Chapter 19
Trees - Brina
My father and I climbed and glided back to our home. Each tree I climbed and each path I glided, I found myself thinking that this could be the last time that I climbed this tree or glided this path through the air. Strange, how I tortured myself like that, but it was my way of focusing on each sight, so I could preserve it forever in my mind, in case I never passed that way again. When we reached the platform, my mother heard us land, and she and my brother and sisters all came out on the terrace and gathered around us to hear the news. Bursting into tears, I ran in the house, threw myself into my hammock, and covered my face with my silk sheet.
I could hear them talking outside. Papa explained in as few words as possible what had happened. He said the cat rider had questioned my interpretations, but that I had been truthful at all times. It felt good to hear that my Papa believed me. My family asked him lots of questions about the cat rider, what he looked like, how he moved and talked and such, but Papa brushed them all aside. He said none of that was important, what was important was that I had been chosen to travel with the colonists.
“No!” my mother cried out.
“How long will Brina be gone?” Glorna asked.
“Where is Brina going?” little Ceila blurted out, sounding as if she was about to cry.
Papa explained, “Brina will be leaving us to go on an adventure. We must all wish her well, surround her with our love, and help her to get ready. But right now, it is best if you all let her rest quietly. I know you all have work or studying to do, so please go back to what you were doing, while Mama and I talk with Brina. We will have time to talk about it more, later.”
After a few protests, they hurried off in various directions, and I heard my Mama's footsteps coming into the room to me.
“Brina,” Mama said in a soft voice. “Do you want to talk about it?”
I peeked out from under my covering. “Not now, Mama. Let Papa explain it all to you. I don’t want to talk just yet.”
“I know this is very hard, but I know you will not want to miss out on Klala’s life’s remembrance, later tonight.’
It hit me like a fallen branch on the back. I was so concerned about myself, I had forgotten how Klala’s family must be suffering. I could not miss her burial. I would never forgive myself.
“We will all be there with you Brina. We all cared deeply for Klala,” my mother assured me. “I will get you some mesmeringa root tea, so perhaps you can get some more rest before it is time.”
“Thank you Mama, I will try,” I said, but I knew sleep would not come even with mesmeringa root tea.
When she brought the tea, she gently swept her hand across my forehead. “Don’t worry about preparations for your journey,” she said. “The rest of us will take care of as many of the details as we can for you. You have been under a great strain, so you need to rest.”
“Thanks, Mama.”
After she left the room, I finished the tea and fell into a deep sleep out of sheer exhaustion. I must have slept through the entire day, because when I finally stirred, it was dark, and I could hear my family members up and about. I listened, then crept out of my hammock to climb the winding staircase to our platform near the sky. Papa was already there, standing alone, staring at the sky. I watched him silently for a moment.
“Papa?” I finally whispered.
“Brina,” he said and buried me in a deep, strong hug, wrapping his warm glides around me. I felt like a silkworm hidden safely in a cocoon. I did not want to ever have to emerge back into the world.
After a few minutes, my Papa started to talk, “Brina, I know you were deeply hurt by what happened in council tonight. You are so sweet and sensitive, and I know you feel crushed by even a hint that you may have committed some wrong.”
“It’s terrible Papa. I didn’t do anything wrong!” I blurted out.
“Brina, I want you to try to remember yesterday when we were up here. Before…before Klala’s terrible accident.”
“It was just that: a terrible, terrible accident!” I said.
“I know that,” Papa agreed. “But try to take yourself back to yesterday when we were up here, after you found the new star.”
“That seems like a million mesmeringa nut harvests ago.”
“Yes, it does. Brina, look at the sky. What do you see?”
“Lots of stars,” I answered stubbornly.
“And the new star?”
“Is still there,” I said, suddenly noticing how brightly it seemed to be shining, almost pulsating.
“Brina, when you found it you were worried, but also excited about your mission. Besides leaving your family, what was the fear you mentioned to me that night, do you remember?
“That Baskrod had not come…” I responded, looking down at the platform.
“Yes, and that you would have to face the ground alone,” Papa reminded me.
I was silent for a minute. I knew where Papa was going with this. “So, you’re thinking that now I will not have to face the ground alone, but I will be travelling with other people.”
“Yes, Brina. That will be so much safer.”
“But in the wrong direction!”
“Baskrod said you would need to travel to the great capital of the Tzoladian Empire.”
“Yes, but Tzoladia lies to the east. The council is sending me west to another river, and we don’t even know where it goes!” A breeze rippled the leaves as I spoke.
“Brina, Baskrod has given you a clearer glimpse of your future than most people ever receive.”
“But it’s not clear at all, Papa!”
“You are not the only person with a destiny, Brina. Each person here in Kalpok has a destiny to fulfill. What is the difference with yours?”
“This was not my idea Papa. I did not make this up! Baskrod taught me that I have a special purpose. That is why he taught me so many languages.”
“Yes, Brina, but how is your purpose different from anyone else’s?”
“Everyone has a different purpose.”
“Go on, Brina…”
“Okay, so I guess everyone has a special purpose.”
“So what makes yours different from the other people here in Kalpok?”
Suddenly the mist in my mind cleared, and I knew the answer: “Mine is different only because Baskrod revealed to me portions of my future before it has come to pass. He revealed to me some of my future.”
“And the rest of us must walk in faith through the unknown.’
“So why am I so afraid and upset?” I asked.
“What did you think that Baskrod’s predictions meant?”
“I…I thought it meant that I had something very important to do.”
“And I believe you do. But more important than the rest of us?”
“I guess that depends on what you call important,” I said, lowering my voice.
“Brina, please don’t misunderstand. Like you, I believe the fact that Baskrod came to you and gave you specific instructions about your future means that your destiny will probably impact a lot of people.”
Relieved, I started to feel a little less foolish. “Really, Papa?” I looked up at him.
“Yes, Brina. But what are you so angry about tonight?”
“The way the council treated me: as if I was a liar; as if I had done something terrible…as if I was being banished.” The words came falling out of my mouth.
“I can see why you felt that way, and perhaps the council does think poorly of you. Perhaps they are punishing you.”
“It sure felt like it.”
“But do you remember what I told you yesterday about the council?”
“That…that they could not harm me?”
“I believe I told you that the council cannot stop your destiny, Brina. They cannot hold you down when you were born to soar.”
How was it that my Papa could always make me feel like I could rise up into the stars, even when the weight of the world wa
s crushing me to the ground?
“Thank you Papa. I love you so much,” I said and kissed him on the cheek.
It was then that I heard Mama calling, “Brina, Rowan, are you up there? I’m sorry, but it’s time for us to go to Klala’s farewell ceremony.”
With her words, reality hit me, spiraling me back to the ground, but somehow I knew Papa’s words would help my spirit to glide again in time.