Once I finally settle atop the raft, I must confess that the sensation of my feet leaving solid ground for the first time in my life is surprisingly exhilarating. While the scenery is vaguely familiar, the winding course of the flowing river weaves its way through areas of Tuatiu I've never before seen. The ability to see the jungle from this perspective, gliding through its heart over the water, offers a revelation unlike any other.
To say I was trepidatious when we were first presented with the raft in the early morning would be putting it kindly. Even on the steady waters, the wooden vessel bobbed and moved about, causing me to feel nauseous by simply looking upon it. Sianchu wore a mask of bravery as he set foot onto the floating platform, but it became instantly obvious he was having second thoughts, as well, subtly whimpering as he boarded. Mexqutli stated that he had used such a vessel when he was traveling north for his initial quest and seemed to take to the raft with ease, much to the dismay of Sianchu, who resented the Ulxa man's nonchalant demeanor.
Upon our arrival, we were warmly welcomed by Upuiqu, a seasoned traveler of the Maiu Qasapaq. His stubble-covered face bore the rugged imprints of the ancient mountain range to the east, and while his warm smile was punctuated by a few missing teeth, its genuineness shone brightly through his time-worn features. When Haluiqa opened the Tuatiu borders to trade, Upuiqu was the first person he thought of to navigate the river and coordinate trade with the Qantua post downstream. With his vast experience navigating the waters, it was an obvious choice to make him our guide, and this knowledge was my only comfort when deciding to brave this journey.
"I've survived these waters for so many harvests, I've lost count!" Upuiqu said cheerfully, his eyes twinkling with the confidence of countless journeys. Sianchu and I exchanged glances, our skepticism undiminished as we eyed the raft's patchwork structure and the swirling waters it was about to brave. Despite Upuiqu's reassurances, the thought of entrusting our lives to this fragile assemblage of logs and vines set a flutter of apprehension in our stomachs. I've sharpened my blade numerous times, but I still end up with the occasional cut or scratch. Additionally, the furthest offshore I've ever swam up to now was just enough to bathe, and I'm not eager to see how I'd fare if I was forced into the deeper waters.
Once we pushed off the shore, the raft shook and wavered, and I may have yelped out of concern. This only encouraged Upuiqu to laugh harder as he paddled, and if it weren't for relying on his expertise to navigate the river, I would've pushed him overboard without hesitation. Sianchu requested taking the other oar because, as he put it, "I can concentrate on something other than falling into the water." After what I would argue as being given an extremely brief lesson on how to paddle, we were off, departing my home village toward Qantua territory.
Now that we've been on the water for half of the day, I've been able to calm myself and enjoy the journey, especially one that doesn't involve being on my feet for long stretches. Mexqutli "temporarily" takes over the duties of paddling while Sianchu rested, with him saying how he could have gone further, but wanted to make sure he could guarantee having the strength necessary to finish out the day's rowing. I'm not sure whether he saw my eyes roll or not, but pointing out to Sianchu that Upuiqu is still carrying on without any sign of exhaustion elicited a frown.
As we navigate the river, the scene is a cacophony of foliage and life. The verdant green of the jungle on either side is almost overwhelming, and the dense canopy overhead filters the sunlight, casting dappled patterns onto the water's surface. Trees stretch upwards, their roots plunging deep into the rich soil and creep over rocks. Ferns and orchids cling to their branches, and the air is rich with the intoxicating scent of blooming flowers, mingling with the musky undertones of the rainforest floor. Parrots in their resplendent colors flit above, their squawking blends with the distant calls of howler monkeys. Fish, with their shimmering scales, dart beneath the raft, and every now and then, the water's surface breaks as a caiman slides into the water. The silent shadow of a jaguar can be glimpsed, drinking from the riverbank, its eyes watching our every move. The jungle is alive, teeming with mysteries and wonders, and as we journey deeper, I feel nothing but reverence in this untouched part of the world.
YOU ARE READING
Revolutions
FantasyAt long last, the oppressive rule of the titans has ended. We are finally free, thanks to the sacrifice of The Eleven, who unified a fractured land and used their supernatural powers to defeat the Timuaq. There are many like myself who have only kno...
