with delight
while I sat in stunned silence. Did the Vairdans actually believe this story?
Or was it just something interesting to tell around the fireside?
I had just decided it must be
the latter when the original host walked into the square again.
“This is the true history of
Vairda,” he said. “Because of the bravery of our ancestors, we live in freedom
and happiness on the island. There are no gems of power to be found here but
they aren’t necessary to remember our good fortune. There is no king to force
us to follow his laws. Instead there is freedom. There is peace. The creatures
of the deep protect our island from being discovered and the sea gods favor our
people. Long live Vairda!” The crowd broke into thunderous cheers once more
while I fought the desire to cover my ears.
I glanced around at the
elated faces, wondering how anyone could believe this nonsense. I would have to
ask my parents about it when I returned home. Maybe they could shed some light
on the story. Magic stones, sea monsters, people living in the water for weeks.
No wonder Vairdans were so proud of their native status. They believed they
were part fish. To them, I was merely a sad little human.
The crowd around me stood and
began to filter away from the main circle. I rose, disappointed. My interest in
hearing Vairdan legends had colossally waned. I hadn’t expected them to sound
so . . . well, ridiculous. My parents had warned me but, still ! Magic
rocks?
Lost in thought, I didn’t
notice Haji at my side once more. “What did you think?” she asked.
I cleared my throat, giving
myself a moment to choose my words. “It was an interesting story. Definitely
something new to think about.” My smile oozed politeness and I hoped my
response would placate her.
“You don’t believe it, do
you?” Apparently she wasn’t as placated as I’d hoped.
“I’m not really sure about
that yet. My parents have never said anything about an evil king or magical
stones.” I held my breath, hoping she wouldn’t be angry. I still felt I treaded
on fragile ground with my new friendship.
I needn’t have worried. Haji
simply shrugged her shoulders.
“You’ll have to let me know
what they say. Are you going to stay for the other stories? They’re taking a
break right now but the town performers will act out a few more once the
princess is crowned. Some are about the sea creatures and a few others are
about ships that tried to reach Vairda which the sea gods stopped so . . .,”
Haji’s voice trailed off and she blushed. “I know it sounds silly but it’s our
heritage. It’ll be entertaining at least.”
“Nothing else about the
mainland?” I asked. There had to be more I could learn about my homeland from
Vairda’s stories. I couldn’t believe the silly performance I’d just seen was
it.
“There’s not a lot most
Vairdan’s know. It’s been several hundred years since our ancestors left and
most everything was passed down in stories. For us, the most important story is
how our ancestors escaped.”
“I guess that makes sense.” I
bit my lip, trying not to show how let down I really was.
“Everything I know has come
from stories. I can tell you, though, that my parents say there really were
magical gems.”
I looked at Haji for a
moment. “It just seems a little farfetched,” I said. “Are you sure?”
“Yes.” Haji was firm. She
paused, watching me closely, as though gauging what my reaction would be.
Before I could answer her, however, her eyes darted to the center of the
village. “Oh look, they’re crowning the princess!”
I turned my gaze to where she
pointed and saw a group of five, elaborately dressed girls standing in a line.
Faema, in all her glory, stood proudly in their midst. I couldn’t stop a sharp
bite of jealousy from puncturing my heart. I sighed, my soul seeming to deflate
as the air left my lungs.
Corla stood close to Faema,
one of the candidates to be crowned. Her eyes scanned the crowd,
while I sat in stunned silence. Did the Vairdans actually believe this story?
Or was it just something interesting to tell around the fireside?
I had just decided it must be
the latter when the original host walked into the square again.
“This is the true history of
Vairda,” he said. “Because of the bravery of our ancestors, we live in freedom
and happiness on the island. There are no gems of power to be found here but
they aren’t necessary to remember our good fortune. There is no king to force
us to follow his laws. Instead there is freedom. There is peace. The creatures
of the deep protect our island from being discovered and the sea gods favor our
people. Long live Vairda!” The crowd broke into thunderous cheers once more
while I fought the desire to cover my ears.
I glanced around at the
elated faces, wondering how anyone could believe this nonsense. I would have to
ask my parents about it when I returned home. Maybe they could shed some light
on the story. Magic stones, sea monsters, people living in the water for weeks.
No wonder Vairdans were so proud of their native status. They believed they
were part fish. To them, I was merely a sad little human.
The crowd around me stood and
began to filter away from the main circle. I rose, disappointed. My interest in
hearing Vairdan legends had colossally waned. I hadn’t expected them to sound
so . . . well, ridiculous. My parents had warned me but, still ! Magic
rocks?
Lost in thought, I didn’t
notice Haji at my side once more. “What did you think?” she asked.
I cleared my throat, giving
myself a moment to choose my words. “It was an interesting story. Definitely
something new to think about.” My smile oozed politeness and I hoped my
response would placate her.
“You don’t believe it, do
you?” Apparently she wasn’t as placated as I’d hoped.
“I’m not really sure about
that yet. My parents have never said anything about an evil king or magical
stones.” I held my breath, hoping she wouldn’t be angry. I still felt I treaded
on fragile ground with my new friendship.
I needn’t have worried. Haji
simply shrugged her shoulders.
“You’ll have to let me know
what they say. Are you going to stay for the other stories? They’re taking a
break right now but the town performers will act out a few more once the
princess is crowned. Some are about the sea creatures and a few others are
about ships that tried to reach Vairda which the sea gods stopped so . . .,”
Haji’s voice trailed off and she blushed. “I know it sounds silly but it’s our
heritage. It’ll be entertaining at least.”
“Nothing else about the
mainland?” I asked. There had to be more I could learn about my homeland from
Vairda’s stories. I couldn’t believe the silly performance I’d just seen was
it.
“There’s not a lot most
Vairdan’s know. It’s been several hundred years since our ancestors left and
most everything was passed down in stories. For us, the most important story is
how our ancestors escaped.”
“I guess that makes sense.” I
bit my lip, trying not to show how let down I really was.
“Everything I know has come
from stories. I can tell you, though, that my parents say there really were
magical gems.”
I looked at Haji for a
moment. “It just seems a little farfetched,” I said. “Are you sure?”
“Yes.” Haji was firm. She
paused, watching me closely, as though gauging what my reaction would be.
Before I could answer her, however, her eyes darted to the center of the
village. “Oh look, they’re crowning the princess!”
I turned my gaze to where she
pointed and saw a group of five, elaborately dressed girls standing in a line.
Faema, in all her glory, stood proudly in their midst. I couldn’t stop a sharp
bite of jealousy from puncturing my heart. I sighed, my soul seeming to deflate
as the air left my lungs.
Corla stood close to Faema,
one of the candidates to be crowned. Her eyes scanned the crowd,
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