Rista's Tale Part 3: The Chronicles of the People

By Barbara Lindsley Galloway

When the New People of the First Ones are born and a new dispensation begins, things suddenly go terribly wrong in the Garden.
To set the plan of the ancient Eretregians in order as was intended, Rista, Tiko, and the three other Chosen Ones embark on a perilous sea voyage to a new land rising at the top of the world--to find the lost book of the Ancient Ones mentioned by the Keepers of the Stone Seeds, a book they hope will give them answers. What they find is a stunning surprise, wrapped in a riddle they must solve before time runs out and they cannot escape.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Barbara Lindsley Galloway
• Release date: Aug 27, 2013
• ISBN: 9781301597901

Barbara Lindsley Galloway

Born in Tennessee; raised in Albuquerque, NMX; now live in Texas.Read every sci-fi book in my junior high and high school libraries (Asimov, Clark, Heinlein), where I elected to spend and work an hour every school day. Also, allegorical fantasy has had a huge influence on my writing. Love J.R.R. Tolkien.Wanted to write stories since I was a child. Was very shy and spent more time watching people than participating in activities. This has served me well in creating 3-dimensional characters.As an adult, I have enjoyed the works of Victor Hugo, Charles Dickens, William Faulkner and Earnest Hemingway, to name a few authors of classical works.Love how times have come around to open doors for independent writers. Everyone should have the opportunity to have their voice heard.

Book preview

Rista’s Tale

Part 3

The Chronicles of the People

Barbara Lindsley Galloway

Copyright 2013 by Barbara Lindsley Galloway. All rights reserved. No portion of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means—electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, or any other—except for brief quotations in printed reviews, without the prior permission of the author.

This is a work of fiction. All characters and incidents in this novel are the products of the author’s imagination. Any similarities to people living or dead are purely coincidental.

Smashwords Edition

Cover design by Barbara Galloway

Photographs: Book © Littlemapproductions/Dreamstime.com

Jewel © Galyna Andrushko/Dreamstime.com

Drawings by Barbara Lindsley Galloway.

Other books by this author:

Rista’s Tale Part 1: Scarjheen

Rista’s Tale Part 1: Scarjheen Study Guide

Rista’s Tale Part 2: The Last Stone Seed

To Susan Beck

For your support as a fan

Your incredible work as an editor

And for being there as my sister

Table of Contents

Names and Pronunciations

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Characters of Parts 1 and 2

Maps

Names and Pronunciations

Chapter 1

In the morning of the new age of Niwi Erda, out of the swirling white mist that covered the banks of the brooks of the First Ones on each of the lands, the New People of the Harvest came forth from their wombs of white-petaled flowers.

They were all young, with fresh skin of a pale, delicate blue, and their eyes looked as purest crystal that captures the light and splinters it into colored rays. White hair, as fine as human hair and slightly curled, appeared as a translucent shimmer on their heads.

Rista held her breath at their beauty when they stepped forward out of the mist—two thousand four-hundred and ninety-five, she hoped—covered in petals from the large white flowers that came down to the tops of their bare feet as would a gown. They stood on both sides of the bank, as far as the eye could see.

Blessings to you, from the human beings of Ras Algethi, said Rista. Welcome to your home.

Blessings to you, Most Revered Ryset Weir Finla, said a male. You are the Keeper. He came close to Rista and took her hand in his strong blue ones. We recognize your voice. He raised her hand to his cheek and held it there, while tears came into his eyes. You have been found faithful to us. Thank you for taking upon yourself your right of Restoration.

It was my greatest joy to protect your people, said Rista. Tears welled up in her eyes as she looked out on the multitude of New People of the First Ones. Many came to stand near her; as close as they could get. Some of her own people moved back, but Tiko and Mender and Meryt stayed beside her. Mender stood up, and Meryt reached out to touch their petals. Anla had come to stand beside Tiko with her arms wrapped around his arm as a tender young tendril around a vine.

This is my mate, Tiko, and our brother, Meryt, and sister, Anla. And this is Mender, our healer, said Rista.

Welcome, said Tiko.

You are Fen Wod Rhes, the Protector of our Keeper, the First One said to Tiko. He bowed to him and to Rista. We recognize your voice as well. My name is Quest, Faithful Ones, said the First One, bowing gently. And this is my mate, Whisper.

Yes, said Rista. I know your names. They’re coming to my mind as I look at each one of you. I know who you are. But you’re not the First Ones, as we’ve been used to calling you. You’re Eretregians.

Yes, it is so, Beloved Keeper, said Quest. He was taller than most of his people, and his face strong and masculine. He reminded Rista of Tiko in his face, but his build was slight and he did not have the muscles Tiko did. His hair fell in soft waves that hugged his neck and moved lightly whenever his head did, as if the hairs were set to stir at the slightest touch of breeze or turn of neck.

Whisper reached out and touched Rista’s face and hair, and soon all of them wanted to touch her. Some took her hands and others touched her arms. I was the last one, said Whisper. I was alone for a long time, but I remember hearing your voice. It was good to hear it, and now my eyes see you, and I find it hard to contain my joy.

She kissed Rista’s face, and her tears fell on Rista’s hands. Rista cried with her.

Oh, what a stunning experience! said Mender. He went around to as many of the Eretregians as he could, introducing himself, and talking with them. What a delight to be among you again!

When they had all touched Rista, the Eretregians went off into their garden, and in her great joy, she felt sadness that half of the stone seeds had been planted in other woods and she had not been there to witness the birth of those People or let them know she was here. In this, she knew Wes was the more blessed of the two of them.

Can we go home, now? said Anla. I’m hungry. She tugged on Tiko’s tunic and her eyes were tired.

Yes, said Meryt. We haven’t eaten anything today.

I’m sorry, said Rista. I had completely forgotten about morningmeal.

Well, it’s time for noonmeal, said Meryt, and I’m starving. I’ll take you back, Anla. Climb onto my rolling chair and I’ll carry you.

Most of the people had left by the time Meryt rolled his chair toward the village, and only Rista stayed behind with Tiko and Mender.

That was the most amazing thing I’ve ever seen, said Tiko.

It was beautiful beyond all my expectations, said Rista.

Now I can learn all about their Garden, said Mender, and find out if the story about the key is true: how the fragrance of one plant touches another. Isn’t this exciting? Come, Ryset Weir Finla of the Eretregians! Tell me how your human body feels.

My body feels well, said Rista. As soon as my feet touched the ground, all strength came back to me. I think the poison has worn off.

Eh? The poison has worn off? I think the poison met its match in the presence of the New Era! Is this a permanent condition, or must we carry you back to your lovely nest? Before Rista could answer, Quest and Whisper came and took her hands and drew her with them into the woods, with Tiko and Mender following. Deeper they were led until they came to the Garden where other Eretregians already busied themselves in restoring its life: planting seeds and gathering from crisp fresh foliage and bright colors of greens, oranges, purples, yellows and reds that had not seemed so vibrant a few days before.

Some of the Eretregians went to gather what fruit they could find. Others brought white petals from the large flowers that now hid the brook, and put them onto tables that came up from the ground: tables made of the vines that now flourished and crawled into every tree and under every shrub. They were the same vines that followed Rista when she climbed the steps into their own tree nests. Even now, the purple flowers gave off their healing scent as she passed.

I’ve never seen such large flowers, said Rista, like the ones that brought you here.

Honorable One, they are the blossoms of naissance, said Quest. "They are the Absythalis. They will remain with us."

And the delightful fog! said Mender. Is that the scent of naissance?

Yes, Honored Guest, said Quest. It is the scent of the new dawn of the People.

Many of the Eretregians seemed to be gardening. When they would touch an unwanted plant that had sprung up out of place, it would shrivel and go back into the ground. Some Eretregians knelt on the thin grass and took the seeds that had fallen, touching them lovingly to the earth where they were received. Never did Rista see anyone break off or pull dead branches out of the ground to toss them in a heap as the humans would have done. Even as she watched the Eretregians work, the garden changed before her eyes; yet nothing was wasted or thrown to refuse.

Venerated Ryset Weir Finla, are you hungry? asked Whisper. She held in her arms a large leaf that contained many pieces of fruit in the bowl of its middle. These particular fruit Rista had not seen before in all her walks through the woods. One kind was large and golden with smooth skin and three lobes kissed rosy by the Mother, and hung from the top lobe at the stem. The next fruit was smaller with fuzzy purple skin, but round with a cleft down one side. The last kind was actually a cluster of small, golden bumpy berries that rested on their little stems in groups of three, with many groups to a cluster.

Oh, said Rista. I would very much like something to eat. I’ve been too excited to think about it.

I don’t think there’s enough fruit here to take away my hunger, said Tiko.

Marvelous! said Mender. He took one of each and examined them closely before biting into them, closing his eyes to savor the flavor of each bite. After the fruit was all gone, he examined what seeds were left. The large golden one had three small pits, one in each lobe. The purple piece had one large rough seed, but the berries had nothing left.

The tiny seeds are left in the stem, Honored Guest, said Quest, watching Mender’s delight.

Whisper collected the leftovers and dropped them on the ground and the ground took the remains back into the collective energy of the whole so the garden would continue; but the seeds she gave to Quest.

Pardon me my necessary absence, Honored Ones, said Quest, and he went to put the seeds back into the ground. Mender went with him and watched, enthralled.

Every Eretregian worked at some task, whether it was planting seed, or harvesting food or petals. On many tables lay fruits and berries and nuts in orderly sections. On many others, the large white petals of the Absythalis lay stacked. Those Eretregians that did not pick or pluck came to the tables and gathered armloads of the goods and took them into their trees.

What are the People going to do with the petals? said Rista.

They take them to make garments for us, Revered Keeper, said Quest.

Oh! I should like to try one of those, said Mender, and run around in the flora with its scent always up my nose!

Those Eretregians I saw before the Cleansing wore clothes of a different hue, said Rista.

They were a People born of their own seed, Venerated Keeper, said Quest. We are a People born of the stone seed.

I don’t quite understand what you’re saying, Quest, said Rista.

Pardon me, Honored Ryset Weir Finla. I will try to give you a clearer understanding in your language, said Quest. Those who came before were born of their parents, according to the ways of nature. When they came to this land, they clothed themselves in the leaves of nature that grew in the Garden for that purpose. We come from the stone seed, having no parents, and clothe ourselves in the nascent blossom to continue.

Oh, said Rista. How is such a thing possible?

As they are, we once were—long, long ago before we slept—but we have become new People through the stone seed.

Oh! said Mender. That clears things up quite a bit, doesn’t it?

Would you like to see how the garments are made, Venerated Keeper? said Whisper.

Yes, said Rista. I would be very interested to see this.

And you, Protector? Whisper said to Tiko.

I find the idea interesting, said Tiko.

May I join you all? said Mender. The idea of making garments out of flower petals is an amazing notion.

Then please come with me, said Whisper. She took them to the very tree Tiko had slept in, and his eyes widened when he saw it. You have been here before, Protector of the Keeper, she said. I see it on your face.

Yes, said Tiko, I slept here once. How are you and your People able to read things so clearly in my face? It was that way with Weir Dheila, too.

It is there for the reading, said Whisper. But it is not only on your face. Your scent lingers in the wood.

Amazing! said Mender.

Rista looked at Tiko, a question in her eyes.

Tiko just smiled and whispered, When I was lonely for you.

This time Tiko did not have to climb up, as little steps came out of the bark to make their way easy. Two males and two females sat on vine seats around a pile of white leaves. They stood and dropped their work when Rista entered, and bowed to her politely. Their seats went back into the floor.

Please don’t stop your work. Blessings on you, Spring, Wonder, Joy and Talent, said Rista.

Blessings on you, Revered Keeper, they said. They sat down and their seats came back out of the vines that graced the floor. Wonder picked up a petal and carefully began to peel the front and back layers apart.

They seem very thick, said Rista. Thicker than any petals I’ve ever seen before.

Yes, Venerated Ryset Weir Finla, said Whisper. To do their duty, they must be. See how Wonder takes the fibers between the layers, and works them with his hands? He gathers many of the fibers together for strength.

Why do the petals need to be separated at all? asked Rista, fingering the fine fibers and feeling their softness. Why not just sew the petals together into garments?

All of the Eretregians looked up from their work to gaze at her. Pardon us for our surprise, Honored Keeper said Whisper. For we do not use tools in our work, and the outer layers must go back into the ground to support the others that grow. You will learn our ways in time. She bowed to Rista in respect. The garments you wear were made by one of the People of the Old Times, were they not? said Whisper.

Oh, yes, said Rista. They were made for me by Weir Dheila.

The Eretregians bowed their heads and nodded in silence. She holds a high and respected place among our histories, said Quest. She and her father, the venerable Ren Wod Rhes took us from our hidden place on this land and made it possible for you, Ryset Weir Finla to keep us and bring forth our Harvest. We speak their names in awe.

As I do, said Rista. While she watched Wonder and the others weave the fibers of the white petals into garments, another Eretregian came to stand in the doorway of the tree house.

Pardon me, Revered Keeper, for interrupting, he said, but we have found pieces of the white crystal at the brook. They belong to you. He put the pieces of Rista’s pendant in her hand.

Thank you, Song, said Rista. Forgive me for leaving them there. My pendant shattered when your Harvest began and I was distracted by the awesomeness of it all.

Honorable One, may I see these pieces? asked Quest. When Rista put them in his hand, he took them and fit them together. We know these symbols.

What do they mean? asked Rista.

They are symbols for the land of Eretreyia—the new land, Beloved One, said Quest.

What? said Rista. But they told me what was happening to your stone seeds on this land. You mean they represent the new land that’s rising out of the sea?

Quest looked confused. We only know they are for the new land of Eretreyia, where we were to be born.

Then this land is Eretreyia, said Tiko. And what’s this talk of a new land rising, Rista? Where?

I heard talk of a new land while Meryt and I were on Rigil Kentaurus. It’s supposed to be rising out of the sea on the other side of the world, said Rista.

Fantastic! said Mender. Think of it! A new land! What’s to be done with a new land so far away none can reach it?

I don’t know, said Rista.

Wait, said Tiko. Let me think about this. Rista, explain to me these symbols.

Look, then, said Rista. Here are the four symbols arranged the same way as the four lands. See the little tetrahedrons? Whenever one of the stone seeds would crack, the tetrahedron belonging to that land would hum and flash blue. When the Histories were released, they became green. And when all the stone seeds were planted and broken open, the little tetrahedrons stayed blue with a green haze around them. I’m positive this crystal was for these lands.

Then this middle symbol represents Eretreyia, said Tiko.

Not so, Protector, said Quest. All the symbols together represent Eretreyia. They cannot be taken alone.

Well, said Rista. Weren’t these lands all one land once? That’s what Wes says. Then the symbols must represent what these lands were at one time.

No, Blessed Keeper, said Quest. We were told we would dwell on one new land.

Maybe the Wise Ones were mistaken, said Tiko. Maybe things didn’t go as they had planned. If this is the new land, then where’s the old one?

Where did your stone seeds come from, Quest? said Rista. Where were they made?

That was a very long time ago, Revered Keeper, said Quest. Things are very different now on this world. This new land is different. Our purpose is different. The memory of the old land is fading.

Try to remember, Quest, said Rista. There are things happening now in this world we don’t understand. Please tell us everything you know before the memories are gone.

As you so desire it, Beloved Keeper, said Quest. We will leave these to their work and go to my own home so we may sit and talk undisturbed. He led them down into the Garden where the Eretregians worked to restore it to its full beauty, then took them deeper into the woods. His house was as the others, the branches woven amongst themselves in an intricate pattern; but Rista realized the pattern of each home was different than the others, like the individual difference of each of the People.

Please, come inside, Quest said when they stood before his home. It was lower to the ground than the others around it, and few steps came out to greet them. When Rista touched her feet to the tree, it seemed to sigh with relief, and the branches became firmer, more alert, more refreshed. The vines inside prepared themselves for her rest.

A little table came up with a bowl in the center, and Whisper took the fruit that hung from the branches and put them in the bowl. These are for you, Revered Keeper, and the Protector and the Honored Guest.

Now, I will tell you all I know, Venerated Keeper, said Quest. "My People lived on the old land. But something went wrong, and the Wise Ones changed everything. They had such knowledge, greater than any of the other People. I can still see their faces, but they are growing dimmer each hour.

The Wise Ones had a plan to bring the People to the new land and forsake the old ways. They wrote everything down in great books so we would remember when it was needed again; to remind us of what was, so we would never take that path again. Everything has been recorded from the knowledge of our beginnings to the coming of strange beings from other worlds. Everything they wrote was to preserve our race.

Do you remember the names of the Wise Ones? said Rista.

Yes, Beloved One, said Quest. But that memory is fading as well. There were nine of them: Dheila the persistent, Fare the honest, Medla the patient, Phen the courageous, Finla the spirited, Keila the gentle, Maur the quiet strength, Rhes the leader, and Thane the talented. That was how they were known to the People.

Weir Dheila told me there were Chronicles of the People that have been lost. Are these the great books you speak about? said Rista.

Yes, said Quest. These are The Written Chronicles of the People. I had forgotten their name, Honored Keeper. They are so great; so many of them, so many; so much knowledge.

Do you think the Written Chronicles of the People stayed on the old land? asked Rista. Or were they taken? It’s very important we find them, Quest, to help protect your People.

Of the whereabouts in this time, I do not know, Ryset Weir Finla, said Quest. When we were taken and saved for this new age, the Written Chronicles of the People were on the old land, in the Magnificent City. They were too great to be moved. Who could have moved them?

You were taken? asked Tiko. How were you taken? Was it against your will?

We gave ourselves to the cause, Protector, said Quest. We are the Remnant of the Ancient Age, but more than that. We are the Seed for the New Era, and we number seventeen thousand, nine hundred and sixty four. That is what was needed to maintain our life force with the planet. He hung his head sadly. We did not know our People would sacrifice themselves for yours. It came as quite a shock to us to learn of it. We are truly the Remnant of our People.

What would happen to the planet, Quest, if the number of your people dropped below what you have now? said Rista.

We were not told, Obedient One. We wait only for the children to be born of nature so that this new land will be filled again and we will continue.

And the old land, said Tiko. Do you know where it is?

No, Protector, said Quest. That was not our purpose, to worry about the past. We were chosen to bring in a new era for our People, if it came to that. I do not even remember its name.

Eretregia, said Whisper. The old land was named Eretregia. We are the Eretregians."

Oh, yes, said Quest. I had forgotten that, but it does make sense to me now.

Eh? said Mender. This new land is Eretreyia. Doesn’t that make you Eretreyians, Quest, instead of Eretregians?

I think in time to come we will be, Honored Guest, said Quest. When we have forgotten our heritage and the old land and all our ways of it; when the new ways have taken us over so completely and there is no more remembrance of the old. Yes, we will be then.

You said something went wrong in the old land, Quest. What was it that went wrong? said Rista. What were your people running from?

I do not remember, Beloved One, said Quest.

Do you know how you came to be here, so far across the sea? said Rista. Who brought you here?

We do not know, Honored One, said Quest. We were already sleeping at that time.

When Rista finally left the Eretregians, it was near to dusk and they were finishing their work for the day. Together as one, they went to the brook for revitalization, and Rista watched them for a few minutes in complete awe before she went back to the village alone. Tiko had left, come back to see how things went, and gone again. Mender finally left a few moments before, lamenting the fact that the day was not long enough.

The village was too quiet for Rista. She thought there should have been a celebration, but then again, a human celebration such as they knew would not have done the occasion justice. A quiet moment spent in wonderment and awe was probably the best thing for such an enormous event.

Tiko met her at the edge of their village. I was coming to collect you, he said. I think you’re safe enough with them, but it’s all so strange for us.

You’ll come to accept them and their ways soon, I think, said Rista.

I’ve been thinking about this new land, said Tiko, and everything Quest told us. It occurred to me that you might want to go there and look for the old books.

Oh, Tiko, said Rista, I want to be with you.

I couldn’t bear for you to go on such a journey, Rista. Think of the dangers and how long it would take.

I think I’ve had quite enough traveling to last me the rest of my life, said Rista. But what is this? They had come to stand in front of the tree nest. In front of the nest hung a rope, which disappeared into the branches above it, then came down and was tied to a flat piece of wood.

We’ve been trying to make something to pull Meryt into the nest. It just doesn’t work right yet.

We could use it to get the water into the nest, too. You’ll figure it out in time, said Rista. As she went into the nest, some tiny little thing nagged at the back of her mind; something was not quite right.

It was still dark when the first shudder came, although Rista realized she had been feeling a tiny little hum in the ground before it came. The wood of the tree nest had absorbed most of the humming vibration, so it was not until Rista had come down the winding steps and finally stood on the ground below that she really felt it.

It was just before dawn and the fingers of the Mother sun had not yet reached out across the sky; Rista lay asleep in the bed. She felt the tiny hum as it woke her. Tiko was sleeping silently beside her, and the children slept soundly across the room in their beds.

The light of the Daughter filtered thinly through the trees and gave her an eerie feeling as she stood at the window looking down into the clearing. Nothing moved; no shadow; no sound. There was only the tiny hum that went into her bones.

Thinking something had happened to the Eretregians, Rista dressed and hurried to check on them. As she left the last step and touched the soil, the quiver hit, sending a little ripple through the ground underneath the village. When the earth stopped moving, she rushed to the Garden through the narrow path that everyone preferred to use.

The Garden was even beautiful in the light of the Daughter sun by simple virtue of its orderliness. There was no branch or twig laying haphazardly in her way, nor was there any hole made by some burrowing animal to catch her foot. The magnificent color of the Garden may have been dimmed, but the scent of its flora lingered.

There was no one stirring. Rista took a deep breath. She had to know if the Eretregians were all right. She ran to Quest’s home, which grew on the farthest side of the Garden. When she reached it, she felt foolish standing down on the ground looking up at the intertwined branches. What was she to do now?

Suddenly the branches overhead parted, and someone peered out. Revered Ryset Weir Finla, said Quest. You honor us with your visit at this early hour. I was awakened from regeneration by your presence. Will you come inside?

There’s no need, Quest, and I apologize for waking you. I’ve only come to see if you and your people are okay. There have been some ground tremors tonight, and I was concerned for your safety.

We are all safe, said Quest. It is only the Ascent.

The ascent? said Rista.

If you will not come up, then join me at the waters and we will talk.

All right, said Rista.

Quest came down quickly and quietly and led Rista to the brook. There was a space where the trees did not grow close together and lush blades of soft grass grew along the bank. The Daughter gave just enough light that Rista could see Quest’s face.

Rista settled comfortably on the grass and Quest began. There is nothing to fear from the Ascent, Honored Ryset Weir Finla, but it will take a long time to complete and there will be many tremors of the ground in the meantime.

But what is the ascent, Quest? Is this something that will harm the land? Will the land be torn apart?

No, no harm, said Quest. The land will not be torn apart. The land will be one again.

I don’t understand, said Rista.

The lands are rising together as one.

Oh! said Rista. Is that possible? Are you saying one huge continent is rising up under us at this very minute, Quest?

That is correct, Revered Keeper.

I’m stunned, said Rista. "I don’t know what to say, Quest. Do you know why the land is rising?"

It is rising for all of us; my people and yours, Revered One, so that there will be a place for all.

So we don’t fight over the land when your people begin to flourish, I think, said Rista, and my people recover from the effects of the horrible Scarjheen."

"That is correct, Beloved One. There must be room for all.

I agree about that, said Rista, but I had no idea it was possible for such things to happen. How can that much land rise up out of the sea, Quest?

It is recorded in The Written Chronicles of the People, Ryset Weir Finla.

Of course, I keep forgetting. Well, I thank you for calming my fears, Quest. I feel very silly for bothering you.

It is never a bother when Ryset Weir Finla seeks knowledge of our people, said Quest.

I’d better get back to my tree nest before Tiko notices I’m gone, said Rista. Thank you again, Quest. She left him to find his own way back to his home, while she took the little path she had followed from the village.

When she broke into the clearing, she froze in place, catching her breath. There was movement under the pavilion. A dark shadow shuffled there; she could hear the sound of something brushing against the benches. Could it be a beast, or was it a man?

While she stood silently watching the shadow, the ground shuddered again and threw the shadow down. The sounds of clank! clink! echoed off one of the benches. The shadow swore, then rose and went off into the woods.

Rista ran straight for the tree nest as fast as she could move. Before she reached the nest, however, another tremor hit and she was thrown to the ground. She could not get up. Rista crawled to the tree nest intending to pull herself up by the first step, but before she could reach it, the sound of rustling moved close behind with the sound of footfalls.

Chapter 2

Tiko woke during a ground tremor and found Rista’s side of the bed empty. She was not in the nest, so he dressed and went immediately to the doorway and looked down into the clearing. Rista struggled on the ground while a shadow moved toward her.

Stop where you are! ordered Tiko, or my knife will find its end in your heart.

The shadow stopped. Rista found the steps and pulled herself up. She climbed several steps before turning around and facing the shadow.

Ho, Friend! said the shadow. I meant only to help the lady. I mean no harm here.

Then stay where you are until I come down and have a look at you, said Tiko. When he met Rista on the steps, he said, What are you doing out here this time of the night?

I was concerned for the Eretregians when the tremors started.

You must be more careful, Rista, he said.

The sky had slowly begun to lighten as the Mother sun woke up, and by the time Tiko reached the shadow, it had turned into a man. The man was shorter than Tiko, but much older and his eyes were blue-gray and tired. His hair was long, thin, and mostly gray—tied back behind his neck with a braided cord wound several times and tied in a knot.

His face was weatherworn and tanned; and he wore a long, gray beard, and moustache that was gray interspersed with red. On his head sat a wide-brimmed hat of natural capalla hide with leather strips hanging down from it next to his face. The hat was dirty and stained with sweat and into the band were stuck a knife, fork, spoon, and something gnarly with projections that Rista thought might be made of wood. The band had pressed into it the letters FLF.

His tunic overcoat was sleeveless and opened down the front with the laces left untied. It flared out from his waist and hung