The loud ring of the ancient horn rang through our small village. The crisp sound echoing through the dense Brazilian forests causing an array of birds to fly from the trees filling the morning with their terrified sounds. I got up from my small cot, the smooth, soft feathers proving too cosy to leave but I knew what that sound meant, today was the summoning. The day everyone in the village flocked to the Rio Cobre, the river that connects us to our ancient heritage. The river which provides us with good fortune as long as we complete our given tasks. The river that can mean the difference between life and death for the people of my tribe.
I pulled on a pair of cotton shorts, grabbed my small knife and began the trek to the river.
“Xanto, are you nervous about today”? My friend Adam asked as he joined me on the road to the river.
“Adam you know if you let your fear consume you, you’ll fail before you even begin.” I told him while shifting the branch from our way continuously sinking into the mud due to the rains that fell yesterday.
“Always one for wisdom” he said sarcastically.
“All part of the package my friend”, I said while laughing. We walked into the clearing where the village met. The clearing was truly breath-taking. It had a magical yet scenic charm.
The tall trees went around in a perfect circle. The sunlight bathed the area in a light, crisp glow. The rushing waters of the Rio Cobre stretched straight through the middle of the clearing providing a sense of security and a fear of the unknown.
A couple of minutes passed and the entire village was in a circle around the river beginning the chant as old as time, we chanted about the great Gods of the river and how their mercy and strength are the only reasons we are here today. We stepped into the water simultaneously awaiting the decision of the river. The ones who the river chooses will be sent on a quest and if they return with the prize, the group will be spared but if the payment was not fulfilled then they would send their village into anguish.
As the water levels rose around me, I could feel the nerves seeping into me. The river began to pound, the waves became stronger and the harsh water flooded its banks, the river had made its choice. As a bright red ring formed around the two chosen, I looked around and realised that the ring circled me. Gasps could be heard from all over. No one could believe that I of all people could be chosen to do the quest. Usually it was the warriors of the group which the river selected the ones who were tough and could complete the quest without too many challenges. I was just plain old Xantho Radmin. My lanky six two frame and greyish blue eyes were better used for archery than hand to hand combat and my long jet black hair would provide an even bigger distraction if I was ever to be in a struggle.
I looked around trying to find the person who would be my partner in this journey only to see the next red ring around Mishka Jahonsin. She was a free spirited lady yet her eyes were constantly laced with sadness ever since she lost her husband in the tribal raid some years ago. She was watching me with those piercing green eyes, her shoulder length black hair framing her face. Although she might seem small with her 5 ft 5ins frame, she was not to be underestimated. She was a survivalist able to thrive in any situation she was thrown into. Her adventurous ways contrasting to her growing age as she as thirty almost 5 years my senior.
I turned from the river and stood at the quest stone, reaching out my hand for Mishka so we can get our given quest. The one that will determine whether our village can continue its calm and easy going ways or whether the differences that faced us will bring destruction our way. She walked forward and grabbed my hand causing a picture of a glowing red rose in the centre of the most dangerous section of the dark forest appeared behind my eyes. I heard her gasp and knew that she saw the image too.
A difficult task faced us, one that will be the determining factor for the lives of or people. A great burden has now been placed on our inexperienced shoulders. But if there is anything that the jungle life has taught us is that no matter how rough things get, of how bleak future may seem, there is always a small ray of hope constantly shining.
We shouldered the sacks of necessities the village women provided us with and turned towards the dark forest which would lead us to victory or defeat. I took one look back remembering the smiling faces of my tribe hoping that when we returned those smiles would still be there. As we began our journey to the unknown, I turned to her
“Are you ready for this Mishka?” I asked.
“Let’s do this” she replied with a smile
