Brave Story - Miyuki Miyabe [227]
“Do they often send out messengers like this?”
“No. I’ve seen them only once before, myself. I think it was when somebody important in the government died. Quite a rare event, in any case.”
A large crowd had gathered around the pagoda. Everyone was quiet, and someone—perhaps an adviser—was standing next to the chief, speaking with him in hushed tones. He was the first to tell the crowd about the message the karulakin had brought. Then, like an interpreter, he relayed the Elder’s comments as the Elder muttered softly in his ear. Meena explained it was because the Elder’s voice had faded with age.
Wataru and Meena stood behind the large crowd of waterkin and observed the gathering. The crowd didn’t seem too surprised by what they heard.
Said the adviser: “The Elder speaks! He says that this world, and our lives, were given to us by the Goddess. This is a certain and known truth. Our daily livelihood, our strong arms and backs, and the sea which gives birth to us and receives us in our final days—all were made by the Goddess.”
“It is so!” the crowd chanted.
“If the Goddess were to demand of us a sacrifice, it would be our pleasure to provide such. Do not fear, my friends. For the finger of the Goddess points always unerringly toward the truth.”
“It is so!”
“The one who is chosen is the embodiment of all our hope. If the finger of the Goddess should point at you, you would rise as a hero! It is so!”
“We shall not fear!” all the waterkin gathered there cried as one.
When the crowd quieted down, the Elder began speaking to his adviser once again.
“We waterkin honor the ancient teachings of the Goddess,” continued the adviser. “As such, we are distinguished among all the races in Vision. We have much knowledge. Many of us already know of the Barrier of Light, and of the sacrifice, as it has been told from generation to generation among our people.”
Many heads in the crowd nodded. “My,” said Meena, looking startled. “I don’t think many other people know about it. It was sure news to me.”
“It is because of this that our Elder weeps not a tear for our village. He believes in you all.”
A great cheer rose up. The adviser lifted his massive arms and silenced the crowd. “But Vision is vast. There are some races and peoples who do not share our unerring faith in the Creator. And these tidings are sure to bring them much fear. I ask that none of you be swayed by the disturbances to come. We waterkin have lived since antiquity under the Goddess’s wing and so shall we for all time!”
“For all time!” The crowd hooted and hollered, pumping their fists in the air. Then the adviser turned and pointed toward the northern sky. “The starseers of Sasaya predict that Halnera shall begin this very evening. The Blood Star will appear upon the horizon—a glowing red sign of the age. But, I ask you, let us pass these days of Halnera in peace. On the honorable soul of our people let us swear our loyalty to the goddess here. We will wait with reverence the renewal of the contract between our goddess and the Lord of the Underworld!”
As one, the waterkin rose and gave a great cheer. Wataru spotted Kee Keema in the crowd, cheering along with the rest. Then, the waterkin joined their voices in harmony in a song of praise to the Goddess.
“According to the karulah who brought us this message, there are already some disturbances in parts of Arikita and Bog. When we lose our faith, we become weak. As we drive our darbabas across this land, we may encounter some of those who have lost sight of their faith, but I ask you to remain steadfast and continue to aid one another. To our leaders, I ask you to give guidance to those whom you can reach.”
And the gathering was over. The darbaba drivers—over half of the town, as it turned out—were directed to go to a separate meeting later. The waterkin shuffled slowly off.
“Are you okay, Meena?” Wataru asked.