Chapter 4: Clouds of the earth, Sails of heaven (3)
Days flowed on.
Nialeeka's education was the turf her grandmother, but her aunts also taught her how to spin and embroider. Everything was easy for the girl. She succeeded in everything she put effort into. At eight years old, she had already learned all that women in the house could teach. In the shortest possible time, she learned to knit and spin. In those days when she was cooking, one could see a full table of people in the house. She was the oldest in her generation, and she had many younger half-brothers, who, of course, were on their mind, naughty and active. But she was happy.
Silben could not stop smiling, thinking about his daughter. At the same time, when he saw Athorn sitting next to Nialeeka in the evenings, nodded to his thoughts and raised a toast.
Looking at how the adopted boy grew up, Silben felt prideful. His wife did not give him sons, but this boy embodied all his unfulfilled dreams. At heart, he had long decided to leave everything, not to the sons of his brother, but for Athorn. With this in mind, he taught the boy everything he knows. Nest spring, when they set sail, Silben decided to look for teachers outside the Valley.
With the onset of winter, people could see Silben in the village more often. He was the head of Odiern and the merchant, who sailed outside the River Valley in search of profit. In winter, he spent time with his family, as well as solving issues of his villagers. In the summer he would set off on a new voyage, and Odiern is usually left to his old friend, Phelan, to manage.
Some time ago, returning once again to Odiern, he did not find Phelan in the settlement. It was extremely unusual. He questioned his people, not wanting to make too much noise. Phelan hurriedly left Odiern, receiving a letter from a man from Outpost, the gate of the River Valley. At this point, Silben was already beginning to understand what was happening, especially since the deadlines were drawing to a close. Silben noticeably calmed down and began to wait for good news and solve the accumulated problems of the city residents.
Disputes over land boundaries, lost goats, rotten roofs, delayed merchants who have nowhere to live during winter months... Silben had the talent of communicating with people. From the first word, he inspired sympathy. Nialeeka inherited his gift. For some time now, Silben began to take her often with him so that the inhabitants of the settlement could appreciate his daughter's talents. After listening carefully, she gave sensible advice to villagers.
Silben felt sorry that Athorn had not shown such a talent. It looks like he, like his father, was more inclined to solve problems by force and fight.
Once Silben took it with him when two neighbouring families did not divide young fruit trees. As soon as the women started arguing for the gods-know-what time, he silently drew his sword. Silben caught him and stopped before the boy even took a step forward.
People obey force, but threats are not a solution, and they cannot solve problems, he told Athorn then. And that same summer took him on a voyage. Then the boy was as old as Nialeeka now.
After that incident, Silben began to take Nialeeka with him more often. Young Athorn, his adoptive son, was sent to Zira's father to master the sword.
On one frosty winter day, Silben brought the children to a place where fishing boats were stored in the winter. There were problems with the roof, and while people were repairing it, Silben spoke with the workers. It was here that Phelan found him. Upon entering, the tall and stately man with a slight smile nodded briefly to Athorn and Nialeeka and headed on to Silben.
"This is Zira's father," Nialeeka told Athorn in a whisper. He nodded, not taking his eyes off the two men.
Of course, Athorn had long known who this man was. They saw each other many times, and Phelan had already been teaching the way of the sword to him for some time. His mastery of the sword was somewhat higher than his friends'.
Phelan is Silben's old friend, his right hand in everything related to the management of Odiern and the command of defence detachments of the village. They grew up here together, travelled and wandered in their youth in the seas outside the swamps of the River Valley. Today their children are as friendly as they are. Phelan, unlike Silben, has a large family. He has three sons and a daughter, Zira, who is a friend of Nialeeka. Athorn himself considers Phelan's sons to be his brothers.
From the broad steps of his friend, Silben realized that Phelan had come with the news. They stepped aside and began to discuss something. Children could hardly hear them.
"...a messenger from our friend arrived in Outpost. He is late due to the unpredictability of swamps. He reports that the construction is going according to plan, and they will be ready this spring."
"That's great news," Silben rejoiced.
"The cost is the same as we discussed. There should not be any problems here."
The head of the settlement nodded.
"Later, I would like to see this messenger myself."
"He will be glad to talk. And my wife will be pleased with your visit.
Silben laughed.
"So get ready to set sail this spring," Silben patted Phelan on the shoulder. "As soon as the ice breaks, you will go and get our ships."
Ships? Why does dad need more ships, Nialeeka mused. There are many rowboats in the settlement, single mast, even a couple twin mast...
Soon Athorn led Nialeeka home to return to her father at the port as quickly as possible. Wandering along the wide and spacious streets, they saw many people rushing about their business. Even in winter, Odiern is full of fuss and fun.
Halfway Zira joined them, having parted with her brothers. Soon, the boys rushed to the berths, and the girls decided to help an older woman living nearby. She had already forgotten how old is she. But she loved to tell the enthusiastic girls the legends of the River Valley. She loved to talk about the heroes that emanated her far and wide, about the countless treasures lurking in uncharted corners of the Valley.
Nialeeka slightly doubted if granny told them the truth. She decided to show the old woman an artefact, which she did not part with now, but to her amazement, she pointed to the Nialeeka's stone and, contrary to the girl's expectations, warned her.
"Broken things aren't useful nor don't bring you danger. But since it fell into your hands... Oh no, you picked it up yourself... Be aware. It will change your life in some way or another. And it will bring to your doorstep forces that won't bring you any good.
Nialeeka did not understand the warning of the wise woman and let fall on deaf ears, and Zira, as always, was wary and understood the advice in her way.
"You mustn't let anybody see it!" She exclaimed. "People can steal it from you, and to you!..."
'They can kill me', Nialeeka thought.
Once, after Zira's brothers returned from their sailing, told their younger sister about their adventures in distant settlements and cities. They said the young girl how bravely they fought thieves who could rob their father's ship and kill for the smallest offence. Their speech made a lasting impression on both Zira and their father, who passed by and heard everything. Nialeeka knew that after this incident, Zira's brothers could not sit for a long time, and later no one had seen them for a long time. Villagers heard that boys were sent to some unknown faraway creeks to reflect and fish.
Nialeeka hugged the terrified girl. It may seem that we are of the same age, but how does it happen that I continuously reassure and console her and explain what's what?...
"No one will do anything to me, I promise you. Everything will be fine with me. As with you," the girl tried to calm Zira.
But still, she listened to the advice and hid her talisman under her clothes.
"Such stones are not uncommon," Nialeeka said. "People find them sometimes. In our settlement, or neighbouring villages...
"Don't try to distract me."
"I want to say that people always find them. They are precious, valuable, But in the end, they are just possessions. Not as valuable as provisions for winter months. And definitely not as precious as family."
Calming down, Zira hugged Nialeeka and hurried to her parents and brothers.
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