A Next Island Love Story by Pope L’Brung
Book 3, Chapter 1
I accompanied my friend PK to the teleportation portal at Crystal Bay. He told me that he needed to make a quick stop at the storage terminal. I tried not to stare, but it looked like he took some various items out of his storage and exchanged them for PED at the adjacent trade terminal. PK finished his transaction quickly and gave me a confident smile. I could tell that he was excited, and to be honest so was I.
He checked his messages again and confirmed that the meeting with the Haruspex guide was to take place at Tanzanite View. We stepped onto the Crystal Bay teleportation portal. Though I had used them for years, teleportation portals still fascinated me. I didn’t quite understand the technology, but I trusted it. I tried to imagine what it would be like to teleport through time. Perhaps I would get to experience it soon enough.
Within seconds, PK and I were transported to an area called Tanzanite View. There were several tents and wagons scattered around. Most of the people at this area were Haruspex and this appeared to be a settlement. I kept my eyes open for any signs of Jihkanna. Ultimately, my goal was to find her.
“Our guide is called Ayinde. He will meet us here,” spoke PK.
Tanzanite View was a beautiful area. The people seemed proud and kind. I’d never seen so many Haruspex people in one place. I remained close to my friend’s side though I wanted to explore the settlement.
“That’s him over there,” PK pointed.
I could see a Haruspex man talking to what looked like a hologram. We weren’t close enough to hear what he was saying but it seemed like he was talking to some sort of apparition that was being projected in the air above his head.
Book 3, Chapter 2
Upon completing what looked like an intense conversation with a hologram, the Haruspex man beckoned us over to him with a wave and a smile. PK recognised the man as Ayinde, the guide he’d met once before. Ayinde shook both of our hands and introduced himself to me with a warm, trusting smile. We exchanged respectful greetings and small talk before PK asked a direct question.
“What was that thing you were just talking to?” asked PK.
“Ah, my friend. That was the Haruspex Elder. A wise spirit and advisor to our community.”
I was somewhat knowledgable about Haruspex beliefs but had never been this close to a practising community.
Ayinde continued, “The Elder fortold that you both would be visiting here today and offered guidance on how I could best assist you. He said there would be two of you. One seeking treasure, and one seeking love.”
It was odd that Ayinde mentioned both of us as he didn’t even know that I would be accompanying PK. I was intrigued by his statment. PK seemed less interested in mysticism and more interested in questioning our new friend.
“How do we get to the time portal? Is it here?” he whispered.
Ayinde grinned and hugged the both of us. “Trust me. The portal you seek does exist and it is nearby. The Elder has approved of me revealing its location to you but asked that I escort you on a mission first.”
I’ll admit. I had a brief feeling that this whole thing might be a con. Ayinde seemed nice and friendly but I wanted to keep my wits about me. Perhaps there was no such thing as a time portal and this was just a trap for tourists to spend PED chasing a childish dream. I was curious as to what the ‘mission’ would be and how much it would cost.
PK seemed to have no such caution and was already agreeing.
Book 3, Chapter 3
Ayinde told us that he would lead us to the time portal on the condition that we complete the “Trust Bridge.” He said that The Elder approved of us as long as we could earn the confidence of the Haruspex. Ayinde said he would guide us along the mission but we would have to complete a series of tasks designed to prove our loyalty and worthiness. It seemed elaborate and complicated. I felt like we were being duped.
I wandered away from Ayinde and PK to gather my thoughts. I had agreed to help my friend but I didn’t sign up for a ‘mission.’ I wanted to find Jihkanna. She was in my thoughts more than any ‘tourist trap.’ I glanced down and saw a sign.
The future twists like a tree
Where had I heard that before?
It was the title of one of the poems in the book of Haruspex poetry that she had given me on our last morning together back on Toulan.
The future twists like a tree
It was a beautiful poem by poet called Flora. It was about trying to find courage and strength in the face of the unknown. I had read it several times and it made me think of Jihkanna. It made me wish that I had never left her side. I took the small book out of my backpack and held it. I missed her terribly and wanted to find her.
Ayinde and PK joined me as I was still looking at the Woodland Haruspex plaque.
“Ah yes, my friend. It is true. The future twists like a tree. It is our motto,” smiled Ayinde. “Perhaps you would like to know what your future holds?”
I looked into his kind face. I wanted to trust this man but I wasn’t convinced that any of this was legitimate.
“Perhaps you’d like to know if your future includes her?” he said, pointing to my book.
Book 3, Chapter 4
“I know who you are looking for,” Ayinde adressed me directly. “I can help you but I must also protect her.”
I was confused. How could he know who I was looking for? I wasn’t sure what he was talking about.
“Jihkanna. I know you seek her,” he continued.
My confusion turned to shock. How did he know her name? This didn’t make any sense.
“I see you look quite confused, my friend,” he said as he placed his hand on my shoulder. “I can explain. You see, my sister works as a bartender at Caroline’s. She told me that a new arrival was asking about Jihkanna last night. Just now, when you walked off, your companion here told me that you were searching for a girl. A girl that had perhaps…captured your heart?”
“I said he was being a moody hopeless romantic instead of the brave miner he used to be,” chimed PK with a bit of banter. “Love sick, we used to call it back in my day. Poor kid.”
I half-chuckled, embarrased. “You know Jihkanna? Is she here? Is she close?” I asked Ayinde.
“Ha, my friend. Now you sound like PK asking for the time portal,” he replied. “The Elder’s words were ‘One seeking treasure, and one seeking love.’”
Ayinde and PK found it funnier than I did. They laughed. I wanted answers.
“Please Ayinde,” I begged. “Do you know her? Can you help me find her?”
“Yes boy, don’t worry,” began Ayinde. “We know Jihkanna well. She is a member of our Woodland Haruspex community here. She is a treasure to all of her family and friends. She is loved by all of us. That is why you must understand that we are protective of her. Why would any of us reveal her details to a mere stranger?”
I understood but I perstisted, “Please help me find her. I mean her no harm. I am in love with her. I will do anything to find her.”
“The future twists like a tree, boy,” he responded.
Book 3, Chapter 5
Ayinde began telling us about the mission. I agreed to particiapte. I succumbed despite my doubt and distrust. After giving it more thought, I realised now that trust works both ways. Of course a village wouldn’t tell a stranger where to find one of its members. It made sense…but it didn’t help my heart.
The mission was called ‘Trust Bridge.’ It would be a series of tasks that PK and I would need to successfully complete. The tasks seemed to require extensive travel around Next Island. Some tasks called for meeting certain contacts and some tasks called for procuring specific items. Ayinde would guide us through each step of the mission. He called it a chain. He said he could lend assistance, but PK and I would have to complete each task.
First we would need to travel to a place called First-Wave Settlement. Once there, we’d meet with a contact called Lee Davies. If we could find him and talk to him, then he would give us the directions for the next step.
I asked about more details regarding each step of the mission. Ayinde only smiled and responded that we undertake each part of the chain one link at a time. He again assured us that this mission would prove to the Haruspex people that we were trustworthy. If we followed the directions and completed the tasks, then we would be rewarded.
I looked at PK and he looked at me. We knew each other for years and worked together several times. I felt safe around him and he trusted me. He might have had more confidence than me, but I would borrow some of his.
The three of us left Tanzanite View and teleported to First-Wave Settlement. As soon as we arrived, Ayinde excused himself and then seemed to dissapear.
We carried on with our first task…finding Lee Davies.