This story is part of the adventures in fantasy realm
“This is it,” she said to her companion.
They stood together near a lake, watching the smooth surface of the water together. A strong wind pulled in the grass and leaves surrounding them. The young woman moved some hair from her face, but with the wind it was a futile endeavour to keep the hair out of her face.
The young man nodded.
“Mikhal…” she began, searching for words and she looked at him. “You will tell my story, right?”
“Of course, Elina,” Mikhal said as he smiled at her. “I will tell your story, I will capture your soul in a song and share it with the world.”
Her story had come to an end now and the bard hadn’t been a part of it until the last few days. Elina looked out over the lake again. This was her destiny, she was to join the elders of the village. Once she had joined them, the crystal that helped them survive the harsh living conditions high up in the mountains would be fuelled for another fifty years. The crystal that gave them heath and light to grow crops in the unforgiving and cold environment, that protected them against avalanches and rockslides.
Many people had asked why they just didn’t leave and find another place to live. A safer place. But how could they if the creatures they were supposed to guard lived only in the mountains? Rockfish, creatures that could swim through stone and ice, were predated by snakes, and humans who wished to sell their scales and eggs. Just like salmon they came to specific places to breed, and that was when they were most vulnerable. And the snowflies, the small butterflies with white wings, were often plucked from the rocks during their summer rest, their wings torn off to sell and their bodies discarded.
Elina took a deep breath; she had said her goodbye’s in the village and now there was one final goodbye. She turned to the bard, who stood next to her in silence. “Thank you for walking with me,” she said. “It made it easier to come here.”
“It was my pleasure,” Mikhal said, looking at the water. It was as smooth as a mirror, even with the strong wind blowing around them. This was certainly a magical place. “I will travel to your village next, I must say I’m curious to see the rockfish. I only know them through stories.”
“But you can’t,” Elina began, but Mikhal didn’t let her finish the sentence.
“I won’t speak of their breeding grounds, nor will I reveal the locations of their nests,” he promised.
“Thank you.” Elina looked at the lake once more, her back straight and a determined look in her eyes. “It was nice meeting you, Mikhal. I enjoyed your stories and songs, but it’s time now.”
Mikhal nodded and held out his hand, which Elina took. “Goodbye Elina,” he said, shaking her hand, but then bringing it to his mouth so he could give it a kiss. “I wish you well on your journey to your elders.”
With a smile Elina took her hand back, she nodded a final time to Mikhal and walked to the water. She waded into the lake and continued forward, until she disappeared under the surface. The little disturbances of the water caused by Elina’s movements went away and the surface was smooth once more, as if nothing had happened.
*** © Mariska Bekker ***