This is the first part of a story that connects to the Fliit Ridan world on this website. I am working on a series of stories with characters drawn from that world and their encounters, interactions and experiences with  humans and how much of the future from these encounters began.

The Horn Sounded

The lone figure paused to catch a breath halfway up the steep hill. Too many years have passed me; I will have to select a new Kiirahto’ soon.

Gazing out over the sea, seeing the ships waiting in the bay for the signal, the Kiirahto’ reflected on the past fifty years since receiving the office of the Horn, the office whose name she now bore.

Fifty years of sounding the call to send so many across the expanse of sea, and still, after so many years, none had returned and silence was the only answer received.

Fifty years of the same discussion with the Elders, with the same conclusion: those who set sail either found new lands to settle or had fallen to the waters.

Fifty years of the same command: “If you can, when you can, send word, or return with news. We will wait.”
And every year, they sent new ships out, carrying hope that one day, word would come to let all know hope remained.

Ah well, nothing for it. I must give the signal to permit them to depart.

The Kiirahto’ continued to the Great Horn at the highest peak of the cliff overlooking the ocean. Taking one more pause to gather strength, the Kiirahto’ stepped forward and blew powerfully into the giant conch shell fixed to the pedestal. The sound echoed out over the waters and a great cry came from the ships below and slowly, inexorably, sails opened and the ships moved out on the water, slowly vanishing in the four directions.

The Kiirahto’ watched until the ships vanished into the four directions, then turned and began the long descent. She would not be the one to send off ships the next time, but she knew her successors would continue to rule well, to sound the horn and watch for ships on the horizon.

© 2021 Eschate/Sikander