Reflection Read online

  “Come, Journey,” Takoda says, pulling on my arm. “We can come back. I wish for you to meet my grandmother.”

  We walk through several huts before we stop. The hut has several rooms and is comfortably decorated. Takoda holds my hand. An old Swetaachata woman sits comfortably in a chair filled with blankets and pillows. Her hair is gone, but many drapings have already taken its place filling her face with beauty. Her skin is fair, the blue long since gone. Wrinkles decorate her face and chin, but this gives her a look of wisdom. I’m instantly taken by her. Her eyes open and they twinkle as they see Takoda. A huge smile grows on her face and lights up the room.

  “Takoda,” she whispers. “My boy, my beautiful boy.”

  Takoda kneels next to his grandmother and places his head in her lap. She rubs his head and gazes into his eyes.

  “I love you, Mother Vviaa,” he says. Tears fill his eyes. My heart aches and I know she will not be on this world much longer.

  “Do not cry, my beautiful boy,” she whispers. “When I leave to be with the Most Holy, I will leave knowing love.”

  Takoda lifts his head and kisses her. “Mother Vviaa, I wish for you to meet my nubere alicui.”

  “Ah,” Mother Vviaa says, reaching out her hand to me. “Kupatanna, you bonded.”

  I take her hand and instantly everything changes. No longer am I in Mother Vviaa’s home, but on a mountain ridge. Next to me stands a beautiful Swetaachata woman wearing a scant cloth that barely covers her. Drapings cling to her long hair. Below is the valley and above are the clouds.

  “Where am I?”

  “You are with me,” she says. “I need to talk to you privately.”

  “What happened?”

  “I am Gemanaga, and I have suspicions you are too.”

  “What’s a Gemanaga?”

  “Someone with the ancient blood running through their veins,” she explains.

  I stare at her.

  “You are very special if Takoda pledged himself to you,” she says. “He does not give out his love freely.”

  I nod.

  “I believe you are very special, Journey,” she says. “When we touched, the Most Holy gave me a message for you.”

  “Okay.”

  “Do not trust your mother,” she replies. “She is not who you think she is.”

  “I’ve already figured that one out.”

  “The Council is not what you think they are either,” she adds.

  “I have not met the Council yet.”

  “Wait as long as you can,” she adds. “You need to know your powers first. I believe you will find yourself, but not today, and not tomorrow. Maybe yesterday.”

  • • •

  We’re back in her home, and Takoda is still kneeling next to her.

  “That was interesting,” I say.

  “What is interesting?” Takoda asks.

  “It is intereting that you are here, my boy,” Mother Vviaa says. She places a finger over her mouth and waves it back and forth. Then she smiles. “Come sit by me, Journey. Let me get to know you better. Tell me about Earth.”

  We sit together and share stories. I tell her about the large cities of Earth and how many people live there. She seems interested in how we lived, worked and played.

  “Tell me about you, Mother Vviaa,” I say.

  “There is not much to tell,” she replies. “I was born here in this hut. Takoda was also born here. Freya was born on Traveler. I married young, too young. I never bonded, but we loved each other. My fears kept me alone for most of my life.”

  Takoda’s visiting with Vookda and I grab at the chance. “What is a Gemanaga?”

  “The ancient blood was strong and powerful,” she replies. “The Council killed anyone who showed the signs. There are few of us left.”

  “But what is it?” I ask.

  “Gemanga, ancient bloodline. The powerful blood of the Most Holy.”

  “I believe you are tired, Mother,” Vookda says, interrupting our conversation. My heart drops. I want to know more, but I also do not want her to get too tired.

  Takoda and I retire to Vookda’s hut. As sleep greets me, my mind juggles through the conversation with Mother Vviaa. How did we get to the top of that mountain, and why didn’t anyone notice we were gone? How did she look so young? So many questions.

  • • •

  Mother Vviaa died that night as we slept. Her body was burnt the next evening in a large fire. Distant family tribes came to pay their respects. Takoda’s father, Fretoda and his sister, Freya arrive just before the service. Tribal clothing with family colors brighten the service, yellow and green. Takoda cries on my shoulder as the fire blazes. My heart breaks as I watch the family mourn.

  The night before we leave, Vookda says her goodbyes.

  “This is for you,” she says, handing me a small cloth.

  “Me?”

  “Yes, from Mother Vviaa,” she replies.

  I open the cloth and in my hand is a beautiful draping.

  “Why?” I ask.

  “She believed in you, Journey,” Vookda replies. “She said to wear this, and when you have a daughter, you should pass it on.”

  The draping is long and gold thread decorates the thin strap. Tiny feathers and beads cling to the end.

  “She said your heart is good and this draping will announce your greatness. Wear it with pride.”

  “I will,” I reply, knowing I would again meet this woman in my dreams.

  29

  GAIA

  WE LEAVE before any of the others are awake. My heart aches for the woman I just met, but she was so sweet and loving. Abeytu gave me directions to my grandmother’s home on the small water moon, Makayah. We arrive at the station and find our flight, a small ship similar to my mother’s. This flight is a few hours longer than our previous flights since Makayah is on the other side of Traveler.

  Makayah’s only station is on the largest of the islands. We’ll need to take a ferryboat.

  It’s weird being on the moon, all I see in any direction is water. Traveler is so large, I see it hovering just off the horizon. It is sunny, no clouds. Large whale-like creatures jump from the seas. I laugh but Takoda frowns as he wipes his face. It’s not a short ride to my grandmother’s island. We eat lunch on the ferry and work on our tablets. Being out in public it’s important we look like friends and nothing more. We do not kiss or hug each other, but we do hold hands.

  “Okay, we are registered for the class. It starts next week,” he says, shoving his tablet into his pack. Takoda looks at me with a saddened expression. I can sense he’s thinking about the people I killed to save him. He smiles and I smile back, but we do not discuss it.

  We arrive on the island shortly after lunch and find a taxi. No cars, only carts pulled by a horse-like animal. I lean against Takoda as we ride. The house is built out of mud and brick, the house reminds me of an adobe village. Each room is a separate building and attached by connecting hallways. I love it the moment I see it. One hallway is between two large trees with smaller rooms on both sides. The yard is green with soft moss. Not one flower decorates the yard.

  “Ready?” Takoda asks, as we stand out front.

  “Sure.” We walk to the front door together.

  Before we knock, the door opens and a young woman looking just like me welcomes us.

  “Oh my!” she says with a smile.

  “Hello, I’m…”

  “I know who you are, Journey. I would recognize you anywhere. Come in, please.”

  I’m not sure what I’m expecting, but the home reminds me of Earth. Thick drapes frame the windows and huge pillows adorn the couch and chairs. A flat screen television hangs on the wall.

  “Make yourselves comfortable,” she says as she walks down the short hallway.

  Takoda sits on the couch while I walk around the room admiring the pictures. There are pictures of Mom, Makayah and me in decorative frames placed strategically around the room. My grandmother returns with a tray.
r />   “Please, Journey, have a seat,” she says motioning. “Since we receive only one transport a day, I assume you will be spending the night?”

  “We can stay on the mainland,” I state quickly. “We don’t want to impose.”

  “Don’t be silly,” she argues. “This is your home too.”

  “You look so young,” I say, then wish I hadn’t, taking a sip of my tea.

  “When you have mad scientists for relatives there are some side effects,” she grins.

  “But you don’t even look as old as my mother,” I exclaim. “How old are you?”

  “Old enough to know to never reveal my age,” she answers, with a wink.

  I take in a deep breath and munch on a cracker. Studying her, I’m looking at myself only a little older. “You’re beautiful.”

  “Thank you,” she replies. “And so are you.”

  We laugh. “Are you going to introduce me?”

  “Oh, where’s my manners,” I apologize. “Grandmother, this is Takoda…Takoda, this is my Grandmother Lylillea.”

  “We have company,” a deep voice echoes from the hallway.

  “You have company?” I ask, feeling guilty for dropping in unexpectedly.

  “Yes, your grandfather,” she says, with a chuckle. “He lives here, so I wouldn’t worry. Chawanna, your granddaughter is here to visit you. Do you need any help?”

  “Of course not,” he snaps. Chawanna enters the room and I almost fall over. He’s an elderly man with gray hair and a frail body. He uses a walker and it takes him a while to get to his recliner. “Ah, tea time. Good, I am hungry. Oh, I recognize her,” he says pointing to me. “But who are you?”

  “This is Takoda,” my grandmother says winking at him. “He and Journey will be unioned someday.”

  “Another rebel, I see,” he says, very matter-of-factly. “I was one of those once.” He laughs. “When I had the energy.”

  “Yes you were, my love,” Lylillea says, patting his hand in a loving manner.

  The way she looks at him, I can tell that they shared Kupatanna.

  “I guess Mom or Dad told you about us?”

  “Abeytu,” she explains, pouring her husband some tea.

  “This is awkward, isn’t it?” I say, smiling.

  “Only for you, Journey,” she replies. “We’ve watched you grow. Rachael sent pictures and movies. Her letters told us all about you. It was as if we were there sharing every moment of your life, yours and Makayah’s. The only thing I missed was the hugs and kisses from my granddaughters.”

  Taking the hint, I go to her. We hug and it’s as if I’ve finally come home. I hug my grandfather and kiss him, though I wasn’t sure how much he would remember later. It’s obvious his memory is fading. I feel sorry for my grandmother, for I know he’ll die someday soon from old age, and she’ll live on as a healthy twenty-year-old. It’s strange watching them; her age shows in her mannerisms, but her face and body are of a young woman. It’s as if what our ancestors did was a curse, not a blessing.

  We talk all afternoon and I help prepare dinner. After, Takoda plays a card game with my grandfather as I walk with my grandmother. To be alone with her for the first time is a treasure I’ll never forget.

  “It’s great being here with you,” I say as we walk. Her house is not far from the water’s edge and I wonder about storm danger.

  “We have no storms here,” she says, as if reading my mind. “Journey and Traveler’s gravity is too strong and has an opposite effect on the water. Both pull on our world so there is no wind and no tide.”

  “Rain?” I ask.

  “No rain,” she answers. “The water table is high, plants draw water from below the ground. The oceans are freshwater.”

  “Did you just read my mind?” I ask.

  “You do not know about Kupatanna and its effects, do you?”

  “I know only what I experienced.”

  “Come sit by me, Journey, my daughter’s daughter.”

  We sit on the beach, just close enough to the water for our feet to get wet. We watch together as the sun sets behind Traveler, and as the sun rises from behind Journey.

  “We have only daylight,” she says as she moves the sand around with her toes. She then says something that grips me from deep within. “I will die when he dies.”

  I’m not sure how to respond. At that moment, I understand what Kupatanna means for my future. When two people merge, their lives and souls merge too. Now I know why it doesn’t bother her that my grandfather is old and dying. When he dies, she too will die and be with him forever.

  “We became friends when I met him in town one day,” she says, gazing over the water. “I fell instantly for Chawanna. He was so handsome. We shared Trials that year and that’s when it happened. He became ill with a high fever. I had never been so afraid in my life. I thought he would die, right there, in front of me, and I would be alone. I knew nothing of Kupatanna, absolutely nothing. It happened by accident. He started shivering, so I grabbed him to warm him, and when I did, that’s when it happened. Suddenly I found myself on his home world, and his whole life is flashing before my eyes. When he finally came to, he admitted his love for me and explained. He said it happened early and he had no idea as to why.

  “We unioned right after classes ended that summer,” she continues. “We knew it was forbidden, but we didn’t care. We were young and not afraid of anyone. When I gave birth to your mother, I knew I had to hide her. They would kill my precious baby. We took her to Chawanna’s family. They live deep in the mountains on Journey. We returned to Traveler when she was of age. She injured herself in class one day, and the doctors knew she was from a mixed union. They imprisoned us for our illegal union and the creation of an abomination. A baby an abomination? Can you believe that? Abeytu and your father worked hard to get us out. But it took a very long time. We were in prison for over twelve years. We didn’t get to raise Chawlya and she’s always resented us for that.”

  Tears form in my grandmother’s eyes. I feel sorry for her. I reach out and rub her arm. She smiles and rests her head on my shoulder.

  “Your life will not be easy, Journey. I’m afraid many people will come after you because of your love for Takoda. In many ways, your love will also be your curse. But in many ways your love will also be a blessing. Takoda will always be true and honest to you and your children. He will love you more than any man can ever love a woman, and you will love him in ways you cannot comprehend.”

  “I think I understand,” I whisper.

  “What I do not understand is why our union was forbidden.” Tears roll down her cheeks. “We all come from the same family tree. From what I understand, our people traveled to Journey and stayed. Then something happened to both our worlds, and we lost our knowledge about space travel. Over time our people changed physically. Something about the air and water. They also became telepathic and more spiritual than those who remained behind on Traveler. Many generations came and went before we reunited. But the time spent apart was too great. Time had changed everyone. The Death Plague hit our worlds, and everyone blamed everyone else. Sadly, most of the blame landed on the Swetaachata. Journey and its people became our enemy and we became Traveler’s curse. We did everything we could to annihilate one another. It wasn’t until the Tarkadians attacked our two planets we began to work together for our survival.”

  “I’ve been to the graveyard.” Now I know where the racism originated. Although stupid, I understand.

  “Truth is never pretty, is it?” she adds.

  The following morning we wake early as the aroma of food fills our room. My grandmother prepared a wonderful breakfast and my grandfather’s already eating when we take our seats at the kitchen table. Everything looks so good that I’m not sure where to start. Takoda digs right in.

  “Journey, do you like Swetaachata food?” she asks, filling my plate with something that resembles scrambled eggs.

  “What I’ve had so far I like. Takoda took me to dinner for my birt
hday at a Swetaachata restaurant,” I answer, taking a bite of food. “Yum, it’s delicious.”

  “The plants on Journey are much sweeter than on Traveler,” my grandfather adds.

  “Yes, and our cultures are very different,” Takoda says, sipping on a hot breakfast drink.

  “I thought I would take you to the caves today,” Lylillea states, while taking several spoons full of a fruit dish to fill her plate.

  With my mouth full, I stutter, “Caves?”

  “How can there be caves?” Takoda asks. “This is a flat water world. There are no mountains.”

  “None that you can see,” she explains. “Our mountains are underwater.”

  “We’re not taught that in class,” Takoda adds, taking another bite.

  “There’s a lot that they do not teach you,” Chawanna states, slapping the table. “And it is a blasted shame.”

  My grandfather remains at home. I feel bad leaving him behind. I promise him my full attention when we return that evening. Lylillea packs a lunch, and we head for the flat beach just outside her home. My legs and feet ache and my stomach’s growling by the time we stop to rest.

  “What I don’t understand,” I say as we eat. “Why is English the common language?”

  “Our ancestors came from deep inside the Fornax system—a planet called Qapadhue. It’s about the size of Traveler with the same atmosphere. That system had one sun, unlike here, and no twin. We have no knowledge of where the people of Qapadhue came from. We do know about the ancient war with the Draconians. Our people barely escaped to other universes. Thousands of ships left in pairs. One ship could have carried all the people, but to increase the chance of survival, they used two ships. If one ship couldn’t continue, the other would be large enough to carry everyone.”

  “Smart thinking.”

  “Yes and no,” Grandmother continues. “They left many behind and the planet was destroyed.”

  “I know two ships arrived here and they settled Traveler first. Settlements on Journey didn’t happen until many generations later,” Takoda says.

  “That is correct,” Grandmother replies. “Two ships came here, but the ancient writings teach us one left for another universe, a planet they called Tiamat.”