not lift the water. Again and again, the cup spilled over. Each time he returned with more water the navigator shot him a disapproving glance. After three hours, he leaped to his feet and let out a frustrated scream.
“What good is this?” he shouted. “How does this help me?”
The navigator strode over and picked up the cup. “Hold this in your palm.”
He obeyed, unenthusiastically. Another tiny droplet of water floated out and drifted toward the navigator.
“Not everything needs brute force,” she said. The droplet flew forward at blinding speed, and struck the cup, shattering it. Water and glass fell to the deck. Gewey stared in amazement. “Such a thing could be quite useful, wouldn't you say?” She returned to her duties and glanced over her shoulder. “You will need another cup.”
Gewey nearly broke into a run, excited by what he had seen. For six straight hours he continued to try, but was still unable to do it. The sun was setting and the navigator was being relieved. She walked over to Gewey and sat next to him.
“Show me what you are doing,” she said, in her typical, emotionless way. She took Gewey’s hand and brought her spirit close to his.
Gewey tried once again, and once again failed. He forced the water over the side. The moment it touched the deck he felt the navigator seize the flow and return it to the cup.
“You must understand the way this power works,” she explained. “Power of the earth, air and water are not different. At least, not in essence. They are pieces of the same world. You try to dig and lift the water with air, as a shovel to earth. Or you throw it, as a bale of hay into a wagon.” She reached out and touched the flow of the water, surrounding a tiny drop, pressing it in. “You transition it from one to the other. It is as one hand touching the other. The air stirred almost imperceptibly, and blended with the droplet. In unison, it rose, carried on a tiny cushion of air. “Do you see?” The droplet fell gently back into the cup.
“I understand.” His words were a gasp.
“Good,” she said, with a hint of satisfaction. “Return tomorrow and try again. You have done enough today.”
In spite of his desire to continue, he knew it was useless to argue. The rest of the evening he spent with the crew, learning the ship and listening to their tales. Aaliyah joined him for dinner, but stayed in her cabin for the rest of the evening, until she went on deck to sleep.
This time Gewey was determined to find out what troubled her and brought his blanket and pillow and lay down beside her.
“I know you think you can help me,” said Aaliyah. “But there is really nothing you can do.”
“If I can't help, would you at least tell me what is troubling you?”
She sighed, and closed her eyes. “I am trying to still my heart. Soon I must see Nehrutu again.”
Gewey raised an eyebrow and smiled. “I would think you'd be happy about that.”
“I am uncertain how I feel,” she replied. “I will be pleased to see him, but uncertain as to what to say. Through your communication with Kaylia, he will be aware of your decision…and my failure.”
Gewey chuckled. “That should make him happy.”
She looked over at Gewey. “If Kaylia left you in pursuit of another, would you be happy when she returned?”
“If it meant we would be together, I might,” he replied. “You left him out of a sense of duty, not because you stopped loving him. I’m sure he understands that.”
“He does. But I cannot help but wonder how I would feel if the situation were reversed. Would I be so willing to return to the one that spurned me?” She smiled. “I am acting as a child. But matters of the heart make children of us all. Even the most wise.”
“Have you reached out with your spirit?” he asked. “I'm sure it will ease your mind if you do.”
“I have more knowledge than you, Gewey,” she replied. “But I am not as strong. I cannot span such great distances.”
“I could help,” he offered.
Aaliyah couldn't stop herself from laughing. “I am afraid such a meeting would be too personal. But I thank you, regardless.” She closed her eyes. “Now if you intend to stay under the stars with me, you must allow me to rest.”
Gewey squeezed her hand and rolled over. The sound of the ocean