Chapter Four: Kai and Cousin Thom had followed the Great River for three days before the two parted company. Cousin Thom was to make his way back to the village of Apsu to collect his belongings, leaving Kai to continue his search for the Waterkeeper alone. “Remember to ration your water, Kai,” cautioned Cousin Thom. “There are freshwater springs to be found in the region, but not many. Travel safely little man.”
“Farewell Cousin Thom. See you soon.” Kai called, then he turned and set out on his own for the first time in his life.
The devastation along the riverbanks was palpable. As Kai traveled north, he saw vast numbers of dead fish littered amongst shriveled plants at the water’s edge. Trees that had once blown in gentle breezes, providing shade for travelers, were now dropping leaves riddled with strange, brown spots. The air, normally alive with the sound of birdsong, was eerily quiet. Whatever was turning the waters of the Great River black was also killing anything that lived on her banks.
After trekking a few hours Kai came into a small clearing that seemed like a good place to rest and have lunch. He was just unwrapping a hunk of bread when suddenly Kai heard a low moaning sound coming from a clump of bushes. Heart racing, he snatched up his bow and arrow and aimed at the spot where the sound was coming from.
”Who’s there?!” Kai demanded.
Suddenly, a woman stumbled from the bushes and collapsed in the center of the clearing! Kai dropped everything and rushed to her side. The woman’s clothes were dirty and tattered and when Kai rolled her over he noticed that her lips were dry and cracked. Her eyes fluttered open and she croaked, “Water. Please.” Not wasting any time Kai seized his water skin and brought it gently to the woman’s lips. “You’ll be OK, “ Kai assured her. “Just sip it.” The woman looked up at Kai and smiled when, from out of nowhere, an unseen hand landed a crushing blow on the side of Kai’s head.
When Kai finally regained consciousness it was dark. The woman he’d been trying to help was gone. His head throbbed and he felt dizzy. Gingerly, Kai massaged a painful goose egg just above his left temple that was crusted with dried blood. Sitting up carefully he surveyed the clearing in the moonlight. Whoever had knocked him on the head had also stolen his food, his bow and arrow and… his water skin! Kai felt a growing sense of dread as he realized that he was now alone in the woods with no food, no way to defend himself, and worse yet – Kai was thirsty. He would have to find a spring, well away from the poisoned river, as soon as possible.
“Alright then,” Kai said out loud in a determined tone. “Where am I going to find a spring?” Suddenly, Kai was startled by a tingling sensation against his chest. The dragonfly that Noni had given him! Kai reached into his shirt and pulled out the stone-carved dragonfly he wore on a leather cord around his neck. The dragonfly was pulsating with a mysterious, green light. As Kai cupped it in the palm of his hand the dragonfly transformed, as if by magic. Its wings began to beat and it lifted up into the air, tugging at its leather cord as it hovered an inch from the end of Kai’s nose. “Whoa!” Kai exclaimed as the dragonfly continued to pull at the leather cord. “Um…do you know where I can find clean water?” Kai asked the dragonfly. It tugged again and Kai followed.
The dragonfly led Kai on a haphazard course deep into the woods. After what seemed an eternity Kai spotted the mouth of a cave, partially concealed behind a grove of trees. Inside he could hear the sound of running water. He would never have found this place on his own. “Wow. Thanks Dragonfly.”
Still casting a green glow, the dragonfly lit the way as Kai cautiously made his way into the cave. Eventually, the cave opened up into a large cavern where Kai could see a small, crystal clear waterfall cascading into a deep pool. Dropping to his knees, Kai leaned forward to scoop up the pure water with his hands, when suddenly, looking deep into the pool he saw… a pair of large, green eyes staring back at him!
