Kaya’s slender foot gently presses against the crisp, cool grass, crushing it softly as she steps into the sun. The warm glow sparkles as a fine mist rises from the fountain at the centre of the garden. Kaya walks around the edge of the circular lawn, running her fingers through the soft water vine that clings to the pillars that surround her.
She stops, smiling in the knowledge that something, or someone is watching her. Her shoulder dips under the pressure of a small beast, as it lands upon her. Kaya turns to look the young wirro in the eye. The small, monkey-like creature clicks its tongue against the roof of its mouth, licking the side of its hand to clean the spiky tuft of hair on top of its head.
“Duzhio, how long have you been sleeping?” asks Kaya, holding out her hand in front of him before he jumps onto her palm. “You look perfect, silly.”
As she continues walking, Duzhio leaps back onto the vines, and begins swinging from them, playfully following Kaya around the garden.
“I’m sorry, I don’t have anything new to tell you. Today is once again a perfect reflection of yesterday.”
“You’ve adopted a very sombre point of view haven’t you,” says a voice from just outside the garden.
The man’s voice crawls beneath Kaya’s skin, an all too familiar reluctance holds her tongue. She turns her head towards her shoulder but chooses not to look as a small Monk walks beneath the water vine.
“Good morning, Demri.”
“Blessed lady Kaya. You arrive here like the sun, as predictable as the tide,” says Demri.
“It’s the warmth Demri, and I am drawn to it,” says Kaya.
“Yes, if you says so,” says Demri. “Anyway, I’m only here to offer you your seat.”
“Thank you, but no,” says Kaya.
“Of course,” says Demri, turning quickly to leave the garden, but instead Demri stops. “D’you know, it’s been quite some time since we last spoke.”
“Thankfully,” says Kaya, as she sits down on one of the stone benches around the fountain.
“Well, I had wondered whether or not you had perhaps reconsidered my proposal?” asks Demri.
“The answer is still no,” says Kaya.
“Yes, I assumed as much, but then it dawned on me. Your reluctance to accept news from above leaves you at quite the disadvantage.”
“I’m not sure I know what you mean,” says Kaya.
“Surely you understand, any and all decisions require a certain amount of prior knowledge. The more knowledge one possesses, the more informed the decisions one is able to make. Who is to say that by ignoring news from above, you are not making a mistake.”
“Unlike you, I do not ask such questions of myself,” says Kaya.
“No, you don’t. But perhaps that is where you’re going wrong.”
Kaya lifts her head and watches Demri disappear beneath the water vine and behind a pillar.
“Master Jao,” says Demri.
Kaya stands as Jao, the Abbot, steps into the light and approaches her with open arms.
“Kaya,” says Jao, taking hold of her by the shoulders. “You are well and rested I trust?”
“Yes, thank you, Abbot.”
“Please Kaya.”
“Sorry, Jao, I am beyond myself,” says Kaya.
“I know it has been some time, but when I saw who received today’s service detail, I thought it wise to show my support.”
“And that you are,” says Kaya. “But I’m fine. My quarrel with Demri is in the past.”
“Good, good,” says Jao. “And you are welcome here for as long as you desire. This is your home, don’t forget that. You have been here longer than any of us.”
“I know, thank you.”
Turning his head slightly, Jao furrows his hairy brow beneath his hat. “You carry objection?” he asks.
“No, not objection,” says Kaya.
“Ahh, questions,” says Jao, a wide smile breaking across his face as he tilts his head to the ground. Jao lifts his head and turns toward Kaya. “Please.”
You cannot copy content of this page