Part One - The Reveal
Chapter 1
Life is sweet
And death is bitter
Maia’s arms shook with effort as she filled up the buckets with well water. I should be used to this by now she thought angrily. Maia had been doing this for nearly 2 years. Ever since her father had stopped
answering their letters, and they didn't know where he was, her mother had taken to bed ill. Throughout
the war, when she would get water, Maia would run from the well, anxious to avoid any possible battles,
and spill half of the water in the process.
Now it was early 1784, and the fighting had stopped. The Thirteen Colonies were in disarray, and the
Stevens family was barely surviving.
With her Father gone -they were unsure if he was dead, missing, or if he had lost his memory- and
an invalid mother, it was up to Maia and her brother Tim to provide. Tim did most of the heavy work
on the farm. Maia helped out with the farming, and they both took care of the cleaning and cooking.
Before the war it had been a flourishing and successful farm. But then the fight between the
Loyalists and Colonists had begun and her father left to join the army. The bills went up, and the money flow went down, causing their land to become smaller and smaller. Their farm produced apples- and
wonderful tasting apples at that.
Maia turned from the well, and began the walk home. The buckets made her steps uneven. As she
walked she noticed the little yellow flowers blooming all over the path. Her heart leapt as she realized today was her birthday.
Being her habit for 12 years, she began to speed up, anticipating the hug from her father, the cake
from her mother and the silly joke from her brother. Then, with a jerk, she stopped. There would be
none of that this year. Maia had done the same thing last year. Last time she had brushed it off, and
continued walking. But the last 12 months had shown her the dark side of the world.
Suddenly, Tim appeared at her elbow.
He looked at her frantically,
“Come! Come quick!” He said, “The doctor is there and I'm losing my mind!” he grabbed a bucket
from her. He hugged it to his chest and ran off exclaiming, “Come on Maia!”
+++
Finally Tim and Maia arrived home, sweaty and out of breath. Maia was very confused. Doctor?
That could only be for her mother. What was going on?
Tentatively she entered the house. She saw Doctor Bloom, and the widow who lived nearest to them,
Mrs. Owen gathered around her mother's bed. Tim sat on his bed drumming his fingers on his knee.
Mrs. Owen noticed Maia and came over.
“Maia dear, you mother has taken a turn for the worse. Doctor Bloom says she has 48 hours at best.”
Maia clutched the counter behind her. Her mother-dying! She looked up, wide-eyed into the face of
Mrs. Owen. Taking care to look calm, Maia exited the house. The second she was in the calm air, she gulped
and began to sob.
Sometime later, as the sun set, Mrs. Owen and Doctor Bloom left. Tim joined her on the steps. They sat
there in silence for a while.
Suddenly, their mother's raspy voice called out from the depths of the 2 room home. They both stood up
as if struck by lightning. “Tim? Maia?” she groaned.
“Yes, Mother?” they said. She looked up at her tall, sandy haired son. She looked up at her slim,
long-haired daughter.
“I need to speak to you.” she said.
“Were listening Ma.” Tim said, his brown eyes sparkling with tears.
“Around my neck there is a chain. It is a silver chain. Maia, take it off of me.” Maia obeyed. “This
chain will protect you. Whenever you see someone with a matching chain know that they can be trusted.
I only have one chain. This will be for you Maia. Tim, go get the old woman who lingers by the well.”
“Now?” he asked, surprised.
“Yes. Now. She and I need to speak. And tell her to bring another necklace with her.”
Tim stood up and took off. “Maia.” she said softly.
“Yes Mama?” Maia asked, her voice shaking.
“The world has not been kind to you and your brother.” she lifted herself up onto an elbow. She
lowered her voice. “But there is something you need to know.” Shivers ran down Maia’s arms and she sat up straighter.
“What is it Ma?”
“Your Father is alive.”
“What?” exclaimed Maia, “How do you know?”
“His Earth told me…”
“What is that supposed to mean? And besides, if he is alive, why are you so sick?”
“I am ill because I have been giving him my Water, and it has been draining me of energy.” her eyes
closed. “As he heals, I deteriorate.”
“Earth? Water? Ma, what are you saying?”
“Anna will explain it…”
“Who's Anna?”
“The woman who Tim is getting.”
As if on cue, they walked in. Anna glided towards the bed and spoke in low tones to Maia’s mother.
Maia came up to Tim and relayed her and her Mother's conversation. Tim looked uncomfortable.
“Listen Maia. I think Ma is losing her mind. We’ve all been told since we were young that she-” he
pointed at Anna, “is crazy. A lunatic. And now Ma asked me to bring her home?” he shook his head. “And what is this load of tosh about earth and water?” he looked into the eyes of his sister. “Mother is losing her mind to death.”
Maia glared at Tim. “That is not true Tim! When has Mama ever said anything less than sensible?”
“Maia-” but Anna interrupted them.
“Come here children.” Maia looked at Tim, and to her satisfaction saw his face red. He hated to be
called a child. My, he was 16! Maia was 14, but it didn't bother her. They were children after all.
“Your Mother's Element is leaving her. She is going to die. I am Anna. I am a Master of Air. I will now
be doing the ceremony all Masters go through as they exit the world. I will leave this house while you say
your goodbyes.” She turned to leave. “Oh, this is for you.” she said and handed an identical necklace to Maias to Tim. She left their home.
“Children. I am too weak to explain what these necklaces and strange words mean. I am sure you are
confused but listen to this. You will find Father. I know you will. But meanwhile stay together. Don't leave
each other’s sides. And remember, anyone with this necklace can be trusted. Those who wear this necklace
and are traitors will be backstabbed by their own powers. Tim and Maia, remember your Mother and Father
love you. You each have an important role to play in this world. I love you.”
Maia and Tim were openly sobbing. They kissed their mother and called Anna back in.
SO GOOD!