|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Sun Jan 06, 2013 11:30 am
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Jan 06, 2013 11:31 am
I was very young when I left the island. It wasn't intentional mind you. Peace had come to the mainland. Even the islanders were celebrating. Several left to create friendships with the mainlanders. I stayed by my mother's side, as good children are supposed to do. Kage have always gotten on well with the islanders. We help them to fish and they help us in return. There have been many long lasting friendships between islander and kage over the years. Many generations would stick together. My mother's grandmother was a friend to the family we are tied to now. Each time a baby kage is born, a bond is created between that baby and an islander human child. Here kage and human grow up together, side by side, keeping each other safe and happy.
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Jan 06, 2013 11:32 am
There was to be a feast in honor of the newfound peace. Feasts were always fun. The beach would be lit by torches and bonfires well into the night. There would be great variety of meats and fruits laid out for all to eat from. The humans would dance and play, and some kage would join in, though many were not quite as graceful as we would like. Many of us would enjoy a moonlit swim.
My mother, siblings, and I went out into the ocean for such a swim. Many of my human siblings joined us as well. I was still young, and not yet a powerful swimmer. When the riptide took hold, I panicked. I forgot the lessons my mother had taught me of how to free myself. I forgot how to speak, to yell for help. I was sucked away from the island until the fires were just a dot on the horizon. Soon they were gone entirely. I drifted for a long time.
Then, as in a miracle, I saw trees on the horizon. I swam as fast as my little body could and reached the shore just as the sun was setting. Finally I was home. I would see my family again, but that would have to wait until morning. I was simply too tired to continue.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Jan 06, 2013 11:33 am
When I woke up, I noticed right away something was wrong. The sun was high and my scales dry. The girl standing above me, poking me with a stick rather rudely, was clearly not an islander. Had it happened so quickly? Had the mainlanders invaded my home? I scrambled to my feet and back to the water. The horrid girl tossed the stick away and bent down to look at me. Reluctant as I was to take my eyes off her, even for a moment, I had noticed the trees were slightly different here. I looked behind her. This must have been another side of Fare Island. One to which I had never been. The girl spoke in a strange language to another child well down the beach. Without a word of warning she scooped me up and held me tight. I struggled, but the girl had an astonishing grip.
"Leave it alone!" The child from further down the beach shouted. "Aisley, put it down!" My captor took no notice of the commands. "I'm telling Mom!" The other child took off running. Aisley, my captor, ran too. I was jostled around so much that my head felt as if it were filled with jelly. I gave up struggling and faught simply to keep my head still.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Jan 06, 2013 11:34 am
The mother took me gently from Aisley. She was warm and her lap soft. My head was pounding. Any movement only made it worse. I curled up on her lap as she scolded her daughter.
I stayed with that family for many years. I never cared much for Aisley and avoided her whenever possible. The boy, Thale, was much kinder. It was only a week or two before Thale and I became good friends. I missed my island family, but to try to get back to them then was silly. It would have to wait until I grew a bit larger. In the meantime, this family suited me well. I came to understand that I was on the mainland now. This family lived near the beach so I was still able to swim a great deal.
The other kage in the area were different. They didn't care for swimming and they looked like nothing I had ever seen. Thale taught me about the kinds of kage he knew. I didn't interact with them much. They avoided me most of the time, I think they were just as nervous about me as I them. The few times that I did meet other kage went fairly well. We would chat a bit, maybe play, but soon they'd be off, back to their parents.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Jan 06, 2013 11:35 am
This was how it was for many years. Now I am older. I am fully grown and a strong swimmer. To be honest, I have been for a long time. Thale is older now too. We sit here on the beach, struggling with the decision before us. Do I stay or do I attempt the cross the sea and return home?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reply
