3. The Valley

The Valley was just as she remembered for the exception of new faces among the children that assisted their mothers and fathers and began to play before the last call to sleep. Most continued about their routine, celebrating the end of another day with chatter and quality time. Some however, noticed the dirty and stumbling mother and child. There were times that a family would seek refuge in the Valley from certain dangers, but most people had NEVER seen a mother seeking that same refuge. 

Kalila's senses were assaulted by memories, sights, and even smells of her former home but was filled with a deep shame. As they continued past fields of wheat and various vegetables and into the center of the Valley where buildings with different purposes were located suddenly Kalila wanted to run away. In all of her 21 years she could not remember a time that a mother had completely failed in her task. Sure there were some instances where the Father would gently pull someone aside for reassignment, but failure was nearly unheard of. Zaen began to sense reluctance and gave her a comforting look as he continued to carry Lova. 

Unlike the young mother's fear and reluctance, Lova was overcome with wonder. Most of her body hurt deep into her small muscles and all she wanted to do was cry, but she was fascinated by her new surroundings. She had never been outside of the small confines of the compound near the castle and certainly had never seen so many people before. The buildings seemed to tower above her but strangely had no walls, as if to advertise intense trust. The people were equally interesting because all of them looked like her mother usually did. Although the mother's white tunic was dirty and torn  now, usually she too dressed plainly with her hair tied back.

Suddenly all was stopped as they came to one of the half-walled homes close to the largest center building. Zaen carefully set Lova down on trembling legs and went to the opening and tapped his foot on a small wooden platform outside. There was a slow shuffling and eventually a staff, then an older man appeared out of the home.

He looked much like everyone else did, with a long white tunic that came to his knobby knees and hair that was very short although missing from the top. His back was slightly hunched and he leaned on the wooden staff, and although he didn't look nearly as folded and dainty as the old mother looked back in Usal, his eyes creased naturally as if he were always smiling. Which, after a brief pause, he did slightly when he saw Kalila.

"Kalila." He said warmly, although not without a touch of confusion. The man seemed to exude patience and kindness. Simply taking in this view, he wondered many things. Why was this mother here? Why was she so worn? And who was this child? But if there were one thing he learned over his many years, it was the ability to see the need for peace. With a start he recognized that they were beginning to draw attention.

"Zaen, please collect the elders to the gathering hall to meet us there, and send Lorlea." Without another thought, Zaen turned immediately and shifted into action. 

Kalila, who was still terrified at what would happen to him, studied the Father that she had known so well. In the Valley there were no kings or singular leaders. The Father was not worshiped but greatly respected. Although he was not a king, he was the organizer of sorts. The secret keeper. Kalila could think of nothing to say and no way to begin, but was convinced that the elders were gathering to banish her. She continued to be absorbed by mounting fear until the Father placed an old, yet strong hand onto her shoulder.

"Where are you, mother?" He asked, concern etched into the lines on his face. He could obviously see a great trauma had occurred, although they had received no news all day. Kalila opened her mouth a few times, but no sound could escape without being accompanied by tears. Her chin trembled with effort to hold it in, and she said nothing.

"Kalila, I sent for Lorlea to care for the girl, who is obviously worn and hungry." He glanced at the dirty, yet lovely toddler with compassion.

"Are you hungry, little one?" He asked. Lova, who was reeling between fear, curiosity, and her basic needs, turned her grey eyes onto him and nodded quickly. He smiled knowingly.

"I have sent for someone to assist you. She will take you to her home to care for you." He said gently. Lova's insides froze momentarily and she reached for and clutched the mother's hand who had brought her this far. The Father's eyes widened for a second in surprise but nodded. Kalila gently removed Lova's hand to get onto her, but the Father stopped her.

"I'm sorry, Father." Kalila managed. He shook his head.

"I understand, " He looked to the young mother for the girl's name ", Lova. I understand, Lova. How about Lorlea takes care of you in MY home, while your mother and I gather in there?" He pointed to the gathering hall just a few short yards away. Lova nodded reluctantly and right about that time, Zaen and Lorlea came back into view.

Lorlea, who had long black hair pulled back into a braid, smiled warmly at Lova and asked her name. Before they knew it, Lova was being fed and washed, the gathering hall had a small collection of people, and Kalila was kneeling along with the rest of them in the center of the group awaiting judgement. 

She recognized most of them as mothers and fathers that she had grown up around. They knew her from very young, and although she would have never admitted her desires to leave her home all those years ago, she felt as if they could see right through her. As soon as the Father asked why she had come back, she burst into tears for despite her position she still was quite young. Kalila whispered about the night before. She told them about the arcs of blood, the men in cloaks, the daggers that glinted in the moonlight, and the intense fear she felt. Between sobs she could hear the equally shocked and saddened gasps and mutters of concern among those listening. Without meaning to she even confided her shame of not knowing what to do and first considering to abandon her charge and run away. The sobs began to wear thin and her eyes were red and puffy as she continued to share the hopelessness of traveling and the revelation that Lova was now an orphan in nearly every way and possibly even the last human. Certainly the last royal human. Eventually the story had ended and Kalila merely waited in fear of what would happen to them. She slowly looked into the Father's eyes and was surprised to find kindness there. In fact, the entirety of the group including Zaen were shocked but compassionate. 

"What do you think should happen?" the Father asked calmly. He had an inclination but recognized a lack of authority of things in Usal. 

"Are you going to banish me?" Kalila asked tightly. She closed her eyes painfully and waited with baited breath. 

"What?" the Father asked in surprise. She opened her eyes and looked at him, praying that she wouldn't have to say it again.The Father sat thinking for a moment before sitting up straighter and holding up his hand for silence. 

"A lot has been brought to our attention today. First, a group of cloaked individuals sought to defeat our charges. Although they were royal children, they were also ours. We do not know if that was an act of war on us or Usal. Second, you and Lova will stay here. The Great Father, it seems, has placed her in your care specifically. We are so sorry to hear of the passing of an elder, but we are prepared to take you on here. Instead of caring for the royals, you will care for her as your own." Kalila felt relief, but also fear. She hadn't considered what this act of warfare could mean. The other elders murmured acceptance and agreement before the Father spoke again.

"Kalila, your position has been elevated." He said, which surprised them all. In their way of life, they sought sameness in most things to avoid such elevation. "This is not what we desired for you, but the Great Father has better plans for us than we do. Lova is in more danger now than she has ever been. If she is the last royal human, we need to protect her and even hide her until her path is made clear." He finished. As if the wisdom and weight of this decision was heavy and painful to bear he leaned back in exhaustion. The Father never imagined that in his time, danger would be brought here. But if there was one thing that he knew, it was that they turned very few away, and never a child in need. He didn't want this for Kalila, but he trusted that this happened for a reason. When all had heard his decree and nodded in agreement, they all got up to move on to resting. Zaen helped Kalila to stand, who was ready to collapse into a bed.

"Zaen, they will take my home tonight, may I house with you?" To which Zaen agreen immediately. Once the weight of her tale was lifted off of her, Kalila felt like she might float away. She barely had time to consider the direction that her life had taken before she lost consciousness and fell to the floor before Zaen could catch her. The Father sighed with sadness at what had happened, but was grateful for the presence of the young man who picked her up easily and followed him to his home. When they entered the small half-walled hut Zaen laid Kalila down on the bed that the Father generally used and stood next to his leader. Both men watched their breathing for a moment and marveled at what a day could bring before exiting the home. 

Kalila slept soundly but with a mountain of nightmares that piled up one after another. Lova, too dreamed of terrible monsters who shook her roughly and spit red water, but also of strange people upon white mountains. Now that she had been washed and fed she looked once again as the royal child she was, except with a new and white tunic. Her red hair, too short to braid, surrounded her head like a fiery halo. Both girls slept in the comfort of each other as a new bond formed. Lova would eventually forget the events of that night, and even what it was like to be in the Valley for the first time. Life in the Valley went on as it would have, and they harbored the most dangerous secret in the land.

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[Barbara Tennyson]

Too many run-on sentences to read.