The sun traveled well past the high point in the sky since Little Fish and his ‘God Mother’ the Priestess set out for the Delta Boundary. Though the River always flowed from the Great Dam to the sea, at this time of year the water level was high enough for sailed boats to travel its length. Little Fish kept a strong hand on the rudder at the aft end of the yellow sailed boat while the Priestess lounged forward over the bow. They both could have come and gone uncounted times from the Dam to the Delta, but the Priestess specifically asked to travel by boat.
Strange thing to the young man’s mind was the Priestess hadn’t said a word since they disembarked. It was unlike her to be silent for so long unless she was upset about something. ‘She can’t be angry with me,’ thought Little Fish for no dark clouds gathered overhead. Finally, he couldn’t take the silence anymore. “Is anything wrong Priestess?” Long moments passed as his God Mother did nothing but watch her hand drag through the flowing river as swarms of surviving young trout raced towards the sea.
The sail shifted with the wind and the sun struck Little Fish’s face as the Priestess asked, “So where do you go down the Dark Road?” The sudden hard sunlight seemed to have a weighty feel as the surprised young man quickly fought to block it from his eyes. His God Mother’s question had a similar feel, but there would be no blocking it! How irritating it was not being able to hide anything from either sets of parents or the Chief for that matter! With a long sigh, Little Fish merely answered, “Places....”
Changing her position on the cushion of fishing nets, the Priestess faced her adopted son. “Our friend ‘Sir Fish’ gave you a portion of his power for fair exchange just as he gave to me. We both wear his scales to signify that friendship. What you do with that power is up to you. Just remember what I told you about the stars....” Meeting his God Mother’s dark brown eyes Little Fish finished her sentence, “...Though they are far away, they are immense and just look small.” The Priestess gave a slight grin as she suddenly saw him as the boy he once was reciting his lessons with bright eager eyes. She had to remember that boy was lost and this young man now sat before her.
“Yes... Fish. That is correct. Your power is similar to that analogy. The ‘small portion’ you possess came from an immense source. Though you have nothing close to Sir Fish’s full power, your small bit is... immense. You must be careful of how, when and where you use it.”
Little Fish had heard this many times before, but he knew better than to show impatience with his God Mother. He vividly remembered both the Knight’s and her punishments when he used his gifts mischievously. The worst came when he summoned a great host of Siafu the Driver Ants into the Valley. Summoning the host was easy. Getting them to leave, wasn’t.
With the power of the Fish Scale Necklace, he could do wondrous things. Breathe underwater, swim as the fastest fish, run across water as the little River Dragons, command all manner of low creatures, perform feats of great strength and command the waters to some degree. The Priestess over the years guided him in controlling the power while the Knight taught how to control himself. The greatest power the Fish Scale provided was the ability to travel The Dark Road.
As a child, he’d been tricked by Death into falling from this world through the barrier dividing time and space. Early on and fearful of where he’d been drawn into, Little Fish called the space between worlds ‘The Black’ because of it being totally dark without the Fish Scale’s light. After initially using it to take the Chief back home, Little Fish learned the Black was actually a dark road. Long as he had an image of a place in his or someone’s mind nearby and a suitable source of water, by way of the dark road he could go anywhere at any time.
Lately, he’d been traveling the Dark Road regularly. However, he’d found there was only one place in the entire Valley region with a source of water which allowed access to the Dark Road. It was the hidden place at the base of the Great Dam where Death tricked him into falling. Now with the River being allowed to flow strongly through gaps in the Dam, it was impossible to get into the hidden place. He chided himself for thinking the Priestess would not find out.
“I’m sorry Priestess,” said a suddenly penitent Little Fish. Her eyes unwavering the Priestess replied, “Sorry for what?” That caught the young man off guard. “Y-you’re not angry?” Still holding his eyes firm the Priestess asked, “Should I be?” Having only seen bare glimpses of his God Mother’s ire Little Fish hastily countered, “No! Uh, I mean... uh, no Priestess you shouldn’t be... uh, angry....” Shifting to a more comfortable position upon the nets, the Priestess continued to let her eyes bore into her son. “I have always encouraged you to explore your power. There have been instances where your missteps have been... annoying, but you have not given me cause for anger.”
Before Little Fish could breathe a sigh of relief, the Priestess sat up on the nets and faced him like a perched hawk. The sun at her back gave him the impression of outstretched golden wings at her sides. “I am concerned. When you leave the Valley by way of the Dark Road, you go beyond my protection. As you have seen, death is the least of the hazards for those who get lost on so dangerous a path.”
Suddenly, Little Fish felt a wave of resentment pour over him. “You don’t trust me! You still think I’m a child and I can’t handle this power don’t you?” Maintaining her perch despite the action of the boat, the Priestess’ eyes lit up with amber fire. “You forget... your entire life is less than an eyeblink compared to the countless lives I have lived. Do not believe for an instant I have no understanding of your youthful frustration. You long to see the many wonders I have told of and you shall. In good time.”
Little Fish hated it when the Priestess’ true-self castigated him! There was no room for argument or counterpoint in the face of the Goddess. Only the Valley Knight could manage it, but that was rare! Not to be outdone Little Fish said, “What if I am careful? I can take care of myself and you’re right, I have seen what happens to those who lose their way. I will take steps not to lose mine!”
Cocking her head to one side, the Priestess’ features were obscured in shadow as the sun pressed on behind her. Only her amber eyes shined through as she replied, “Remember the many tales I told you?” With another sigh the young man answered, “Yes.” Her head cocked to the other side and she asked, “What was the moral of many of those stories?” Begrudgingly Little Fish replied, “Don’t go into any endeavor blindly or thinking you already know everything you need to.” “There are always factors or knowledge beyond your reach at the time and there are always consequences for every action you take.” The Priestess’ eyes instantly went back to normal and her dark features were visible once more as the sail shifted again shading her with yellow light.
The boat reached a calm section of the River and the Priestess folded her legs beneath her as she pulled a basket free from the nets. Little Fish had never seen that much of her godly side directed at him and he was puzzled. “Priestess....” Without looking up from the basket his God Mother replied, “Yes, I brought enough for you....” Shaking his head, Little Fish grunted, “That’s not what I meant!” Smiling, the Priestess tilted her head in his direction and gave the ‘remember who you are talking to’ look. To Little Fish, on occasion it was aggravating having a God Parent who literally ‘knew everything’.
Allowing himself to calm as did the River, Little Fish asked the main question troubling him. “Priestess, why are we traveling by boat to the Delta Boundary?” Handing her son a sweet millet cake she considered the question and answered, “So we could share the evening meal together.” Again Little Fish was caught off guard. While the Priestess laid out a plainspun brown cloth over a wadded net and gently pounded it reasonably flat she asked, “Why are you surprised? When you were younger, we shared the evening meal often. Since you have grown, it is rare for us to do so. In time, you will be too busy to sit down to eat with me alone.”
Little Fish tied off the rudder for the calm section of the River would persist until they reached the Delta. He then helped his God Mother lay out the evening’s repast. Sweet millet cakes, baked spiced trout, salt boiled bayobab leaves, ground nut paste and a full pot of Marula Fruit Wine set upon the impromptu table raised the young man’s eyebrows. “You made all of this? I’ve never seen you cook!”
Sounding insulted the Priestess retorted, “Whatever gave you the impression I cannot prepare a proper meal? I taught the first people in the Valley how to prepare the many foods available when they knew nothing! Besides, this is our first meal alone together... I wanted it to be special.” ‘And special it was,’ thought a contented Little Fish as he passed the wine pot back to the Priestess. Suddenly, he remembered Qatula and the Knight’s warnings about letting her drink too much. Pulling the pot back he said, “Maybe it’s not such a good idea you drinking any more.”
The Priestess couldn’t be angry for he looked and sounded so much like his father the Valley Knight at that instant. With no fuss, she raised her hands palms out and relented. “I yield long as you put down the pot to keep a clear head for piloting our craft.” The young man disappointed, complied by placing the cork back in the container’s wide opening and setting it down. His belly full and a warm feeling from the wine cheering him Little Fish inquired, “You didn’t bring us out here just for a god-mother-son chat over a quiet meal did you?”
The Priestess shook her head. Her adopted son had his father’s insight and straightforward manner as well. “No, I did not. There is something outside the Boundary I want you to see.” Little Fish’s eyes narrowed and his brows knitted tightly at her cryptic answer. One thing he’d learned from his God Mother was; there was always more to what the gods had to say than any mortal could expect.
To be continued
© 2012 H. Wolfgang Porter. All Rights Reserved.
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