Whispers of the Wild River

Whispers of the Wild River

Raia grew up along the Great River, as its sinuous path wound into the valley like a shining ribbon of blue. Her village, hugged round by green hills, relied on the river for everything. The fishermen, farmers, and pilots guiding boats through the tricky currents lived by the rhythms of its tides. Raia was born into the Tide Pilots, one of the oldest lines of people who knew the water intimately, understood its humors, and sensed danger before it arrived.

While Raia grew up learning by her mother's hand, many regarded Afiya as the region's best Tide Pilot. Afiya had taught Raia how to read the ripples on the river's surface, when to listen for shifts in the current, and to be guided by instincts that caused her to take her time and navigate the storms. But of course, that was never enough; always was something more, something mystical, she said, and hinted at responsibility running just beneath the surface.

“Raia,” Afiya would say, “the river speaks to those who listen. And someday, you’ll need to understand more than just its words.” Raia would nod, wondering what her mother meant but never quite understanding.

One summer morning she sat by the water, sketching in her notebook, enjoying the sun's warm touch on her shoulders. One moment, she stood there when she felt something unusual in the river. The waves began ruffling as if something big was slowly circulating underneath the surface. Then, before very eyes, the river began flowing upstream—its currents making surges in the opposite direction. Raia watched with horror. The river was always a steady and reliable thing, moving calmly downwards. It's in chaos now.

It was then that the cracking went through the aircable—a high-tension wire that passed over the village and served to convey urgent messages. And then along came Afiya's panting voice, drawn taut with anxiety: "Raia, it is time. The Queen has gone missing!"

Raia's heart leaped. For the villagers, the Queen was not a person but an institution. She was a legend; it was her spirit in the river; she was a great figure who would tame the tides and master the waters. Without the Queen, the river would go wild and untamed. Raia never imagined that such a thing was possible. Her mother always spoke of the Queen with such reverence, as if she would always be there.

Raia let her notebook fall to the ground as she ran home. Her mother was already packing together two bags: food and water, clothes, and a small few tools, her face severe but keen.

"Put on your shoes, Raia. We have to get to higher ground before the river overflows."

They left the small house and started climbing up the hill that overlooked the village. The people were running to get out of the way and pulling the boats out of the water, grabbing their gear, and crying out for their loved ones. The children clung to their parents, terrified. The animals ran up the hills with frenetic energy, feeling the disarray that was becoming evident in the river. Raia felt this crushing weight of it all around her, but she pushed on, following closely after her mother.

When Raia and his friends reached a high plateau, they turned back to have a final look at the river. At that height, he could see just how far-reaching the strange reversal was. The still waters, once so placid, now roared with fury, making waves in gigantic proportions, whipping whirlpools that seemed to gain a life of their own. The river was in turmoil, never to be cured by the guiding hand of the Queen again.

The aircable crackled once more. "All Tide Pilots, muster at high ground. We need your help to calm the river!" The village elder was speaking and calling out to the pilots to do something for the river.

Afiya turned to Raia and squeezed her shoulder firmly. "This is what we have been trained to do, Raia. We are going to be part of the balancing force.".

Raia stepped forward, taking a deep breath. She had spent her entire life preparing for this moment, though she hadn't really understood the scope of her training until now. Ahead of her, she could see where her mother led, to where a small group of Tide Pilots were gathered together. It was quite an age-and-generation mix, but all shared a certain knowledge of the river and a dedication to its safekeeping.

Afiya stood forward. Her face was nearly immobile and set. "The queen is gone," she said, "and maybe we won't know where she is or for how long. But we do know that river. If we could channel our energy together, perhaps we might stabilize it at the least for now.".

Raia gazed at her mother with new love. She now saw in her something more than just training—deep, fiery love for the river, coupled with a determination to protect her in the strongest way possible. She joined the circle with the others, feeling the power of their intent as they clasped each other's hands and closed their eyes.

There they focus on the river below. Every pilot sends their energy and intent into the water. Raia imagines the river as it should be: calm, peaceful, and flowing smoothly along. She envisions the Queen's presence—the spirit of the Queen guiding the currents back into harmony. The crazed waves began to settle down, the flow backwards slowly slowed, and the whirlpools shrank. As if the river itself could now feel the collective will of the Tide Pilots coursing through it, the river began to respond.

But did Raia feel something within herself that she had never felt before in her life? It was as if the river had come alive inside her; she could feel the pulsation of the river and its pain, and that is when she realized what her mother had said about listening to the river at a different level altogether.

Finally, the river also quieted down. It wasn't tranquil, but it wasn't thundering either. People collectively relaxed and resigned; Raia could feel some of the knots in her shoulders ease. She glanced over at her mother and smiled. Lined with fatigue, her face was yet prouder than all of these at that moment.

Standing there on the bank beside Arin, looking down into the river below—nearly as dear to her as air and breath—Raia promised, silently. Promised to defend this river and listen for the river's voice, to honor and respect the legacy of the Tide Pilots. The Queen was gone; the river was not.

And in this moment, Raia knew she was to carry on her mother's work, that she would be a Tide Pilot not just in skill but in heart. Together they'd find a way to make the river safe, whatever mysteries or challenges may lay ahead.