Get your own Free Home Page
The young man felt a profound sense of loss. The first time Jondalar had floated out of his sight and left him behind, Darvalo had known he would be back. He knew that Thonolan would never return, but Jondalar, the unofficial man of his heart would return.
He ran towards the dwelling that he shared with Roshario and Dalanar, right past Rokario who was looking at him with the same adoring eyes and beautiful smile that had once been used as tools of a crush on an older man. But that was not what Darvalo was thinking about. The rest of the Sharamudoi were grieving for the loss of Jondalar again and for the extreme loss of Thonolan. But they knew that Darvalo’s hurt ran deeper. That after his mother left, he had all the love he needed, but still something was lacking. Darvalo reached his sleeping platform and pulled out a package. It was carefully wrapped and neatly folded. He held it to his breast, and cried. The Zelandoni’s shirt was the only thing that gave him comfort, it was the shirt that he had worn to say farewell to Jondalar the first time. But this time Darvalo knew that Jondalar would not return. He buried his head in the shirt and the tears flowed easily.
Darvalo was lost in the thoughts of the happy summer, two years before. Life had been so....complete. Jondalar’s effect at the hearth had been monumental. He never thought he would see his mother so vibrant and alive again. Lost in thoughts of Serenio and Jondalar and Thonolan and Jetamio, it took a while before he heard a scratch on the hide covering.
“Darvalo? I brought you some tea. I thought it might help you.” Rokario handed him a cup of chamomile tea.
“Thank you Rokario.” He smiled at her, finally realizing that the smile she had dazzled him with earlier was the same one that she had now.
Rokario’s next smile and actions were inviting. But she knew how Darvalo felt and decided that leaving him alone to work out his worries was the best idea. Darvalo would come to her if he needed someone. She still wished that Jondalar could have seen her for the woman she had become,...or she giggled..made her that woman! Lately, though, thoughts of Darvalo had clouded her being. She knew he needed time to grieve for the loss of a man so close to his heart.
Darvalo approached Dolando with an air of seriousness. Dolando knew that a weight had been hanging on Darvalo’s shoulders this past moon. He knew that it was not longing for the mother who had left him, but for the man who would never return.
“Dolando, did you ever make a journey?” the young man asked.
Dolando knew why he asked such a question. In his heart he knew that Darvalo wanted to follow the path that the Zelandoni man had taken. “Yes” said the older man finally. “I did not go as far as Jondalar has, not many men do. I made a short jouney. I met some interesting people.” A fleeting look of anger crossed his eyes, but only for a moment. “The journey only served to remind me that I wanted to be home. Before I left Roshario had begun to show interest in me and because of her, I could not wait to return.”
Darvalo listened with interest. He was reminded of the way Rokario smiled at him and felt his cheeks flush slightly.
The young man didn’t really want to leave the Sharamudoi. It was just that it didn’t seem the same without his mother. He also hadn’t realized how different it was without the flint napper, until he returned. Even if he brought that woman and those animals with him.
“Dolando, can you help me plan a journey? I want to see the Great Waters and meet other people!”
Dolando knew that the young man had left something out. He knew that life without Serenio and Jondalar had been different for the boy who was now a young man. It was never bad for him, just different. Darvalo would likely become Darvalar of the Zelandoni.
“Darv, I will help you prepare for your journey. But If you intend to leave this year, you must leave soon.”
© 1997 jamdoss@aol.com
Get your own Free Home Page