Chapter 4

4

M azon

The sun is just beginning to peek over the horizon as I make my way to Kaitlin's cabin, a woven basket clutched in my hand. Inside, a breakfast of fresh berries, nuts, and a honeycomb from a wild hive nestles on a bed of broad leaves. As I approach the clearing, I hear the door creak open. Kaitlin steps out onto the porch, her auburn hair tousled from sleep, a steaming mug cradled in her hands. She spots me and smiles, her eyes lighting up. "Mazon! I didn't expect you so early."

I hold up the basket. "I thought you might enjoy a forest breakfast. Fuel for our hike today."

Her smile widens. "That sounds wonderful. Let me just get my boots on."

She disappears back inside, emerging a few minutes later with her hiking boots laced up and a small pack slung over her shoulders. I hand her the basket, and she inhales deeply, her eyes fluttering closed.

"Mmm, this smells amazing. Thank you." We settle on the porch steps to eat, the cool morning air crisp and invigorating. Kaitlin delights in the flavors of the wild harvest, savoring each bite. As I watch her, a warmth blooms in my chest at her obvious enjoyment.

As the sun climbs higher, painting the sky in shades of gold and pink, we set out into the woods. I lead Kaitlin along a winding trail, the path dappled with sunlight filtering through the thick canopy. "I never get tired of this," Kaitlin says, her voice soft with wonder. "The colors, the sounds, the smells. It's like walking into a dream."

I nod, brushing my hand against the rough bark of a towering Douglas fir. "The forest is a living thing, always changing, always growing. Each season brings new wonders."

We walk in comfortable silence for a while, the only sounds the whisper of the wind through the leaves and the distant trilling of birdsong. I point out different plants and trees as we pass, sharing their names and uses.

"This is a wild grape," I say, indicating a low-growing shrub with holly-like leaves and clusters of dark blue berries. "The roots can be used for dye, and the berries make a tart jelly."

Kaitlin leans down to examine the plant, her fingers brushing the glossy leaves. "It's beautiful. I love how everything here has a purpose, a place in the ecosystem."

As we continue on, the trail climbs, switch-backing up a steep hillside. Kaitlin's cheeks flush with the exertion, but she doesn't complain, her steps steady and determined.

We crest the ridge, and Kaitlin gasps, her eyes going wide. Spread out before us is a vista of endless green, the forest stretching out to the horizon in a carpet of emerald hues. In the distance, snow-capped peaks glint in the sun, their jagged silhouettes stark against the cerulean sky.

"Wow," she breathes, turning in a slow circle. "This is... Mazon, it's incredible."

I smile, a swell of pride and affection rising in my chest. "This is my home, Kaitlin. This is the heart of the Pacific Northwest, in all its wild beauty."

We sit on a fallen log, taking in the view. I point out distant landmarks, sharing stories of my wanderings, the secret places and hidden wonders I've discovered over the years.

As the sun climbs to its zenith, we move on, descending into a lush valley where a crystal stream winds through a meadow dotted with wildflowers. We stop to refill our water bottles and rest in the cool shade of a grove of alders.

Kaitlin leans back against a broad trunk, her eyes drifting closed. "I could stay here forever," she murmurs, a smile playing at the corners of her lips. "It's so peaceful, like the rest of the world just… falls away."

"There's something I want to show you. A special place known only to my kind."

Her eyes light up with curiosity and excitement. "Really? What is it?"

I smile, extending my hand to help her up. "It's better if I show you. Can you trust me?"

She takes my hand without hesitation, her small fingers wrapping around mine. "Of course, I trust you, Mazon."

We set off again, leaving the sun-dappled meadow behind. I lead Kaitlin along a barely visible game trail, winding through dense underbrush and around massive, ancient trees. The forest grows darker and more primeval as we go deeper, the canopy overhead so thick that only occasional shafts of sunlight penetrate the forest floor.

After about half an hour of hiking, we come to a sheer rock face covered in a thick curtain of moss and ferns. Kaitlin looks around, confusion clear on her face.

"Is this it?" she asks, her tone uncertain.

I can't help but chuckle. "Not quite. Close your eyes."

She raises an eyebrow but complies, her eyelids fluttering closed. Gently, I guide her forward, pushing aside the verdant veil to reveal a narrow opening in the rock. "Watch your step," I warn as we enter the cool darkness of a cave.

The sound of running water echoes off the stone walls, growing louder as we move deeper into the earth. After a few yards, the narrow passage opens up into a vast cavern.

"Okay," I say, positioning Kaitlin in just the right spot. "You can open your eyes now."

I hear her sharp intake of breath as she takes in the scene before us. An ethereal blue-green light illuminates the cavern, emanating from countless prismatic crystals embedded in the walls and ceiling. They catch and refract the light from an opening high above, sending shimmering rainbows dancing across the stone.

At the center of the cavern is a pool of water so clear it seems almost invisible. The stream we heard earlier cascades down one wall in a sparkling waterfall, feeding the pool before continuing on its underground journey.

"Mazon," Kaitlin whispers, her voice filled with awe. "This is... It's magical. I've never seen anything like it."

I nod, feeling a swell of pride at her reaction. "This place has been sacred to my people for generations. We call it the Heart of the Mountain."

Kaitlin moves closer to the pool, kneeling at its edge. As her eyes adjust to the dim light, she gasps again. "There are fish in here!"

Indeed, sleek forms glide through the crystal-clear water, their scales gleaming in the ethereal light. These are no ordinary fish. Their bodies are almost translucent, adapted to life in this hidden realm.

"They're beautiful," Kaitlin says, reaching out to touch the water's surface. To both our surprise, one fish swims right up to her hand, seemingly unafraid.

"I've never seen them do that before," I say, moving to kneel beside her. "They must sense something special in you."

Kaitlin blushes, a soft pink tinting her cheeks. "Can we... Can we catch one? Just to look at it up close?"

I nod, showing her how to cup her hands gently in the water. With patience and stillness, we wait. After a few moments, one fish swims right into her palms. Carefully, she lifts it from the water.

The fish lies calmly in her hands, its gills moving slowly, its large eyes regarding us with what almost seems like curiosity. Its body is a living prism, refracting the light from the crystals into a rainbow of colors.

"It's the most beautiful thing I've ever seen," Kaitlin breathes, her voice barely above a whisper.

We study the fish for a moment longer before gently releasing it back into the pool. As it swims away, Kaitlin turns to me, her eyes shining with unshed tears.

"Thank you, Mazon. For sharing this with me. For trusting me with your secrets."

I reach out, brushing a strand of hair from her face. "You're welcome, Kaitlin. I knew you would appreciate the beauty of this place, the sacredness of it."

We sit in companionable silence for a while, watching the play of light on water and the graceful dance of the fish. At this moment, the boundaries between our two worlds seem to blur and fade away. Here, in the mountain's heart, we're simply two beings sharing in the wonder of nature.

As the tranquil moment stretches on, I feel a familiar pang in my stomach. It's been a while since our morning meal, and the day's exertions have left me hungry. I glance at Kaitlin, noticing the way she absentmindedly rubs her own belly.

"Are you hungry?" I ask, already knowing the answer.

She nods, a sheepish smile on her face. "I didn't want to say anything. This place is so peaceful, I didn't want to break the spell."

I chuckle, rising to my feet. "Even in the most magical of places, we must remember our basic needs. Wait here. I'll catch us some lunch."

Moving to the edge of the pool, I stand perfectly still, my eyes tracking the movement of the fish. With a swift motion, my hand darts into the water, emerging with a plump, shimmering fish. Kaitlin gasps in amazement.

"That was incredible! You're so fast!"

I smile, pleased by her admiration. "It's a skill passed down through generations. Now, let me show you how we prepare our catch."

Leading Kaitlin to a small, flat area near the pool, I gather materials. Dry moss for tinder, a few sticks for kindling, and larger pieces of driftwood that have washed into the cave. As I work, I explain each step of the process.

"In our tradition, we honor the fish for giving its life to sustain us," I say, carefully cleaning the fish with a sharp stone. "We use every part, wasting nothing."

Kaitlin watches intently as I arrange the wood and moss. Then, taking two special stones from a pouch at my waist, I strike them together, creating a shower of sparks that ignite the tinder. Soon, a small fire crackles merrily, casting dancing shadows on the cave walls.

As the flames grow stronger, I share memories I haven't revisited in years.

"My father taught me how to fish like this," I say softly, my eyes fixed on the fire. "He was a great hunter and provider for our tribe. I remember the first time I caught a fish with my bare hands. I was so excited, I almost dropped it back into the water."

Kaitlin listens silently, her eyes encouraging me to continue.

"Father laughed, but not unkindly. He said, 'Mazon, my son, remember that every creature in this forest is our kin. We take only what we need, and we give thanks for the bounty of the earth.' It's a lesson I've carried with me all these years."

I pause, a lump forming in my throat. It's been so long since I've spoken of my father, of the family I lost so many years ago.

"What happened to him?" Kaitlin asks gently, sensing the weight of unspoken grief in my words.

I take a deep breath, skewering the fish on a green stick and positioning it over the fire before answering.

"There was a great sickness that swept through our tribe when I was young," I say, my voice low. "Many of our elders and children didn't survive. My father... He worked tirelessly to care for the sick, to find herbs and remedies that might help. In the end, he, too, fell ill."

Kaitlin reaches out, her small hand resting on my arm in a gesture of comfort. The warmth of her touch seems to loosen something in my chest, allowing the words to flow more freely.

"I was angry for a long time," I admit. "Angry at the sickness, angry at the settlers for bringing it, even at my father for leaving me. But as I grew older, I came to understand the wisdom in his teachings. Life and death are part of the great cycle. Our task is not to rail against it but to live in harmony with it, to cherish each moment we're given."

The fish sizzles over the fire, its aroma filling the cave. I turn it carefully, ensuring it cooks evenly.

"That's why this place is so special to me," I continue, gesturing to the cavern around us. "My father brought me here after I caught my first fish. He said it was a place of renewal, where the boundaries between the physical and spiritual worlds grow thin. I've come here many times over the years, when I've needed guidance or solace."

As I finish speaking, I realize I've shared more of myself than I have with anyone in a very long time. I glance at Kaitlin, half-expecting to see pity or discomfort on her face. Instead, I find understanding and a deep empathy that takes my breath away.

"Thank you for sharing that with me, Mazon," she says. "Your father sounds like a wonderful man. I wish I could have met him."

I nod, a small smile tugging at my lips. "He would have liked you, I think. He always believed that there was more that united us with humans than divided us. That one day, we might find a way to bridge the gap between our worlds."

The fish is ready to eat, its skin crisp and golden. I carefully remove it from the fire and divide it between us, placing Kaitlin's portion on a large, clean leaf.

As we eat, savoring the delicate flavor of the cave fish, I feel a sense of peace settle over me. Sharing this meal, this place, and these memories with Kaitlin has awakened something in me. A hope for the future that I thought I'd lost long ago.

And as I watch her enjoy the simple meal, her face glowing in the firelight, I can't help but wonder if perhaps, in some small way, my father's dream of unity between our people might not be so impossible after all.