The Journal of Dreams (The Tales of Tahana - Book One)

Chapter 36: Desaraya

36-2-2-4012 DM, Perangar Eranga, Telama, Hilaraya

Aron's vision started to blur as the candlelight flickered from the candelabra on the table before him. It was already dark, probably around supper time, but he didn't feel hungry just yet. He decided to go back to the archives after midday luncheon to study the Bayanava's dream journal more carefully, and he had not moved from his chair since. One of the Baruani gave him a quill, some ink, and a small unused leather-bound book where he could write his notes. He knew that he needed to make significant progress that day because he didn't know how much time they had left to prepare themselves... To prepare Dari for what was to come. He tried to blink away the haze out of his eyes, but after several attempts, he finally decided to rub his eyes with his left hand. As the haziness of his vision lessened, he went back to the journal and continued to translate the ancient words to the common tongue, making certain that each word was translated accurately. He wanted to be as literal as possible in his translation, so he would not lose the original meaning of the entries. Afterwards, he would make an attempt to interpret what the symbols and visions meant to discern their true meaning. It was crucial that he didn't make any mistake in translating. Everything, all of their actions going forward, would depend on this.

Aron knew that there were tomes inside the archives at the Kadaralahi that could possibly help them but they didn't have the time to travel. It would take them more than a moon to reach Lien Ri, and that was too long a journey for something that they could possibly achieve there at the Perangar Eranga. In the absence of resources, he thought that, with the help of the Menaji and the Saraji, he would be able to interpret these after he was done translating the journal entries. After all, the three of them were all learned people and were knowledgeable enough to discern the message behind the mysterious journal, or at least that's what he hoped.

Aron sighed and looked at the windows to his right side. The darkness outside somehow relaxed his eyes a little. He was exhausted already, but something inside himself was fuelling his drive to keep on going. It was the desire to help Dari. It was a good thing that one of the things that had been buzzing in his mind since before they left Arang was finally silenced. He was now absolutely certain that Dari was Desaraya's reincarnation, and he would do anything to help Dari.

Dari... The poor lakanidu had no idea what was to come and, sadly, neither did Aron. The Menaji advised Aron that he should be told about his true identity after his second gift manifested. So far, only the bayahara had manifested in him and neither Aron nor the Menaji knew when he would receive the other gifts. "Sa tana na buhanari lan baturi, sai a buhai sha bagisha", which meant "In a land of sand and stones, he shall give life." That was the next line of the prophesy, which could mean that pirihara would manifest in a desert or in a similarly barren place.

Aron had a rather heated argument with Menaji Diwa just before midday luncheon. He pointed out that if they wanted Dari to be prepared for all that was to come, he should know as soon as possible. The Menaji didn't agree with this, arguing that Dari was too young. Aron wanted to agree, but he knew that Dari was maturing faster than he cared to admit. Dari was a strong lakanidu and he had endured so much in the last few days. The lakanidu needed to know.

"Ah, there you are," a voice from behind Aron said, startling him. He almost blotched the word he was writing. It was Menaji Diwa.

"I thought you were resting just as you used to do before supper."

"I intended to, but I couldn't bring myself to rest when I know I have so much work to do."

"Well, supper is almost ready and you may want to have some. Translation is taxing, if I say so myself. I never had the knack for it to be very honest."