Chosen: The Legend of Saqui

BOOK I CHAPTER V

CHAPTER V - SPIRIT OF THE DOWO

The dowo was an insect about the size of an average scorpion. It had something of a sixth sense, an ability to see danger coming before it happens. It was also known to have a superior sense of tracking prey.

In the morning, the three boarded a boat and traveled up the Sinche River. This was a two day trip.

As they rode upriver, Peyeche trained. Now that she could handle her sword, she wanted to be ready to use it. She sparred with Inalef. She did nick her friend a few times and knocked him down a few times.

That night, Peyeche had a few more questions for Rimac.

"When my father was killed, why was I named queen and not his wife?" she asked.

"Well, only those born from the royal family can become king or queen. His wife was not; therefore, she could not become queen. She was upset at first. I think she still is some."

"How did you come to know my father?"

"I knew your father since he was a young child. I became an apprentice at a young age to the tribe's historian under your grandfather. When my mentor died, I took over his duties.

"I spent many a time with your father educating him of our tribe's rich history and that of the other five."

The next day, Peyeche continued to train with Inalef. She also took some time to learn from Rimac the history of the six tribes, as he had taught her father.

After the two day trip, they docked in Aa Tlorec. They were met by a representative from the palace.

"Welcome to Aa Tlorec. We are honored to meet the Saqui. We got your message. Amaru has not been here yet. The Quesmi has been hidden in a more secure location."

"Very good. But I fear Amaru has the Staff of Pillan, so it may just prolong his finding it. I just hope it is long enough for us to stop him."

The representative took them to meet Ajala the tribe elder.

"Welcome, young Saqui. It is my pleasure to teach you the ways of the dowo. You will not only be able to sense danger, but it will also give you the ability to find things unseen."

The elder handed her a blindfold and told her to put it on.

"Empty your head and reach out your aura."

Though she could not see through the blindfold, she still closed her eyes. Ajala approached her carrying a stick. He was silent so she did not know he was in front of her.

He swung the stick at her left side. He had hoped she would block it. She did not.

"Ow!"

"You are not reaching."

"I am trying."

"No, you are not. Do not try. Just do it."

Again, she closed her eyes. The elder moved to her right side and swung the stick.

"Ow!"

Over and over, the elder shifted and swung at her. Over and over, she failed to block.

"Let us try something else."

He took her outside to a big haystack.

"Inside this stack is a needle. Empty your head and find the needle."

"This seems a bit easier."

She closed her eyes and cleared her head. She walked around the stack of hay. She searched for the needle, but could not find it.

"I cannot find it."

"Picture that which you seek in your mind, and you will find it."

As she closed her eyes, one of the suns began to glow. She walked around the haystack and reached inside. She pulled out the needle.

"I did it!"

"Excellent. You have taken your first step in your discovery."

Later in the day, Ajala told Inalef to hide somewhere in the village and to tell no one where he was hiding. He gave him a ten minute head start.

"Your friend is somewhere in the city. Find him."

"Sort of like hide and seek. We used to play that game all the time."

"Find him."

She left to find her best friend. She wandered the streets aimlessly. She closed her eyes and pictured him. She was headed in the right direction.

As she grew closer to him, he snuck up behind her with a stick. She did not see him coming. He brought the stick back and swung at her right side. She caught the stick before it could strike her.

"Nice try, buddy."

"You got me, Your Highness."

They walked back to the elder.

"You have done well, young Saqui."

They worked with her to help her use her gift along with the other three and to transition between them.

"You are now ready to continue your quest," they told her. "But before you leave, we have something to help you on your search."

One of them reached into a bag and pulled out a pair of boots.

"Like any search, it all begins with a single step. We hope these will guide you to find that which you seek."

She hugged them and left to meet Rimac.

"We must leave very quickly. I have word that Amaru is close to Yottoko. This could be our chance to stop him before he can complete his search for the Quesmi."

They got on a boat and sailed further up the Sinche River until it diverted to the Anca River.

Just before they arrived at Yottoko, Peyeche got a very bad feeling. She closed her eyes and used her sensing skills.

"He is here, and he has begun his attack."