A Mystery Deep Below Part 2
On my way to Lar-Naneth for my tutoring, I passed many other Firen going about their daily routines. Younglings headed off to their separate tutors. The way of trades was our way of life. Reading and writing were born into us. We did not know any other way of life. Riding on the back of Torchal through the deep dark waters, life was simple.
We were one of four towns. Ours was closest to Torchal’s head. It made sense since Lar-Naneth lived here. She could speak mind to mind with him. He was an endless source for knowledge and wisdom. Torchal, through Lar-Naneth, was judge to any crime. Those found guilty were exiled off his back to float till death.
This day was the same as any other. I passed our fishers, casting lines up above into the waters. It was our main source of food. This with some algae crops formed on Torchal’s spines gave our bodies all we needed. This cycle seemed to be a good one. Hal-mant had many apprentices. Each one was assigned to a seasoned fisher. Hal-mant called out to me. “Running late, I see. Lar-Naneth will tan your hide.” He threw a small blue fish over. “Here. This may save you a little of her wrath.”
“Thank you, Hal-mant. You always know how to appease Lar-Naneth. I shall come later to help gut your catch.” I caught the flavorful small fish easily, happy to have a peace offering.
Finally, at Lar-Naneth’s hut, I shook the shells hanging from her sea weed curtain door. “Lar-Naneth, I have arrived.
“You are late! I should have you fetch a fallen spine to whip you with.” Lar-Naneth poked her pointed nose through the curtain. White hair stood on end. She was nearly a foot shorter than me and thin as a fish bone, but no one dared test her strength.
“Please, Lar, please. The younglings I reside with needed morning meal and Madame was out at market. I brought you a Luin for your tea.” I held out the palm sized fish.
Lar-Naneth scrunched her eyes while glaring at the fish. “Hmmm. You may have saved your backside yet again. Come. Bring it over and start your lessons.”
“Yes Lar.” I entered her hut after her. Furniture made from fallen spines lines both sides of the entrance room. A single person chair to the left and a double person chair to the right. A large, round table took up the center. Sitting upon that table was my task for the day. There was a green coral, white pearl, and red rock.
Lar-Naneth disappeared behind another curtain to make her tea. From there, she yelled at me, “This time, get it right! No guessing!”
“Yes, Lar.” Standing before the table, I closed my eyes. My open hand hovered over each item for seconds at a time before moving on to the next. Clearing my mind was the hardest part. It just wouldn’t shut up. I tried visualizing the dark water around us or focusing on Torchal’s movements. Before I knew it, I was thinking of all sorts of things instead of silence.
I shook out my hands and took a deep breath. Connecting to Torchal was the hardest task I have ever had to accomplish so far. I could hear his murmurs but never the exact words. Focus was definitely not my strong point. You would think, being Lar-Naneth’s daughter would make this easier, but it didn’t.
Swaying to Torchal’s swimming, my mind finally emptied. A peace fell over me. My heart filled with love. One simple word gonged in my mind, “Pearl!”
