THE AIR CHILLS. I wrap us in a cocoon of my summer wind.
“Please don’t.”
I take the cocoon away but fly lower. Although she may not care, I don’t want her to suffer the acute cold. We are nearing my first destination, where I will tell her everything.
Here we are. I fly over it.
“Wait!” she cries. “Go back. It’s . . .” She turns her head, and I see her excited face. “It’s impossible!”
We circle. “Do you like it?” I’m grinning. This is what I hoped for.
“It’s miraculous!”
“Does that mean you like it?”
“Very much.”
We circle three times. Then my gentle wind deposits us in a meadow a few yards from the base. “This is a waterfall, the falls of Zago. We’re on the border of Hyte and Akka. The Zago River flows through Akka.”
From Enshi Rock, Hannu and Arduk can see us here. All the gods can if they like.
Kezi runs to the riverbank. In a moment she is wet with spray. Laughing, she sticks out her tongue to taste the water. Then she pulls off her sandals and steps delicately onto the closest wet rock. She dances from rock to rock to the ledge behind the curtain of water.
“Everything is wavery!” she cries. “You should see it.”
I hesitate, although the ledge is hardly confining. Only water will separate me from open air.
“Come, my love!”
Love? Her love! Of course I join her.
In the dim light her face glows. She is blushing and her hand is over her mouth, but she doesn’t take back the words. Although I’m uneasy in the small space, I lift away her hand and kiss her. I taste the water on her lips. Afterward she clings to me, a closeness I don’t mind at all.
“What do you think?” She gestures at the water.
“Very wavery, my love.” I don’t want her to be alone in saying my love.
She slides out of my arms and spreads her arms to embrace the rock wall. “I like Akka.”
This is not my favorite spot.
“Look!” She has found a narrow opening that leads into a cave.
I watch as she slips through the fissure. I imagine myself being trapped inside, the fissure closing.
After a minute she emerges. “There’s enough room for us both. In the cave, the falls boom. Do you want to hear it?”
“No!”
“Oh!”
I fly my quick wind back onto the grass, ashamed at the relief I feel.
After a short while she joins me. She gestures and asks, “Are these mountains?”
“Foothills. The mountains aren’t far.”
“Olus! If these are the feet, how tall are the mountains?” Before I can answer, she sinks to her knees and runs her hands through the grass. “Smooth! Hyte grass is spiky.” She stands. “Was there something dangerous in the cave?”
“No.” I’m embarrassed to tell her about my fear.
She takes a deep breath. “I’ve never met a masma before.”
“I’m not a masma.”
“Please forgive me.” She touches my arm. “I was taught that masmas are evil, but you’re good. I think you’re Admat’s masma.”
I decide to confess. “I was afraid to go in the cave. Small spaces frighten me.”
She smiles. “I used to be afraid of pigeons.”
I smile back. “Why?”
“Their red eyes. I thought they killed people at night.”
“How did you stop fearing them?”
“I don’t remember.” Her smile fades. “Now I’m afraid of the priest’s knife.”
It is time. “I’m truly not a masma. I’m the Akkan god of the winds.”