Welcome to Gaia! ::

Mariah stood on the shore of Nia, looking out to the open sea. The wind blew against her, almost forcing her back. She took in a deep breath, closing her eyes as she felt the sea spray fly against her face. Nia was all she had, all she needed, all she wanted. She stood, her skirt blowing in the wind. She lifted her arms out wide and began to dance down the sandy beach, twirling and twisting with the wind. She finally fell to the ground, laughing at herself. She listened to the crash of the waves near her, and sat up. Her happy expression turning sad as she looked up the beach to see the wreckage from a ship. The ocean had claimed another vessel. She stood and trotted toward it, wondering what she might find...

Mariah looked at Jelana, curious. She did not even ask about the satchel, her mind seemed on other things.

"What is wrong sister?"

Mariah asked tilting her head to one side.

"Mother and Father are worried...we grow poorer with every day. I think they are going to send the boys to the main land soon...."

Mariah looked at Jelana in shock. Would their father send their brother's to the main land? Were things really so bad?

Their Father, Droric, sat at the head of the table as their mother, Everild, quickly put the bread and fish on the table. Mariah glanced at the flour bucket. Nearly empty, only a few days worth left. She would speak to Droric later about the stone. He would know.

"Children! sit down it's time to eat!"

Everild called. All the little ones took their places at the table, bickering among each other.

"Quiet, let us say grace!"

The children instantly fell silent as their father blessed the food, then all dug in. Mariah took little, leaving more for the younger children. She saw her father, mother, and older sister did the same,

"Mariah aren't you hungery?"

The littlest child asked, a little girl named Tess.

"Not really"

"Why?"

Mariah shrugged.

"Just not"

Tess sat and though for a moment, then shrugged.

"Your loss"

And dug into the fish.

Droric finished the story, and sent his children to bed, kissing them all goodnight.

"Father...may I speak to you?"

Droric looked at Mariah kindly. He had loved her as one of his own from the day he had found her.

"Of course, what is on your mind?"

Mariah opened the satchel, and pulled out the stone.

"I found this in the wreckage of a ship..."

She said as she held it out to Droric. He took it in his hand, surprised at the lightness of it.

"It is a strange stone. It may be worth something, I do not know..."

Droric sighed as he gave her back the stone.

"What's wrong?"

Mariah asked as she placed it back in the satchel. Droric put on a smile and hugged her.

"Nothing you need to worry about...go to bed little one"

Mariah fell into a restless sleep. Her dreams were strange, like someone was calling out to her. It was a small voice, like the voice of a child. The sun rose, but Mariah had been up long before. She dressed, leaving the satchel, and went into their small village to the black smith. John, an apprentice there was a good friend of hers. The black smith shop was fairly dark, besides the glow of the Forge. John stood, pounding a piece of metal. When he saw the shadow in the door way he looked up, a bright smile lighting his face.

"Hello Mariah!"

Mariah smiled and entered the forge.

"John, I need a favor...do you and Trenis need help in the shop? I'm willing to do anything!"

She said, her voice held desperation. John looked at her, and toward the front of the shop where his master Trenis was.

"I don't know Mariah, everyone is pretty tight in the village."

Mariah looked out the door, she didn't know what to do.

"Droric doesn't know what to do..."

She whispered quietly. John knew by the way she spoke this was of the utmost secrecy. John gave a sigh.

"I will ask Trenis for you...but I can't promise anything."

Mariah's face lightened instantly, she threw her arms around John and hugged him.

"Thank you!!"

She cried. John smiled, a smile Mariah would not see. It was a loving smile.

"Wait here"

He said, as he turned and walked toward the front of the shop.

Mariah saw John race toward her smiling. She knew what that meant. "Come on!" He called as he skidded to a halt. Mariah took his out-stretched hand and ran back toward the front of the shop. Trenis barely kept back a laugh as he saw the two race around the corner.

"So, you'd like a job eh Mariah?"

She nodded quickly, a broad smile on her face.

"Well, you can tend the shop for me, and I'll pay you, it won't be much, but something."

"Thank you SO MUCH!"

Mariah cried as she grabbed John's hands and danced around in a circle.

Trenis laughter boomed through the shop as he watched the young one's antics.

"Come now, I'll show you how much things are and what to do. John, get back to the forge!"

Trenis called, trying to sound intimidating.

"Yes sir!"

John called as he turned to leave, giving Mariah a wink before he did.

The day fairly flew, several customers came in, all delighted with Mariah's cheery attitude. She couldn't help but over flow with happiness. The day came to a close around supper time. Trenis gave Mariah her pay, she thanked them several times then headed toward home.


"Mariah!"

She looked up in happy surprise at John came running up.

"you shouldn't walk home alone."

Mariah couldn't help but laugh.

"Who is going to come get me? Jensen's pigs?"

John smiled, knowing he sounded rather silly.

"Well, you never know, Pirates might show up!"

Mariah just shook her head smiling. Pirates hadn't come to Nia in decades. She and John walked along, just chit chatting. John was glad Mariah was happy again, she had been so upset the last couple days.