Many of the people of Gywera gasped; most were astounded. Tehl’toma was thought to have vanished from the oceans. To have seen one was indeed a miracle.
“Our seas… are dying,” Bya-Iam stated matter-of-factly. “Our food is dying, and sooner rather than later, we are going to start dying if we keep going as we are.”
“What would you have us do, Bya-Iam?” Bya-Jossi asked.
“It is no small feat, but I think now is the time that we move on from our place upon the Emerald Sea,” Bya-Iam said. “Gywera has floated upon these sacred waters for decades, but it is time we sent her sailing once again, or else we will die upon our homeseas. All of us. It is not getting any better here. We must sail south. We cannot wait any longer.”
Bya-Jossi stood up in agreement, addressing the nervous crowd. “Friends and family, do not despair. Other clans are making the same decision as we speak. I believe Bya-Iam is suggesting the only reasonable route we have left.”
Bya-Qwara shot up angrily, shaking his head from side to side. He was the youngest Bya of the seven and known for his hot-headedness.
“Next you will be suggesting we trade and share fish with the landwalkers like some of the other clans!” Bya-Qwara shouted.
Some villagers, including Paku’s crewmates, shouted from the crowd with raised fists. Gywera’s independence was very important to its people; it always had been.
“Our clan has always prided itself on its solitude,” Bya-Iam rebutted.
“If we leave our homeseas, where will it end?” Bya-Qwara said.
“I am not suggesting we give up all of our customs, brother. I am only giving the people a way out of the dilemma we are facing.”
Bya-Qwara shrugged. “We need not worry! We only need to seek out new fishing grounds to replenish our stocks.”
“Don’t you get it?!” Bya-Iam shouted. The raised voice came out of nowhere, stunning everyone else into silence. “There are no more fishing grounds! We have exhausted all of our options.”
Bya-Qwara snorted. “Do you all attest to this nonsense?”
Qwara gestured to the other elders. Jossi and a few others nodded, others were not so sure. The dispute was becoming heated; the tension emanated out into the vocal crowd.
“Iam would have us abandon our sacred place on the seas. Our home for half a century!”
As Bya-Qwara continued ranting, Paku noticed Bya-Iam staring up into the blue skies above. He seemed to be transfixed by the crimson star, the one Paku had taken as a sign from Yunafa herself.
What was he thinking?
Bya-Iam cut Qwara off mid-sentence with a voice that boomed with both charisma and knowledge. “When our world was ravaged by the Great Flood, our people were some of the only ones to survive in the whole world. Why? How did we survive?”
Bya-Iam gestured to the crowd, awaiting an answer. Paku waited intently. When no response came, he continued speaking.
“We adapted… when the landwalkers refused. We got our feet wet. We lashed our crafts together and we tamed the very seas.”
Paku was mesmerised by the man’s tone, as people from the crowd began to clap and holler.
“Are we not nomads?” Bya-Iam looked out to his people as their opinions began to shift. He repeated the question. “Are we not nomads? It is within our blood to change and grow. Just like the waves, we can overcome any obstacle. But, and I do not say this with any sort of joy, I am adamant that we are all going to starve if we do not act on this day.”
Paku clapped in support of the elder. Bya-Qwara, his argument having unravelled, sat back down, disgruntled.
“We are Gywera, and we must adapt if we want to survive.”
The crowd became a symphony of applause and supportive shouting. The other Byas stood up one by one in agreement with open palms to Iam.
“However, I do not believe that this decision should be left up to just us seven,” Bya-Iam said, referring to the elders. “This decision affects us all, from this day onwards. As such, in what is normally a decision for the seven Byas, I move to include every single man, woman and child of Gywera in the vote of how our village will proceed with the coming doom.”
Paku was stunned. No Bya had ever said such words before to their people. The crowd, too, were shocked. Most looked to each other in disbelief.
Had he really said that?
Old man Bya-Dera cleared his throat before addressing the statement. “Bya-Iam, it is our responsibility to navigate rough seas for our clan as leaders and representatives. What you are suggesting-”
“Is quite unconventional, yes,” Bya-Iam said. “But so are the times we live in. This decision affects us all… shouldn’t we all have a say, then?”
The people clapped once again in favour of Bya-Iam’s eccentric request.
“This is ridiculous!” Bya-Qwara protested, but he was drowned out by the crowd’s backing to which he promptly shut his mouth.
All seven of the elders, even Bya-Qwara despite having his doubts, eventually stood up to vote for the motion.
It was decided, then.
Bya-Iam looked out to his people. “All who believe it is time to set sail for the southern seas, please raise your hand.”
A huge majority of the crowd, Paku included, raised their arms high in a massive show of support. Some appeared apprehensive, while others were certain of their decision.
Bya-Iam smiled and nodded- he had convinced his people successfully. A clear bulk of the village thought that their time upon the Emerald Sea had come to an end.
“Very well,” Bya-Iam said. “The time has come. We shall begin preparations at once. Our village will again sail like it once did. Gywera will take us to a new home under Yunafa’s guiding hands.”
Paku returned to his nuna with an air of excitement and anticipation.
