Forlov swam on through the water until the seaside cliffs could no longer be seen. Her song spoke of love and forgiveness; and as she sang, Raja s

Transcription

1 Forlov A mighty wave raised Raja high, then crashed down, dashing his head against a rock. As blood began to pour from his wound, he struggled for consciousness, for breath, and for hope. Respa, Inrock, Humil, Enligh, and Mafid flashed through his mind. His anger had blinded him to their words. His anger had brought him here and had helped nothing. I am so sorry, my friends. Can you forgive me? From the corner of his eye, Raja saw something swimming toward him.. He closed his eyes. He was drowning, and no longer had power to fight the waves. This is the end, he thought. As the undertow pulled him back out to sea, Raja surrendered to his fate. In that instant, the creature flew to his side, until it was touching him. Raja s eyes fluttered open. Forlov! Without being able to explain it, Raja instinctively knew that this creature was Forlov, and that she was a guide sent by Respa in his moment of greatest need. The smooth body of the dolphin darted underneath him, and up, pushing him above the waves. Even as he struggled for breath, he grasped for the dolphin s fin. Finding it, Raja held on as tightly as his quivering muscles would allow. Slowly at first, and then with increasing speed, the dolphin began to swim away from the rocks and crashing waves, carrying him along on its smooth back. Raja s body seemed to meld with this beautiful water beast; and he felt cradled as a newborn. The saltwater spray cleaned and healed the wounds from his beating, as Forlov sustained him. As the coastline began to disappear behind them, the dolphin began to sing. Somehow it was the melody of Raja s life. The joys of his youth; the pains of the village; the bitterness of that fateful day when his father had been taken from him. It had been a long time since he had pondered that day, and he realized, as the dolphin s song continued, that along with the sorrow of his father s death, there was also anger. Anger that his father had left him; and frustration that he had had to face it alone and become the father of his family and leave his dreams of farm life behind. Loneliness and pain came as a tidal wave, breaking over him, and blending with the rushing water.

2 Forlov swam on through the water until the seaside cliffs could no longer be seen. Her song spoke of love and forgiveness; and as she sang, Raja s heart began to heal. He was filled with a deep contentment. Bitterness was emptied from his soul, and happiness and joy filled his whole being to bursting. With the dolphin s love embracing him, Raja felt it easy to let go of every wrong. The loneliness and pain left by his father s death seemed to be washed away as Forlov jumped from wave-to wave, her song teaching Raja of the power of forgiveness and the healing that comes from love. Their ride continued all through the day, and Raja basked in the flow, the healing, and the warmth he felt being with Forlov. The sun set, and Raja sensed that Forlov s direction had turned back towards the island, though the darkness made it difficult to see. Are we going back? he asked, not wanting his ride to end. Yes, my friend. Forlov s voice was childlike in its tenderness and cheerfulness. You do not feel ready to return to the island, do you? No, I ve never felt so free before - so light and full of love. Is this how you always feel? Isn t it wonderful? she cheerily replied. This feeling can be called back anytime, Raja. Forgiveness and love bring what you feel now. Never forget that letting go of wrongs and choosing to love will always bring you greater happiness; it will always return you here. After his final parting from Forlov, Raja stood on the shore a long time. The waves calm rhythm, and the gentle moonlight, filled him with contentment. The morning s events seemed so long ago. Still, whens he thought about the lost compass, a momentary sorrow overcame him. He hadn t found the gift from Respa, and would likely never see it again. How would he and his companions continue their journey? But instead of the anger that had been that morning, Raja felt assurance and hope that all would be well. He was still sad the compass was lost; but his anger at Damien was gone. Forlov s song flowed through him, and he began to hum the melody softly. Eventually, he turned from the shore and, finding a sloping trail, followed it upwards. Time was growing short. As he came to the top of the hill, Raja was startled by a large, dark shadow, outlined against the moonlight, only an arm s length away. His heart leapt from his chest - the Phoi! Could it be they were already here? He dropped to the ground, hoping to avoid swinging fists or clubs which he felt were sure to come. Good evening, Raja. The voice was Humil s. Humil! Raja leapt to his feet, and grasped his friend s furry neck, giving him a warm hug. I didn t expect to find you here!

3 Not many things are what you expect here on the Island of Humility, Raja. Raja thought back on the last few days and had to agree with Humil. Since arriving on the Island of Humility, every day had been a new, unexpected turn of events. Suddenly, Raja realized they were not alone. Not far away he could see the outline of a man, sitting on a rock. As he looked in that direction, Humil spoke again. Akan is also here, Raja. Akan? And Damien? Raja asked. He suspected that, even though Humil had not been present that morning, he knew all of the events that had transpired that day. Akan turned towards Raja, then, as he recognized who was speaking, ran to greet him. Raja! You re here! Thank goodness; I thought I was the last one left. How did you survive the crashing waves? I saw you dive into the ocean and thought surely you were a dead man! The last one? Where is Damien? If only he d known, Raja, that you were alive. He couldn t forgive himself for losing the compass, his voice was strained. I couldn t stop him, Raja. I tried, but failed. Akan s shoulders sagged in despair. Raja struggled to understand what had happened, and looked to Humil for answers. What happened? Where is Damien? he repeated. Humil s answer shocked Raja. The Phoi are here. After you ran to find the compass, Damien and Akan saw Lowsapa s ship approaching the far side of the island. Damien rushed back towards the valley, hoping to find Mafid, or someone to help find the compass and rescue you. Akan interrupted, He hoped that with the compass we d be able to find our way off the island - and away from the Phoi. He was sure he could make it back before they arrived. But he didn t know - we didn t know - they were already here. What do you mean, already here, Akan? Raja s confusion was growing with every twist of the story. The ship we saw Raja, was the second ship. The first ship arrived last night. When Damien descended the hill, they were there, camping in the valley. They ve taken him away. They would have found me too, Akan continued, but before they could ascend the mountain, I anchored the rope to that large rock. He pointed to a boulder near the seaside cliff. And lowered myself beyond their sight. It s only a matter of time until they return, Raja. We are lost!

4 Humil stepped towards Akan reassuringly, his voice calmly reproving, We are not lost, Akan. We know exactly where we are. Do not despair. Akan s (shook his head sadly). If only I d been able to stop him, then we d all be here together. Damien may be dead now. All is lost! Humil turned to Raja. All is not lost, Humil repeated firmly, addressing himself to Raja, But time is growing short. If you are not diligent, the portal will close and you will be returned to Yalwuna. Maiba awaits to prepare you for battle. Chills ran down Raja s spine. Never had he considered he d face the Phoi in battle. He knew it would be impossible to face them successfully alone, and his heart began to pound in fear. Humil drew near and lowered his head, his large brown eyes level with Raja s. What did Respa tell you on the mountaintop? he asked. Though it had only been a few weeks since Respa s visit, it felt like a lifetime ago that he made that early morning climb in Yalwuna. But it didn t take long for him to remember Respa s counsel. He had thought of it often since. He told me not to rely on my own reasoning, but to trust the truth spoken to my heart. What does your heart say, Raja? Humil prompted. It was difficult for Raja to silence the voices that asserted he was in danger; every beat of his heart seemed to insist he run away in terror. He deliberately slowed his breathing and closed his eyes trying to focus on the quieter voice within. He opened his eyes and said with faltering confidence, The way will be prepared. But, I m not sure what that means. he looked at Humil searchingly. Humil continued, What else did Respa say? Raja s heart suddenly burned as he recalled Respa s parting words. He told me I am not alone, and that guides would be with me on every step of my journey. He told me he would be with me, too. As he will. We all will, Raja! Humil said with a smile, and with his words courage filled Raja s heart. He stepped aside and for the first time Raja saw the valley below. Fires dotted the valley, and Raja began to count them. He knew each one represented a group of Phoi, warriors sent to look for him. Five, ten, fifteen...thirty, thirty-five, forty sixty-five, seventy, seventy-five... Raja, don t count your fears. Humil s voice was surprisingly firm. He stepped back in front of Raja, Turn around. Raja hesitated. Part of him needed to know what he was up against; he needed to be able to prepare for what lay ahead. He wanted to step around Humil and continue to survey the sickening scene below. But Humil had never been wrong, and against the voices screaming within him, he turned. With his back towards the valley and armies below, Raja saw the night sky was bright with stars. The earth below was dimly lit. He saw only the outline of the short grass and bushes of the wide plateau; he saw Akan, sitting on the ground, his head in his arms, still inconsolable; and beyond the plateau, he saw the moon

5 glistening on the ocean, stretching as far as eye could see. Somewhere out there was Forlov, but how could Forlov help him fight the armies that had come? They were cornered, he thought to himself, and worse, Damien was taken hostage with no hope of rescue. No hope - he caught himself. There was always hope. Respa had promised that. Why had Humil asked him to turn around? In the stillness of the moment he thought he saw Enligh rest briefly on a nearby bush, then she was gone. But as he saw her he remembered Humil s words from days before, In the silence something joyful will speak. It was too late to do anything else that night, so Raja determined to awaken early and wait for Enligh. Perhaps she could help. Humil, Akan and Raja gathered near a large rock by the edge of the cliff, in a close circle. They dared not light a fire for fear the armies below would see the flame or smoke. Though all were exhausted, only Humil fell asleep quickly. Raja and Akan, each lost in their own thoughts and fears, stayed long awake, wondering what tomorrow would bring, neither anticipating the strange twists and turns that lay just ahead. When Raja awoke, Akan and Humil were still asleep. The sky was dark, and there was no sign of sunrise. He slipped quietly away, walking towards an outlook that would allow him to see the sun s first rays. Though he was still exhausted and sore, he knew that much rested on the day ahead. He must begin it right, or else - he feared to even consider the consequences. He could not return to Yalwuna, not after all his struggles to make it this far. He must not return to Yalwuna! He sat silently, still, and pushed all his fears aside. I can choose to fear, he told himself, or I can choose to believe Respa s words. I choose to believe it will all work out. I don t know how, but I believe it will! He reflected on the counsel each guide had shared, Respa, Inrock, Humil, Mafid, Enligh and Forlov, and as their words filled his mind a deep peace began to settle on his heart. His eyes closed in thought. When he opened them again, faintly through the dark he saw Enligh resting on his hand. She was so light he had not felt her land, but her presence filled him with confidence and clarity. As she rested there he looked back towards the sea. It was barely visible, and a brief ray of moonlight illuminated a pathway leading down, away from the valley and the armies below, in the opposite direction. He thought it odd that he hadn t noticed the pathway before, but he knew he must follow the path, wherever it led. At the same instant, Enligh flew from his hand, and was gone. Raja walked towards the edge of the plateau and with a backward glance towards Humil and Akan, he began the descent towards the ocean. The darkness made the travel difficult and he stumbled over the uneven path. At first the pathway sloped gently, but it quickly became more steep. If only I had the compass! he felt a brief flash of irritation, The light it provided could help me down this path. The gray light of morning slowly entered and he began to see the

6 sandy beach not far away. The path can t be too long, he told himself. I made it up from the beach before when Forlov rescued me - it wasn t too hard. I can make it back down. Raja continued on, and as the pathway became more steep, it also became more narrow. Soon it was so narrow and the drops in the pathway so sharp, that he was sure he could not safely travel the path without falling to his death below. Doubts filled his mind. Maybe I shouldn t have followed this path, he thought. This can t be the right way - it s far too dangerous! His pace slowed, but again he told himself, This is where Enligh directed - it must be the right path. I must make it down. Though the sun was beginning to rise it was still quite dark, making it impossible to see all but a step ahead. The steepness and narrowness now slowed him to a crawl. Soon there was no room to proceed in a forward fashion, so he turned his back to the wall. Side-step by side-step he slowly continued. His legs began to ache, and his head hurt from straining to see the path ahead. Gradually the rising sun continued to lighten the sky, and at the same time it illuminated his treacherous condition. He hadn t realized just how steep the drop-off from the trail was. He could now begin to see the boulders and waves that would surely cause death if he were to trip. The pathway was incredibly steep, and as he looked back from where he came, the trail seemed to disappear into the side of the cliff. The only way was forward, but even that looked impossible! He paused to rest his legs, but in shifting his weight, suddenly, the sandy earth beneath his feet gave way. He flailed his arms, searching for something to hold on to, but there was nothing but sand and rock and with a gasp he sailed across the edge towards the crashing waves below.