Daughters of the Land

XI.| The Cwield Sea

"Sshh...I'll have a look first", he whispered before placing his head back into the water.

Both had managed to make it over to a sea cave without being seen. During their short travel, Nukula came to know what it was that they were so fearfully running from. Spotters.

Much like the Emperor's Noblemen, Spotters were Uta's eyes and ears. They did not serve in battles due to their limitations in strength and so were responsible to roam the land and sea for food and unwanted visitors. Although, when faced with outsiders they were expected to do what they lacked in the first place- fight.

"If in the unfortunate event we are caught, I'm sure you are more than capable of dealing with it", he said, smiling nervously as he popped up from the water. "After all, you were chosen for service duty and all", he said as he glanced at her attire.

"Yes, I guess so".

"Right, so you say you want to return home?", he repeated her request as if it would help him solve her situation. "The way the Bletsian falls from above there", he pointed his fins up at the gushing water fall Nukula had arrived in. "It follows through all the way down through there", he pointed again but in the opposite direction to the fall, where they were once present.

She followed his words carefully and mapped out an image in her mind. Her thoughts raced with old stories the Dears had told the villagers about the many rivers and seas that surrounded them. She remembered the Cwield and Bletsian in particular; their use being of importance.

People do not decide our fate and status; the Almighty does and for that he made sure all the lands were connected by nature's design. The waters that run through our homes are passing spirits, they have no tribe nor Emperor, they show us that no matter who or where we are, it has the power to eventually takes us all through that same river to the same place for death.

"The Blestian always meets", she whispered to herself.

"Yes, it does", replied Forges. "And just before the fall, that narrow left up there, the one you so slightly missed?", he looked to her for an understanding nod. "It takes you where no living soul wishes to go".

"The Cwield Sea", she whimpered with the remembrance of her mother's fate.

He watched her wipe a few tears and sighed heavily, "I see you are perfectly aware of the rivers and sea", he said apologetically. "You said something about your mother...did she- was she sent-".

"No. Yes, but it was a mistake", she whispered. "I had her, I had to save her and he was just coming at me...", she sobbed a few more tears as she recalled the events that had unfolded up in Zicotos Bletsian river.

Forges studied her demeanour; her body flinching to the little sounds around them and her hands and face covered with dirt, cuts and bruises. He thought for someone who was lost- especially in another man's land, she was quite calm. Yet when she spoke of her mother, it indicated far more fear than calmness. He knew very well that Nukula was in some sort of trouble but couldn't muster up the courage to ask. Not that he felt frightened to but he felt uncomfortable with the whole situation, not only was he aiding a Zicoto enemy, he was committing an act of treachery. An act where only death would forgive. Forges being a child of the Sea however, felt obliged to help her as nature had brought her in his path, and surely for some good.

"Nukula, I will get you home but you have to trust me", he said placing a large fin on her forearm. "The Spotters are close", he looked out into the sea for new movement. "Your cloak it has a hood- put it on, pull your robe tight and hide over there by the boulders and do not in any circumstances leave that boulder".