Chapter 4. Old Friends
Nar’Allia's mind was racing, that name so familiar from Minervar’s stories. She felt a hand grasp hers, Solin had risen in an instant and was now holding her hand tightly, looking into her eyes with those blue orbs. The old T’Iea was smiling broadly.
“Such a pleasure my dear, to meet you at last, Minervar is indeed fortunate to have found such a lovely daughter.” Solin’s gaze strayed down to the black bow Nar’Allia still held and then she looked back up into Nar’Allia’s face and with an expression of curiosity she said, “and an expert with the long bow at that. I congratulate you that it has seen fit to do your bidding.”
The elderly T’Iea continued speaking but Nar’Allia’s mind was racing off in another direction. Solin De’Teinde, yes that was the name of the elderly T’Iea that Minervar had travelled with her friends to see in the town, oh what was the name, it began with an ‘A’, yes, Amentura that was it, Amentura the town on the coast to the west, where Minervar and Serinae had set out to cross the Great Trad Ocean in the Pnook flying ship.
Nar’Allia was vaguely aware of the voice speaking to her. “But my manners, I’m sorry, I wish you a happy day of days, your R’Golea’Foed. I hope the celebrations are going well?”
But Nar’Allia’s mind remained on other thoughts. They had flown to the Pnook city of Scienocropolis clear across the Trad Ocean, to the city in the sky. On the continent of the Rust desert.
“Nar’Allia?”
Solin had found the cylinder with the message from the ancient fathers, she travelled to the northern continent, gained passage through the Ognod lands. No other T’Iea to her knowledge had ever done that.
“Nar’Allia?”
Solin yes, she was a historian, a scholar, an academic and the last surviving member of the ancient order of De’Et’Niale’Ternaven. Little wonder she had been awarded the title of De and deserved such honour and respect, yet here she was in their modest home, a far cry from what she was used to.
“Nar’Allia?”
Suddenly Nar’Allia’s thoughts returned to the present and her surroundings in their house. “Oh, what? I’m sorry I was miles away, just the name, I’m sorry, milady De’Teinde, forgive me my rudeness.” Nar’Allia bowed low to the old T’Iea.
Solin just laughed and smiled, she leant forward and gently placing her fingertips under Nar’Allia’s chin, she gently raised her head so that they had eye contact once more. “Really, Nar’Allia call me Solin all my friends do and I hope that we, will be the greatest of friends. We shall have no such formality here; after all I am among old and very valued friends.”
Nar’Allia managed to tare her gaze from Solin’s and said, “I’ll get some refreshments, would you like some water, a fruit juice perhaps? We have apple juice I’m sure, maybe even some wild berry cordial somewhere?”
“I’m sure Minervar can look after that for us, can’t you Mini? Come and sit here by me Nar’Allia I’d like to get to know you better.” Solin beckoned to Nar’Allia to come and sit. Minervar took the black bow from Nar’Allia and placed it back on its hooks over the fire place above the quiver, then smiling left the room to get some drinks. Solin followed her actions staring at the black bow and the quiver that hung just below it upon the wall. Nar’Allia thought she may have seen a hint of sadness flash across the old T’Iea’s features, just for a fleeting moment.
But Solin had turned to face Nar’Allia. Again a broad smile shone out from her face. “You know Nar’Allia, or may I call you Narny, I believe people do?
Nar’Allia sat and nodded her head.
“Well Narny, to be able to use that bow so well, that is a very special thing. I predict that great things will come of your partnership with that old long bow.” As Solin had been talking she had stood and walked to where the bow hung on the wall. She didn’t touch it but she looked closely at it. Then she returned to where she had been sitting once more. “You know Narny it has been many, many years since I have travelled to the great wood. I am so very pleased to be able to say that it remains much as I remember it. It gladdens my heart to be back here. It gladdens my heart even more to be back amongst the T’Iea’Tarderi. To see my own people once again is a wonderful thing, there is something permanent here, something lasting and reliable. Where I live in Amentura the people are in the main humans. They are wonderful people but it is with a great sadness that I say their generations pass on like the fallen leaves of autumn; it is hard to make friends when you know that your time together is limited by their mortality.
Poor Jonas my ever-faithful man servant, the one that Minervar knew all those years ago has long passed now, I don’t know how many have been in my employ since that time.” She giggled, a melodious sound, “I call them all Jonas you know, I can’t bear to call them by any other name. I like to think of it as an honour of their memory, all those Jonas’s that have gone before, somehow it keeps them all alive.” She thought for a while then once more glancing at the black bow upon the wall, said almost to herself, “it helps me keep fond memories alive.” Then she brightened up, saying, “of course they complain at times my Jonas’s, but they get used to it.” Here she giggled in that light and airy way which suggested a more youthful nature than her appearance suggested. “You know, mankind has a short memory, they are also a prejudicial race, if it wasn’t for my Jonas’s and my other servants I think I may have been dragged onto the streets and stoned to death, even burnt as a sorceress at the stake. A witch they would have called me.” She made light of this comment for she giggled to herself before saying, “but never the less humans remain a suspicious people, my long life has never really been understood by them. I try to keep a low profile. Now I only venture out and about in the town when necessary, maybe I should get out more, it may be my own fault. But successive human generations grow increasingly suspicious of me. I have become the mysterious old woman in the big house on the hill. I’m sure that many stories circulate about me, I may even be a stooge for stories told to frighten small children, you know like the bogeyman in the cupboard, or the woman who eats little boys and girls,” here she giggled again, but she sighed afterwards. “Unfortunately it is the nature of humankind to be suspicious of what they do not know or understand. The irony is that so many in the town benefit from my medicines and salves, sold by Jonas in the market place, if they really knew who was making them, helping them, they would probably hang the poor fellow even if it made life worse for themselves. Such is their short sightedness they would not concern themselves with the benefits they would miss. Unfortunately mankind does not always think too closely on the consequences of his actions. Or necessarily learn from the mistakes of previous generations.”
You know Nar’Allia we, the T’Iea, hold onto history, each of us is a history book for we live so long. We try not to repeat our mistakes because there are always those that remember. Humans on the other hand relay on second hand history, thus the accuracy of their history is easily forgotten as the generations pass on. The actual details grow vague and true meanings are lost to time. As a result each of their generation makes similar mistakes, rediscovers the same problems and comes to the same conclusions. To us they seem to find it difficult to learn, yet they will not be told. They think they are the only ones to suffer so. The majority do not take the slightest heed of their history, they remain solely interested in their own selfish desires.”
Nar’Allia found herself lost for words; she knew of some humans, in Tent Town the majority of the population were humans and when she thought about it she realised that some of that which Solin spoke was true. “Why is it you stay there then, in Amentura I mean, if you fear for your safety?”
Solin took her eyes from Nar’Allia and indicated with a nod of her head towards the black longbow hanging upon the wall. “Because of that long bow and that quiver.”
Nar’Allia wondered at what Solin said, she was about to ask her to explain when Minervar returned with a tray on which were some glasses and a jug of fruit juice.
“I hope you haven’t been preaching at Narny Solin?”
“Of course not, well at least I hope not.” She reached across and took Nar’Allia’s hand once again. “If I have been less than cautious with my words please forgive me Narny, but you see my head is so full of things they continually overflow and spill out, alas mostly through my mouth.”
At this the three woman laughed out loud and Nar’Allia found her voice once more, “that’s alright Solin, when I was growing up in Tent Town I spent a lot of time around humans and also the Grûndén for that matter, so I have a pretty good idea about some of the characteristics of certain other races.”
Solin’s face lit up considerably as she said, “well how would you like to learn more, eh?” She inclined her head towards the fire place once more and said, “would you like to find out more about that longbow hanging on the wall behind you? Who crafted it? How it seems to work with you and not with others? How it can shoot an arrow over such distances yet remain so easy to draw? There are other items that your mother I’m sure has hidden away somewhere. All these things that our people, and other peoples had the skills to make in ages past? You know Narny there is a wide world full of wonder out there, have you listened to your mother’s stories? She should know, she has travelled the world as have I. It’s a fascinating place Narny. I think you would enjoy embracing it. I watched you with that old longbow, how it worked with you, I have seen it work with another. Your mother also told me about the arrows appearing to you in the quiver, you have a strong spirit Narny, a natural affiliation to such things, I believe you have a natural skill you may be able to awaken in time. I am sure you could use those gifts, perhaps even follow in your forebear’s footsteps.”
Nar’Allia was astounded at what had been said, this morning she was just a T’Iea girl amongst many, Solin was now suggesting things that she would never have thought of in a million years.
Minervar on the other hand was frowning at Solin. “Oh Minervar, don’t look so stern. Wouldn’t you like to see those things used once more? She would have liked to see them go to someone who could use them, you know she would!”
Solin, after catching the expression on Minervar’s features sighed, “well there I go again, talking too much as usual. Once, when I was younger, I had all the time in the world, now events have caught up on me and what time I did have has dwindled to but a moment.”
But Nar’Allia was thinking about the suggested mention of Serinae, not in name perhaps, but certainly in reputation. For some reason that name kept cropping up in recent days. Ever since she came down the stairs that night to see the glowing arrows. But of course Serinae had been companion to Solin for many years, Serinae had also lived in Amentura in the house Solin has there. Serinae and Minervar had become great friends, they had travelled, and overcome many trials and hardships together, shared much, joy, laughter, danger, despair, even their grief.
Solin took her eyes off Nar’Allia and looked at Minervar who was still frowning a little.
Minervar said, “Solin, Nar’Allia is hardly old enough to make such a decision, she hasn’t decided what to do with her life yet, you can hardly expect her to make such a choice now. Let her be, she has all the time in the world to decide, don’t push her into something she may not want to do. Something she may regret.”
Solin looked slightly angered. “Oh come Mini, she is past R’Golea’Foed, yes she is a young woman now, but soon she will have to take charge of her own life. How old were you when you were packed off to Gile’Noac’Til and to the De’Et’Niale’Drud’Retoutelle to train as a healer? How old was Serinae when she went to Ter’Resell and entered the ranger guilds? How old was Jondris when he entered the service of Dor’iesnal.” Then almost as a whisper, with a faraway expression upon her face, “how old was I when I left my home and all those I held dear?” No one spoke for a while, Solin was lost in thought. Then she said, “yes we have time Mini, but time has a nasty habit of running out at inconvenient moments, even for the elder races.”
Minervar looked long and hard at Solin before saying, “that was then Solin. Back then the world was different, the world wasn’t such a secure place, war loomed still and our youth needed to be trained, much more was expected of all. There was an air of urgency in those days; we needed trained people badly, for we had lost so many and so much during the times of great strife. The threat was still there back then, even though we had enjoyed some peaceful times. We had to fight for our very existences, the elder races had grown apart, been scattered by the wars.” Then she repeated as if an afterthought, “the world was a very different place back then Solin.” Then looking at Nar’Allia, Minervar continued, “but there is no such threat now, our sons and daughters can take their time in deciding and learning. I have been with the Ognods Solin, as have you, you know they are a depleted people, they are no longer a threat to the world as they once were. The last time I was with them they were embarking upon a path of change, they wanted to integrate more, they need our help not our fear or our revenge. The same goes for all the elder races.”
“Yes, but Mini you of all people should realise that threats to the world come in many forms, it’s not just the Ognods we should fear. There are other forms of evil in this world, forms that have not yet come out into the open, forms that we have not yet been tested against.”
Minervar frowned and looked suspiciously into the blue eyes, but Solin sank back into her chair looking down at her hands clasped in her lap, then said with a dismissive wave of one hand, “well perhaps you are right. Perhaps the world has grown past the old ways. Perhaps there is no place left within it for the likes of me. Perhaps I, like many others, am a relic of a long past forgotten age.” Solin sank further into her chair, she suddenly looked older, more worn out, “I weary Mini, my life has been long, I have done so much. My order no longer exists but for me, I am the last. I never married, never had children, I have no one to pass on my work to, my life or my history. If I die what will happen to it Mini? What will happen to all that is in Amentura? Once I had hoped Serinae would agree to play a part. Yes, I know we disagreed sometimes, her and I, but she was the nearest thing I had to a daughter, the nearest person to pass on my legacy. Now she is gone, gone to seek her dreams, abandoned the world to any of numerous fates. These past years have been lonely Mini, it has been hard. I watch those around me come and go, bloom and whither, yet I live on, but for what?”
Minervar walked slowly across to where Solin sat her head downcast. She bent down and reaching forward clasped both of Solin’s hands in her own. She pursed her lips as Solin looked up into her face, Nar’Allia thought she saw wetness around Minervar’s eyes.
“So that is what this is about Solin. That is why you have come here.”
Solin shrugged, a smile reforming brightening her face once more. “I need someone I can pass everything onto when the time comes Mini. Even I am but a custodian to all that is in Amentura, I need people I can trust to take on the custodianship of that history, to learn that cultural heritage, know it and understand it. I don’t care for myself as such, but I do know that I’m not as young as I used to be, the years have taken their toll on me. I need to retire Mini. But all I have done in my long life, I need to know it has not been a waste of time. That’s why ……,” here Solin took a deep breath before she continued, “I ask that your family Mini, your family, do me this honour; I ask that you take on that responsibility. There is no one else. Not now.”
“But Solin, our lives are here in the great woods, here in Gel’Te’Ertenya with our people, not in some human town. You said yourself that the inhabitants of the town are mistrustful, quick to judge, I cannot place my family in such an environment, what would become of Narny, or the twins?”
“You don’t have to live there Mini, I trust Jonas and the house staff to look after the day to day business. I just ask that you travel there every now and again to ensure continuity, appoint new staff when others retire or pass on. I cannot rest until I am sure that Amentur
a’s future is certain, that there is a solid assurance that it will prevail.”
“Well Solin, even that is still quite a responsibility.” Minervar thought about the house in Amentura, she remembered the treasures that the house contained, remembered the thrill she had once known there. The sense of awe at experiencing the T’Iea heritage from ancient times, the paintings and artefacts, all that was represented there. She thought of Serinae and the years that she had lived there. A tear came to her eye, for she knew in her heart of hearts she loved it. She knew the one time she had been she had marvelled at the place, fully immersed herself in the lavishness of the rooms, the art and fully enjoyed the social standing that was so reminiscent of the ancient T’Iea world. A world that she would never have experienced if it wasn’t for her brief stop in Amentura all those years ago.
Yet she knew she had only seen the veneer. She would be deluding herself if she did not think that she would like to go there again, explore the house further, find out more about what it contained. She looked at Nar’Allia and with an increasing smile upon her lips said, “well perhaps it would do us good to go there, have a sort of holiday. I would like to show Nar’Allia the house and what it hosts; it would be good for her to see more of her cultural heritage. See beyond the great wood and get a glimpse of the true variety of T’Iea culture. I am sure Iolrreas wouldn’t mind spending some time alone with the twins.” She smiled and then asked, “tell me Solin this new Jonas of whom you speak? Does he cook as well as the old?”
Solin jumped in her seat and gave a sort of laugh of delight, she clapped both her hands together and gave a broad grin, “Thank you Mini. Thank you for your indulgences to an old T’Iea woman.” A great weight had seemed to be lifted from Solin, she seemed to visibly rise in her chair, her back straighten, her neck and head held higher, prouder somehow. “As for the cuisine, only one way to find out eh?”
Minervar made her way to Nar’Allia’s side, she passed her arm around Nar’Allia’s waist and looking at her said “what do you think Narny? Would you like to travel a bit, go for a short holiday by the coast, spend some time reading some interesting books, you know how you love to read?”
Nar’Allia had to admit from the stories she had heard, and the thought of travelling to a new and interesting place did have a certain appeal. She knew she had some decisions to make ahead of her, knew she would become restless before too long. Here was an opportunity, a chance to experience other things, perhaps it would help her decide what she wanted to do with her life, perhaps it would settle some things in her own mind. Perhaps she would be free not to feel she had to lose at archery tournaments, free to be herself once more, think about what she wanted. Free of the pressures placed upon her by others. But then to see a real town, to see the world beyond the forest, to meet knew peoples, but most exciting of all to see the great ocean. “Yes, why not. Perhaps this was an opportunity too good to miss. I think a holiday would be just what I need.”
So Minervar kissed her on the brow and turned to Solin, “we’ll travel back with you when the time comes, in the meantime let us honour our friendship by having you stay here with us.”
Solin looked long and hard at Minervar before she said, “I won’t be going back Mini. I intend to stay here amongst my people and at last feel a welcome and sense of peace.” She smiled an even broader smile and said with laughter in her voice, “so why don’t we do a house swap eh? At least for a time.” Then she laughed. “Oh don’t worry I won’t impose myself on you, or your lovely husband forever. I intend to live in my own house here in Gel’Te’Ertenya eventually, have wild parties, invite young artists round, have loud music playing and the finest wines delivered. Surround myself with the youthful and the talented.”
She took a sideways glance towards Minervar whose expression was one of surprise tinged with disapproval. Solin burst out laughing. “Oh, don’t worry Mini, I’m more likely perhaps to become an old recluse, even find myself an old T’Iea male and settle down to marriage at last, I could perhaps teach the children of the village. But I certainly won’t make myself a troublesome burden.”
The three T’Iea women laughed again.
Solin was speaking once more, “but, think it over there is no hurry, I have a room at the inn in the village I will go there for now. I am holding up the remainder of your family celebrations.” The elderly T’Iea stood and reaching behind her grasped onto her long staff for support.
“Thank you Solin, we will drop by the inn tomorrow and see that you are comfortable.”
Nar’Allia was ecstatic, she now had a choice, an alternative to the path that others had mapped out for her. It was liberating. She would of course miss those close about her, but she wanted to escape just for a little while. She loved her family, loved Lo’Rosse perhaps, but somehow she wanted more, wanted something else from life, she felt frightened that if she stayed here she may miss much, just end up fulfilling the wishes of others, their expectations of her and not her own desires and aspirations all because she didn’t know what those desires and aspirations were, but perhaps going away for a while would help her discover those to. Yes, she had to go, get away for a while, she wanted to escape for a while and clear her mind of all those influences and see what was left behind.
So Nar’Allia and Minervar along with Solin went back to see their guests. Lo’Rosse had his dance, in fact several. Nar’Allia relaxed and enjoyed her dancing partner, more so for she felt a freedom she had not felt in a long while, a freedom from the pressures that she felt where upon her. Nar’Allia found herself laughing out loud for Solin even jigged and danced around a little, lifting her skirts so that she did not trip on the hem of her gown and clicking her heels together, she was a good dancer. Sometimes she held onto Minervar’s arm and they both swung round to a particular favourite tune, sometimes she would dodge between Minervar and Nar’Allia, holding both their arms as the three of them swirled about laughing and giggling. Nar’Allia noticed how much Solin seemed to enjoy the festivities, talking to many people including at last a lengthy conversation with Minervar and Iolrreas before she bid everyone goodnight and both of them escorted her to the Inn.
That night Nar’Allia was restless, the excitement of the celebrations. Also the things that Solin had told them had fired her imagination and were relentlessly churning around in her mind. When the house was eventually quiet, she had gone back down the stairs to the parlour room as she had a few nights before. At first she was disappointed, for no glowing light had appeared from the quiver. She had gone across to where it hung but it was empty, she felt a brooding sadness, as if something had been taken from her. She took the black bow down from the wall, as usual it felt warm to the touch and as soon as she grasped it she felt the slight vibration in the wood that she had now become accustomed to. She remembered how the bow had spoken to her, how it seemed to know what she was aiming at and helped in that aim, in fact she had not missed a single shot with it, apart from the last of course when she had purposely missed, but the bow had obeyed, or had it? It was then she noticed the glow from the quiver, she looked and yes, there once again were the ethereal arrows. She went to grasp one again, hesitating slightly before reaching for the nearest one. She frowned as yet again she could not grasp the arrow shaft; it remained within the quiver, her fingertips just passing through it until she grasped nothing.
She whispered, “come, show me Serinae. Show me how it is done, for I wish to know.”