Boats

 

Ayleah captained the small military boat, taking her turn at the helm. The current was strong, and they swept easily past the large desolate sandbars that raised lazy arms from the deep. These islands rarely supported any life she could see; the river was constantly reshaping them. Sometimes a larger boulder would poke from the bank or emerge from a shallower stretch, but the primary channel was easy to navigate. The sand islands and the high banks seemed lonely; a world sculpted by nature but too unstable to be really known. Across from her in the boat Telon sat at ease, gazing through the scenery around them at something more interesting that only he could see. It was a quiet moment, and one might observe two friends out for a pleasant day on the river. Ayleah however was quietly alert. She knew there was a purpose to her being here, even if she didn't yet know what it was.

She looked over at Telon to get his attention. “So what exactly happened back there?” she said when he met her gaze.

“I think” Telon responded with all casualness, “that everyone involved got what they needed out of the situation. I'm not sure if everyone knew what they needed at the time, but it worked out all the same.” He paused, making her doubt his surety, but continued reasoning it out. “We needed conveyance for the next leg of our journey, the Ravaels needed to cross the valley safely, and that commanding man at the checkpoint needed to know we were uninvolved in whatever his business is there. Assuming the siblings are well on their way, I'd say that all went rather smoothly.”

Ayleah was still confused. “But there's no way to know we weren't relevant to that military checkpoint. Telon, they weren't letting anybody through.”

“Think of it this way Ayleah. Did we truly have anything to hide? Because we didn't know if we were suspicious, we were able to enter the situation as a blank slate. We brought power with us rather than guilt, and so we were let through. I worried the Ravael brothers might complicate things, but it seems your power was enough to offset their natures in the mix.” he gave her a small smile that made his eyes twinkle slightly. “You did very well.”

Ayleah contemplated that for a second, wondering just how much she had been manipulating reality without realizing it and filing the rabbit-hole of a thought away for later. “But what about you?” she asked, adding a noticeable inquisitive tone. At times the scholar's languid, cryptic side could be irritating. “Where were you for that whole interaction? One moment you were there, sleeping in the seat, and the next you're gone and there's this great blue bag in your place!”

“Is that what I looked like?” Telon said, amused now. “Funny. I simply woke up to find you all off negotiating with the military folk. I overheard something about a boat and went down to the little dock they had. All I was thinking of was keeping out of anyone's way, and so I guess no one noticed me. Like I said though, good job getting us this boat.” He tapped the side of the sturdy vessel. “I don't know what you said or did to that commander, but it sure worked. In fact,” he added, “I think our little interaction back there was not for only our benefit. Something tells me there's a larger picture to this scene.”

Not entirely reassured, Ayleah thought to herself that she didn't know either. Whatever power she seemed to have existed on the edge of awareness, never giving her a clear picture or clues to its nature. She was also distracted by a growing sense that they were heading toward conflict, and not away. There was a cloudiness to the energy downriver that did not generate from the nearby urban metro areas. It was a bit frightening, allowing oneself to be swept along into such a cloud, but she knew it was where her power needed to go.

---

Some miles down-river from Ayleah and Telon's course a similar boat lay docked alongshore. Anyone passing might never notice it, and that was just what Davai hoped as he looked down at his finished work. He was as proud of the grass camouflage net as he was of choosing this spot for their camp. Vesti's skill with the water had successfully foundered their pursuers, but Riannath had acquiesced to his scholarly knowledge of the land and continued the drive upriver until they found this wooded bank. It was [steep and sandy], but well-covered, and they had been living an uneasy peace for the last couple days. Riannath did not dare to hope they had broken through Andrus' deployment lines yet, and suspected a strong attack on their position. Despite him having the backing of the Imperium, she said there was little chance the acting-commander would bring very heavy firepower when they came. They would want her captured quietly, without any action that would elicit questions from the populace. In preparation they had begun building fortifications in the narrow band of woods along the riverbank. To the north lay an open plain, with excellent sight lines for defense. Riannath had insisted on setting up on the north bank of the river, saying she would rather defend the foothold than try and gain one later. The fort lay downriver on the north side, and she still intended to return and reclaim her command.

As the preparations continued, Davai looked from his camouflage job to the empty river. The wide murky water flowed by calmly, unbothered by their affairs. He regretted finding himself in this trap. He didn't want to be involved with a military conflict, but now his work had drawn him to this narrow refuge between deep water and open danger. He wanted to be back at the Sanctuary. Lucan may have returned, and there would surely be things to do there in response to everything that was going on. It was important he be there to help, but he couldn't leave now. He wasn't sure how he could help these people here, but he knew he had to stay and see them through to safety. At times he checked in with Vesti, privately wondering if she felt these things too. Wondering if she as a fellow mystic had the dual urge to return and tend one's own garden in the times to come but also to help those still finding their way. She always seemed more tied to the present anyway though. Her wisdom whenever he inquired was always to simply do the next thing, and prepare as best you can for any next thing that may come along after that. It was simpler for the river, Davai thought. It has never had a choice, and so cannot lament its course.