‘I have it,’ said Jaden, but Vennoss gave no reply, now staring at the woman who was walking toward them with mouth agape and eyes set on the very tops of the Gates. ‘She said she wanted to meet you. She won’t stay,’ Jaden explained.
Vennoss raised a hand for Jaden to say no more, and his and the woman’s eyes soon met.
‘Noviahn,’ said the woman.
‘Tarsha,’ said Vennoss in acknowledgement.
‘I thought I recognised that wristlet. So this is where you have been hiding away?’
Vennoss nodded. ‘Jaden, I would like you to meet a dear old friend of mine, Tarsha Esgra of Raikanon. Tarsha, you have no doubt met Jaden?’
‘Yes, we’ve spoken,’ said Tarsha with a grin. ‘What are you doing here?’
‘I feel I should be asking you the same.’
‘Raikanon is ruled by the Alliance. I’ve been on the run for as long as I can remember.’
‘Yes, I’ve heard. I had wondered if you made it out alive.’
Tarsha chuckled and then sighed. ‘Ah, you know me, always in the wrong place at the right time and the right place at the wrong time. It would take more than an army to change my luck.’
Vennoss smiled knowingly.
‘What of my dreams, Grandfather?’ asked Jaden, becoming impatient and hoping Tarsha would take the hint to leave.
But she did not move. ‘Dreams?’ she asked.
Vennoss nodded to her. ‘He describes milayiss, but I can’t be certain. However, I have suspected it before. It is why I have called him here. Tarsha, I’m glad you have come also, I have been meaning to speak with you.’
‘If this is about the jewel,’ said Tarsha, suddenly defensive, ‘I haven’t been back to get it yet!’
‘No,’ said Vennoss calmly. ‘I mean there is trouble in Hawan and Lassah.’
‘Oh,’ said Tarsha. She almost seemed confused, eyeing the ground a moment. ‘Because I have every intention of getting that jewel back, you know.’
‘Yes, there is no doubt of that,’ agreed Vennoss in slight agitation, ‘but there are more pressing matters.’
Tarsha finally seemed to believe that he wasn’t interested in the jewel and asked, ‘What is the situation?’
‘They have not returned communication with the Resistance. There are no reports of an attack, so we fear the worst. The Resistance may soon be facing a new war with them. I will explain later, but first, Jaden’s dreams. You describe milayiss,’ Vennoss turned to Jaden.
‘What is milayiss?’
‘I will not frighten you with the details until I am sure of it, but I want you to wear the loh-korah from now on. It will help. If you are indeed experiencing milayiss and Callibra is called to war, I don’t want you to follow your friends or family.’
‘But, I can’t …’ Jaden tried to protest.
‘Please, listen,’ Vennoss hushed and his voice became strained, as if it were the hardest thing he had ever had to say. ‘Northeast of here is a mountain. You will know it by following a direct path toward the two highest peaks. Track the stream north and you should find your way. Once there, you will know what to do. I will not tell you exactly, but know that water is good, and bathing where the stream ends will help cleanse old wounds.’
‘Do I have a disease?’ asked Jaden.
‘I can’t say,’ said Vennoss. ‘Please, just go there when the time comes. You will be safe. Can you do this … for me?’
Jaden thought hard, fighting back all the questions he wanted to ask of why he could not remain with his family, and then nodded finally.
‘Thank you, Jaden,’ said Vennoss, and he turned back to Tarsha. ‘As for the island of Hawan, I need to see it firsthand. I will be leaving for there tonight.’
‘You’re leaving already?’ asked Jaden.
‘I’m afraid so. I cannot wait any longer. The air is troubled. I can feel something is not right.’
‘Yes,’ said Tarsha, ‘you feel it too! I have had an inkling in the back of my neck for some time. It is why I have come this way.’
‘And why I have returned early.’
‘I will go with you,’ said Tarsha.
‘Why do you have to go?’ asked Jaden, ignoring Tarsha.
‘So that you can live on, my child,’ said Vennoss, ‘and be proud of what we have here. This is Callibra, the closest you will find to paradise on Earth, especially in these times. Someday, when I am gone, you will do the same for this place. You will give up a life of leisure to be on the road, knowing that by your efforts, others may enjoy what you once did.’
Jaden looked to the ground; he didn’t want to accept what was being said, but looked back up again at Vennoss, the Daiyus way of showing strength in times of uncertainty. Vennoss gave a weak smile to him but then looked suddenly at the centre of the village.