Episode Twentynine: Just Like Me

Hong peered through the passage door and found that they had journeyed from the Hope River to the most northern edge of the western ridge of the Rim of Promise. This area was on the edge of the Darkened Forest. The Runners who were looking for them wouldn't be expecting them to get here so soon. So they lit their torches, and left the passage. Hong, Blanne, Lakia, Cheop, Hokou, and Elaku stepped out into a lush garden, with tall trees as far as the eye could see.

The hunter named Hokou knew the way through The Darkened Forest, so he took the lead. The sky grew dark as they walked in silence through the lovely shrubbery. Finally, they came to an opening with a soft flickering light just barely breaking through. Hokou pulled a tree branch to the side to expose a stone laid pathway. On the other side of a small meadow sat a woman in a bamboo chair by a fire. A heavy robe covered her small frame and her head. Just the ends of long braided hair could be seen. As they drew a bit closer, the group was stopped.

"Cheop!" came a whispered call from another man who looked like a hunter.
"Konan!" Cheop answered back excited to see an old friend.
"Why are you here? Do you have any news?" Konan asked.
"Yes. I brought Lakia the Great. She has half of the Sparkle of the Western Medallion!"
"Half?" Konan was puzzled. "And where is the other half?"
Blanne stepped forward. "The other half is where it belongs. Or it will be."
"Blanne!" Konan shouted in surprise.
"Blanne?" came a cry from the woman sitting by the fire. "Blanne, is that you?" The woman looked up and saw that indeed it was Blanne. She threw the hood of her robe off her head and came running over.
"Mother!" he responded as he hugged her. "Look who I brought here."

"Hong? It's been so long!" She hugged him as well. "When I saw you last, Ipo and I had just taken over the throne. I have been looking forward to seeing you again! Ipo will be pleased to see you again as well! You might not recognize him though. Paco gave him and Blanne potions to make them change. The King has been from village to village to find cures. He found one to help Blanne, somewhat, and he has been able to use his new abilities to his advantage. But alas, poor Ipo hasn't been able to find a cure for himself."

Meanwhile, Lakia couldn't help but notice that the Queen had long braided hair that was golden in color, just like hers. She even had the same ribbons in her hair like the ones that her grandmother Leia had given to her. When the Queen turned to face Hong, the fire lit up her face and they all could see that her bright eyes were just like Lakia's too.

Blanne motioned for the Queen to look toward the edge of the crowd, where Lakia stood. "She looks just like me!" The Queen said delighted. "I am Queen Iso. Who are you?" she asked Lakia.
"I am... you're highness, I am Lakia Waterfaller."
"Oh no, you are not." the Queen declared and shook her head.


King Ipo led his followers along the ridge, and through the lush greenery of the Darkened Forest. While they walked, he told Dodo and his group about Councilman Paco's plan to become the fastest man on the island.

"He's not really evil, like people say." King Ipo told them. "He is just a really fast runner and no one else has ever proven himself to be faster. Paco's been trying to perfect a running potion to give to other runners, so that he can create competition for himself. When I tried to stop him, he took my medallion and secretly gave me and my family potions in our drinking water. My son, Blanne, became a fish. And I turned into the appearance of another man and lost all of my magical abilities. I went by another name to keep Paco from finding me before I could find cures for all of us and get back to the Palace. Though I found a cure for Blanne, he is able to change himself back into a fish at will. And I am exceedingly grateful to be myself again." King Ipo smiled brightly at Piku.

Then King Ipo led them toward a lighted area in the forest, lifted a particular branch, and led his little group down a small stone path. "This island is just full of little mysteries." The King continued.


Shuka led her followers quickly down the remainder of the path. They all wanted to ask Shuka where her magic came from and why she never mentioned it before. However, no one asked. They were all afraid. Finally, they came to a place where two rivers met, and behind one of them was a wall of vines. Weeko recognized the place as the back of the mountain where he and Leia had been exploring the day they were swept away. "I thought we would never see this shore again." he admitted to Leia. Since the rainy season hadn't started, the river closest to the south shore was shallow and quiet. They carefully crossed over the river by stepping on the same large stones that Leia and Weeko had slipped on years before.

"It's late. "Shuka said. "We don't want to cause any alarm to the Mountain People, so let's camp here in the cave for the night." Although Weeko and Leia were anxious to see their tribes' people again, they were also tired. Everyone agreed to rest for now. Kali could not sleep. She kept seeing the drawings on the side of the cavern and wondering what it meant. On one hand, it looked like a warning so that people wouldn't fall into the river. On the other, she wondered, if someone hadn't been planning for them to fall. After a couple of hours Kali finally fell asleep. During the night she dreamed of a small, bright child.

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