Chapter 16
Trees - Brina
At the sound of a harp, my father and I walked back into the hall through the massive doors. I knew the entrancing music was meant to please the Forest, but its lilting tune seemed rather ironic to me when my future was in the balance. The council was standing, and so we all remained standing until everyone was inside. At the signal of an elder, the council sat, and we all followed.
My father patted my knee as if to assure me that everything would be all right. I clasped my hands, held them to my chest, and closed my eyes.
Elder Lepton spoke in a voice that seemed too strong and loud for such a frail old woman. “A unanimous decision has been reached,” she announced.
She did not need to specify that it was unanimous. The council always discussed matters until a unanimous decision was reached, because it was known that the Forest did not like discord.
“The voyage to settle a new colony will begin in two days,” she began, “after the celebrations of Klala’s life.”
My anxiety started to build. The announcement about the colonization might go on for a long time. I would have to wait to find out what they had decided about the events of the day and my inadequacies as an interpreter, including whether I was to be punished. Our council was very strict. In Kalpok, we all worked together. For instance, everyone helped keep the terraces, stairs, and ropes in good repair, and we all took part in the defense of the village. When we were entrusted with the care of some task, some property, or even some person, we were held accountable to take full and proper care, or we were in danger of losing that task, that property, or that person. Since I was the only person in Kalpok who knew how to translate, they could not reasonably take away my duties as an interpreter, so I was worried that they would come up with another punishment. Even worse, there was another possibility. What if they thought I was lying? The punishment for lying to the council was banishment. I opened my eyes and started tapping my foot nervously. What was going to happen to me?
The elder had finished explaining the process of reaching the decision and was starting the announcement:
“We have chosen the people who will join the voyage.”
I found myself suddenly interested. I wondered if anyone I knew well would be chosen.
“Some who volunteered have been chosen. Some have been chosen because of necessary skills,” she paused, it seemed almost for dramatic purpose, “and some have been chosen for banishment.”
Something about the way she said it made me feel afraid. I looked around. I guess something in the way she said it made everyone afraid. Why would they mix banished people with those chosen for the journey?
“All will be announced randomly. Please stand as you are named. The voyagers are:
“Garwin, son of Harmon”
The name startled me. Garwin would not have volunteered, or at least he would have told us if he had. Like the sun setting, I realized…he was being banished for his role in Klala’s death or perhaps his role in the shooting of the cat riders.
“Slinga, daughter of Monta.” That was Garwin’s wife.
“The children of Garwin and Slinga.” At least they would not separate the family. They might have kept his wife and children behind and claimed that he had shown he was unable to care for them, since he had failed to protect Klala. I was glad the council did not do such a thing. I had seen children removed from their families before. It was difficult to watch.
She listed several other names of people that I had heard of, but did not know well. None of them seem surprised as they stood, and so I guessed they had volunteered. One was an elder, although he was the youngest of the elders.
“Barque, son of Stralon.”
I could not believe my ears. Barque had had a crush on me since we were kids. I thought of him as a close friend. He was kind and loyal. Why would they send Barque on this voyage? He had nothing to do with Klala’s death. Not any more than the rest of us, that is. And then I got really nervous. What if they sent my whole troop?
“Marjan, son of Yaluin.” He was a carpenter and may have been chosen for his woodworking skills. My father knew him well. He was the youngest son in a large family.
“Planta, daughter of Stemsa,” I believed that was Marjan’s wife. She was a talented seamstress and would be valuable to the trip as well.
“The children of Marjan and Planta.”
Once again, I was glad that they were keeping families together. But Barque had been separated from his family. Why would they do that? He was no older than I. I looked over at him. His mother, sitting next to where he stood, seemed to be fighting back tears. Barque was standing bravely looking straight ahead. I admired the way he did not show the distress he must be feeling. My heart sank. I would miss Barque. I had lost Klala, and now to lose Barque to this new colony was almost too much to take.
“Brantan, son of Thorlan.”
I knew who he was. Everyone knew who Brantan was. He was a young man, but he was very strong, an ace archer, and another youngest son. He had probably volunteered for the adventure.
“Beechala, daughter of Sweegum.” She was a healer. It made sense that they would need a healer.
As they listed several other names of people that I didn’t know very well, I watched Barque and wondered again how his name got on the list. Surely, he did not volunteer to go? Perhaps Brantan had asked him to go? But why wouldn’t he have told me? I knew that he respected Garwin, and maybe he suspected that he would be sent. But that wasn’t enough reason to…
I felt my father suddenly startle, and I was aware that everyone was looking at me. Elder Lepton had stopped listing names. I looked back at her and realized that she too, was just staring at me.
“Stand up Brina,” my father gently prodded me.
And then it hit me. But I did not budge.
“Brina, daughter of Palana,” Elder Lepton said, looking straight at me, and I realized she must have already said it once before.
Slowly I stood.
“Jackan, son of Thorlan,” the elder went on, but I was no longer listening.
I had not volunteered. I was too young to be chosen for a skill. I was being banished. I felt like I couldn’t breathe. I had done nothing wrong! How could they believe a cat rider over me? And they didn’t name my family. They were taking me from my family? And what about my commission? How could they send me away like this, when the new star had come out? Surely Baskrod would be coming for me, and how would he find me if they sent me away before he got here? I would complain. My father would complain. They couldn’t do this. It wasn’t right.
I looked over at Barque. He smiled at me shyly, and in that moment I knew. Barque had somehow known they would send me. Barque had volunteered to protect me. I could see it in his eyes. My eyes started to tear up with emotion.
Meanwhile, the elder seemed to be reaching the end of her list.
“Lastly,” she announced, with grit in her voice, “we have decided to banish the cat rider. He will travel with the colonists who may leave him along the way, at a place of their choosing. Our scribes will tie this information in knots to include it in the history of our village. To all those who will be leaving: we wish you a good voyage and a flourishing future. May you find a bountiful forest like that of our own beloved Mesmeringa Forest.”
And just like that, the council meeting was completed. The lilting music began again, and soon the room was filled with the sounds of congratulations, tears, excitement, and sorrow. I turned to my father, wanting to collapse in his arms in tears.
“Be strong, Brina,” he said. “This is a part of your destiny and will lead you to where you need to be. We have to believe.”
I could not see how going in a different direction from which Baskrod always arrived, to an unknown world, would lead me to anywhere anyone needed to be. I was leaving my family, in shame, to go to a backward wilderness, when I had expected to leave with honor on a grand quest. And worse yet, that horrible cat rider was
going with us.
I followed my father toward the door. Of course, nobody wanted to congratulate us. I tried to avoid anyone’s eyes. Just as we reached the door, I felt someone put their hand on my shoulder. I turned and was startled to find that I was face to face with Elder Lepton.
“I must speak with you alone before you leave on the voyage,” she said. “Join me for tea at my tree before your departure. I will summon you with a magpie when I am ready.”