Luna Mountain, enter the cave at the base, and pass five challenges, each representing one of the five elements.'
"The elements?"
"Yes. The five challenges are fire, water, air or wind, earth, and chaos or void. That last has also been reported as a test of the heart, to see if you are worthy of keeping such a prize as the water of the Mére of the Moon."
"But how can chaos and void be a test of the heart?"
"I assume it has to do with loss of some kind, though I cannot be sure. Also, the challenges are in no set order, so it is impossible to predict what will happen."
"Oh! That does sound dangerous!"
"It is!" exclaimed Gaga. "And I can't imagine why Niko would send Onua-san by herself!"
"Because Onua has finished preparing her performance for the festival, and as such, has the most free time. I've allowed for three days, including travel time. That should be more than enough."
"It's not the time involved that I'm worried about! What if something happens to Onua-san?"
"It won't. She can take care of herself."
"As can you! If this is so important, why don't you go yourself?"
"Because I am responsible for this whole caravan. I have other duties, and I can't leave for even one full day, let alone three."
Gaga was starting to get really angry. It wasn't like Niko to act so callous, and hadn't Niobe just told him how protective Niko was the other day?
Niko was still acting unconcerned about the idea of his only daughter going on a very dangerous journey. "She will have a horse to cut down on travel time, and if anything happens to her, he'll come right back, so I'll know."
"But what about inside the mountain? The horse can't know what goes on inside there!"
"I can take care of myself, Gaga." Onua said quietly. "You don't need to worry about me."
Without really thinking, Gaga made a decision. "You're right, I don't need to worry. Because I'm going with you."
