Fly Until You See The Light

Valley (1) - Chapter 13

It is not possible.

Sentinekka can't stop thinking about Skater's words...

Ojtaro is what? Related to magic... Real magic? No, it's not possible. Is that his secret? Why did Skater have to talk to her about it? She wasn't supposed to know.

He's a so-called... Elder... A real Elder. An Elder. But he didn't want to tell her his secret. Now she knows.

Make no mistake, she had tried not to listen to the the Skater's words, but her voice was too loud.

«Sentinekka, you need to listen to me» she concluded, after her explanation of her "theory". «Don't get into trouble, please».

What will she do now?

Sentinekka watches the morning sun reaching the realm. The Skater told her about the Ojtaro she really knows yesterday, after that little lesson.

«Your "old friend"... He is the one who will bring the Light to where it was before the Darkness. I know him well, Isan saved his life some time ago. The whole Village knows who he is. Some call him Prince or something, but he always insisted on just going by Oj'... And... Why are you looking at me like that, Sentinekka?».

«I...».

Sentinekka still doesn't have the faintest idea why her teacher said those things to her. Especially that question. How was she supposed to react?!

She had just met her guide Oj' a few days ago... And she already knew everything about him.

She remembers saying goodbye to her without answering the question, and leaving quickly and then taking refuge in the place where Isan hosts her and Orlando, with Judy.

Now she is watching the sunrise from her and Judy's bedroom window. She thinks about what to do for when she'll see Ojtaro again. She will have to find a way to forget the Skater's words... Or to be able to talk to her friend...

-----

«You should try to be nicer to Joyz... I mean, man, he's going to stay with us for a year and two months!» Mihok tells him as they walk along the shores of the Isle.

Ojtaro answers him, rolling his eyes:«You know how I am».

Mihok leaps in front of him energetically and responds instantly:«I know confidence is not your strong suit at all, especially when you meet someone you really don't like but, look, I'm sure talking to the newbie would be great for you! An extra friend never hurts, Ojtaro!».

The brother wags his raccoon tail. That tail is the reason why he was kicked out of his village of idiots, but he doesn't seem sad about it at all. Mihok loves his tail because it makes him different. He raises it when he is excited, lowers it when he is scared or sad and raises it again when he is aggressive. He really looks like a raccoon, for the Elders' sake!

«Mihok: you are a very different person from me. For me to become friends with the newbie...» Ojtaro explains to him. «It's useless. Joyz for me will never be an eternal friend who will last forever. I would like companions who will remain by my side until the end... Even after you know what event».

«Your "coronation"?».

«Shut up».

«What's up? It is true! In two years you will become "Ojtaro: the young and new Elder of the Eye of Eden"!».

Suddenly, the two realize something's not right.

Joyz is there, a few meters away from them, with Horand's company. He heard everything. Horand stares at Ojtaro and repeatedly hits his head with a leather notebook, as if to say "you two are idiots, really". Meanwhile, the new one looks at them in shock.

«Oh, for the existence of Megabird...» Ojtaro whispers. He's in trouble. Joyz knows everything.

-----

It's long past dawn now, it's almost afternoon.

​​​​​​Snow falls lightly on the stone streets and the golden statue of Elder Sah.

Sentinekka walks calmly on the ice alone while dedicating herself to skating. The inhabitants of the Village of Dreams devote themselves to their activities.

Just suddenly, though, Isan calls her name from the end of the ice rink. The little girl stops and then joins her.

«Yes, Isan?» she asks, curious.

The cousin, enthusiastic, answers her:«I want to show you something amazing!».

Isan takes the little girl by the arm and she lets herself be guided without rebelling.

They arrive at a route that until that day had been declared non-existent, a long, snow-covered path lit by wooden poles holding bright flames. Isan takes Sentinekka with her to the end of the path, and the two find themselves in front of a huge snow-covered square with a simple and adorable stage. There are also benches, lanterns, uninhabited houses.

«I think I found a little job for you. Welcome to the place where the Performance Season will be held!».