Excursion

Chapter Ten - We Sail Across the Qerpidor

  After we boarded our supplies onto the boat and said a heart-felt good-bye to our yaks, who were already starting to plod in the direction of home, we sailed away from the region of sand. We soon lost sight of the shore, and I began exploring this 'boat' that we were on. The longer I looked at the intricate carvings along the rails, peered out the windows - covered with a strange, clear substance - to see the fish swim past, and listened to the sound of the wind whipping through its huge banner, the more I loved the wooden floating device. The boat was a creature much like our celestial yaks. Churning, breathing, sighing, and yet with the power to carry a hundred times that which the yaks could, and the ability to move five times as fast.

  There was one detail about the vessel that mystified me. Actually, there were many details which I looked upon with confusion, but this one most of all. Upon the sail – as I heard it called – was a color I had never seen before in my life. It was... Blue? No, indigo? No... black? Certainly not black.

  "Holly?" I inquired to the middle-aged sailor as she passed, checking off notes on a clipboard. "What color is the sail?"

  "The color?" she asked, perplexed. "It's purple."

  I didn't even attempt to pronounce it. Instead, I only gave a slow nod.

  "Don't you know what the color purple is?"

  "Um... no. We don't have that color back where I come from."

  "Have you ever seen a rainbow?"

  "No..."

  "You poor boy," Holly sighed, her demeanor suddenly softening as she tucked her clipboard under one arm. "You must have had such a boring childhood."

  "Not really, actually. I was the region's top youth yak racer when I was eleven. I've been to the sacred peaks. I mined for gypsum one time and nearly got killed by a xyi spider..."

  "Oh, please," Holly responded, sounding sadder than ever. "Compared to what happens in the Magnicum Region, you've been living a horribly dull life. I only wish that you were born in our region to begin with."

  "Actually," I exclaimed, but stopped myself. I was about to tell her about my mark and the child, but then I remembered that the Magnicum Region probably contained the land that the children were coming from. Holly might even be from there. "I mean..."

  "Shh," Holly responded with a gentle smile. "Let's not relive the days of your past. Now you're going to Mangicum; you can finally live the life you've been deprived of."

  "I'm not going to be staying for long."

  "Then you'll have to come back and visit us occasionally. And bring some more members of your tribe along."

  I had no qualms about this idea and was anxious to learn more. So, I readily agreed when Holly invited me to the captain's quarters to share a cup of tea. While we were there in that richly decorated room, listening to the sounds of the waves beyond, she disclosed more information about the Magnicum Region to me. She told me stories of how the people were intelligent, good-looking sorts with a mind for manners and a heart for helping their fellow kinsmen. They were always happy – even the babies failed to cry – and were led by a strong, benevolent woman by the name of Premier Nova. Nova was elected by the people of the entire region to be their leader, and so far, she had done her job flawlessly.

  "Is Esis going to be your guide once you get to Magnicum?" Holly inquired, refilling my teacup.