The Maiden and The Four Waters

Walla led the two women onto the porch. She pushed open the door “Please” Walla let the two woman step into the house before her.

Walla closed the door behind her before leading the Crowe and Melana into the living room “Please sit” Walla instructed the two women to take a seat on the well-loved lounge.

Walla sat alone across from them. “Remember the stories my father told me? The one’s about the four waters?”

Melana thought for an answer.

Crowe’s eyes widen with wonder “They exist. You found them?”

“I cannot say for certain. In the water, I’m not alone. The minute I come to town, it’s like it was all a dream.” Walla lowered her gaze.

“The Realm of four waters are normally peaceful. Why would they take us?” Melana worried.

Walla looked up at the woman in front of her “The king said” She paused as she tried to remember his words “the fisherman...” She trailed of trying to find her words “Are thieves.”

“Thieves?” Crowe and Melana claimed with interest.

Walla nodded.

“How can that be?” Melana didn’t understand “They are just simple men trying to save our stomachs.”

“I cannot say” Walla sighed “I’ve been pushed with force out of the water.”

Crowe understood “it’s their way of saying you are disrespectful. You need to earn their respect before they speak to you.”

Walla furrowed with miscommunication “Mariana speaks to me” She blurted out. She took a deep breath “But she did force me out above the first time.”

Crowe watched Walla.

“Is there a way we can convince them to leave our village alone?” Melana questioned.

Walla shrugged “My father never spoke of any.”

“The four waters are known to be quite wonderful creatures until it comes to the price of life” Crowe admitted “Normally I advise against putting yourself in danger. We do not have the luxury of replacing you.” Crowe watched as Walla tried to find faith in Crowe’s words.

Melana turned her head to Crowe “No one can be like you, Walla” Melana looked at Walla.

Walla slowly rose to her feet “if I perish than you’ll know what to do” She looked at Crowe “My father has clearly given you orders to follow. Both of you to follow” She focused on both Crowe and Melana.

“I will stay on the river’s edge until I’m sure that no more harm will follow.”

“That’s if the men don’t go first” Melana piped up.

Crowe shifted her focus to Melana. “Belde and Rali, they were on the river. They chose to travel towards danger, risk it to save you. We know that lies drip from their lips. They won’t be the only two that slip onto the boats.”

Walla paused with realisation.

“They’ve seen you return twice. They may think your lying. That greed runs through your bones” Melana’s voice filled with sadness.

“I’m not my father” Walla softly spoke “Far from it.”

“We both know you aren’t” Melana stated, “the town wouldn’t have followed if they thought you were.”

“I need to find out why” Walla tried to reassure herself.