Chosen: The Legend of Saqui

BOOK I CHAPTER VIII

CHAPTER VIII - SPIRIT OF THE JEVAJA

The jevaja was a majestic bird with a wingspan of ten feet. It had yellow feathers and could fly at speeds as fast as twenty miles per hour for long periods of time.

As Calvucura was setting, they left for Olujimi, their last destination. The Spirit of the Jevaja would be the toughest of the six to learn.

It took them all day to reach the village. As Cuminao started to rise, they could see the skyline of the village. It had the tallest buildings of the six tribes.

When they entered the village, they saw a sea of white.

Back in Aa Tlorec, Amaru searched everywhere for the last Quesmi. Even with the Staff of Pillan, he could not find it.

He began torturing some of the Lefitray trying to get the location. The ones he tortured had no knowledge of the secret location.

The next morning, Peyeche went to see Eyota the tribe elder.

"I will teach you the power of the jevaja. But just as you need to learn how to crawl before you can walk, you also need to learn how to float before you can fly."

He tried to teach her how to levitate. As much as she tried, her feet never left the ground.

"You need to picture yourself as being weightless. You need to become light as a feather."

Still, she struggled. Again and again, she tried to float and failed.

"Do not give up. It is a difficult task, but it can be done."

For the next hour, she tried and she tried and she tried. Finally, when she was about to give up, she made one final attempt. She was able to hover a few inches off the ground.

"I did it. I did it."

"Very good, young Saqui. Tomorrow, you will learn to fly."

"Tomorrow? I need to learn today. It is a matter of urgency."

"You are not ready. This is one thing that cannot be rushed. This spirit is the only one that can kill you."

That night, as she was falling to sleep, she heard a voice in her room.

"I am so proud of you, young one."

She did not recognize the voice. It was not Inalef's. In fact, she had never heard that voice before in her life. She looked up from her bed.

In front of her was the spirit of her father King Liwanu.

"Who are you?" she asked him.

"I am your father," he replied.

"Why did you leave us? I was told you died before I was born."

"Forgive me, young one. I asked your mother to tell you that story. I was already promised to another, a woman I did not love. Then, I met your mother and she made me feel so alive. I truly wanted to spend the rest of my life with her, but my culture forbade it.

"I asked your mother to let me know how you were, everything that happened in your life. You have grown into a wonderful young woman, and you will make a wonderful queen."

"I wish I could have known you while you were alive."

"Anytime you need me, I will be here for you. I love you so much, young one."

"I miss you, father."

Back in Aa Tlorec, Cuminao was high in the sky, and Calvucura was on the rise. Cunac entered the king's chamber.