Going Home: Part 5
Ebb and flow
Welcome to my little corner of the internet! I’m so glad you’re here. Below you’ll find part five of my fantasy short story Going Home. It’s about a young girl named Nani who gets tangled up in fate, tradition, and a giant hole in the ground that leads… somewhere else.
Want to start at the beginning? Here you go:
The rest of the village faded from Nani’s view as she stalked toward the town square, Talun tailing behind her. Her focus was singular. It was a blessing that she didn’t meet anyone else along the way; she didn’t trust her tongue to remain civil. Even Talun knew to remain quiet.
She heard the gathering before she saw it. People chattering away excitedly, talking over one another, trying to figure out what this new turn of events would bring.
Nani knew exactly what it would bring: accusations that she had lied about being chosen, shame for her and her family. She could barely wrap her head around the pig-headed stubbornness that Suli had shown in declaring herself chosen. Nani had felt the other girl’s jealousy, but this? This was like being thrown into a hot oven. The village laws didn’t have a punishment for it; it was something that simply wasn’t done, like dancing on someone’s grave while others tried to lay flowers around it.
She needed to put an end to this quickly. She would walk straight up to Suli, and then she would… well, Nani hadn’t got that far yet. Should she hit her? That seemed extreme, but enough rode on the next few minutes that extreme actions were necessary. Nani felt like she was walking down a forked path. One way lead to the death she had been promised. It would provide glory for her and for her family. Down the other path lay ridicule, scorn, and an existence riddled with the bitter taste of disappointment and betrayal.
Nani could not let that happen. She would not let that happen. Her resolve was hard as stone as she reached the town square. It was surrounded by people, all looking inward, so no one noticed her arrival. She moved from side to side, peeking through the gaps between bodies, and saw Suli and her father Havrik standing near the Bell. A tempest of emotion boiled inside her, fear and anger threatening to spill over onto the cobblestones she stood on. She took a step forward, and then felt a strong hand on her shoulder. Annoyed, she tried to shrug it off. It held firm, like rock. She turned then and saw her father, Ru’an. He shook his head once, then turned and led her away from the crowd.
They made it back to their house quickly, Nani’s anger giving speed to her steps. The chief was already there. His expression was a calm mask, but his eyes contained a thunderstorm. He held a rolled up scroll in his hand. Annali was standing in the doorway, open worry painted on her face. It was everything Nani could do to not speak first; she knew that nothing good would come of talking before the adults could discuss.
“This is bad, Yun,” her father said to the Chief, using his first name. That meant he was very worried.
“Yes, but we must not rush to judgment or action,” Chief Liatu responded. His voice was even tempered but warm; hot coals ready to burst into flame. He held up his hand as Ru’an began to protest. “If I could, I would wash this away,” he said. “You know that. But Suli has not technically done anything wrong yet.”
“She’s called my daughter a liar and is trying to turn the town against us!” Ru’an yelled.
The chief shook his head. “She is but a child, friend. Her only crime is the jealousy of the young.” he answered. “Your anger with her is misplaced. Her father, however…” he trailed off, fists closing dangerously. “Still, there are protocols that must be followed.”
“What kind of protocols?” Nani asked. Liatu turned to her then and gave her a kindly smile, but the happiness did not reach his eyes.
“Follow me to the square,” he said. “What must be said next is for the entire village to hear.”
“…and honored that N’Uata has chosen my daughter.” Havrik was addressing the crowd as Nani’s group arrived at the square. The Chief cleared his throat, and people moved out of their way for him, a slow ripple reaching from the back of the square to the front. He stepped into the opening, next to Suli and her father. Nani hung back with her family, staring daggers at her former friend. When she caught Suli’s eyes however, she saw something unexpected. Instead of triumph, or mockery, there was only sadness, even fear. What was going on?
Liatu took a deep breath, then spoke directly to Havrik, speaking loud enough for everyone to hear him. “I have heard you and your daughter’s claim, Havrik,” he began. “You realize that hers is not the first this year?” Suli’s father nodded, looking defiantly in Nani’s direction. “Furthermore, you realize the seriousness of your accusations? What can result from this?” Havrik shied back for a moment, then straightened up and nodded again. Suli moved closer to him, as if trying to hide in his shadow. “Very well,” the chief said, his words sounding like they were being pulled from his lips against his will, “let it be known that a formal challenge has been filed against Nani, Daughter of Ru’an. She has been named liar, and her status as chosen is now suspended.”
Someone in the crowd gasped. Everyone knew that this had been a possibility, but no one expected it to get this far. Nani’s chest tightened, like someone was squeezing her heart. Everything was happening so quickly. What were they doing? Did Suli expect her to lie down without a fight? Her father nudged her forward, toward the middle of the square. He followed behind her, a reassuring hand on her shoulder.
“Do you have a response, Nani?” the chief asked her.
“I do,” she said, feeling a hundred pairs of eyes on her. “I was…” she stopped, then raised her voice, “I am chosen. By my heart and home, I tell the truth.” She looked again at Suli, who wouldn’t meet her eyes. “Look,” Nani said, “Suli will not even face me!” Several people in the crowd grunted in agreement, an angry murmur passing through them. Havrik did not have a great deal of friends, and that ill will sometimes passed down to his daughter. Chief Liatu raised his hands, calling for silence.
“Havrik has spoken for his family,” he said. “There is no need for Suli to speak in this matter. Now, since both sides hold that their claim is the true one, I have no choice but to proceed according to the scrolls handed down by our ancestors.” He unrolled the scroll he’d been carrying the whole time, then began to read. “Being named the Chosen of N’Uata is a sacred anointment. Any challenges must be swiftly and decisively dealt with. This sacrifice has been chosen due to her courage and pureness; let her prove these qualities in combat. A fight to the death will find out the pretender…” He rolled the scroll back up. “So it it written, so it shall be. Suli, Nani, you have two days to prepare, then we will decide this matter. Ki’Kiri guide and protect us all.”
Nani sat down, heedless of the dirt and dust that would stain her dress, as dozens of conversations sprung up around her. A fight? To the death? She had been prepared to fight demons; she’d been born for that. But fight Suli? She looked again at the girl, who was now openly weeping. Havrik stood still, a pleased and patient look upon his face. How could he… then it clicked for Nani.
“Everyone knows Havrik lies!” someone yelled from the crowd.
“They’re only children, Liatu,” came another cry. Nani barely heard them.
“There must be some other way!” Ru’an shouted. “Let me fight Havrik instead! I will make him beg for the sweet release of death!” He took a step forward, not needing two days to prepare. Several men from the crowd stepped forward as well, although it wasn’t clear whether there were trying to restrain him or back him up.
“No,” Nani said softly. No one heard her. “No!” she yelled then, standing up. Everyone stopped, looking at her again. She walked up to her father, putting her hand on his arm. “Father, this is what he wants. Somehow he knew what the scroll said. He knew I would not fight my friend.” She moved in front of Ru’an, looking up into his eyes. “He has embarrassed us. Please don’t let him make us murderers...” Some of the tension left his body, leaving him looking tired and faded, like a sand castle eroded by the tide. Nani felt tired as well, but there were still important things left to do.
The crowd remained silent as she turned to the Chief. “I forfeit my claim as Chosen.” She said it quietly, but the words travelled as surely as if she had screamed them. Those words would seal her future, and her parents’ as well. But she had no choice. Chief Liatu looked as if he might respond, then decided against it and remained silent.
She walked over to Suli, who shied away as she approached. Nani reached out, taking her former friend’s hands in her own. “I’m sorry,” she whispered, squeezing once, then letting go. She walked to her father, passing stunned onlookers. His hand was warm and reassuring when she grabbed it, leading him to where her mother and brother waited. Then she started the familiar walk back to their house, not bothering to hide the tears that streaked down her face.
Suggested music for Part 5: Dry Your Eyes by The Streets:
Keep reading! Part 6 is ready, for you!
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another turn, excellent. ...
I thought the section where Nani relinquishes her claim and goes to reconcile with Suli was a bit. abrupt. Perhaps more of a lead-up to show Nani's sense of loyalty, that friendship means more than dishonor. Even opening a window to the debate inside herself before she makes the decision to support Suli.
You continue to hold me. I want to know how this turns out. Nice.