Chapter Nineteen:

The small house was half buried in the mountain, seeming to meld with the stone of the cliff. Navihm knew that it was built around the mouth of a cave, not just half crushed by a rock slide like it appeared. The stone chimney was smoking and the smell of roasting food penetrated the air around them.

“It looks like Mother has been cooking,” said Navihm. “You are in for a treat.”

The group approached the door which was propped open as if to greet them.

“Come in,” said a voice from inside. “I was wondering when you were going to get around to visiting your old lonely mother.”

Navihm smiled to his companions and rolled his eyes skywards.

“Mother, we both know there was no “wondering” on your part.” He stepped across the threshold. “You knew exactly when we were going to get here”

Rose entered behind Navihm and looked around the cosy interior. The woman bustling around the kitchen caught her attention first.

Navihm’s mother wore her hair bound in a knot at the base of her neck. The curly mass struggled to stay contained in the messy twist and locks had sprung out to tangle with her braids that swung loose by her neck. More curly locks had plastered themselves to her slightly damp forehead and hung in front of her eyes. She continued to rush around the kitchen, moving around plates of food and stirring the pot once in awhile. Rose wondered how she could possibly see through all her hair.

“Salve, Nai,” Navihm greeted her.

She abruptly dropped the spoon she was using to stir the bubbling pot on the stove and rushed towards him. Navihm bent down to her considerably shorter height and threw his arms around her, lifting her off her feet and swinging her in a quick circle. She laughed joyously and patted his cheek when he set her down.

“You need a shave,” she said fondly. “Now, won’t you introduce me to the rest of your little group while you set the table? I made enough food to feed half of the First.”

Rose huffed. It wasn’t Navihm’s ‘little group’. If it was anyone’s, it would be the Professor’s.

“I am Professor Ward, Navihm’s Cultural Studies teacher,” Ward introduced himself. “It is nice to meet you. Navihm has told us so much about you.”

Rose was taken aback. Navihm had never talked about his mother to her. Actually, he never really mentioned much about his life to her. When they’d had conversations, it had been Rose talking for the most part.

The professor offered an outstretched hand towards Navihm’s mother, who was still facing Navihm. She didn't attempt to shake hands with Professor Ward, ignoring his completely. Navihm’s flickered briefly over to the group from where he was setting the table when the silence became awkward.

“The Professor wants to shake your hand, Nai,” he explained to his mother. “It is a Lowland custom.”

“Of course,” said Navihm’s mother with a self-deprecating grin. She held out one hand towards the wall somewhere to the left of the Professor. Rose was starting to think that there was something odd about the woman. She knew that shaking hands wasn’t a Genti custom, but it wasn’t exactly a difficult concept. Navihm’s mother couldn't even take another person’s hand.

Navihm also seemed to notice the difficulty his mother was having and, leaving his table setting for a moment, gently nudged his mother’s arm until it came into contact with the Professor’s hand.

“I am Prophet Healani of the First,” she introduced herself, brushing her hair out of her eyes. Healani’s eyes were a cloudy blue. They seemed focused on a point far off into the distance. However, that wasn’t what caught Rose’s attention. She was engrossed by the faded scars that split Healani’s left eyebrow and left jagged marks on her eyes and forehead. They were old scars, lightened to shiny puckers which stood out against her bronze skin. Rose dimly noticed that Healani’s eyes flittered towards her but couldn't seem to focus. Perhaps Healani’s strange gaze was something to do with her being a prophet, Rose thought distantly, still fixating on the scars.

Hue took a step towards the woman. Healani’s head tilted slightly, listening to the shuffle of Hue’s feet. Her eyes lost their unfocused stare and she fixed her gaze on Hue.

She’s blind. Rose realised as Hue introduced himself enthusiastically. Whatever left the scars apparently did more than just cosmetic damage. Rose pondered what could have made such marks while she watched Hue embarrass himself. He’d insisted on joining Navihm, Professor Ward, Hart and Rose down to Healani’s home to meet her.

“Navihm and I have talked so much about you and your home here,” Hue was saying.

“Hello, Aunty,” said Hart, practically shoving Hue out of the way and grabbing Healani in an enthusiastic hug, much like Navihm had. When he put her down, he kissed her gently on her forehead, murmuring something in Genti.

Healani threw her head back and laughed joyously, patting Hart on his chest. Hart still hadn't released his grip on the woman.

“There is still one more that I have not met.” Rose knew that Healani was talking about her. Rose stepped towards the older woman and held out a hand awkwardly. Hart whispered something to Healani and she returned the gesture.

They shook hands. Rose felt distinctly uncomfortable being on the receiving end of Healani’s misty gaze. She managed to mumble a hasty greeting and released her hand, a touch quicker than was polite.

Healani, to her credit, took Rose’s bad manners in her stride, announcing lunch was ready. They all took their places at the table while Navihm brought out the food, Healani keeping up polite chatter and asking them questions about their journey.

Hue particularly enjoyed the meal. He looked up to Navihm a great deal and wanted to meet the woman who raised him single-handedly. He’d come from a home with a single parent and throughout the journey, he and Navihm had grown closer because of this. They’d gone through a lot of the same struggles growing up. Healani of the First was exactly like Navihm described her.