Chapter 1-  conclusion

Having patiently listened to the child's
tale, Menell's eyes welled up with tears.
   
   "Ramella, allow me to be the first of
my people to express my apologies for
all the injustices that my ancestors com-
mitted towards your people, and for all
they suffered later on.  What they did to
you was barbaric and inexcusable, just
thinking about it sickens my heart.  One
day, they will answer for their crimes
against you.  I couldn't begin to ask for
your forgiveness, but maybe we could
start the process by becoming friends."

  "There's no need, Menell," Ramella
replied.  "I already consider you and your
son to be my friends.  I think I'm a\good
judge of people's character, and I sense
that you are a good and honest man.

  At these words, taking into account
the fear that Ramella's people felt for
strangers, Menell was skeptical.  "Your
understanding of forgiveness is
quite developed for someone your age.
There are a lot of good people in the
world, but trusting someone takes a
lot of courage.  What makes you
trust us so easily, since you hardly
know us?"
 
  "My uncle Pelmuss is a wise man,"
she answered frankly.  "He has always
told me that everyone deserves the
chance to be forgiven. Our beliefs tell
us that all have sinned and fallen short
of God's glory.  You could have easily
hurt me, but you didn't.  When I saw
your face, I saw only peace there.  That's
when I made up my mind to trust
you."

  "You are an amazing girl, Ramella of
Copper Point, "observed Menell.  Then,
he repeated to himself the girl's words: 
'All have sinned and fallen short of the
glory of God.'  You will have to explain
to me later in more detail what that
means."

  "Sure," she answered, "but I'll have to
go back soon, so my mother doesn't
get angry. By the way, since you and
Ranthas are here, where exactly do you
plan to spend the night?"

  "Our boat lies a half a kilometer to the
south of here, we dragged it to the base
of the dunes.  We will set up a tent and
make our camp there for the time being.
Do you think there is anyone in your
village who might be willing to listen to
us, perhaps even help us?"

  Ramella thought a moment.  "It seems
a good idea to me for you to stay on the
beach for right now, seeing as our village
elders don't take kindly to strangers,
no matter who they are.  We wouldn't
want to scare anybody.  I'm going to
talk to some of my friends to try to find
a good solution to your problem.  If
you need anything at all, let me know.
I'll try to come back tomorrow and let
you know what I find out.  Sleep well."

  A large smile appeared on the man's
face.
  "Thank you, Ramella, we are both
indebted to you.  May you sleep well
as well."

  Taking leave of her new friends,
Ramella slowly started back up the
path to the house,gripped by terrible
anxiety.  "What would she say to her
mother?"  As soon as the girl disap-
peared, Menell and his son set about
setting up a makeshift tent next to a
large boulder, away from the wind,
set up camp for the night.  Before
going to bed, Ranthas turned to his
father with a questioning look, to
let him know what was weighing
on his heart. "Papa," he asked, "do
you think that Ramella and her
friends will be able to help us?"
"Nothing is certain, my son," Menell
answered.  "But I am sure that the
gods have been quite benevolent
by guiding us safely here.  It's likely
that they will use them in some
way for our good." Reassured,
Ranthas closed his eyes and went
to sleep.


 

END OF CHAPTER 1-  Chapter 2
coming soon!