This story was written for the 2025 April A to Z Blog Challenge. Twenty-six words, one for each letter of the alphabet, were pre-selected by a random word generator (MacChatGPT) and were included for each section of the appropriate letter in the Challenge. The chosen word is highlighted within the text. To start the story from the beginning, go to https://www.hdhstory.net/Storyblog/?p=4443.
When last we met in Part 18 – River:
As Alondria attempts to cross the dangerous Wiser River, she loses her footing and would have drowned without Rowan’s intervention. To comfort her, Rowan sings a lullaby that his mother used to sing to him. Alondria recognizes the tune. Both share what they have learned about Alondria’s upbringing and agree that there is much for them to do.
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Destiny Part 19 (strong)
Alondria said, “The old woman, Lidea, told me that I should use my true name, Alondria, for it has power and would gain support.”
Rowan reacted, “I will call you that if you wish; however, you will still be Adriana to me.”
“You saved my life. You can call me Adriana. I’d like that. But, for now, we must focus on our task, so I request, when in public, call me Alondria or Princess.”
“As you wish,” Rowan responded. “Our first task should be to meet with and gather as many supporters as possible.”
“I agree,” she concurred. ”We need some way to identify friends and supporters after they join us. A signal, perhaps? Do you think others might know the song your mother sang to you?”
“I’m guessing many of them do. If they don’t, we can at least teach them the tune. Good idea, we can use that.”
Alondria nodded yes, and after a moment’s thought said, “I have an idea that might work also. Lidea said that one of my blue flowers can learn a tune, and I can send it out so that only those I want to hear it do. We can also use the tune to contact all those with us at the same time.”
She took out the correct flower and held it up. “I’m not sure how this works.”
Rowan said, “Just say ‘Learn’, and I’ll sing the song.”
“Learn,” Alondria said, holding the flower before Rowan, who sang his song.
When that had been completed, Rowan told her to say in her mind, while the flower was still being held, “Play for Rowan.”
She did that and didn’t have to wait long for Rowan to smile and say that he heard the tune, not his words or voice.
“But how do we identify many people who need to receive the tune when I need to send it? I won’t know everyone’s name; even if I did, it would take a long time to communicate to all their names. I don’t think I can do it.”
Rowan put both hands on her shoulders and stared deeply into her eyes. “Be strong, you have it in you, and you will be able to do it; I believe in you. Use a code word to represent the group. Adriana is not a name that I’ve ever heard in this land until I met you. Let that be the code used by the flower to communicate; that way, as people learn of you and wish to join your fight, they should say, ‘Call me Adriana, ’ which should put them in the group.
Let’s try it.” Rowan said aloud, “Call me Adriana.” Then, went out of Alondria’s view.
Alondria waited till he was gone and thought, ‘Play for Adriana who is by the river Wiser.’
Within seconds, Rowan came sauntering back, humming his lullaby. They had been successful.
Now it was time to find others.
To be continued in T – Travel
