The sound of footsteps and muffled conversations awakened me at a very early hour. In the darkness of the house I could see the figures of the elder and his sons hurriedly gathering. They paid no attention to me, as if they were afraid to disturb my sleep. Lying on the firm mattress, I made an attempt to return to sleep, deciding that it was none of my business. However, sleep was interrupted again. This time the cause was the bright sunlight that was streaming into the room through the holes in the wall that served as a window. I stood up and stretched, and looked out.
The fields stretched along the village and people were already working in them. At this early hour, everything was bustling with life. Dozens of villagers were planting new plants to replace those that had been trampled and stolen. The picture of their labors suddenly made me feel ashamed. While I was sleeping and resting, they were already working hard. Why didn't the elder wake me up to help? Perhaps they still didn't trust me as an outsider. That needed to be corrected.
I decided to go outside and help. Once on the porch, I looked around and headed toward the fields. Among all these people I needed to find Earl, and soon I spotted him, commanding the other villagers as always. Stepping closer, I addressed him:
- Earl! Why didn't you wake me up? I want to help with the job, too.
He sighed heavily, put his hand on my shoulder, and looked off into the distance, across the field.
- You need to rest. There's no point in you helping me out here. You see. this is our last hope. The planting season begins in the spring and ends in the summer. These sprouts won't germinate in time. The only thing we can hope for is a miracle from the gods.
I felt a chill on my soul, looking at the sad face of the elder. The men were desperate, and even their leader realized they had little chance. I stepped aside and crouched at the edge of the field, watching their hard labor. Everyone was working here: men, women, even children. Their faces were serious and their movements were tired, but no one stopped. I felt that I had something to do, but what? My thoughts returned to my abilities.
I closed my eyes and focused on my body, slowly circulating energy. This activity distracted me from my depressing thoughts. I began to circulate the energy through my body, so much so that at some point I collected all the energy in my hand. Suddenly it burst out of me - it flowed like a river, spreading on the ground. Not visible to the ordinary eye, but through my inner vision I saw the energy flowing out like a liquid. I could control the pressure of this energy, and played with it for a while before I decided to stop the flow. At first I couldn't figure out how to stop it, but as I gradually picked myself up, I was able to redirect the flows back into my body. When I managed to pull it off, I noticed a strange change. The grass around me had turned a thick green, as if my energy had given it new life. Everything around me was sluggish and grayish-yellow, but here it was fresh green. I quickly moved away from that spot for fear that someone might notice it. This discovery inspired me-perhaps I could help the village.
Inspired by my find, I ran to the fields where I had been catching snorglers, small animals that spoiled crops. When I reached the part of the fields not covered by humans, I activated my senses and started hunting. Half an hour later, I caught one snorgl. Holding it in my hands, a thought struck me. I snapped the beast's neck and began to observe its energy. Through my inner vision, I saw the energy leave the body, rising toward the sky. Then I channeled my own energy into my finger and released it onto the carcass. My energy was brighter and stronger. Suddenly the snargle hissed in my hand as if coming to life. Frightened, I dropped it, and it froze again, finally dead. I realized that my energy was perhaps the life force itself.
In the evening I finished the hunt with a record catch of five snorglers. I took them to Earl, and he prepared the chowder again. Sitting at the table, I wondered. If Earl lives with his sons, why does he have dishes for a fourth man? Had someone else lived here before? I decided to ask that question:
- Earl, you live here with your sons, but you have dishes for a fourth. Who lived here before me?
As soon as I asked that question, a gravity appeared on the faces of those present. Earl looked away and answered quietly:
- When the Frozal soldiers came, they took not only the crops from the fields, but also all the young girls from our village. Including my daughter, Priya.
Silence enveloped the house. I realized that I had touched on too painful a subject, and I apologized. I quickly finished my meal and went to my corner to sleep, feeling the weight of the village's despair on my shoulders.
I lay on my bed, listening to every sound in the house. Slowly the voices faded, the muffled rustles outside the walls quieted, and then the long-awaited silence came. Earl's house, like the rest of the village, had finally fallen into a deep sleep. At that moment I rose quietly. My heart was pounding lightly-not from fear, but rather from a sense of impending action, of something important. I walked carefully through the house, careful not to creak the floorboards, and slipped outside.
The night air was cool. It was fresh and clean, full of the smell of wet earth and the distant scents of the forest. I looked up at the sky and held my breath. There, on the black canvas of the night, countless stars were scattered. They glittered like gems hanging somewhere in the unfathomable depths of space. This celestial dome seemed to bathe the entire village in starlight, and everything seemed to be filled with ancient magic.
I walked slowly toward the fields. I walked quietly, unhurriedly through the damp grass, which crunched a little under my feet. I looked around, making sure no one was following me, and sat down by the plot where the seeds had recently been buried. Through my third eye, I could feel the seeds lying underground, dormant, holding their breath, waiting for warmth and light.
I stretched my arms toward the ground and began to concentrate the energy in my palms. The warmth slowly spread through my body, as if an inner fire was awakening inside me, traveling to my fingertips. My "essence of life" began to flow from my hands, gently flowing into the ground. Through my inner vision I saw the energy piercing the ground and enveloping the dormant seeds like a mother's gentle hand gently lifting her child. Soon the first sprouts emerged from the ground. They stretched to the sky, growing quickly, and on them began to blossom leaves, and then juicy fruits. All this was accompanied by a light glow, as if nature itself were singing a hymn to life.
I moved slowly along the field, filling the earth with my life energy, until everything around me glowed with a soft light, and thick, healthy plants sprang up on the dark earth. The field came alive, shimmering with the light of the moon and the energy I was giving it. But suddenly I felt a woman step out of one of the houses. Her footsteps were barely audible, but my sensitivity was at its peak at that moment. She was approaching the field. My heart clenched - I could be seen.
Realizing that there was little time to finish, I gathered the rest of my strength and quickly finished the job. The fields glowed as if enveloped in a magical glow, but I couldn't linger. Quick as I could, I disappeared into the darkness, heading back toward the house.
The woman, though she noticed me, apparently could not see who was in the field in the night. Out of breath, I crouched down near the house to catch my breath and watch what was happening. A woman approached the field and stood still for a moment, looking at the miracle unfolding before her. She seemed stunned, but instead of yelling or calling out to the others, she just stood there for a moment and went back inside. It was for the best.
Quietly, without making any noise, I snuck back into the house through the window. My mission to save the village was over, and with a sense of accomplishment I fell into a sound, peaceful sleep.
In the morning the village was seized with a veritable storm of joy. As soon as I woke up, I heard loud voices, laughter and shouts of delight. The people, who yesterday had been tormented by hopelessness and fear, now seemed unable to believe their eyes. The fields, which the day before had been empty and lifeless, were now ablaze with green plants and lush, juicy fruit. The inhabitants were jumping for joy, praising the gods for the miracle that had come upon them.
I stood on the threshold of the house and watched this incredible scene. In the crowd I noticed the same woman who had seen me the night before. She, too, was rejoicing with everyone, her eyes shining and a happy smile playing on her face. No suspicions, no accusations-all that was happening seemed to her a gift from heaven.
The villagers began to gather in the field, ready to harvest the crops. It was wonderful to see the children, who yesterday had been inconsolable, now running among the adults, laughing and rejoicing. Their faces glowed with joy, as if this was no ordinary day, but some great celebration. Soon the elder announced that a feast would be held in honor of the occasion.
The square in the center of the village was quickly cleared, and soon a large bonfire was lit there. Its bright light illuminated the whole place, and the evening turned into one big, merry celebration. People danced around the fire holding hands, some sang happy songs, and others laughed and shared stories. The fire crackled, its tongues rising to the sky, rivaling the twinkling of the stars. The sight was mesmerizing - a huge bonfire glowing in the night, surrounded by happy people whose faces shone in its light. Against the dark sky studded with stars, it looked like a scene from a fairy tale.
I stood back and watched it all, feeling the joy of the residents creeping into me a little. But then my gaze fell on Earl. He was standing a little away from the fun, watching the festivities with a quiet, slightly sad smile. I walked over to him and stood beside him. When Earl saw me, he didn't speak right away, as if he were thinking about something in the back of his mind.
- If the god gave us back our crops.... maybe he'll give us our daughters back," he said quietly, keeping his eyes on the fire.
His words hit me like a hammer. All night I had been convinced that I had done a great thing, that I had saved the village, but his quiet voice reminded me of what I had forgotten. The girls. The kidnapped girls carried off by the soldiers. While we're here dancing and celebrating, they're probably suffering, being raped or sold into slavery. My chest clenched with guilt. I felt helpless, despite all my magic. After all, I am only a child.
Yet the weight of guilt did not let go of me. Even though I was not responsible for their fate, these thoughts plagued my soul.
- Is your village the only one that has had its crops taken away, but the people left alive? - I asked Earl, trying to see if there were others just as unfortunate.
- No, as far as I know, there are several other villages like ours," Earl answered with quiet sadness. - At least that's what I've heard.
I looked up at the twinkling stars overhead and decided to myself that I would help them. I will save these villages as I saved this one. Maybe then my soul would find peace.