17. Message from Baran

“Tien?”

Tien whirled around to an unfamiliar, smiling face.

“Tien?”

Tien nodded dumbly.

“You’re late. Fen and Saka are just getting the last supplies. See?” The woman pointed to a stall opposite the ziggurat. Saka and Fen stood with their backs to her, absorbed in selecting fruit.

Tien had a sudden urge to hug the woman, but her knees had gone wobbly with relief. For the first time that day she looked at Pasco through bright and hopeful eyes. All those things that had distracted and confused her during her search for the others now appeared fascinating. How soft the grass looks. Such a beautiful place to read a book. She suddenly thought of Berry, and in this moment, even Berry seemed bearable.

Tien put a tentative hand on the woman’s sleeve. “We must fetch Berry. The girl who was with me. She is in a clothing show at the markets.”

The woman snorted. ”That sounds like the Berry we know and love.“ Her brow furrowed deeply as she smiled. She reminded Tien of Fanzine’s mother; a sturdy farm woman with a raucous laugh and a soft heart. “How about I lure her back here with my persuasive powers? You stay here with the others.”

Tien nodded. Fine with me.

The woman started off, then came striding back with her hand extended. “How rude! I forgot to introduce myself! I am Munkho. And we have established that you are Tien. Pleasure to meet you.”

***

Munkho returned after an astonishingly brief time, considering her task. Berry trailed behind her, clutching her precious package with supreme satisfaction. She was relaxed and quite amiable, though thoroughly unrepentant as she greeted them.

“Oh there you are, Tien. I wondered where you’d disappeared to.”

They sank down onto the ziggurat’s silky lawn, away from other groups, and looked at Munkho. She chuckled at their expectant faces.

“Don’t look so worried. I know the way to Flip’s house. We’ll go there soon.” Saka and the girls smiled at each other, but Munkho held up a hand to still their enthusiastic chatter. “Before we do, I received another message today. From Renda. He hoped it would reach me ahead of your departure. Now where did I put it.” She rifled through her pack, eventually pulling out a small piece of paper that she handed to Fen. Fen scanned the note twice and then passed it along. It read:
I know why the Raseen are searching the Aryk’s property. They seek a tapestry, and are under orders to bring any they find to Wiggo. Apparently an Aryk once stole some significant tapestries woven by Wiggo’s great grandmother.

Tien pulled a face and read on.

Obviously this is a cover story, but the tapestries must be important. Why? Munkho may know someone who can tell you more. After all, Pasco is the capital of historians and scholars. Just be careful who you ask.
Me.

Tien gave the letter back to Fen, who folded it, and then carefully ripped it into unreadable pieces. Fen looked at Munkho. “Is there anyone who could tell us why these tapestries are so important to Wiggo?”

Munkho chewed a fingernail thoughtfully. “There are probably many historians who could tell us. In fact our Library here would have the historical information.” She pointed back at the ziggurat, with the back of her head. “But I do not know who we can ask. The Raseen pass through Pasco more frequently, of late. Often, they disappear into the Library. So, I would not trust any of the Scholars.” Her face clouded. “I find that I trust only myself these days.” There was a pause, while Munkho forced her lips into a meagre smile. “You do not know this, but for some time I have been here on my own.”

Saka shook his head, his brow furrowed with surprise.

“And how would you?” Munkho’s laugh was brittle. “I have not used the messenger dogs till yesterday. I fear I’ve become paranoid that I will be discovered.”

“But where is your partner? Talis?”

“Talis left to trail the Raseen who captured Andron. He has been gone almost two months, and I’ve had no word from him.” Munkho swallowed the tremor in her voice, and continued, “I cannot help but fear the worst.“

“Munkho, I’m sorry.” Fen’s eyes darkened, and she reached out to clasp her friend’s hands. “I did not know Talis was trying to rescue Andron.”

“He had no authoraization to do it, the silly man. But he overheard a conversation between some Raseen standing next to a cart. They were talking about the prisoners in the cart, and Talis was certain Andron and Flip were in there. He tore in to tell me what had happened, grabbed some things in his pack, and then he was gone. I should have tried to stop him, but when Talis gets excited, there is no changing his stubborn mind.” She shook her head fiercely.

“You’ve worked together for some time, haven’t you?"

“Seven and a half months.” Munkho’s eyes were damp. She closed then for a moment as if summoning inner strength, and when she spoke again, her voice was calm.

"About the tapestries, I would not recommend that you approach any of the Scholars or historians from the library. You would be remembered.”

“Who then?” Saka asked. He tapped a disjointed rhythm onto his thighs, as if he was restless, anxious to be moving again. “Well, there is Lumin. But, no.” Munkho shook her head. “That is impossible. He never sees anyone.”

“Sorry, who?” “Lumin. Five years ago he quit his job as Head of the Library, complaining that Pasco had lost its original love of learning. He accused the new breed of scholars of being in it simply for the prestige. For the recognition and honour it brings them.” She smiled wryly. “And he’s right. We hold these grand competitions for literary memorization, for who can learn the most new languages in a one-year period. Yet none of it is practical or helpful…”

Tien sensed Munkho could go on about this and forget her point. Saka must have been thinking the same, for he broke in. “So do you know where this Lumin went?”

“Rumour has it, he lives on a little island not far from the docks. There was a lot of hoohaa for a while, with people sailing out to ogle him, ask foolish questions, or even heckle him for throwing away his esteemed title. Apparently, he acquired a little regiment of protectors to repel any unwanted guests, and no one has seen him in several years.”

“Docks?” Berry raised a questioning brow. "Isn’t Pasco land locked?”

“Well you might ask!” Munkho grinned. “Due to a Sustaining Simulated Marine Life competition,” she shook her head, as she struggled to utter the pompous title correctly, “we now have a sea. That was a few years back. The entrants were marine students, experts in the properties and currents of the sea. The Scholars created an elaborate man-made sea in the valley, with genuine marine plants and creatures. They sectioned it off, and allocated each contestant a tiny island and one of the sections. The winner would be the one who could sustain his or her miniature sea world for the longest time.” Munkho laughed at the memory. “Oh, the competition was terribly nasty. Lots of cheating and bribery went on. You see, a Pascan Order of Oceanic Professorship was up for grabs. Though why you would put up any sort of fight at all to become officially considered a POOP, is anyone’s guess.”

They all pealed with laughter at the ridiculousness of it. Munkho made a comical grimace. “Anyhow, a lot of sabotage went on. One entrant even smuggled in a hoard of stunted men who ruined many of the other entrants’ efforts. The whole thing was a shemozzle, especially after the little men desalted several sections of the sea. The Scholars were terribly embarrassed about it. They abandoned the competition and desalted the rest of the sea. I suppose you might call it more of a lake now.”

“Or a swamp.” Saka put in.

“No, not a swamp. Stra’s freshwater streams flow into the lake. It actually looks quite lovely. Pasco’s mayor is embarrassed about its history, so he has banned the islands from visitors, and plans to have it drained one day. In the meantime, it is a birds’ paradise. The strange little men I told you about, took up permanent residence and refused to leave. Apparently, they befriended Lumin and, like I said before, they now keep unwanted visitors away.

“Sooo…” Fen said. “Is it worth the trouble it may take to get to him? Do you think he can help us?” She sounded doubtful.

“That’s a risk you’ll have to take, but yes, I think he could help you. Whether or not he will is another matter altogether.” Munkho said, stretching her mouth wide, and raising her eyebrows sceptically. “You’ll need a little boat to row out to where I think he is. Getting one will be no trouble; all the rowboats for the competitors are still tied to the docks, and like I said no one goes there. Mind you,” she added, “It’s only where I have heard he lives. I don’t know for sure.”

***

They arrived at the docks, munching apples and bananas. The sea, or lake that it had become, was a significant area of water. “I don’t think we should all go over.” Munkho said, as they looked around for a small boat. “A group our size is more likely to be noticed and reported to the wrong people. But if some of us come back, any peering eyes will think they must have missed seeing the rest of you return. Tien should come, as she knows the most about Partha’s history, and can fill in some of the details.”

Tien’s brain began to sift frantically through all the history she’d ever done at school. She had spent quite a lot of time looking out the window, daydreaming.

“Saka and I will go with her, because we will be the ones seeing this through.” Fen decided. Munkho nodded.

“Berry and I will wait back at my house.” Berry nodded wordlessly, her eyes darting briefly over to Saka, before turning back to gaze out over the sparkling blue sea.

“Ok, now see past the rocks there?” Munkho pointed out into the distance where some lumps were visible. “To where those tiny islands are? There is one that still has a house on it. That’s the one he’s in. I think. I hope your time with him is productive. OK Berry, let’s go. You can tell me what the latest trends in Tiran fashion are on the way.

***

The water was dazzlingly bright, and stretched out, calm and opaque. Tien had never before seen such a vast expanse of water. What a waste that no one is allowed to come here, she thought. Because of the pride of probably two or three people, everyone’s enjoyment is ruined. They climbed into the little boat they had selected, and set out paddling. They each had an oar, and after settling into a rhythm, they made steady progress through the transparent waters, veering towards the only island with a building on it. Tien didn’t mind the ache in her arms, as she pulled the oar through the water. It was wonderful to rest her legs for a while. They glided past several small islands, scarcely big enough to put more than a hut on. Any structures that had been there once, had either been removed or demolished, and the ruins lay in unsightly piles.

As they passed by, Tien saw that flocks of sanderoons had built their nests into the rubble and were perched under its shade during the heat of the afternoon. The blurred shape they had been sailing towards now came into focus, growing large as the boat drew close. It was an island of pure white, no bigger than a circle of huts at Pojabe, thought Tien. A single building stood alone, on the measly beach. There was no sign of life visible, as they beached the boat and clambered onto shore. Looking almost hopefully around, Tien wondered what the little men would look like. White pebbles covered the island and they crunched noisily under the Tien’s feet.

The companions cautiously approached the white structure, which up close, was actually a wee house raised up on stone stilts. A solid timber ladder leant against a wide veranda that reached all the way around the house. They were about five paces from the house when they heard it. A low humming that came from somewhere behind them. They turned to see what it was. The sun had disappeared behind an enormous dark cloud. As the humming intensified, the cloud’s shape shifted and it streamed towards them at high-speed. Before they could duck for cover, it was upon them, and a host of black flies engulfed them like a shroud.

© 2006 by Shelly Taylor