Sekali, "The Sister City"
Chapter 41
At length, the path ended as they entered a massive open field in which stood a lone tree of the most exquisite whiteness any of them had ever beheld. But what shocked them even more was the green-scaled dragon wrapped about its trunk conversing with many others of different species and races.
Sekali stopped and sucked in a breath, expecting an attack. But there was none. Beside the dragon proudly stood a silver stag, proud and majestic, with an intelligent gleam in its eyes.
Sekali saw that most of the species present were either human or elf. But apart from the stag and the dragon, there were four others present he could not identify.
Without waiting, Mabuhi strode into their midst and was greeted warmly. The shining silver stag lowered its rack, bowing to her. The dragon grabbed her warmly up into its arms, holding her gently for a moment while she smiled broadly and squeezed its neck as tightly as she could. Each person, each creature, greeted Mabuhi with no less affection in their own way. Then she introduced the three to each, giving no names but theirs.
The hidden field was thickly covered with the boughs of many trees which towered high up into the darkened canopy, not unlike a dome in which hung soft-lighted lanterns. The glade and the area above them, strewn with a myriad of white, soft-glowing lanterns, looked haunting to Sekali. Should he live ten thousand lifetimes, he would never forget the sight before him. The wonder and beauty of this place was overwhelming. The white tree at the center of the area stretched out in all directions in its majestic presence. It was this tree that caught his attention more than the silver stag, or the majestic green-scaled dragon. He had never seen nor heard of anything like it in all his long years.
While in the middle of absorbing so much, Mabuhi clapped her hands. “Honored guests and friends, please come and eat.”
All gathered in a large circle and were served honey combs and buttered bread. The drink in all its variety was plentiful. Even Uther found himself with a mug of kohakk in hand.
After a quick meal, which three elfin men had prepared for all, Sekali found himself walking through the wooded area in awe and wonder, leaving behind everyone as he enjoyed some exploring. So many questions filled his mind about the Living World that he found himself asking question upon question aloud, but receiving no answers.
“What is this place? What is the white tree? Why are there people and creatures here in this manner, and why are they unified as though they are brothers?”
He looked up to see if he could possibly catch a glimpse of a star that might penetrate this massive dome-like canopy, but failed to find even the glint of one. The air was still, yet not stagnant. He hopped over a narrow, deep-flowing brook populated with many fish, sending them scattering in all directions. One landed on the bank and began flopping about helplessly. Sekali stopped and stared, thinking it odd. He had never seen a fish close up, and so grabbed it up and studied it for a few moments before setting it back in the water. He stood and ran his wet hands over his hair, enjoying the coolness of the water.
Sitting down, Sekali pulled his armoring from himself and began to wash it, cleaning each piece carefully. As he did so, he set the pieces upon a large boulder to dry. He looked at the water a moment, then quickly stripped his clothes off and lowered himself into the waist-deep water to enjoy the second bath he’d ever experienced since the Golden Feather. It was cold but he did not care. He washed the dirt from his body and braided his long black hair back in a simple braid. He then scrubbed his traveling clothes the best he could and put them back on wet as soon as he exited the water. He had the sudden feeling of being home as he hopped up onto the rock that bore his plated pieces of armor. Sitting down, he knocked the dirt out of his boots and put them back on, all the while thinking of the white tree. As he bent over to put his second boot on, the amulet swung loose from his tunic, and he remembered the old man and the book he was reading of his own life’s story.
“Well, Sekali,” he said to himself, “now what . . . now what?”
“Do you always speak aloud, and to yourself, sir?” Sekali started and stood quickly, turning to Mabuhi’s unmistakable voice behind. He jumped down in front of her as she stood waiting for his reply.
“No, just to me, and never before this day have I uttered words aloud . . . alone.”
She smiled and glanced at his armor. “You can leave your belongings here; there are no thieves in my home.”
He nodded and offered an arm on which she politely rested a gentle hand.
In silence they walked, neither looking at the other. It seemed as though Sekali was lost in a dreamworld as they walked. They walked for quite some time before reaching the edge of the lighted area. There Sekali stopped, staring out into the density of the forest. It seemed ominous and forbidding, compared with the feeling within this sanctuary.
Mabuhi let go Sekali’s arm and pointed out into the forest. “Beyond all the trees, out across the expanse of the grasslands, the Navarian Sea.”
Sekali looked the way she was pointing. “It is cursed; the water. It is horrid tasting.”
Mabuhi suddenly laughed. “You drank from the ocean?”
He nodded, “I had no idea, now I do.” She laughed again.
He shrugged. “Mabuhi, why are we here?”
She sobered and turned to Sekali. “Come with me, Sekali of the Wastelands, I have something to share with you.”
Without another word, she took his hand and led him back through the woods, across the stream directly up to the foot of the white tree, where she embraced it.
“Hello, Father,” she said warmly.
Sekali gasped. This tree had moved! The tree shuddered and turned, in its trunk there was a vague form of two eyes. Sekali’s mind staggered as the tree whispered, as if a whispering wind answered Mabuhi. It spoke her name and she laughed and embraced its great trunk a second time tightly. She then turned to Sekali and held out a hand. He slowly took it. She pulled him close to the tree and placed his hand upon it.
Sekali felt something move within him. A thought? No. He could feel something . . . his spirit? Maybe. He felt a power take hold of him from within, and he could not move. It frightened him greatly, yet he could not take his hand away, lest he spoil the moment. Within his mind, or spirit, he was not sure which, he heard it speak to him. At first it was faint, like a wind in the distance, barely heard. He strained to hear, and slowly it became much more clear. He could not understand the language, for it was strange. It was beautiful to witness, yet all he could do was marvel at what was happening.
Closing his eyes, he smiled and merely gave himself to feeling the communication. As he did so, he envisioned a great ocean upon which he was sailing. The crew of the ship he was borne upon would not speak to him, but looked to the north in silence. His attention was pulled to the north as well, toward a land foreign and strange where they docked near a great landing built for large trading vessels. To his horror, he beheld the docking planks were soaked in blood, yet no bodies cold be seen.
With a start, he gasped and stood back from the tree, severing that feeling between them. He stood speechless, gazing upon it for a long while, unable to still the mass of confusion now besetting his mind. His frame began to shake and tremble as the vision faded . . . yet set freshly in his thoughts. What did this portend? He could not comprehend it. He turned to Mabuhi, who was staring at him calmly, tears filling her eyes; why he knew not, but she was clearly emotional.
“Am I sent to the other side?” he whispered (Have I died? In Sardakk).
She smiled and shook her head, nearing him. She took both his hands in hers and smiled again. As she did this his heart ached within his chest.
It shocked him greatly as his mind set upon the sudden and intense attraction for her within him. It came as a surprise, but he did not find it repulsive. He yearned to go back to his people to correct them on the falsehood; they had been deceived in a traditional lie. Deeply he wondered who she was as she gently held his hands in hers, but he could not speak. A curious look crossed her face.
“What is it? What happened, Sekali . . . when you touched the Dremmin Tree? Please tell me.”
Sekali shook his head, as if she had shaken him from slumber. “Mabuhi . . . I saw the ocean, a ship; I traveled far to the north to another land. We docked at a place bathed . . . in blood.” He blinked as if he almost disbelieved what had just occurred.
“Mabuhi.” He gripped her hands and pulled slightly closer to her.
She suddenly looked afraid, turning her head slightly away, yet keeping her eyes fully upon him. She did not speak.
“Mabuhi, I do not know, or pretend to know, what is happening; but this I do know, I would fall by the blade for you, and your people. Command it and I will do the will of what you ask of me. I know now that the traditions of my people, in their judgment toward your race, are wrong. I wish to help you.”
She turned her full attention upon him and smiled with a sudden fondness in her eyes. “You do not realize the significance of the Dremmin’s communication with you, Sekali. It was a test I had to put you through. I had to know if you were pure enough to do this thing. I could not tell of my own judgment, and so left it to the judgment of the heart of my forest; the Saga Natur, the white Dremmin Tree. There is rarely more than one within a forested region. There was something within your communication that surprised me as well, Sekali, which I feel forbidden to speak of at this time. In the future you will know the answer to this, I promise.”
Sekali nodded, not questioning her. “If you say it, I will leave it at that. I no longer care for my own desires and curiosities. Mabuhi, I pledge my service to you now, and if you ask, I will do anything you request. I believe war is upon your people . . . this land. We stand here in peace, yet I believe blood will flow. I will help . . . merely command and I will aid you in whatever way I can. I have spoken.”
Mabuhi’s delicate hands trembled slightly, but she said nothing. She nodded, pulling one hand free, quickly leading him to the others, who were all seated in a great circle eating and drinking.
Uther and Finyat were drinking heavily, snickering now and then. It seemed to him they were right at home and had finally found their place. He let go of Mabuhi’s hand reluctantly, yet thought it proper in company with the others.
The dragon was whispering something to them all, a loud voice really, as they both entered the ring of the gathering. The fresh smell of fruit, honey, bread and something pleasingly sweet came to his senses.
When they both had seated themselves, the dragon quieted and nodded towards Mabuhi. A hush fell upon all. Even Uther and Finyat quieted. Mabuhi accepted a plate of food and ate in silence, seemingly lost in thought. All waited in silence, also finishing their meals.