Once Tryte had welcomed them to the city, things had gone completely awry. Rivelle had gone to sleep that first night at the inn, trusting all would be well, even feeling excited at the prospect of working to save Serenia in the morning. Instead, she woke alone, no longer at the inn. At first she’d been scared, having been able to tell immediately upon waking that she was no longer even indoors. She could hear the sounds of the forest surrounding her once again, its abundance of color as leaves blew in the wind, animal vibrations shook the ground, and water rushed nearby. She’d called out for the first while, in disbelief she was alone. Even Djoro was nowhere to be found. She couldn’t understand why. Had her friends abandoned her? Was this their way of telling her to go home? Finally, after a few hours of distress and despair, she forced herself to calm down and decide how to move forward. Would she indeed go back home? Or make her way back to the city, forcing her friends to see her value. Sure, she still wasn’t entirely sure what that value was, but her heart still pushed her to find Zerik and Soliyah and help them. She needed to get back to Efevra, but how? Without Zerik and Soliyah, or even Djoro, she had no way of even knowing which way the city lay. She closed her eyes and slowed her breath, listening to the sounds around her, hearing the colors wind in and out of her mind. After a few minutes, she realized the water would aid her. When they’d been approaching Efevra before, the water had been on her left. Perhaps if she were to ensure it remained on that side again, it would bring her back.
She ventured deeper into the forest, but it seemed to rearrange itself, creating new paths and closing old ones as she moved. When she’d heard some green ahead on the left, she’d moved toward it, but it quickly transformed into a shade of gray. Unsure what it meant, she’d moved to retrace her steps back to where she’d been before, but the path felt different. The roots she’d felt along her feet were more prominent and twisted atop the ground. She tripped and almost fell over one she would have sworn hadn’t been there before. Could the forest landscape be changing, she wondered.
The murmurs of the forest grew louder, and shades swirled around her, forming a symphony of colors only she could perceive. It was almost overwhelming. The constant changes were distracting her, and setting her nerves on edge. By the end of the day, her heart was racing, her breath short and labored, and she knew she felt fear. The sounds had quieted, and so much time had passed, she was certain it was night. So, she stopped to rest. That was when she first felt the deep pangs of hunger. She needed to find sustenance and a safe haven for the night, but how? With a determined spirit, she took a deep breath and set off in search for both.
Her heightened senses led her to a small clearing where the sound of rushing water receded allowing for the soft sounds of insects and small creatures to fill the air. Many bluish shades of green sounded nearby and she slowly walked toward them, hearing the rustling of leaves and the soft chirping of insects.
“The colors of life. The whispers of movement,” she whispered to herself.
Guided by the sounds, she located a cluster of bushes where the faintest buzz of activity hummed and a familiar aroma filled her nostrils. Slowly and carefully, she reached out her hands, allowing her fingers to dance among the leaves and petals. Her touch was gentle, but she felt a sudden prick in her skin and stopped. It was a thorn. She brought her finger to her mouth and touched her tongue to the pricked area. She smiled when she tasted the familiar. Eager, she brought her hand slowly back to the stem and moved her hand up toward the flower. Without forcing it from its stem, she pulled it closer to her nose and took in its scent. Indeed, it was the Callineim flower. Rivelle smiled as her mind flooded with the memory of coming across a small bushel of them with her mother as a youngling.
“Cal-lee-nay-yim” her mother spoke each syllable clearly to help Rivelle to say it properly.
“They’re beautiful, Mimsy,” Rivelle smiled at her and her mother slowly began picking the heads off the stems.
“You’re not the first, nor will you be the last, to say so,” Mimsy told her. “The callineim is one of the most beautiful flowers. It makes itself so that no one will pick it.”
They stood tall and looked very delicate. Their petals were near luminescent that seemed to shimmer in various shades of iridescent yellows and blues. Rivelle reached out to touch one. The petals were incredibly soft, resembling a delicate silk. “I should think a flower's beauty would make one want to pluck it and keep it for themselves.”
“Perhaps,” Mimsy turned to her and smiled. “But once a flower is plucked, it is dead. Its beauty will only last a little while longer. Where, if you leave it in the ground, it will continue to grow and return each season.” She took a deep breath. “And doesn’t it smell divine?” Rivelle took a deep breath and could smell fresh rain, hints of a sweet smell she’d never smelled before. Her mother turned back to picking the flower heads off the stems.
“Why are you picking the callimium,” Rivelle asked, stumbling over the flower's name. Mimsy giggled, grabbed a flower head and held it out to Rivelle.
“Eat it,” she told her. Though she thought it strange, Rivelle trusted her mother explicitly, took the flower from her and slowly put it in her mouth. “Don’t be afraid to chew.” Rivelle ground the petals between her teeth, allowing the nectar within the petals to seep into her mouth. It tasted bitter at first, but then sweet. Rivelle scrunched up her face in disgust at first, but then smiled when the sweet taste took over.
“It’s yummy,” she giggled as the juices tickled her tongue. She moved to grab another flower and Mimsy smiled at her.
“The Callineim is the most purposeful flower in all of Serenia,” she told her as she continued picking off the heads and gently placing them in a small bag in the basket hanging off of her arm.
“What does that mean?”
“Every part of it has a use.” She held out a flower to look at. “The flowers are not only delicious, but carry essential minerals our bodies need to survive. Eating several of them can give one quite the energy boost,” she started and then turned back to one of the headless stems protruding from the ground and pulled it out, careful to leave the roots in the ground. “And the stems host a liquid that can satiate any thirst.” She squeezed the stem and moved her fingers tightly along to the end and some yellow-tinted liquid began to drip out. Mimsy pulled Rivelle closer and brought the end of the stem to her mouth, allowing the liquid to pour onto her lips. Rivelle swallowed and smiled again. She showed Rivelle the other end of the stem. “It’s very important you leave the roots in the ground though, otherwise, the flower cannot come back.” Rivelle nodded. “And,” Mimsy sighed. “The leaves.”
“I can eat them too?” Rivelle asked and Mimsy laughed.
“Of course, but they might not taste very good.” Rivelle shoved one into her mouth anyway and began to chew. Immediately, a very bitter and earthy taste filled her mouth. She quickly spat the leaf out and wiped her tongue on her sleeve. Mimsy laughed. “They’re not so good to eat, but,” she plucked one off of the stem and placed it in a different bag than the flower heads. “If you are lucky enough to find several, you can take them home and brew them into a pot of hot water.”
“Like a tea?” Mimsy smiled.
“Exactly like a tea,” she plucked several more leaves. “Once brewed, it softens the bitter taste and makes for a very good tea that is calming for both the body and mind.”
“We are lucky to have such a flower in Serenia,” Rivelle said, popping yet another flower head into her mouth.
“Yes, we are. But they don’t grow just anywhere.”
“What do you mean?”
“Well,” Mimsy finished harvesting that which she wanted and then stood, taking Rivelle’s hand to continue their journey. “We’re not really sure what the reason is, but they seem to grow only in the forest of Farelle. At least, I’ve never heard of them growing anywhere else.”
Rivelle smiled as she sipped on the end of a stem she’d plucked for herself. Who’d have thought harvesting in the forest with her mother so long ago would have proved useful now. She plucked and ate a few flower heads and then moved on. While having had satiated her thirst, and softened the pangs of hunger, the pangs remained. She needed to find something of more substance to fill her stomach. But how? She could feel a panic begin to rise within her, but she took a deep breath to push it aside. There was no time for it. She stood still and listened carefully for the vibrant hues that would guide her to her prey.
As she crouched silently, her ears attuned to the sounds around her, she heard a delicate cascade of notes - a playful harmony of blues and greens that danced through the underbrush. It was the sound of a small creature, likely a forest-dwelling bird. Rivelle smiled, recognizing the colors of its chirping as a sign of vitality and health.
With her keen, and unique, hearing as her guide, she carefully tracked the bird’s movements through the foliage. Her footsteps were soft and deliberate as she approached her prize, her fingers gently brushing against the leaves and branches to avoid startling it. The colors grew more vibrant as she drew closer, her ears painting a vivid image of the creature’s position.
Finally, she saw a flash of color among the leaves - a small, brilliantly feathered bird perched on a low branch. Rivelle’s heart raced with anticipation as she reached out with swift, practiced movements. In one graceful motion, she captured the bird, feeling the softness of its feathers and warmth of its body in her hands.
With her catch secured, Rivelle knew it was time to prepare her meal. She needed to start a fire, a task she had mastered through experience and careful guidance from both Mimsy and her father. She carefully gathered dry twigs and leaves from the forest floor, choosing those that crackled with fiery colors of red and orange when touched.
Using what skills Zerik had taught her along their way to Efevra, she piled the twigs and leaves together and began rubbing two of the twigs together. It felt like it took forever, and as though her arms were about to fall off, but she finally heard the hissing and crackling sounds as sparks landed on the dry tinder and caught fire. The colors in her mind’s eye blazed with intensity as the flames strand to life, casting their warm, golden glow.
Rivelle skillfully tended to the fire, adding larger sticks and logs as it grew stronger. She knew that cooking the bird would not only make it more palatable but also safer to eat.
With a thin, sharpened stick in hand, she carefully impaled the bird, feeling the meat’s texture and temperature as she held it over the fire. She felt a few tears escape her eyes as she thanked the bird for its sacrifice, dying so that she may live. The colors of the flames danced around the cooking bird, creating an enchanting spectacle. Her sense told her when the meat was cooked to perfection - tender and flavourful.
As she took her first bite, the colors of the forest and her meal merged into a symphony of satisfaction. The flavors burst with life, a testament to her resourcefulness and her extraordinary abilities. Alone, in the heart of the forest, she had somehow found nourishment through her unique way of hearing and her unwavering determination to adapt to her surroundings.
After having eaten, Rivelle chose to relax by her fire for just a few moments before moving on to finding or building some sort of shelter, or protected place, to sleep. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, sighing it out slowly, content with the feeling of satisfaction and confidence building within her.
For two more days and nights, Rivelle continued as she’d started, hearing and feeling her way across the forest floor, seeking nourishment and ways to satiate her thirst. For the first two days, she’d felt optimistic and confident, especially as she found herself managing quite well. By the third however, she was beginning to feel defeated. Hadn’t she at least reached the outskirts of the city yet?
She continued leaning on her instincts and abilities to navigate her way through, but still, she had a sneaking suspicion her surroundings were constantly changing. But how could that be? It didn’t make any sense?
Night would be falling soon and she felt some despair at spending another night alone by a fire. Her frustration and anger building, she let out a long and loud yell.
“Aaaaaaaaaaargh! Why am I here?” She looked up to the sky as though she could see it, and it could tell her something. “Why is this happening?” She fell to her knees and her voice echoed through the trees, an anguished cry in an otherwise silent forest. But as her cries faded, a strange noise filled the air - a mysterious ticking or clicking that she couldn’t recognize. Fear gnawed at her heart as the sound came and went. She didn’t know whether she should ignore it, or run from it. She stood to keep moving and the noise stopped. She waited a moment and the silence continued. Feeling somewhat better, she built up the courage to move again.
Suddenly, the noise started again. The forest seemed to hold its breath as she strained to identify the source of it, or at least from where it came. Her fingers trembled as she reached out, feeling the vibrations in the air. It was as if something, or someone, were moving, perhaps alarmed by her cries.
She started walking and the clicking persisted, growing louder and more erratic, setting her nerves on edge, until it suddenly stopped again. Her heart raced, and she knew she had to investigate, even though her fear threatened to consume her. She pushed herself forward, every step filled with trepidation as she tried to follow the sound, until it once again stopped. Frustrated, she kept still and silent, waiting for it to start again.
She ventured onward, and the clicking started again, sounding more desperate, but more faint, as though farther away. What did it mean? She continued moving, guided only be the enigmatic clicking, and her fear became almost overwhelming. Her instincts screamed at her to turn away, flee from the unknown. But she couldn’t. She had to know.
The clicking continued to come and go until finally, after what felt like an eternity, Rivelle felt a subtle shift in the rhythm of the sound. It seemed to be drawing nearer, closer to her. She followed it with bated breath, her heart pounding in her chest.
She could feel and see the colors changing to guide her to a small clearing, bathing in soft moonlight. She knew, once she breached the few trees ahead of her, she would find it, the source of the noise. She took a deep breath and walked slowly, hoping not to alert it, whatever it was. She felt the clear air of the opening and kept her head forward, despite the fear gripping her heart. The sound of red filled her mind and she wanted to turn back, but then it started to change when the clicking stopped. It morphed into a calm and peaceful orange, one she would recognize anywhere.
“Zerik?” She called out. Could it really be him? No voice responded, but she heard clapping, and suddenly it made sense. He’d heard her yell out and started clapping in hopes she would find him. Rivelle’s fear dissolved into relief, and tears welled up in her unseeing eyes. She rushed toward him and could hear him running toward her also. When close enough, he enveloped her in his arms and it felt beyond good. She let out a breath she hadn’t even realized she was still holding in. Zerik pulled her back and took her face in his hands, shaking it gently but firmly, as though in disbelief she’d found him. “I’m fine,” she told him. “I’m okay.” He hugged her again. Though he could not speak, the warmth of his touch conveyed a multitude of emotions - relief, joy, and the reassurance that they were not alone in this vast and bewildering forest.
With Zerik’s presence, the forest no longer felt so foreboding. They may have been separated, and they may face countless challenges ahead, but together, they felt stronger, safer.
“If only I could hear your voice,” she whispered as they pulled apart. Zerik took her hand in his and pulled her to walk with him. “Where are we going?” She asked, but of course, he didn’t answer. They didn’t walk far when Zerik gently pulled her to the ground. She felt around her feet. There was a makeshift cushion and he pulled her hand to it, motioning for her to sit. She did and she could hear him moving around her. “What’s happening? Zerik?”
With a gentle touch on her arm, she felt him across from her. Upon his touch, the honey orange filled her mind. He took her hands and placed them on her lap, then let them go. Nothing seemed to happen for several seconds and Rivelle moved to speak up, once again asking what they were doing. But Zerik put a finger to her lips, so she kept quiet. He took a dramatic deep breath, encouraging her to do it with him, and she did. She wasn’t sure what he was attempting to do, but she was grateful to have him by her side, to no longer be alone.
The two sat in silence for quite some time, breathing in and out with the same rhythm until she felt Zerik’s orange hue suddenly grow darker. She heard a strange thumping sound and it took her a moment to realize Zerik was hitting the ground in frustration. She was confused at first but then quickly realized what was likely happening. Somehow, without words, Rivelle knew his intentions. He wanted to try and communicate with her as he’d always been able to with Soliyah. She smiled and reached out for Zerik. She finally caught his elbow and forced him to stop flailing his arms and look at her.
“It’s ok, Zerik. We’ll get there. No matter how long it takes.” She squeezed his hands and he squeezed hers back. Then they both let go, sat back, and took a deep breath.
They sat for hours. To Rivelle, it felt like days. Her back was getting sore, and her bottom numb. She didn’t know how much longer she’d be able to tolerate sitting there for him when suddenly, a strange voice took over her thoughts. She couldn’t discern what was being said though, almost as though it were speaking a different language. But then she heard her name.
“Zerik? Is that you?”
“Rivelle? Can you hear me?”
Rivelle’s heart leaped with joy. They had done it. She could finally hear Zerik’s thoughts.
“I can hear you!” She practically screamed. “It’s like a symphony of thoughts,” she described to him. His orange hue brightened again to a peaceful and hopeful color. Zerik’s thoughts danced like musical notes in her mind, their connection strengthening with every passing moment. It was a language of emotions, or unspoken understanding - a bond forged in the deepest recesses of their souls. “Is this what it’s like with Soliyah too?” She felt him shaking his head, and the orange hue morphed into a softer, somehow sadder color. “You’ve not spoken with her? How long?” She felt uncertainty within her and heard the color of confusion. “I don’t know how long we’ve been here either. I think, maybe, four days.”
“We should be with her,” Zerik’s voice was suddenly loud and clear in her mind. “She’s at the citadel with the Counsel. Last we spoke, she was very angry. With me, the counsel, everything. She felt abandoned and as though we would all be more of a hindrance than an asset.”
“I don’t understand,” Rivelle started.
“I’m not sure I do either. She was angry and cut me off.”
“What did the Counsel say?”
“Something about pulling the army back to Efevra and having Soliyah fight the Red Woman.”
“The Red Woman?”
“She didn’t know who it meant. Neither do I.” Rivelle felt sudden chills, fire, and darkness come over her. The Red Woman, she repeated to herself. Could that be the woman she’d dreamed about?
“The Woman in Flames,” Rivelle whispered.
“What? Who’s that?”
“Do you not remember? When you’d first come to my village, after the meeting? After they’d taken you away?”
“Can you be more specific?”
“The dream! Remember the woman in the flames?” She could sense Zerik searching his own mind. “Remember I said, she was the source of the flames.”
“But you said they were dark. The flames.”
“I know, but typically, flames are not. They are usually red.” She waited for Zerik to catch on. She soon felt it - his relief and quick turn to worry.
“The Red Woman! But… you said the woman killed Soliyah in your dream.” Rivelle didn’t know how to respond. She suddenly felt his hand in hers as he pulled her up from their seated positions. Immediately, they started running. “We’ve got to find Soliyah,” he was almost yelling. “We’ve got to protect her from the Red Woman.”
Ⓒ September 2023. Beki Lantos. All Rights Reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, or transmitted in any form by any means without prior written permission of the author.