Solimar: The Sword of the Monarchs

Solimar runs to Doña Flor’s house ahead of the guards and tells the curandera what happened. Doña Flor explains that the Río Diablo is a faster way to Puerto Rivera than the mountain trail. Solimar can take Doña Flor’s small canoe down the river or carry it overland around the hazardous parts. Doña Flor gives Solimar a shirt, trousers, and a life vest made from kapok tree seeds, which will make Solimar unsinkable, but not unbreakable. Solimar must stay to the left when she reaches a wide expanse of water, and paddle ashore to avoid the waterfall. At the confluence of two rivers, she must go left to avoid an even more dangerous waterfall, and to reach the labyrinth of caves.

Frightened and uncertain, Solimar worries she will not know what to do, but she must try to save her family. Doña Flor advises Solimar to trust her intuition and her inner strength. Solimar has “something special deep inside [her]” that Doña Flor, the monarchs, Zarita, and Lázaro all sense (93). The sound of horses announces the arrival of Aveno’s soldiers, and Solimar hurries to find Doña Flor’s riverside boathouse.

Solimar finds the hut and Doña Flor’s small canoe. She hides her fancy quinceañera dress, feeling sad that she may never have the ceremony. Solimar hopes she is doing the right thing. She knows she must reach her father and brother. She paddles away, accompanied by Lázaro and Zarita. The river comes to a split that Doña Flor did not mention. Solimar doubts herself. Butterflies approach. Solimar holds out the rebozo and some butterflies emerge. Solimar hears ancient singing and the canoe moves to the right, following the butterflies. Solimar thanks the monarchs.

Solimar reaches the large lake and hears the waterfall ahead. She tries to paddle left to shore, but the current is too strong. The canoe is pulled to the edge. A wide net spans the river. The canoe slips under the net, goes over the waterfall, and crashes to pieces at the bottom. Solimar clutches the net as it is pulled ashore. There, a dark-haired boy, Rigoberto Ayala Bernal, or “Berto,” is overjoyed that the contraption of net and gears he calls “the Confiscator” has saved someone’s life. Berto is slightly older than Solimar. Solimar thanks him and pleads for help getting downriver. Berto agrees to listen but cautions that night is coming, and that they should talk somewhere safe.

Berto pulls on some ropes revealing a ladder leading to a boat-like platform built around the tree. The two ascend. The treehouse holds shelves for books that Berto pulled from the river. A second level holds a small kitchen area and partitioned space with a hammock mattress, all made from items Berto scavenged. Berto gives Solimar dry clothes. The two climb to a third platform shaped like a crow’s nest on a ship which looks out over the treetops. Berto calls it “the Crown.”

Berto points out his homeland, a distant valley between two mountains called Valle Granada, named for the pomegranates that are farmed there. Berto’s family still lives in the valley, which is unclaimed by the two neighboring kingdoms. Water is growing scarce in the valley, endangering the pomegranate crops and the peoples’ livelihood. Berto, a self-proclaimed “flume-ologist,” is investigating how to make a reservoir and channel water from the lake, sending it down through canals and flumes to his valley. Berto lacks resources but knows he must try because his family and homeland depend on him. Solimar understands how he feels.

Solimar reveals her royal heritage and the current conflict with King Aveno. She urges Berto to be open-minded, then tells him about the monarchs, her rebozo, and her magical gift. Berto believes she hit her head and is delusional. Lázaro’s royal leg band and the shimmery rebozo are not enough proof for Berto. He needs to check a fishing net, and Solimar, to ensure his help, uses magic to tell him exactly what he will find in his net. When Berto returns, he is convinced. Zarita, quiet until now, also proves alarmingly convincing. Solimar promises to use her royal influence to help Berto realize his reservoir and flume project if he helps her. Berto jumps at the opportunity to save his family, Solimar’s family, the oyamel forest, and the monarchs.

Berto and Solimar will leave in the morning. Their journey to Puerto Rivera will take two days by boat and one day by land. Berto makes a pair of practical river sandals for Solimar. She contrasts them wistfully with her silver quinceañera shoes, which she would now gladly wear if given the chance. Solimar feels the weight of her responsibilities.