River’s End- Misplaced Preface

Through the eyes of The One They Misplaced:

Up the creek without a paddle

You discover the river’s end

Do you dare to glimpse what lies beyond

Or do you jump out and swim?

You will not get to choose again

Such is the inscription on the jewel

Round, gold, and barely legible

In a language I should not know

A tiny crystal pendant

Balances on my palm

Carved in the shape of a rose

Scarlet as my blood

With the tricky opacity of jade

It tingles against my skin

I tear my gaze away

Looking at the one who so gently placed it there

His fingers leave it

The crystal dissolves

Seeping between my cells

A disconcerting sensation

But not painful

’You lose yourself reciting tales of our history

Speak instead of your own heritage’

He admonishes

I find my earlier recountings relevant here

Standing with the Emperor of Napix

As if hearing my thoughts

He silences me before I protest

Eyes gesturing to my hand

Trillions of stars float within my grasp

Turning slowly, expanding, and a voice greets

'What wisdom do you require, Honored Little One?'

‘Show her the testimony of Rose of Menyaza’

The emperor commands

But the crystal ignores him

I repeat his request, and the stars dissipate

The image of a woman taking their place

I vaguely resemble her

Which is to be expected

We are related

‘How can I tell you what I saw?’

She prompts

A part of me that does not belong here

Sees too many meanings

In that wording

‘Speak as if I know nothing’

I instruct

'With your words

Make me see what you saw

Feel what you felt

So I may understand you’

Her wide pink eyes stare through me

A bit of a smile caressing them

As she begins her tale…