Swaol-Ney listened attentively to her friends and shook her head.
You are mad! You turned into squirrels and consequently began to think like squirrels! Primitive! So, you plan to just leave? How do you imagine that? She was getting more and more upset.
Just take off and go! Fao replied looking into her eyes, though she was beginning to recognize their venture was insane. Nobody has ever tried!
And the Valley, added Ina, Theyre calling all the people there. Though we go against the will of the elders, we are obeying the will of errr all of Elinor!
Of course, sure, Swaol-Ney frowned. Here come the people of Elinor begging the Vedichians to go to the Valley
So, youre not with us? Ina put the question directly.
Swaol-Ney fell silent, hung her head, and then gave an answer that Fao hadnt expected:
Yes, Im with you!
The joyful Fao and Ina began to hug their friend, and when everyones emotions died down, they began to formulate their plan.
Well, how do we do it best?
Swaol-Ney changed in the face.
Ah, so you came to me to fix everything up for you?
Well, youre the main inventor among us, Fao said guiltily.
We must first understand who else is ready to leave! Swaol-Ney declared.
But the more there are of us, the easier it will be to catch us to stop us pointed out Ina.
How can you say such a thing? Fao responded. Maybe someone has long longed to see other nations, to see the Valley, just as we have! Then well act dishonestly not only in relation to our parents and elders, but also to our like-minded people!
Okay, okay Lets do it that way! Ina was embarrassed, and Fao managed to marvel at her own eloquence.
Anyway, we need someone older, more experienced, someone who knows the Common Language, Swaol-Ney began to reason again. How will we go to the Valley not knowing the language?
Right, said Fao. They didnt even think about it with Ina.
But they say that those who have already been initiated cannot live outside Dockol-Mo, Ina began. And anyway, its unlikely that any of the elders will agree to support us and none of the young ones know the Common Language.
Wey-Leya! remembered Fao. Wey-Leya knows the Common Language!
Wey-Leya was still young enough, only five years older than the girls. However, she had already managed to visit Taur, where she learned to speak the Common Language just a little bit in her own estimation. And very few knew about this because Wey-Leya hid her skills.
Indeed, Wey-Leya will be able to help. Swaol-Ney rejoiced. So, well do the following: let us each go to our acquaintances and suggest to those whom we consider appropriate to escape, to start the journey. And we must leave today! At night! You dont believe in fairytales about the six-fingered, do you?
No! Fao and Ina shook their heads. Although in fact, they couldnt give a clear answer to this question even for themselves.
But others believe! Those who arent afraid, they will come with us! The others will notice our absence at dawn, therefore there is a chance to run far, concluded Swaol-Ney.
It is decided then! We will meet up with Wey-Leya with the last sunset beam! declared Fao.
8
First, Fao hurried to Nomesdesoldok (Nome), confident that he would join their conspirators society. In a year and a half, Nome was supposed to go to the third small circle, so, in respect to the girls, he was more mature. He had a piercing gaze and unusual greenish hair the shade of spruce needles. Nome was a favorite one among peers, and girls mostly admired him. Bright, enterprising, creative, with a special charm. He, out of all people, was the one who clearly was born in some other place. As expected, Nome immediately agreed to an adventure.
For his age, Nome was successful in the art of shape-shifting. He already knew how to turn into predatory animals. The bears and wolves, of course, were far away, but he could easily turn into a fox or a saber.
Fao was very close with Nome, he was one of her best friends. So close in nature, in spirit, in interest, that Ina was sometimes jealous.
Nome did not ask unnecessary questions and did not even hesitate before such a responsible step. He said, Yes! and specified the time when they should gather in the Forbidden Glade.
The time was decided the highest point of the full moon rising.
After talking with Nome, Fao went to Komos. Komos was a hereditary sorceress. She had no equal in the knowledge of herbs and white magic among peers. It was written in her fate to become the best sorceress of Swa-Ioledea. Only the dreamy Komos wanted more from life, and Fao gave her this chance.
Komos, quiet and slightly timid, was not as straightforward as Nome. However, Fao immediately stated that she was not going to persuade her, and that the time for preparation was short. Although it was clear that parting with Swa-Ioledea would be hard for her, Komos sighed and agreed to join them.
Next was Dockomol-Ildas (Docko-Il), a favorite of the elders. He dreamed of becoming an artisan, and his golden hands mastered everything from spoons to the most beautiful amulets. Only Fao thought that with his activity, he was definitely not suited to the life of the Vedichs. At first, Dockomol-Ildas was frightened by the proposal of Fao. She prepared to leave, but the young artisan unexpectedly changed his decision and with certainty declared that he would come to the Forbidden Glade.
Fao was amazed at how easily her peers agreed to such a responsible and adventurous step.
How could they? To live for so many years without changing ones way of life, to keep traditions, to invent laws and teachings and then suddenly one event completely changes the habitual way. It turns out that all our peers, all young, even very young, wish to leave! Each of us honors our ancestors, loves our parents, loves our whole big family, and respects the elders. Perhaps, if it werent for these harsh and sometimes stupid laws and constant restrictions, we would not want to leave Swa-Ioledea so zealously.
Fao also spoke with Ainurmo. They had never been particularly good friends, but had one common interest bears. After the initiation, Ainurmo wanted to become a bear, and altogether admired these animals for their strength and perfection. However, he could not turn into a bear yet. It must be noted that, in general, very few of the young could. To become a bear, a Vedich required character, patience, will, concentration, and experience. Ainurmo was also a year younger than Fao, and was distinguished by an unprecedented absent-mindedness.
Ainurmo immediately refused, and Fao did not insist.
The last on Faos list were inseparable friends Laol-Jamal and Molaynur. With them, the conversation turned out to be even shorter when they offered a sharp No.
Fao even wished she hadnt entrusted her secret to so many people.
Oh, someone might tell the adults and cause trouble. Then the Valley will stay unseen forever.
Full of worrying forebodings, Fao hurried to Cane Backwater, to Wey-Leyas house.
9
Born on the border with Nanol-Mo, Wey-Leya came from an ancient family of Reed Foxes and had communicated with the Taurs since childhood. Surprisingly, being a very small girl, Wey-Leya received parental permission to visit the forest of a neighboring people.