I Just Want To Be Average

"The Hyngraves were once mountains. But they're so old, they've lost so much to erosion by the elements, they're just tall hills now. If there's a reason they're still called mountains, blame it on the Nashi," Jerry introduced as the Hyngraves appeared as the end of the road.

"I need a break," Pratt said, pulling over.

"Tired?" Dia asked.

Pratt shrugged. He began walking l.a.p.s around the car. Jerry had us roll down the windows and continued.

"It's not exactly our subject, but it becomes necessary in our field of study. The ecology, the geological roots, the astronomy of the time, all the real sciences prove essential. Let's see how, shall we?"

"Sure," the twins said together.

I knew right then, I was in for a show.

"Why did the Nashi climb the Hyngraves?" Dia began.

"Nashi sprouted a few decades after the fall of Vyaraishi," Pratt picked up. "So, it is a logical question, was there a connection?"

"And if there was, then would that make Nashi a child of the terrible war?"

"Or, if the connection was something else, then would that mean the Nashi was a child of desertion. If so, what was the cause?"

"More importantly, if all of that was true, if the Nashi were truly Vyaraishi, how did people of central flatlands find home on the peaks of the Hyngraves?"

"What could have happened? And how great could the impact of that something be? So, how scarred were the Nashi?"

It was finally Jerry's turn.

"All of that leads to the critical question," he said with a deep smile. "The differences between Nashi and Vyaraishi, how much were they deliberate, resulting from the Nashi trying to put the past behind, and how much was true enlightenment, which the Nashi stressed much more upon than the Vyaraishi."

"Where does astronomy figure?" I asked.

Jerry answered.

"The Vyaraishi placed great importance on the heavens. The sun and the stars told them of the past as well as the tomorrow. Astrology was a guiding light. The Nashi loved the clouds and the skies, but to them the heavens were beautiful paintings to admire. They were too dreamy to direct any effort at studying the heavens."

"You'll see as we drive up," Pratt said, as he returned behind the wheel.

And I did see.

The road that was mostly straight along the flatlands, began winding as it climbed the Hyngraves. It was like a serpent coiled around the mountains. As we climbed higher, the outside began to truly change. The clouds were so much nearer, so much fuller and so much more beautiful. I could see the voices of the Nashi in the air.

Dia smiled at me, as if she could see into my head. Jerry and Pratt were concentrating on the road. There wasn't any traffic, but Pratt said they had to be much more attentive and careful on the mountains.

Before long, we were driving through the outer skirts of the forests of Hyngraves. And Jerry was speaking again.

"The forests are called the forests of Hyngraves. Because there is no mention of them anywhere in the Nashi. That is very strange, because the trees are old enough to precede the Nashi. The forest clearly stood back then, even if it wasn't as encompassing as it is now. Why then do the Nashi seem blind to it?"

"Don't worry," Dia said to me. "We have the answers. At Pharaohs'. You'll see them in a while. Just enjoy the drive for now."

"We're early," Pratt said. "The rains are yet to come. When they arrive, we'll drive back. It's a difficult drive, but the spectacle is worth it. The forest is filled with the sound of the rain from above and the innumerable streams flowing below. The colours pop out. Only then do you realise that you're looking at many, many more shades than you are actually seeing. You need the perfect light to fully see. And of course, most important, the animals put on quite the show. Lining up alongside the streams. It's truly spectacular."

"And don't forget the smell," Dia cut in.

"Yes," Pratt agreed. "The scent. It's so delightful. It's the most beautiful feature. I promise you, you've never smelled anything better, ever."

"The Hyngraves are a protected region," Jerry explained.

And I understood.

"Because of the Nashi?" I asked.

"Not just the Nashi," Jerry answered. "Because of Fuikasha. Because of the pull of the society. Because of the agreement Sairah signed with the Fuikasha. Because of the discovery of some really ancient species. Because of some truly mysterious ecological micro-spheres discovered within the forest. Many reasons. All together form a complete protection."

"Also," Dia added. "Pharaohs'."

"Yes, Pharaohs'," Pratt agreed.

I wasn't sure I understood.

Jerry shook his head and explained.

"Pharaohs' has a lot of powerful patrons and sponsors. Simply put, politics."

"Oh," I exclaimed with understanding.

That I certainly understood. Politics.

And we fell silent. I knew from Dia's face that we were almost there. I could see the longing and the fondness in her eyes. She truly loved Pharaohs'. That made me want to see it all the more. Just how amazing was Pharaohs'. Just how amazing a person was Dinah Pharaohs.

My first sighting of Pharaohs' was the top, a rectangular structure standing taller than the trees. The more ordinary it appeared, the less so it seemed.

As I caught glimpses of white from in between the trees, I wondered if right now, I looked the same as Dia.