Purple Haired Girl of Eea

By K. Zazzetta

On the beautiful island of Eea, food and water are plentiful. The island has been safe from invaders for generations, protected by the warriors of the neighboring Dimuzi. Marked with a shock of purple hair and considered odd, Marnin grows up alone and friendless, but finds solace in the trails and coves that inhabit the island.
On the evening of the solstice celebration, a time for Marnin and other twelve year old girls to celebrate their rites of passage, life begins to change as she comes upon a playful sea creature named Gilly and befriends an island girl.

When she gets a chance to travel to Dimuzi, she is spellbound. She meets the enigmatic land owner, Trefin, who stays concealed behind a shaded window, and she can’t help but fall hopelessly in love with him.

• Language: English
• Publisher: K. Zazzetta
• Release date: Jun 12, 2011
• ISBN: 9781458080554

K. Zazzetta

The author lives in North Carolina. Welcome, Thanks for checking on my homepage! I appreciate it:) Please feel free to look at my free ebook of short stories and poems. If you'd like to read a Young Adult book, fantasy oriented, and a coming of age story, then check out "Purple Haired Girl of Eea" It's a measly 99 cents! I also have two books offered on the Kindle. It is a Fantasy series dealing with mythical creatures of the faery folk realm! "The Traveler: Memoirs of a Brownie from Finland" "Bridges of Sighs"

Book preview

PURPLE HAIRED GIRL OF EEA

K. Zazzetta

Smashwords Edition

Copyright 2011 K. Zazzetta

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PURPLE HAIRED GIRL OF EEA

By K. Zazzetta

Chapter 1-ISLE OF EEA

The warm sun caressed Marnin’s skin as she swam towards the cove. This one was special due to its privacy and hidden location. While she floated on her back, she looked around for her best friend and hoped he would be close by, after all, the cove was named after him.

The more she lingered, the more she thought about last night’s celebration as she kicked her legs in the water. How bright the full moon shone as the islanders paid tribute to her! All females participated on this occasion to celebrate moma moon giving them the most valued gift of all--rebirth. On these festive evenings, all women and girls used plant dyes to adorn their bellies, hands, and feet with a distinct tribal pattern that was always drawn in a circle.

She tread water and laughed, remembering how the children stuffed their faces with all the delicious foods that had been brought by the families. The adults drank their special punch, while the little ones pounced on the pomona pie--the most desired dish, proudly brought by Marnin and her parents. Once the food had been eaten, the females all danced in celebration to moma moon. The men had their part as they played the drums, paying homage to her for their sustained lineage.

As she floated around the cove, she glanced up at Gilly’s favorite rocky ledge, then suddenly remembered that he never showed up this late in the day. After turning a few somersaults, she came up for air, spit the water out of her mouth, and exited the cove. She swam towards the beach, then came out of the water and plopped down on a sunny rock to soak up the sun. Once she was dry she headed back home, knowing her parents would be waiting and ready to pick another batch of pomonas from the orchard.

They were preparing to leave the next morning and had to pick extra fruit for their delivery to Dimuzi--the land across Eea. For awhile now, her parents had been making this trip because pomonas were desired by them as well.

She happily skipped down the path and passed a curvy bend that lead to Sirana’s family home. All Eeans made a contribution to the island. While Marnin’s family had the orchard, Sirana’s were expert dyers and they could mix any desired color that was needed. They also made dyes for the skin that were used at the celebrations.

Stopping by a stream, Marnin scooped up some fresh water. As she drank it, the cool liquid ran down her chin and she savored the taste as she listened to the water filtering through the rocks. Not only did it taste wonderful, but it made the fruits and vegetables grow like weeds. In fact, for a quick Eean meal, many would snatch their food from a tree, vine, or just pull it up from the fertile ground.

Marnin reached for a ripe wild berry and noticed a pesky mosquito land on her arm. She gave it a swift smack, then flicked the flattened bug off. With only a few bothersome insects, and no dangerous animals, or fierce creatures to be burdened with, she was living in a very safe place.

She stood on tiptoes to get a glimpse of the pinnacle--the highest point of Eea. From up there, you could view the lushness of the island and also see the southern part of Dimuzi. She turned her head and got a brief look of the water channel that separated the two lands. She scanned the horizon and saw her parent’s sturdy boat tied to the dock, bobbing in the waves.

As she neared home, a few islanders passed her by. Leha! she greeted.

Leha, Marnin. They were carrying bulging sacks of freshly picked pomonas. We can’t wait to make a pie! one of them said.

She walked by Elder Oja’s dwelling and grinned. It wasn’t long before she felt something fall on her head. On instinct, she searched for the foreign object in her hair and glanced up in the direction from where it came.

Leha, Marnin! a voice shouted from high above.

Leha, Elder Oja, did you enjoy the climb up the tree? she giggled.

His legs dangled from a sturdy branch. Yes, it was most excellent--great scenery up here. The exercise didn’t hurt either. He placed his finger to his lips and winked at her. Shhh….don’t tell anybody, but I did fall out the other day! He looked around suspiciously making sure no one else heard.

Did you get hurt?

No need for that! he said proudly, I bounced right back up like a young lad! Oja’s brown hair, streaked with gray, touched his shoulders. With flushed cheeks and bright hazel eyes, he looked much younger than he was.

She was relieved. I’m glad to heart that! How was the pomona I gave you this morning? she asked.

As always—superb! he smiled, showing teeth that were still stained from eating one earlier.

I picked it very carefully for you, she said happily, knowing that she gave nothing but the best for one of her favorite people.

She gazed at him, thinking that he may be old, but he was in terrific shape. In fact, all Eeans aged well by staying agile and active. Many times, she saw Oja turning somersaults and doing handstands on the beach. All the children loved to compete with him to see who could jump the furthest. He was adored, even though he was sometimes a poor loser, but when he won, he danced, shouted, and bragged about it for days. When he lost, he pouted and vowed never to play again as he called everybody cheaters. The children never took it personally—they would just roll with laughter at his antics!

Oja jumped off the branch and landed in front of her, then wiped the dirt off his pants. Storytelling--tonight by the fire, he announced as he squeezed her cheek and walked down the path to his house.

You know I never miss it! she yelled after him.

******

That evening, as Marnin walked to the bonfire, she wondered if the other two elders would be attending. Buji, the only female, was the island’s medicine woman, and she was quite brilliant. She had never married and it was said that when she was young, Oja and Dibu were smitten with her. Each one asked her to marry, but they were turned down. No one knew why, and all three of them stayed single.

It was certainly possible that Buji had no time for a husband, for her job was tireless. She was always busy and even had a young boy under her tutelage. Passionate about her medicine, she could identify every root and leaf of any plant on the island. It was known that Buji could cure any ailment. Often, she took children on plant hunts, teaching them how to identify certain plants by their shapes and sizes. After every lesson, she always looked every child in the eye and said, It is for the health and vitality of our island that you learn this!

On a previous hunt, Buji pointed to a leaf, demanding to know what it was. She looked at every child, giving them a searing gaze. Marnin avoided her eyes, unsure of the plant’s identity. She did find them interesting and useful, but it was very confusing because they all seemed to look alike. For some reason Buji was the toughest on her, always singling her out.

Buji demanded, What is this called? She held the leaf so close to Marnin’s face that she had to look cross-eyed.

She was at a loss for words. Ummm….

Tell me! Buji barked, Marnin--what is it used for?

I think it’s….ummm…

Marnin--pay attention! Buji cried as she tapped her foot impatiently. It’s imperative for you! She waited for a few minutes, expecting an answer, but when none came, she tucked the leaf into her waistband and continued on with the lesson as if nothing happened. When she finished her lesson, she dismissed everyone except Marnin.

Buji faced her and gently grasped her by the arms. Her green eyes softened and Marnin saw the tenderness in them. There was a strong breeze and it whipped Buji’s silvery blonde hair against her face. Look, she said, I know I’m hard on you, but please, you must understand. She paused momentarily, searching for the appropriate words. I-I am doing it for your best interest. I am doing it because… her voice trailed off and she looked sideways, then she took a deep breath and turned back to Marnin. It’s in your best interest--that is all! She plucked another leaf and swiftly walked away.

*****

At the storytelling that evening, Marnin glanced at Buji who seemed to be relaxed, content, and amused as the rest of the islanders. The only person not to laugh--was Dibu, the third elder. As Oja was outgoing and vibrant, Dibu was stern and serious. Most found him rather standoffish. The only person that could put a glimmer of a smile on his face was Buji. He and Oja always competed for her attention, so there was always plenty of animosity to go around, and Dibu certainly did not appreciate Oja’s comedic ways. Oja knew how to irritate Dibu and exacerbated the situation by mocking him in front of the children--which they thought was a riot.

If Dibu happened to witness the hilarity, his response was always the same. Hmpf!! Thick witted moron! he would say, then mutter something else under his breath and stomp off. Buji constantly ran after him and persuaded him to come back. She was always trying to placate both men.

Marnin found Dibu fascinating and formidable. His hair was dark brown and devoid of gray--much to Oja’s chagrin! With penetrating blue eyes, he scrutinized every scene before him. Many times, there were whispers of a secret visitor that came to his home--but it was not a person. It was a vulture and her name was Gypsa. Marnin stayed awake lots of nights trying to catch this mysterious friend. The lucky few who did get glimpses of her, said that she was unusually large and completely white--definitely not an ordinary vulture. But why did she visit and where did she come from? The islanders didn’t know and they never dared to ask. If the other two elders knew about her--they never said.

Marnin watched Oja walk to the front, ready to begin his story. She quickly sat down, anticipating the evening to be filled with laughter, excitement, and adventure. The islanders sat around the bonfire as Oja spun tales of Eea. Marnin took a peek at Buji who was sitting close to the front and watching intently. Everyone burst with laughter when Oja’s voice got higher, and the crowd roared when he put his hand on his hip, shaking it like a girl. His acting skills were superb as he was able to engross the entire audience.

In the shadows, there stood Dibu annoyed with Oja’s form of entertaining. Marnin saw that his hands were clenched tightly behind his back, but his face was hidden. She felt his eyes rest on her and wondered why he even came to the storytelling.

When the evening ended, the islanders burst with applause and Oja took many bows, basking in their admiration. Feeling quite giddy, he danced a little jig and grabbed Buji from the crowd as they spun beside the bonfire, thus ending a very enjoyable evening.

*****

When Marnin lay in bed that night, she thought about all the stories she had heard over the years. They always seemed to have three common themes intertwined with one another: The first, was that Eea was the closest thing to utopia. Secondly, Eea had always been protected and shielded from harm. Thirdly, no one ever wanted to leave Eea.

CHAPTER 2-MARNIN

Marnin sat on a rock, leaning over a pool of water in Glitter Pond. Islanders went there to get a crisp, clear look at themselves. Placing her finger through its watery coolness, she twirled and looked intensely at the spiral shape beginning to form. After a few moments, her image began to appear. When she saw her blue eyes, she thought them a nice, pleasant color and she liked how her skin was soft and sun-kissed like everyone else’s. Medium in height, she was lean and agile like all Eeans.

Reluctantly, her eyes moved to her hair--her horrid, hateful purple hair! She grabbed at a chunk and pulled viciously. Why was I cursed with this? Why wasn’t I born with blonde or brown hair like the others? She drew a big X through her watery reflection and turned away in disgust. How could it be possible that her hair was sometimes the color of pomona juice? To make matters worse, it wasn’t just one shade of purple because the color turned readily as the seasons changed. If she was out in the sun too much, it turned lavender. If she used a different soap to wash with, it turned aubergine.

When she was first born, her hair was a nice fluffy patch of light red. Buji said it would turn blonde soon enough, but it didn’t. The more Marnin grew, the darker red her hair turned. For a while, it stayed that way until she woke up one morning and heard her mother gasp, It’s purple—very purple--oh my! Her parents were dismayed.

Buji was astonished. It is a sign, she said matter-of-factly.

Of what? her parents exclaimed in unison.

Not sure, she said, scratching her head in bewilderment. But--one day we will know.

Her words had no impact on Marnin’s parents. Somehow, they felt responsible for the oddity. Why did their daughter have this unusual hair? Moma searched for answers and thought she may have eaten too many pomonas when she was pregnant.

No more than the other momas, popa said gently as the circle of questions and unfulfilled answers continued.

Marnin stared straight ahead and twirled a chunk of hair around her finger. She hoped to achieve a curl or wave, but no such luck as it was straight as a stick. She released it in frustration and thought of all the times the islanders whispered and pointed at the purple mass. Although she was not treated with cruelty, the islanders just didn't know what to make of her.

Fortunately, she had plenty of support from the elders and smiled remembering the day Dibu heard unflattering comments about her.