A Breakthrough

Bard sat across from Sen, as Communication had instructed.

She had them share things about each other that they admired and then what they were bothered by. While they talked, she moved around then, working with the birds.

Sen shared how she appreciated how reliable and capable he could be. Bard countered that he hadn’t been that very much recently, and she countered that he had a tragedy occur. It was normal. Bard shared that he liked how considerate she was, and adaptable to their situation. Her ability to keep moving forward and pragmatic approach to conflict was very helpful.

He then shared that he found it frustrating when she would move about on her own pace, stalling or handling things so hastily. He clarified that it was likely because he was used to traveling on his own so much and setting his own pace, but she was such a mystery when it came to making important decisions. Sen pointed out that he didn’t voice his opinions or talk to her about these things, and that she found it frustrating that he seemed to be passive and observing everything. Their voices were growing louder as they continued.

Communication interjected herself into this conversation.

“It’s time to stop throwing rocks,” she said, and Sen bit her lip. “Sen, you want someone who will step up and take charge of the situation, something you feel like Bard doesn’t do. And Bard, you wish she would consult with you more before making a decision. As you pointed out, you have different backgrounds, so it's going to take some tuning to achieve harmony. But like the river, you both need to realize that changes to our nature take time and constant effort. And the stone that is you will take time to be polished and made smooth.”

Sen looked at the river for a while, and Bard took a few calming breaths. Sharing what bothered him about her, caused things to spiral quickly out of control. Was that her aim? To have them reach conflict quickly and then share about resolving that? He wasn’t sure he liked this.

“When we speak of what bothers us,” she said, “it is like stirring the riverbed. The water becomes cloudy, hiding what lies beneath. Let us keep the current clear.”

Her branches reached into the water, and she brought back a black stone. She placed it in-between them.

“This stone is the Voice. Whoever holds it may speak, but only in the spirit of peace. You may share what bothers you, but you must begin and end with kindness. And the one who listens must listen with the intention to understand, not to defend.”

“That’s…” Bard began but stopped.

“Hard…” Sen finished and they both looked to her.

Communication chuckled, easing a bit of the tension. “It can be, and it does take practice and commitment. If you feel the urge to defend yourself, it is the heart’s way of saying, ‘I wish to be seen as good.’ But when you defend yourself too quickly, you close the door to understanding.” She slid the rock to Sen.

“Keep in mind that the person before you had pledged their future with you.

Your words are like this stone. They can skip across the surface of the water, or they can sink deep. When you defend yourself without hearing fully, you skim the surface and miss what lies beneath. But when you pause and truly listen, you let the words sink. You may find truth in them, or you may find misunderstanding—but either way, you find connection.”

She shifted back as she shook off some of the water droplets. “And you, in sharing your trouble, do not aim the stone like a weapon. You place it gently in the water, letting it ripple outward. Speak not to wound, but to invite healing.” She moved behind Sen as she spoke.

“See how the river clears itself. Conflict can do the same if handled with care. When both of you have spoken, take a moment of silence. Let the water settle. Reflect on what was said, and then speak again—not to defend, but to build. Resolution is not about winning or being right. It is about understanding and choosing to walk forward together.”

Sen held the stone and then extended her hand. Bard held out his hand, and she handed the stone to him.

“You first. I want to understand you,” she said, and Bard paused as he closed his eyes. He appreciated that she had done that, but he felt he owed it to her to reword what he felt.

“I want you to know that I appreciate what you’ve done. The last few weeks have been hard,” he said as his hand tightened its grip around the stone. “And there are many times you have been a big help. I’ve also been overwhelmed by your choices. Forcing my hand into this pledge, forcing me into being the chief. Sometimes I feel like you like to see me suffer,” Bard said. Communication shifted and he remembered to end in kindness. “At the same time, you’re always there, standing by my side and helping me out.” He set the rock down and Sen waited a bit, before looking to communication. She hesitated when she grabbed the stone.

“I didn’t think I was forcing you, honest. With the pledge… I thought…” her gaze was cast down. “I thought if I didn’t do something, then my dad would kill you. I also thought you were someone worth saving, and I didn’t mind if I had to share the rest of my life with you. You were kind and your music was… it was so nice. You seemed to be the things I liked about my dad and my grandfather, without much of their flaws.” She said, and Bard noticed her tears. He gritted his teeth. “But… if you don’t want this, didn’t want this… I wish you had said so sooner. I can try to find a way out of this if you want.”

“Ack. No, Sen. That’s not… I just meant that I would have liked to hear about that before you acted. Sometimes it feels like the way you look at me… it’s like you see someone I don’t feel like… argh. What I mean is that sometimes you have these expectations that seem to be more than I can handle. It’s scary and frustrating, but… at the same time, you never leave me to figure it out on my own,” he grumbled. How had she thought he wanted to be out of this. That wasn’t what he meant. She looked at him with confusion, and her eyes were a bit wide as she looked at him with surprise.

“What?” she asked, and Bard slunk a bit. He wasn’t sure how to say this.

“Bard. You don’t think too highly of yourself.” Communication pointed out. He bit his lip.

“That’s not…” he paused and thought on it. Somehow, he had managed to lead a village of humans and had gathered others there. He helped the dryads that he had no connection with towards this place, and he had taken Sen along with him for the past couple hundred days, navigating to many Elders. It did sound like he was capable, so why did he think he couldn’t manage it?

“You think so too?” Sen asked and Bard frowned. He closed his eyes and took a steadying breath. He knew they both cared about him, but this felt like he was being ganged up on.

“Bard, remember how I explained that the words we say to ourselves show up in our lives? You seem to be saying you can’t handle things.”

“Well, I’m different, so I can’t do things like everyone else,” Bard answered and Sen’s eyes flew wide. “What?” he asked.

“Bard… it’s because you are different that you can do what no one else can. It’s the same for me and everyone else. Just because I grew up around others, and you didn’t, doesn’t mean you can’t do something or that you can do something,” she said. “You care about those around you. It’s like they become part of your forest and yet you hesitate to reach out and take care of them.”

Bard shook his head. What she said made sense, but surely it didn’t apply here. He just wasn’t like that. Sen looked on with worry.

“Now, Sen, this is a perfect example. If Bard were to keep leading and live with you, there is a high probability that he would sabotage himself.”

“I’ve seen that a few times,” Sen acknowledged, and Bard frowned. If he knew that he would be subjected to this, he wasn’t sure he would have come in with Sen.

“And Sen…” Communication said. Bard felt a slight tinge of relief. He hoped she would be getting the next round of ‘insights’ from the Elder tree. “You also have some things that are troublesome about what you said in response to him.”

“What?” Sen whined. Bard snickered but quickly stopped.

“I see now that I’m going to have to have you stay for longer than I expected.” Communication said.

“What?” Bard and Sen said at the same time.

“I can’t let you both go when you have problems like these. Though… I suppose I could shorten it in light of the pledge, but it’s going to be important for your futures. There is a lot to do, and a lot at stake. You’ll be dealing with shades, building a city, working through conflicts, and starting a family. If you were to do that while carrying these beliefs, then it most certainly won’t go well.”

“Why do you say that?” Sen asked a bit defiantly. Bard instantly knew what the answer was.

“Sen. I’m elder Communication. I hear a lot of what is going on outside my sanctuary, and I’ve watched nations and cities fall to ruin over problems like this. Even watched my dryads destroy themselves. Some came to me a long time ago, seeking help to solve these problems, and while I helped them, their circumstances didn’t change so they returned to their old habits. It’ll be imperative that you two do this as a team.”

“Oh,” was all Sen had to say to that.

Communication began to guide them through some of the originating thoughts that lead to their beliefs. Having Father Tree say that Bard wasn’t good at singing and then changing it to playing instruments had led to some thoughts about how he was different when he visited Life and her Dryads. This was later reinforced when he was with the Catfolk and met other humans. Sen seemed thoughtful as she watched Bard.

She had issues when her mother didn’t return. She was abandoned by her father and grandfather and left to be on her own until they started to teach her to become a leader like her mother before her. While she understood now that her dad hadn’t abandoned her and the same for her mother, she was still repeating those thoughts she had as a child. She figured that because she was too much, it drove people away. Bard realized he had basically said that to her and began to see that while he had asked for her to include him, she had heard that she was too much. He wasn’t sure how to avoid conversations that could be interpreted like that.

Communication had them revisit their memories and asked them to bring someone who wasn’t present but could offer clarity to the older version of themselves. She had them imagine this being was there and able to explain things differently.

After that, she had them teach each other what they had learned and then had them try the conversation again.

This time, Bard explained how much it would mean to him to be included in her adventures. He had some insights that could make it better, or had some things he wanted to take care of first. Sen appreciated that explanation and shared that she wanted them to be working together more. She appreciated his wisdom and since she had seen what it took to get full tokens, she appreciated it even more now than when they first met.

The conversation went much more smoothly, though Bard still felt inadequate and Sen was still worried about trampling over others and driving them away.

When they asked Communication about it, she laughed.

“It won’t always be solved overnight. You’ve had years practicing what you believed about yourself. You’ve grown bulbs with layers surrounding themselves.” She likened it to the boulders in the stone forest. Inside were beautiful gems but getting there were layers that they had to break through. The outside was plain and could tumble and break things if it rolled, but with a bit of help the precious gems inside could be removed and shared with everyone, including themselves.

Bard and Sen appreciated her insights and realized the suns were setting when Sen’s stomach growled.

“Is it that late already?” Bard teased.

“I guess so,” Sen remarked as they moved to cook dinner.

They stayed for a few weeks as they worked through other things that they hadn’t realized were bothering them. Communication guided them several times through breaking through the layers.

“Good communication comes when we are whole, not cocooned and hidden behind layers. Though, not everyone will be whole, so it’s important to ask open questions and keep the water clear. Practice often, and make sure that you do not throw your words like stones,” she said calmly in the afternoon. Sen was given a token before heading to bed. “Just make sure to keep those communication ways open and flowing. Keep them clean as well.”

Bard thought about the conversations she had told him to have with Sen and shook his head. It was late, and they could have those conversations later.