(IC) Chapter Two: First Flight

[Celedor]

He shakes his head as the three in the open break down into incoherent bicker.

You pass into the interior of the temple.

Still one large open room with no other entrances or exits, other than the keyhole in the celing, which is letting in much less light now, in the late afternoon.

The table has another copy of the map you have in your vest pocket sitting on it, there are three backpacks at different points, left at the base of different pilliar/statues.

Nobody in here, that you can see.

[Wentil]

Kamu looks about, puzzled.

"Elder Tovanu?" he calls.  "Are you in here?"

If the Elder is not here, Kamu will descend just to the masked guardians upon the steps and ask them to send a runner to tell Elder Tovanu that Kamu has returned with his first report, and is awaiting him at the Temple.

[Celedor]

Kamu decides the elder isn't hiding anywhere and turns to head outside, where Manuau is just turning away back toward the three outside. The three remaining masked helpers are at the top of the trail over on your right now, two looking at the trio in the cleared area, one looking down the path toward the lake.

Kamu makes it to the temple portico stairs to see Woanu walking away from the other two, shaking his hands over his shoulder dismissively.

Bovanu "But. . .I didn't know. I mean, I didn't."

Kahiku looks like he's trying not to laugh.

Manuau turns his head as Kamu steps out. "How was it? Really I mean?"

[Wentil]

Kamu shrugs diffidently, not certain how much would be proper to disclose, but feeling the need to say something that might help others making that terrifying passage.  "Crossing between the islands, it feels like the sea below is going to eat you." he admits. "You can feel its hate... its... hunger, I guess, is the best way to say it."

Kamu rubs his head ruefully, remembering. "There are... things down in the waters there, waiting under the surface.  I couldn't see them clearly, but I think they... well, I think they somehow knew I was there, just out of their reach.  I stayed high up, and was safe.  That's how it was, but my report as to what I found is first for the Elders."

[Celedor]

Manuau "The runner went with Lohanu's message, before he broke Kahiku's face."

Woanu points at Bovanu "Stay away from me!" before stalking off toward the masked men and the path to the lake.

Bovanu turns to Kahiku "I didn't think . . ."

Kahiku "At least he didn't hit you."

[Wentil]

Kamu frowns.  "What happened, to cause the fight?" he asks, folding his arms.  The runner will return with Elder Tovanu soon.  An unseen weight slowly eases from between his shoulderblades.

[Celedor]

Mananu glances over as Woanu passes through the masked men onto the trail down.

Kahiku "Where is he going?"

Bovanu "To the lake."

Kahiku "Why?"

And glances back to you. "Kahiku found it strange that you sent a man with a bad leg as a message runner, that he said so says he has no manners, that he said so to a man with a good arm was foolish. . ." He turns his head to look you in the eyes "What does saying it to the man who makes sure your saddle is still safe between flights say?" and shrugs.

[Wentil]

The edges of Kamu's mouth dip in a frown.  "Lohanu can walk well enough." he says.  "He is no less a man for his limp.  He proved his strength by surviving the accident."

Kamu glances after Kahiku.  "It is a measure of my confidence in him that I sent Lohanu to bear the message to Elder Tovanu." he says. "I wanted him to be the one to bring the tidings to the Elders.  I wanted him to share in the pleasure and excitement that would be on their faces.  And I wanted him to escort Elder Tovanu back -- he is, after all, better-winded and also much younger than the Elder -- yet surely Kahiku would not insult the Elder for his condition."

Kamu's frown deepens to a scowl for a black moment.  "I do not blame Lohanu for striking him." he says, his voice grim and flat.  "It is bad enough that Lohanu will never again know the joy of flight, but to insult him, or mock him of it... Kahiku should count himself lucky that I was not present when those words were spoken."

[Celedor]

Bovanu walks away taward the lake path, leaving Kahiku alone holding his face.

Manuau quirks an eyebrow, nods as you speak, and again as you finish. "I'm eager to hear your tale, I hope Tovanu doesn't take to long stripping their hides off, he already had words with us this morning. . .well. . .afternoon." He looks sheepish and blushes.

Kahiku shakes his head, then puts a hand to his nose in pain, then follows the other two off toward the path, never turning enough to see you waiting on the portico.

[Wentil]

Kamu settles down, legs crossed, and exhales slowly, trying to relax and recapture his inner center of calm while waiting for Tovanu.

He closes his eyes and once again runs through the details of his planned report, trying the recall everything exactly as it took place, as he was taught to do.

[Celedor]

Crossing your legs brings a sting to your knees that you ignore.

You hear Manuau sit nearby, and wait.

The sun and wind dry the sweat from your face, contemplation and calm are broken by a voice.

"Eyes closed, seeing all, though I guess one of you has earned the rest."

Your eyes open to Tovanu, standing at the base of the stairs. You vaguely see Manuau out of the corner of your left eye.

Tovanu looks tired, and his expression is stern.

"So Kamu, will you be the first to tell me something today that is pleasing to the ears?"

[Wentil]

Kamu stands and makes a profound gesture of respect to the Elder.

"I am ready to speak of what I have seen in my first flight, Elder." he says. "Here, or in any other place of your choosing."

[Celedor]

Standing, you see Monuau is in full lotus, which you've always found more painful than contemplative.

Tovanu "Let me sit"

he climbs the first three steps, turning and sitting on the side of the stairs with a sigh.

Tovanu "report Kamu."

[Wentil]

Kamu places his hands behind his back and begins to recite the report that he has composed in his head and gone over and over, ensuring it is utterly concise, leaving out only personal details, such as his feelings of unease and the sense of hunger from the sea below, and ending in at least two suggested courses of action.

"I proceeded first to the hunting islands, Nizki, Shemi and Aladi." he says. "There I saw an extremely large number of sea-lions and other animals, who dwell there in numbers beyond counting. The shores were packed by their bodies so thickly in many spots I could not see the ground beneath them. The hunting islands seemed deserted, other than the animals that fill them. The old breakwater and harbor on Nizki still stands as it was described, as well as some of the old fishing and hunting huts, but there was no smoke, cultivation or other sign of tenancy.  The buildings were choked with vines, overrun by the forest."

He takes a breath.

"Seeing no signs of people or survivors despite close inspection, without landing, I turned my gull toward Agatti." he says, his voice calm and measured.  "As I drew near and the sky-fog thinned, I began to see a great deal of smoke, from many scattered sources.  I also saw what seemed to be green, cultivated fields.  There are people on Agatti.  We are not alone."

Kamu gestures with one hand.  "With this discovered, I heeled about and returned, to carry this news to you, Elder Tovanu." he says. "My next flight will be to Agatti, to investigate further and in more detail.  If there is a written message of some sort that the Elders would wish to compose that I might drop to an Elder there, I will deliver it.  Or, should you wish me to land and make contact in person, I shall do that."

[Celedor]

Tovanu "Good. Good. This is excellent news. Are you certain the three islets were empty? Sea lions you say." Smacks his lips. "Signs of man on Agatti. . .hmm. . .you did well to turn back, this is excellent news." Bobs his head and contemplates, eyes up and off to the side, index finger dancing, then his eyes track back onto you. "Much to be done. . .yes. I found things less than tranquil in your absence, sloth and conflict." voice raising and a wave of his hand.

Hops down off of the edge of the stairs to his feet, you note that there's a wobble as he steps down off the stairs into the clearing at the base. . .he begins to pace, speaking, waving his hand, occasionally looking at you.

"Five islands here in this cluster, our own and these four. . .You say the three islets are abandoned."

Turning and pointing at you then away.

"Agatti full of people is good, contact is good, but much conflict in the past. Must be careful."

turns to pace back.

"We must be wary of the spirits, do them proper as we go. So few to do so much."

Turns away again.

"Statues, contact and we will know more."

Turns back toward you, making eye contact.

"No more of this childishness among the riders, I've set those three into the lake, they will be purified, and they can return. . ."

Closes in to the bottom of the stairs.

"But no more, too much rests on too little, it falls to you you Kamu, to lead them."

Turns to Manuau.

"You know what must be done with the stautes, I leave that to you, but you will obey Kamu on all else but the details of that task."

Stares at Manuau.

"Well? Am I understood?"

Manuau "Yes elder."

Tovanu turns back toward you. "Those three islets, if they are free, we may make use of them, but I do not yet trust the other candidates on this chancy work. . .this handful, the best, you are still children." Looking at Monuau at this last, then back to you. "You have done well Kamu, but you are still just beginning. I know you look to the Elders for guidence, but we cannot be there..." Waves an arm "...out there, when you need us. So you must plan, and set those who can go to their tasks. I want those three islands explored, and if it is safe, Monuau must do what the spirits require. . " turns away again "You will have your letter for Agatti, I will speak to the council, and see that it is done. You must talk to the others, and set the work to being done." Turns back again, walks forward, looking up at you. "Remember, first bring no harm back to Kani, and second, bring yourself back to us safely, only third lies the importance of pushing ever outward."

Stops at the bottom of the stairs below you and places his hands on his hips.

"Am I understood?"

[Wentil]

Kamu nods solemnly.  "Yes, Elder." he replies.  "I understand.  When shall we depart?  Upon the morrow, at first light?"

Although his outward appearance is calm and confident, inside his mind, questions and astonishment abounds.  He was to lead the other riders?  What needed to be done with the statues?  There was much conflict in the past with Agatti?  He'd never heard of it.  What should he avoid doing?  Saying?  What must Monuau do that the spirits required?  Should Kamu do something, too?

Surely, Kamu hoped, these questions would all be answered in time.  For now, he must strive to vindicate the Elder's confidence in him.  He listens intently to Tovanu's next words.

[Celedor]

Tovanu "Good. . .Depart when you are ready. Your letter will not be ready until later in the morning tomorrow. Do you have any questions for me?"

[Wentil]

Kamu's number of questions exceeds his ability to count, but he knows better than to give voice to any of them.

He gravely shakes his head.  "No, Elder Tovanu." he replies.  "I will make sure the riders are ready for tomorrow's flight.  We will depart the moment the Elders' message is given to us."

Kamu turns his head slightly and looks at Manuau.  "Manuau, I ask you to tell the others, when they have completed their purification, and their other tasks for the day, to meet me here at the Temple.  I will explain what I saw, while showing them the map.  We will also discuss what I saw of Agatti, and how we might best approach it.  For now, I must go and speak with Lohanu, and try to undo the damage that Kahiku wrought."

[Celedor]

Continuing Here:

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