Haven

‘Even in the harshest soil a flower may bloom.’

: Apakoh – SC2962– (year of the second calling)

The sun begins it’s slow descent into the horizon, slipping beneath waves of cerulean blue. While the last light of day brushes the sky in a dazzling array of blood red and violet hues. Gold colored petals, from the svboda tree dance playfully within the currents of air, freely floating on the ocean breeze. Their soft blossoms swirl around a tiny house perched upon the cliff, before drifting away without a care.

A stark contrast to the chaos now taking place within the stone walls. Caleb watches his mother frantically stuffing items into a leather bag. Something happened last night that set things in motion, words from familiar voices whispered in the dark, changing his life forever. After the conspirators disappeared into the night, he lay on his bed, listening to his mother weep. Her muffled sobs brought tears to his young eyes. It was a long time before sleep took him. When it did, he was haunted by the recurring dream of fire and scorched earth, of giant wings fanning the flames until they consumed him. Yet, it was the burning eyes staring into his soul that woke him.

In the morning, no words were spoken. Throughout the day his mother moved like a rabbit caught on open ground, head cocked to one side, eyes darting about for an unseen threat. The early dusk light fills the house with a hollow glow. Rays from the red sun shines upon his mother, a visible calm washes over her. Caleb thinks this is what an angel must look like.

Her voice breaks the silence. “Caleb, your father is… I wish ...we need to leave, now.” A grain sack hits him in the face, as his mother calls out. “Fill the bag with food.”

Caleb clutches the cloth, staring past it, his eyes fall upon the planks of the wooden floor. Amazed at how clean his mother keeps their house, which is only rocks held together with mortar. For eleven summers, his entire life, this has been his home. Now, for reasons he cannot understand, they are leaving it all behind.

In a broken whisper Caleb’s question sounds more like a statement. “They're coming for me, aren’t they?”

Looking up, his mother smiles a sad smile. Realization of why this is happening suddenly overwhelms him. His mother was of the golden people who work the lands while his father was of the Azure people from the sea. He was the product of their love.

When his mother doesn’t answer, he adds. “It’s because I’m different, isn’t it?”

Kneeling in front of her young child, tenderly placing both hands upon his tiny shoulders. “There is nothing wrong with being different, don’t ever apologize, for being who you are.”

“Why do they hate me?”

“I wish I had an answer that would makes sense. They are blinded by fear, unwilling to open their eyes to change."

“I didn't ask for this.”

Reaching into her satchel his mother pulls out a rolled parchment, holding it up she says. "This is our future, a map showing a place where people like you are welcomed to live in peace. It's a Haven."

Raising her hand to his cheeks, she gently caresses his marbled skin, her fingers tracing the fine blue lines that meld with golden undertones. His mother looks deep into Caleb’s blue green eyes and repeats a line he has heard many times before. “Even in the harshest soil a flower may bloom.”

It may have been an illusion of light from the setting sun, but the blue lines on his body glowed ever so faintly, and his skin tingled with a comforting warmth. They remain silent, and for the briefest of moments they are at ease. Suddenly their peaceful world is shattered, as the front door bursts open and two men storm into their home.

His mother stands between him and the intruders. The taller one with a sparse grey beard and a patch over his left eye speaks. “Ya should-av fled by now.” He stands tall, menacingly, wielding a fishing spear.

“I only heard last night Tagger. Even with your one eye you can see we are leaving.”

“As I sed, ya should av left. Ther'z no-one to protect ya now.”

With graceful steps she confidently approaches the man, gently placing her hand on his chest. “Tagger, please…”

Slapping her hand, Tagger yells. “Git yer yella hands off me. Jacopp should never a’ brought ya here, ya don’t belong.”

“We’re married.”

“Blasphemy.” Pointing a calloused finger towards Caleb, Tagger spits out. ”Ther'z what happens when races mix.”

Involuntarily shaking, her chest heaves as she takes in deep breaths, straining the already thin fabric. Tagger smiles and begins to fumble with his belt. “Maybe I shud find out what Jacopp saw in ya.”

In a deep voice he growls. “Garby, git the kid outta here.”

“But pa.”

Tagger marches over to Garby, slips him a dagger. “I sez, take the kid. You knowz what needs doing.”

Hesitantly, Garby takes the blade. “Yez, pa.”

Caleb’s mother charges forward, a knife appears in her hand, driving it under Tagger’s chin, through the mouth and into his brain. His one good eye looks stunned for a moment then goes dim. A scream fills the room, as Garby watches his father collapses to the floor, he turns and flees.

Taking the child’s hand, Caleb’s mother shoulders the satchel and they run down the hill as fast as his small legs can move.

Between breaths Caleb manages to ask, “Where are we going?”

“I’m sorry, we should have left earlier, I will explain later, now we have to run.”

Thankfully wisps of dark clouds blanket the bright scarlet moon, shadowing them from hunting eyes. All night they run, always off the roads and paths. Arriving at their destination exhausted. Caleb recognizes the place and wonders why here? As the sun’s rays break the morning plane the youngster collapses.

A murmur of voices wakes him from his slumber. Through bleary eyes he watches his mother talking to a couple of shapes hidden in the morning shadows, they are the voices in the dark. He rises and untangles himself from the blankets laid upon him. Shaking his head, he realizes he is in his aunt and uncles home. The familiarity calms him, he edges forward as his mother motions him over. “Caleb, your father…” She breaks down.

One of the shadows breaks away and kneels before the confused child, his uncle’s eyes are red from crying. “Caleb, ya know your father iz a warrior, right?”

Slowly nodding, a tremor begins because he fears where this conversation is going.

“Yer father’s troop met a large force of the enemy.” At the word ‘enemy’ he watches his mother shake, knowing that her people are the ‘enemy.’ Even though they are the victims, it was her people that were attacked, her homeland that was invaded.

His uncle bows his head, then looks into his mothers’ eyes. “I’m sorry, Nahani, I didn’t mean nott’n by it.”

His mother speaks up. “Caleb, you are not safe here anymore.”

Confused he asks. “In the house?”

His mother gestures enlarged circles and looking all around. “No, …here, you are not safe here.”

Head down Caleb asks. “Are we going to live with your family?”

“No, you would not be safe there either.”

“Where are we going?”

Caleb’s mother grips his arms and for the first time in a while she smiles. “Your uncle has given us a boat, remember what I showed you yesterday…”

His uncle cuts in to clarify his mothers statement. “T''iz more o’ a raft, any’ting bigger and youz be spotted.”

“Right, we are going to take it down the Dunna river, you know the one.”

Caleb nods his head. It is the only river that flows from the sea, inland, then disappears beneath the distant mountains. Before another word is spoken, flaming arrows crash through the crystal windows. A voice outside yells. “Send dem out Cavin, or we’z burn your place down, with all ya in it.”

With no hesitation his uncle picks him up, runs to the back of the house, opens a trap door in the floor. Placing the satchel on the child, he yells. “Run to da river, git ta Haven.”

After a quick hug, he is lowered to the ground below. His mother cries out, “Come with us.” But even as she says this, she knows that isn't an option. Once again, they run.

Long wild grass offers cover as they creep forward. Blood pounds in Caleb’s head as harrowing screams fill the air, looking back the house is ablaze. He watches his uncle battling three people, suddenly his body stiffens, and he topples back. Receiving a gentle push, his tired legs continue running toward the water’s edge. Sharp blades of grass slapping against his face and arms, he soon loses direction until he stumbles upon the sandy banks. Before they reach the raft, two men charge out of the grass on their left side, cutting them off from the raft. Caleb’s legs lock up.

An arrow flies past him, piercing the throat of the first man, who falls back gurgling and thrashing about. Before his mother can draw another arrow, the second man, wielding a sword runs, towards them. All secrecy is gone, she yells “Run Caleb, go …”

The sword arches in the air preparing to cut his mother down. A knife magically appears in his mother’s hand, three quick stabs to the torso and the man falls to his knees, clutching the handle of the blade embedded in his gut.

His mother cries out. “Get in the raft Caleb, untie the ropes.”

Climbing in, his fingers fumble with the knots, trying frantically to untie them, but the rope is wet and the knot unyielding. From somewhere, his mother produces another knife. With a flip of her wrist, the blade bites into the wood of the raft. “Cut it.” She yells.

His mother drags the first man to the water’s edge, pulling the arrow out and rolls his lifeless body into the water. His blue skin blends with the sea, soon he disappears with the current.

Seeing a puzzled look, she explains to Caleb. "We must be rid of the bodies, they need to believe we perished in the fire, and not escaped. It will earn us some time.” Giving him a little smile and a wink. Then a strange look comes over her, as dark red blood dribbles from her mouth, clashing with her beautiful golden skin. She stumbles forward, and in doing so pushes the raft into the flowing water. Caleb sees the second man standing over his mother with her knife in his hand. Crying out, he watches his mother’s arm thrust up, jamming the arrow under his ribs and into the man’s heart. He falls forward, landing on his slayer, they roll as one into the water. Caleb tries to paddle towards his mother, but the current is too strong, they drift further and further apart. Caleb hears her call out one word, before she disappears.

Time means nothing to him, days blur into nights. He eats the food and drinks the water from the supplies and drifts with the current. He no longer counts the passing days under the burning sun, or the cool nights staring at the moon.

Always, his mothers last word repeats in his head, Haven.

The haunting cry of a loon pierces the morning silence, it’s echo call floats along with the wispy pockets of mist hovering above the gentle river. Sprawled out on the damp planks of his raft, Caleb slowly opens his eyes. Inhaling sharply through cracked lips, he no longer tastes the salt water from where his journey began. A shudder ripples through his weakened body, uncontrolled sobs once more rack his tiny frame. No other movement comes from him, he closes his eyes and sleeps again.

Hours later, the solitaire cry of a loon wakens him, an evening lament embracing the night. The raft is beached upon the shore. Through blood shot eyes he glimpses his surroundings, the bright scarlet moon lights up the beach. Forcing himself to move, Caleb rolls onto the sand. Dampness chills his body even more than it already is. Caleb's parents taught him to survive, they had little choice. Accumulating more skills in his few years than most will ever accomplish throughout their entire lives, instinct takes over. Fear of losing his raft to the slow-moving waters, he drags it as far as he can onto land. Taking stock of his supplies, Caleb realizes he needs to find food. Snails and grubs along with stale bread curb his hunger.

Exhaustion finally takes him, and he sleeps. Red eyes once more dominate his dreams, flames swirl and funnel from wind fanned by leather wings. Yet unlike before, this time there is a melody, a song that comforts him. His sleep is peaceful.

In the morning he fills his canteen with the last of his stored water, shoulders the leather satchel and heads into the woods.

With purpose he strides forth, feeling contentment for the first time since he had to flee. He has a purpose, to find a sanctuary, a place where he can live free of abuse and threats from others. Caleb begins to sing and hum the song from his dreams, oblivious, for he knows there is no ear to listen to his voice. In truth it gave him courage, which was good and bad, for little did he know that by night fall, four others would be pulling upon the very shores where his raft lay.

Carefully strolling upon the uneven ground, Caleb playfully hops around fallen trees and knobby roots protruding out of the damp soil. The sharp smell of coniferous trees awakened his senses. By noon he comes across a waterfall, flowing into a river, cutting through a canyon. Sitting on a large boulder at the water’s edge, Caleb nibbles on the last of his food. Rather than a loud roar, the rumble of moving water is refreshing and soothing, the sound is a soft murmur. The light mist is refreshing upon his face. After a moment of peace and reflection, it was time to find out exactly where he was going. Unrolling the parchment from the satchel, he gazes upon the brown stained paper, it was blank. There was no map, no words, no directions. No Haven.

His brain goes blank, chased from his home, running for his life, his mother… all alone, and now this. It was too much. Caleb gave a primal scream, cocked his arm back and was in the process of hurtling the parchment into the water. When a voice, deep yet hollow, like his fathers, echoed among the cavern walls. “Please, do not throw that into my waters.”

Spinning around towards the voice, he sees nothing but shadow and rock. “Who’s there?

A warm breeze smelling of lilac and rose washes over him. Stuffing the parchment back in the satchel, Caleb picks up a rock ready to hurl it at the unknown threat. A soft laugh reverberates in the air, slowly the side of the canyon wall shimmers, like waves of heat rising off a cobble stone street. In one movement the illusion of rock becomes a dragon, his scaled hide was a myriad of colors, rippling within the shadows and light.

Rearing up on hind legs, the dragon spread his leathery wings, opening his mouth. Frozen, Caleb stares into the fiery eyes that have plagued his nightmares. Stumbling back, he trips and falls into the rushing river. Thrashing about he is tossed, rising, and falling to the whims of the current. His vision is a mix of rock and water, cold liquid fills his mouth as he tries to scream. His movements are futile, he is no more than a twig caught in the rapids. He is unaware as the beasts great talons wrap around him, raising him up and out, gently placing him on the ground. Coughing, struggling to fill his lungs with air, Caleb’s brain feels equally waterlogged.

“Little man, I had not realized you wished to bathe so badly, although in all honesty I am glad you did. I smelled you when you were still a great distance away.”

Struggling to his feet, Caleb was at a loss, his tiny body began to shake and shiver. Tears flowing freely. “Are you going to eat me?”

Cocking his head, the beast replies. “Why, are you tasty?”

Caleb stutters. “I…I don’t think so.”

“Then, I guess I am not going to eat you.”

Shaking his head, Caleb whispers. “This isn’t real.”

The dragon’s eyes take on a look of concern. “I am sorry, of course you must be frightened, and you are soaked.” With that the creature blew gently on Caleb, a warm breeze washes over his wet body and in moments he is warm and dry.

“Now, tell me young sir, what is it you were about to throw into my waters?”

His reply is one word. “Lies.”

“Lies, how can you cast away a lie?”

Confusion crosses the child’s face. “I wasn’t throwing away a lie, I was throwing away the object of a lie.”

“Ahh.” The dragon ponders.” That does not clear anything up at all.”

Dumping the contents of the satchel onto the ground, he surveys his wet possession. Realizing everything he has in this world is now laying at his feet. Unrolling the parchment to dry off and debating what to do with it. Absently he answers the creature’s statement. “No, I guess it doesn’t clear anything up, but I don’t have an answer to your question or to anything else.”

“Okay, then let me ask you a different question, humans do not normally come this way. What brings you here ?”

“You’ve met humans?”

“Phhh.” Crouching low the dragon replies. ”I know your kind and would rather not mingle. Now once again, why are you here?”

Given all that Caleb had been through, stumbling onto a dragon did not seem out of place, and for reasons he could not explain, he was not afraid anymore. There was something soothing about the creature’s mannerism that made him feel relaxed and suddenly he did not feel alone. Without hesitation he told the entire story, from the night hearing voices in the dark, to the moment he now finds himself in. Certain items he kept to himself. His father used to say. ‘Caleb you do not need to tell people everything.’

The dragon never interrupted, only nodding, and adding the odd huff. When the story was complete, he asks one more question. “So, what will you do now?”

“I don’t know, I guess I have no choice but to…”

Before he can finish the dragon cuts him off. “Did you come alone?”

“Yes, I told you that.”

The dragon takes a deep breath, “There are people coming, they are not far.”

Caleb scrambles to his feet when he hears voices. Before he can flee, Garby steps out of the forest and into the rocky clearing.

“What do we do?” Caleb turns, there is no answer and no dragon. Before he can say more, a voice he recognizes bounces off the canyon walls.

“Hey boyz, looks what weez find.”

Caleb tries to run but his feet refuse to move. “Leave me alone, Garby.”

“My da is dead becuze o youz. Wer'z ya ma, we heard ya talk’n?”

Truthfully, he answers, “She isn’t here.”

“Don’t lie ta me, or I’m gonna gut ya like a fish.” Turning to his three companions he snarls. “Bring em to me.

The figures move as one, in slow motion he watches as they draw short swords, even from a distance Caleb can see their anger. He begins to shake as fear fills his insides. Stars spin in Caleb’s head. His vision narrows into a tunnel of light, while he feels his heart pumping energy through his veins. Suddenly, he experiences a warm tingle and watches his hands begin to glow. Then all goes quiet, he can no longer hear sounds that surround him, he breathes in deeply, a flash of light blinds him, then all goes black.

When Caleb’s vision returns, the dragon is back, and staring toward the forest, its fringes now charred. Three blackened lumps lay curled by the water’s edge, and Garby’s limp body leans against a darkened tree. His body singed and steaming.

“What did you do?” He heard himself say.

A low voice calmly replies. “Nothing.”

“Nothing? It sure doesn’t look like nothing, they’re dead.”

Calmly the dragon replies. “I can see that, but I did not do this.”

Caleb approaches the dragon. In a far-off voice he asks, already suspecting the answer. “Who did?”

Turning to the child, in a sad voice, the dragon answers. “I do not think they gave you a choice.”

Caleb shakes his head and leans against the rock wall. The coolness gives him little comfort. “No, I ….why would…I mean how?”

In a trance, Caleb begins to walk away, suddenly the dragon speaks. "Look, your parchment, it’s no longer blank.”

Caleb walks over to the scroll, now full of words and images. It is a map, with instructions and scribbles. He realizes what it is, the thought makes him dizzy, excited but dizzy. Looking over his shoulder, in a hollow tone the dragon speaks. “Well, I think we know where to begin.”

Holding the paper in his hand, Caleb says. “It is unfinished, you can tell this is just part of the journey…wait did you say, we?”

“Yes, we.”

"But you abandoned me when I needed you." Caleb whispers. "Although I understand, who wants to be with me. I’m an outcast, a no-one."

The dragon solemnly replies. "Know this, I may not always appear by your side, but I shall never abandon you."

Relief floods his soul, yet confusion still lines his face, until a soft deep voice echoes off the canyon walls. "Even in the harshest soil a flower may bloom."

"What ...what did you say?"

With a shrug the dragon continues. “I have been having these dreams, of you and I, we are meant to do this journey together.”

“Together?” Caleb can not explain it, but he feels excited and whole, and more importantly no longer alone.

“Yes, if so, then introductions are in order.” With what could only be a smile, the dragon bows. “I am called Apakoh, and you are?”

Staring at the stained brown paper in his hand. Caleb thinks of his father, his mother, and replies.

“Haven, my name is Haven.”

Jason Basaraba