The Road We Walked

Chapter Five

**Great Old Ayak**

Although my journey just begun few days ago, I think I'm beginning to have a second thought. I wished I had never set out on this journey in the first place. But I was never going to Complain, why should I be a weakling before Telma.

A look from her and a smile on her face made it seem as though she had intercepted my thoughts, however, I was not going to fall for that. She is just a child, what does she know.

Although, densely covered with overgrown bushes and very tall trees, Telma seems to be threading an invisible path which she maneuver so effortlessly as a flowing stream. Except for the occasional snapping of branches under our foot, and the slush-slush sounds of the bushes giving way to our passing bodies, and the continuous cries of animals hear and there, the whole walk has been unusually quiet for quite some time. I got tired of the quiet and decided to speak.

"Hey, Telma. You have told me nothing about yourself other than your name"."However, it seems you know quite some things about me, that can not be known by just looking at someone"."Oh, that. At the right time you will know what there is to be known", she said."But for now, focus on what lies ahead of you", she added.

After working for some time, we arrived at a thicket with a crystal clear flowing stream. At the other side of the spring was a massive tree, on whose branches were many birds of different kinds: some chirping while others sat quietly enjoying the shade.

"Here, we take a little rest Lucas" said Telma. "Ayak has since been waiting to greet you". "You mean there are people living this far in the woods, and out there no one knows?" I said. "There are people and there are spirits" she said."Ayak, is the mother of us all. She is the guardian of this forest"."Sit quietly besides me and cross your legs as you see me do mine", she said.

For a moment I thought Telma was a statue as she sat motionless and without the slightest motion of her chest to show if she were breathing or not. Then she spoke in a tongue I have never heard, a language that sounded so strange to my ears. After she spoke, she made some gestures and then, she went quiet again. For a while nothing happened, I was going to mock at her as I thought I found something to get at her. Just at that moment, all the birds in the shade of the tree flew to neighboring trees and the whole place became quiet. The quiet was so unusual, for the woods that I felt a cold shiver went down my spine.

Shortly afterwards, I thought I saw something move, but it appeared like I simmer and so I concluded it was my eyes or hunger that's giving me the false illusion. However, my thoughts gave way to reality when I noticed a contorted movement, somewhere around a gore at the middle of the tree trunk as it widened gradually and gave way to what looked like a human face. At this, I could no longer hold myself but let out a yell and tried to flee but I was held back by a firm grip from Telma, and in a low tone she said "Sit still, do not be alarmed".

It took a while before my shivering body could calm, I could hardly believe what was before me.

I can see the face of a very old woman, the crease lining the face tell so well that this figure could be as old as the world itself. I could see too that instead of eyes, there were just two slits that managed to open a little.

It was Telma which first spoke in a whisper. "This is the great Ayak, we owe our lives to her". Then raising her voice, she said "O great Ayak, you who is ever wise and compassionate. You to whom the wisdom of the woods belongs we greet you"."As you have always hoped for, and following your great counsel great one, the boy Nodraka is come".

I was jottled to my senses by the name "Nodraka"."That's not my name, I'm Lucas I said to Telma". But then I heard a creaking sound, like an old piece of bench giving way to a heavy mass put on it. When I looked up, it was the old Ayak in gestures of what seem to be a laugh but with a mouth which is just a hollow without a tongue or a teeth.

And then came the most shocking of it all. In a tone that sounds a voice not used for decades, husky and croaky but however distinguished as a females voice came the words: " I see he does not know yet, but he is a stubborn child as his father used to be ".

"I had longed to see this day Nodraka, the air smells of hope and the winds sing songs of victory. You heard the call of your people and came, may the woods be fair to you in your journey". Turning to Telma, the two resumed a conversation in that same old and ancient tongue, I could not make of what they were saying as I only stood bewildered at the sight before me.

After some time of talking, old Ayak, switched to me, gave me her blessings and based us farewell. And then the tree returned into how it was looking before. I was not fully recovered when Telma, whisked me from my shocked looks, "Here, eat we have to get going". It was some steak of roasted meat, of what animal I did not know neither did I ask. We both are, and had a drink from the flowing spring. The water was unusually sweet. After drinking Telma said, "this should keep us for four days, that is Yaks gift to you". "I think she is fund of you she said".

Haven said so, Telma jumped on her feet, and urged me to get up also.

"They know you are coming" she said."The wood is no more our friend". At this, she took a new course while I followed her behind...