Holes & Strings

Xylo led Brandon and Idalene to the bridge. He was walking at a fast pace. The bridge was made out of white bricks. It was wide enough for the three of them to walk side-by-side. The bridge was only one or two inches above clear water. Every once in awhile, a fish or two would pop out and back into the water. The river itself was about five feet deep and the bottom could clearly be seen.

“You’re grinding mighty hard on that wheat, Xylo,” Brandon said.

“You’ve come all this way,” Idalene said. “Do you have any clue what to do once we get to the man who played that melody on you?”

“You’ll have to find out when we see him,” Xylo replied.

“I don’t think he has a plan, Idalene,” Brandon mumbled.

They got to the other side of the bridge and followed a small stone path to the village. The village was quiet, but the people appeared busy. There were twelve buildings total, each made out of bricks. A few were connected to each other. There was a brick well in the center of the village. The soil that the village was built on was soft. Beside the buildings was a small ranch by a body of water that stretched for some distance. Land could be seen in the distance.

At the water’s edge was a dock. A wooden ship was secured there. It seemed big enough to hold about twenty people. Men were loading boxes big and small off the ship. Near the men unloading the ship was a small crowd of people. Some of those people were in a line. In front of the line was a small shack with a wind chime hanging from its roof.

“I wonder what’s going on over there,” Brandon said.

“Crowds love a musición,” Xylo said.

“I’m a little nervous,” Brandon said. “Be careful in confronting him, Xylo. He could easily play that melody and put everyone on death row.”

“I have this under control,” Xylo said. “We’re heading straight to the front of the line. We can’t let him wrong anyone else.”

Xylo walked toward the line of about twenty people as he took out his flute. Brandon and Idalene nervously followed behind him. Xylo began to hear someone playing a flute as he got closer.

Xylo slowly came to a complete stop. He looked at the flute playing musición. It was a young girl sitting on a pillow that was on a circular purple mat. She looked about sixteen and had pale skin. Her hair was blonde and short. She was wearing a homely dress that had a plain color of tan.

There was a man in the front of the line. His arm was being healed by the girl playing the flute. Her eyes looked like they were closed, but she was actually looking at the man’s arm. A bunch of vines with soft leaves were covering his arm. A faint green light was glowing underneath the leaves. A burn mark was vanishing from the man’s arm.

The girl finished playing and the leaves suddenly began falling off. The man began smiling immensely as he brought his arm closer to get a better look. The rest of the leaves fell off.

“Thank you,” the man said. “Thank you so very much.”

The man walked off in happiness.

Xylo sighed. “This isn’t the musición we are looking for,” he said. The girl looked up at Xylo. She had a combination of a tired and sad look in her eyes.

“Hey, you!” someone shouted from the shack behind the girl.

It was a man standing on the shack’s porch. He had long unruly hair in a pony tail and gold rings on every other finger.

“What do you think you are doing?” the man said. “I hope you don’t think you can jump to the front of the line like that. This is a business; I’m running a business here. We have to do things in an orderly fashion.”

“I apologize, sir,” Xylo said. “I meant nothing by it. I have been looking for a musición who has been going around offering to heal people.”

“I see,” the man said. “Malica and I recently came back from traveling and offering healing to many people. Now we’re back here, home. We don’t normally travel. It was quite an experience, and good for business.”

“No,” Xylo said. “I am not looking for this musición. My comrades and I are looking for a musición that is an old man.”

“Ah,” the man replied. “You are welcome to try our services instead. Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Ajaku. Ajaku Baltri.”

“Thank you,” Xylo said. “My name is Xylo Cornet. We are in no need of healing as of now. And we are in a hurry to find the old man musición.”

“Are you sure?” Ajaku asked. “How about your arm there. It’s wrapped in bandages. Surely, it needs some healing attention.”

Xylo looked at his arm. He became silent.

“How about it, Xylo?” Ajaku said.

“I doubt she will know how to heal my arm,” Xylo said. “I’ve met with many who can heal. I always end up being disappointed.”

“Malica is a very skilled healing musición,” Ajaku replied. “I know all the melodies she does. Just show me your arm. Is it a cut? A burn?”

“No,” Xylo said as he unraveled his arm.

“Oh,” Ajaku responded hesitantly. “I’ve never seen that before.”

“She can’t heal it, right?” Xylo said.

“It seems you were right,” Ajaku replied. “Malica doesn’t know anything that can take care of your arm.”

“That is fine,” Xylo said.

“Look, buddy,” Ajaku said. “Ask around. Someone may know about the one you are looking for. Hope you guys find who you are looking for.”

“Thank you,” Xylo said as he waved goodbye.

Ajaku waved back. Xylo noticed Malica holding her head down.

“What a let down,” Idalene said. “Now what?”

“Like the guy said, we should ask around here,” Brandon said.

Idalene took notice of one of the buildings in the village. Her eyes widened. “Is that what I think it is?” she cheered. Her face lit up. “That building has a bird feeder by the door!”

“What does that mean?” Brandon asked. The look on his face revealed that he felt Idalene was over reacting.

Xylo was busy wrapping his arm back up. Idalene walked closer to the orange brick building.

“It’s an Ethics School,” Idalene said. “I haven’t seen one in a while.”

“Ethics school?” Brandon responded.

“Come on,” Idalene said. “Let’s go inside, guys.”

Idalene went into the building with joy. Xylo followed, not paying attention to what was happening. He was still focused on wrapping his arm. Brandon reluctantly went in with them.

They found themselves walking into a hallway. There were three open doors at the end of it. Idalene began walking forward. She poked her head through the first door and saw a classroom. There were several desk, a chalkboard, and cabinets inside.

There was also a wide window inside the classroom. A skinny, middle-aged woman was looking out the window. Her gray hair was up in a bun and she wore classes along with a dark-blue dress. She seemed concerned. She closed the blinds and notice the three of them there.

“Why, hello,” the woman said cheerfully.

“Hello,” Idalene said happily. “We noticed this village had an Ethics School. I could not help myself. I had to visit. My name is Idalene. And these are my friends, Xylo and Brandon.”

“It is a pleasure to meet you all,” the woman said. “They call me Nelly around here.”

“I still don’t know what an Ethics School is, Idalene,” Brandon said. “I don’t think they have them in Garmid.”

“Ah, you guys are from Garmid?” Nelly asked. “That is quite the distance away.”

“Brandon is the only one of us from Garmid,” Idalene replied.

“I see,” Nelly said. “Ethics Schools are teaching facilities that focus on ethics, right and wrong, along with regular academics such as math, history, science, etcetera.”

“Ethics, you say?” Brandon responded.

“Ethic Schools have been around for years,” Nelly continued. “Society has gained great benefit over generations as a result of focusing on ethics rather than self. Children of all ages attend starting from age three. And for older children, teens, we study cultural living, finances, and how to be successful in the world. Our main goal is to prepare them for life and create a sense of responsibility within them.”

“I learned something new today,” Brandon said.

“What brings you three to this village? Nelly asked.

“We are looking for an old musición who goes around offering to heal people,” Xylo said. “He played a melody of death on me not long ago. I have to find him so he can undo what he did.”

“I know exactly who you are talking about!” Nelly gasped. “My student and I heard talk about the man while we were visiting Exandrial. There was a big commotion about him being there.”

“This is great,” Xylo said.

“That is true,” Idalene said. “But Exandrial is a kingdom that occupies a huge island in the sea. How would we get there?”

“Perhaps the ship owner out there can give you guys a ride,” Nelly suggested.

“That’s a good idea,” Brandon replied.

“Why don’t you guys go on an introduce yourselves to him?” Nelly asked.

Brandon and Idalene walked out of the room to go meet the ship owner. Xylo turned to Nelly.

“Nelly,” Xylo said. “When we first came into the classroom, we saw you looking out the window. You looked upset. Is everything okay?”

“Actually, no,” Nelly responded. “That man. Ajaku. He is not one to trust.”

Xylo became alert and gave his full attention to Nelly.

“Malica has been in his care since her family died,” Nelly continued. “Her parents, along with other family members, died in a house fire. She was sent out to a scheduled appointment to heal someone.”

“She lost her family?” Xylo muttered.

“Yes,” Nelly said. “Her family were good, good people. Unlike Ajaku, they let Malica heal all who came. They wouldn’t charge a gold coin. Malica learned all she knew on healing melodies from her grandparents. After they passed away, Malica and her family gladly shared her gift in instruments.”

“She must be very talented,” Xylo said. “Generally, older musicións are the most skilled and have a great deal of knowledge on melodies.”

“Yes, Malica is very talented,” Nelly said. “Ajaku won’t let anyone alone with her. He’s quite protective.”

Nelly went behind the wooded desk in the front of the class, and revealed a chest. She dragged it with her left hand and placed it in front of Xylo.

“This is the only thing recovered from the fire that Malica’s family died in,” Nelly said.

Xylo began to make a face of concern.

“This chest is wooden,” Xylo said. “How could it have survived the fire.”

“It’s enchanted,” Nelly replied.

Xylo’s eyes widened. He touched the chest.

“It can’t be opened,” Nelly explained.

“I see,” Xylo said as he tried to lift the chest open. “Do you know what’s inside?”

“I’m not sure,” Nelly replied. “I have a hunch. But what I am sure of is that whatever’s inside was left behind by Malica’s family.”

“What does that mean?” Brandon asked as he entered the room. “What does it mean that the chest is enchanted?”

“Something that is enchanted means that the object has been affected in some mystical way,” Nelly answered. “Objects can be affected in practically limitless ways through being enchanted. For example, this chest can’t be open by ordinary means. I don’t know the requirement to open this chest. The rules and requirements to how an object is affected by enchantment is usually decided by the one who enchanted the object.”

“What do you think will open the chest?” Brandon asked.

“I don’t know for sure,” Nelly replied. “But this chest was left behind. Malica is the only surviving member of her family. Surely, opening this chest involves her in some way. Her family would want her to have what’s inside, after all. At least, that’s what I think, anyway.”

Brandon walked back out of the room. “Come on, Xylo,” he said. “I came back to get you.”

“The ship owner might not be sailing out today,” Nelly said. “If you all need a place to stay until tomorrow, you are all welcome to stay the night here.”

“Thank you,” Xylo and Brandon said in unison.

Xylo and Brandon walked out of the building and caught up with Idalene.

“All right, guys, that’s everything,” a man from afar said.

“That must be the ship owner,” Idalene said. “He looks about your age, Xylo, maybe a little younger.”

They walked up to the man. He was standing with his arms crossed in front of the ship’s dock plank. He had dark brown, unruly hair, but looked proud and confident. He was wearing black boots with black pants tucked inside. His shirt and jacket were white.

“Excuse me, sir,” Idalene said. “Are you the ship owner?”

“Yes, I am,” the man replied.

“It is nice meeting you,” Idalene said. “My name is Idalene. These two are Xylo and Brandon. We are in need of transportation to Exandrial.”

“It is nice meeting you all,” the man said. “My name is Lafiet. As long as we are going the same way, I have no problem letting you guys catch a ride with me.”

“Wonderful!” Idalene cheered.

“I’ll be sailing back to the kingdom first thing tomorrow morning,” Lafiet said. “Don’t keep me waiting.”

“You got it,” Brandon said.

Night came. The countless stars were visibly bright. The moon showered its light over the land. Xylo, Brandon, and Idalene were in a room inside the school. There were four beds. Light from the moon crept into the room through the window.

“We’re right on that rotten musición,” Brandon said as he rested in his bed.

“I sure hope so,” Xylo replied.

There was a knock at the open door. It was Nelly. “I apologize for interrupting,” she said. “I’ve noticed you have instruments. Might one of you be a musición?”

“Yes,” Brandon responded. “Xylo is a musición.”

“I have a request,” Nelly said. You know that chest I showed you? Tomorrow morning, could you play a healing melody on that chest? I think that might be the secret to opening it. Perhaps Malica’s family intended for her to play a melody on it. Use a healing one in particular since she specializes in it.”

“I can do that,” Xylo said.

“Thank you, Xylo,” Nelly said. “That means a lot to me. I’ll let you two get some rest. It looks like Idalene is already asleep.”

The following day, Xylo, Brandon, and Idalene were walking with their belongings outside the school. Nelly was outside standing by the door. The chest was beside her.

“Good morning,” Nelly said.

“Thank you for everything, Nelly,” Idalene said.

“You all are very welcome,” Nelly replied.

“I see you have the chest out and ready,” Xylo said.

“Yes,” Nelly said. “Play a Melody of Healing, any one you know.”

In the distance, Lafiet walked off the ship. The men who were taking boxes off the ship previously were boarding the ship.

“Come on, you sloths!” Lafiet called out. “Xylo, was it? I expect you three on board this ship in no more than seven minutes.”

“We’ll be there!” Idalene replied.

Xylo took his flute out from its case. He looked closely at the chest.

“What are you going to play, Xylo?” Idalene asked.

“Melody of Healing: Song of Relief,” Xylo replied.

Xylo played the melody. Lafiet was listening from the distance. His eyebrows were up.

After Xylo was done, the chest popped open. Nelly gasped. She put one hand over her mouth and took a step back.

“You guys better hurry!” Lafiet called out as he boarded the ship.

“Thanks again,” Brandon said as he rushed to the ship.

Idalene hugged Nelly and followed behind Brandon.

“I’m trying to hold back tears, Xylo,” Nelly said. “I was a friend of Malica’s parents. I’m going to take a gander at what’s inside. You best be off.”

Xylo boarded the ship.

“What took so long?” Lafiet said.

“We were helping someone,” Xylo said.

“That’s so sweet,” Lafiet replied. “Hurry up next time.”

Before Lafiet walked away, he noticed activity happening on land. Nelly was stomping toward Ajaku.

Ajaku was putting up a sign to let people know his business was open. He noticed Nelly coming his way with a paper in her hand. She was furious.

“Ajaku!” Nelly roared. “You no good scum! How could you?!”

Malica walked beside Ajaku. He was speechless.

“They trusted you!” Nelly shouted. “You were known as their closest family friend.”

Nelly handed the paper in her hand over to Malica. Ajaku tried to snatch the paper from Malica but Nelly stepped in his way an gave him a fierce look.

“You locked them in that burning house!” Nelly continued. “They had their suspicions later on in life that you were not the good friend they thought you were.”

Ajaku watched Malica read the paper. It was a letter.

“They were healing people for free,” Ajaku said. “What a waste of resources. They were doing it all wrong. For free? Mad. Complete nonsense.”

Malica looked towards the ground. She started backing away from Ajaku.

“Where do you think you are going?” Ajaku said.

Nelly got in Ajaku’s way and pushed him back. She scooted Malica on the ship.

“Come now,” Ajaku said. “Is this necessary?”

Ajaku pushed passed Nelly as she got off the ship. He began boarding it but Lafiet got in his way.

“She not going with you,” Lafiet said.

The ship began slowly moving away from the shore.

Ajaku stared angrily at Xylo.

“This is your fault!” Ajaku shouted.

Lafiet roughly bumped Ajaku off the ship.

“I will get you for this!” Ajaku claimed.

“You’re a joke,” Lafiet said.

Ajaku stepped back onto land. The men on Lafiet’s ship drew in the plank used to board the ship. Ajaku’s face was red. He threw up his fist. Suddenly, he lost his footing and slipped into the water. He swam to the surface and spat out water.

“See,” Lafiet said with a smirk. “Who can take him seriously?”

The ship sailed off until the shore continuously got farther and farther away. The ocean waves could be heard. They were gentle and soothing to the ear. Seagulls were flying by, making their usual noises. The day was still young and the sun was bright.