"Whose praise is sang
Throughout the vines…"
The soft sounds of voice and guitar stirred Ava from her sleep. Over by the balcony sat Cree, softly tuning her guitar. The bangs that covered her eyes were pinned back. Ava crept from her bed and stood where the room met the balcony. Cree did not seem to notice she had an audience
"Heard from the mountain
No matter the climb…"
"Ocean to desert,
Tundra to pine…"
A wrong note.
She flexed her fingers and adjusted how she sat. After a deep sigh she began again. When Cree turned to adjust her guitar, she spotted Ava out of the corner of her eye and jolted, clutching her guitar. The sudden movement made Ava clutch the doorframe for support, a hand over her heart.
"I'm so sorry, but I didn't want to ruin your focus," she claimed, "That was more of the song, right? Are you nervous?"
"It was the ending, yes, and terribly. It's my own original work. I've played in front of the village before, but this feels different than those times. It's like my heart wants to run out of my chest, you know?"
"Oh, I know. Speaking in front of a crowd had to become my specialty."
"Do you often hold speeches?"
"Shareholder meetings for the airliner, but that's neither here nor there," she chuckled, "One learns to speak with their chest with practice."
Cree smiled and went back to tuning her guitar. The precise plucks of her finger continued on for a while before striking another wrong note. She muttered to herself and began again.
"This only ever happens when I'm nervous. Every other day I can play this song with no problems. I can even…"
The melody folded in on itself. For every regular note, Cree played three more in the same beat. Her fingers wisped with strands of resonance before another error in her fingers. She groaned and started once more with the simplified melody.
"May I offer you some advice, Cree?"
"Please."
Ava's eyes lit up with delight. For once, she would be the teacher on this journey. She instructed Cree to mimic her posture.
Straightened back.
Hands placed in her lap.
The chin, ever so slightly raised.
"This seems a little high society, Ava." giggled Cree.
"That's what I thought too. I learned this from the ship's head chef when I was a little girl. Eyes shut. Now, inhale–"
On Ava's command, they exhaled in unison.
"Do you practice affirmations, Cree?"
She shook her head.
"Repeat after me: Confidence. Ability. Radiance. Bring the head down when ready, and then, only then, do you open your eyes."
She did as she was instructed. Several times they chanted the mantra before Ava asked Cree to pick up her guitar and play. Before the first note was struck, she told Cree to do the same ritual, now standing up, before she played.
Straightened back.
Hands now rested on her beginning notes.
The chin, once more slightly raised.
Cree mouthed the affirmations several times. Then, she mouthed them several times more. After a minute of repetitions, she finally brought her head down and exhaled. Ava saw her fingers tremble in anticipation, but slowly–and surely–they fell still. It was then, and only then, Cree opened her eyes and played.
From start to finish, not one mistake did she make. She did not sing the lyrics to the song, focusing only on the melodies and counter melodies therein. Ava found herself lost in the speed at which she played, and with such precision.
Ava applauded, remaining in her posh posture. Cree gave an equally elegant bow and beamed ear to ear. Ava instructed Cree to do this exercise as often as she liked, for Ava had found much success in it herself.
After placing Vae snugly around her neck, Ava went on into the rest of her morning. A lavish breakfast had been prepared, to be paid, of course, after returning to Strohl. The outfits she ordered from the day before had been mostly finished. Her favorite piece being the shorts with reinforced stitches on the outside. A top that opened wider on the bottom, allowing air to nip at the ends.
It was not until lunch that her escorts joined her. Cree had long since left, having to prepare her own attire for the festivities later that night. They all sat around a table taking turns picking at the pieces of roasted meat, fruit, and vegetables on a large platter. They did not go into detail about their whereabouts or the conversations that happened yesterday, despite Ava's prodding.
"Nothing, really," said Ava between mouthfuls, "Oh this is so good–just removing stitches! See?"
She pulled up her shirt to reveal a freshly mended torso. The outline of the scar was all that remained. Travlack did the same. He, too, was freshly healed from their treatments this morning.
"Boshy and I were there for moral support," smiled Jay, "I see you've been quite happy on your own, Ava."
"Quite! Look at this!"
She stood and displayed her new outfit for all to see. After a spin she sat down and detailed all the fun she had been having without them.
"Are you all as excited as I am for the festival?"
The warmth around the table dropped noticeably. Nathaniel instinctively reached for his glasses but instead stuffed his mouth with a vegetable to keep from talking. Chrissy followed suit, followed by Jay, and finally Travlack. All of them claimed that their excitement was only seconded by their hunger. Ava watched their pupils flicker to one another in rapid movements, suspicious of their demeanor.
"So excited!" coughed Chrissy, "Can't wait. I could wait a little–but only because of this food! Nathaniel, have you tried this? Really good."
"Will you all be joining me?"
"I think I speak for everybody that we'll be there for the first half of the festival," Jay said, "After that, Travlack and Chrissy have to rest. Doctor's orders. Nathaniel will probably turn in because he has to plan our route back. Isn't that right?"
A staggered agreement made its way around the table. Despite their reasoning, she could surmise there was something they were not disclosing to her. Perhaps their injuries were not as healed as they seemed. She decided she would pull each of them aside later and find answers then.
Lunch soon was over, and Jay once again escorted Ava to the city center. She noticed a heavier guard presence than there was yesterday. Perhaps it was to give the crew, who were assembling the stage, room to work. The rest of the stall booths had gone up as well, with a variety of goods local and foreign on display.
The seamstress who put together Ava's ensemble was just as busy as the day before. She called for an assistant to come and finish one piece while she worked on the next. The smells of fresh bread and pastries filling the air made Ava frustrated she had not saved any room for them after lunch. It was not long until other outsiders, though not many, stumbled into sight.
"There's usually a decent showing of them," said Jay, reclining in a chair, "Great for business, despite their unease at seeing so many in their natural state."
"Jay, if you weren't a capridae, what would you be?"
"A capridae. Every day of the week."
"Why is that?"
"Because they know when to work, and most importantly, when to relax. There's a time for everything, but they find the time for everything. Never rushing. Never late."
Jay scanned the crowd and smiled.
"Just right where I need to be. What about you?"
Ava scoffed and listed off every animal they had come by. She marveled at the speed of the rapid skewers, praising their agile flight. The mantises that hid in plain sight being beautiful and dangerous in equal measure. She wondered of the grand striders they witnessed leap into the air and glide off into the vast distances.
What about the soft glow of the argias? Would she be just as wispy upon the wind as they were? To be dainty and resplendent seemed like more of a danger than a blessing. Especially after remembering Neville's rampage over the remnants of Voria.
She thought of Neville and his appetite. Would she share his penchant for salmon and argias? Would she lack his manners as well?
Vae made herself known from around Ava's neck with a chirp. Ava pondered, if she were a serpifeli, how large she may grow if she overindulged.
"Like the one from the beginning of the trip?" asked Jay, "Out east I hear there's a clan of them who use trees as scratching posts. They're huge!"
"Oh now I've got to see," she sighed, "I still haven't picked the next region. Maybe Vae seeing some of her cousins would be fun."
Jay inquired as to what the contenders for the next part of her journey are. She ran down the list of what she liked–and didn't–about each of her options.
The desert, as beautiful and serene as she read it to be, was scorching hot. Out there, rampaging the dunes, were herds of kurash cubs. The problem was not the animal itself, but who they often carried while riding. The Kurashi-Van Pale Raiders had given her trouble before in her trips to the kingdoms there, and she was not eager to meet them once more.
The peaks of the north were especially beautiful to fly over. Each time she soared over them from The Sincerity she wondered how the view looked from atop their craggy surfaces. The only problem? Her fear of falling from such a height. She read once the path to the top was littered with the bodies of very confident people.
To the south lay the diverse ecosystem of marshes and swamps. Despite her pampered exterior, Ava could not ever deny her joy of splashing in shallow water. What had put her off? A photo of the giant gecko with its eyes bulging and mouth agape, said to stalk through the waters.
The east, as Jay said, had the tallest trees known anywhere. So tall, in fact, that Ava once commanded her ship to fly just low enough for her to touch the very tops of them. Ecosystems escalated, as the interconnected trees formed their own floors. Nothing immediately scared her about the east. Perhaps that would be the best option.
She could always request they visit the sky continent, but that would not count as an adventure. Ava grew up there. Her request would be akin to returning to a backyard after being offered a trip to the next town over. She would save that for last, perhaps, as she was in no rush to return home.
She settled on the east, then. Something to expand her horizons within the confines of her comfort. Maybe Vae could partake in scratching at the trees instead of the curtains she used to terrorize in Ava's chambers. She had just replaced them for the third time before the trip.
Some habits, it seemed, were harder to break than others.
The festival officially started with the call of the horns at sunset. Ava felt their deep rumblings in her body, for these were not brass but of bone. Bellowing, carved, and ornate horns propped up upon podiums–three in total. She felt the energy in the air rise with each repeated call. More and more residents came out in droves, responding to their sound.
With the crowd came Chrissy, Nathaniel, and Travlack. All of whom Jay spotted, being head and shoulders above most in the square. Each of them wore decorations of the festival in varied amounts over their work clothes.
Travlack wore a simple bandana over his head, covering his hair. He had cut out spots for his ears to pop through.
Nathaniel took it a step further and in addition to the bandana wore a simple beaded necklace.
Neither could hold a candle to Chrissy, who emerged with dangling beads and pearls woven into a crown around her head. They matched the same ring of beads around her hips and on Neville's head.
Another sound accompanied the horns. In front of the horns were musicians, Cree being one of them, playing a lofty tune. Head to toe in pearls and decorative cloth patterns, Cree swayed with the other musicians to each strike of the drum.
"This is their warmup!" shouted Jay, over the music.
The crowd did not seem to care. Mirroring the band's movements, a wave of motion spread throughout Cavargi. The band dropped in volume when a man, whose exterior was quite shaggy, stepped up onto the stage. Ava heard whispers of someone called the councilman, and deduced that is what he must be.
"It is not only my responsibility, but my joy…and my honor to be with you today. Every year we gather for the same occasion, but yet, every year feels more jubilant than the last. With each passing year we remember Theri–"
"Blessed is He," joined the crowd, startling Ava "First of His kind."
"–and his teachings. His words."
The councilman continued to orate as Jay leaned in.
"Forgot to tell you, anytime someone says his name, you have to say the rest of it."
"You all did it so quickly," whispered Ava, "Every time?"
"Every time."
Someone came up from behind him and whispered something into his ear. He leaned over and rolled his eyes. After a sharp nod, the interloper left the stage just as fast as they had come.
"My work never ceases, ladies and gentlemen," laughed the councilman, "As you know, citizens, we often have outsiders join us for this celebration. Welcome them, as you always have, with open wings, hooves, and claws. Whatever trouble you had to endure to be here–or brought with you–"
Out of the corner of her eye, Ava saw her escorts look away.
"–leave it where it belongs: outside this hallowed space. Tonight, you exist in this space. You exist within Cavargi. Enjoy the festival!"
A rupture of cheer began as the band struck in full sound. Food stalls and markets opened with festival specific treats and oddities. With each stomach in Cavargi properly satiated, the plays began.
Reenactments of the words and deeds of Theri ran on without end. Between one play and before the next, Travlack disappeared from her sight. She figured he too was enjoying the festival in his own way.
Next came the readings of poetry. Stanza after stanza devoted to the beauty, grace, and powerful wills Therians possessed. Recounting each trait shared with an animal is another blessing from Theri given, in trust, of bearing fruit for others.
Nathaniel now was nowhere to be found. Then again, rationalized Ava, his quiet demeanor may not be suited for crowds. Perhaps he was with Travlack watching from a distance.
Finally, the songs. Some sang without instruments, others sang with a minor accompaniment. There were even a few who simply played with no voice joining them. Each passing along their message into the crowd with their talent.
Jay excused himself, claiming he was going to catch up with a friend of his. He urged, rather strongly, that Ava stay there and enjoy the festival. Unsure for a moment, she agreed and watched him disappear into the crowd. He gave one look to her, a quick nod, before he was gone.
Now Chrissy remained, scanning the crowd between songs.
"Is everything alright?" Ava asked, "Where are the others?"
"Around, I'm sure. I'm just…taking it all in. The festival and such."
For someone experiencing the culture, Chrissy looked everywhere but the stage. Ava remained curious as to her true motivation while focusing on the performers. When their song ended, the music leader approached the stage. She stepped with a soft grace, her lengthy feathers trailing behind her.
"Now, a treat for you all. One of our talented young musicians has composed an original piece. You may have heard us play it, and for those that know the words feel free to sing. This will be the first time we perform it all as one. On the leading guitar and vocals for her own song, Creedence Koffman."
Cree entered onto the stage with all the grace she could muster. She shook the music leader's hand and waited for each member of the band to take their place, looking to her for a signal.
She searched the crowd, smiling softly when her eyes had spotted Ava.
Cree nodded and closed her eyes. Despite being across the square, together, they ran through the routine taught to her this morning.
A deep breath.
A straightened back.
Hands placed intentionally on a string.
The chin, slightly raised.
"Confidence. Ability. Radiance," they mouthed once.
Ava opened her eyes to see Cree's closed. Her fingers moved on her own playing the introduction to the song with plucked harmonies. She repeated the pattern with the drums playing a slow and steady beat.
"Rupture-borne king,
Herald divine,
Blessed is He,
First of His Kind
Form above form
Fin, fur and wing
Shape beyond shape
Of all living things
Shepherd, teacher
Guardian mine
Blessed is He,
First of His Kind…"
Horns and strings forced themselves to be known. The crowd too had started to pick up when the drums increased their intensity. Ava turned to Chrissy to share a reaction between verses, but her eyes remained elsewhere.
"Rupture, O rupture
What did you find?
Blessed is He,
First of His Kind
Who raised the land
With power unbound
Who planted the tree
Where fruits may be found
O, sing my soul
Give us a sign,
Blessed is He,
First of His Kind!"
Those that knew the words made themselves known. The moment the music leader raised her hands into the sky, the band increased in volume. Everything from their bodies poured into the sounds of the instruments.
Chrissy moved.
From the corner of her eye Chrissy moved into the crowd. Ava, curious, followed the best she could. She called for Chrissy, unable to hear her own voice between the thundering echo of the drums. Ava found it hard to keep up between the jostling of passerbys and her assurance that Vae's tail had not snagged onto anything.
"Rejoice my souls,
Stand still in line,
Blessed is He,
First of His Kind,"
The further away they moved from the festival, the less Ava could make out. The drums, their force still felt, started to fade gradually.
"...As He did before…
…As our world tore…"
The distance between them grew further. Ava saw Chrissy nod in a direction and quicken her pace. Further from the square, Ava's pace developed into a jog to maneuver between the stragglers. Rounding a corner, she saw the flash of hooks headed for the edge of town. Ava adjusted Vae around her neck and kept her pace.
"Both of my souls…
…forever entwined…"
Loose pearls in the dirt caught Ava's eye. Then another. Footsteps in the mud made it clear where Chrissy had run off to. Standing at the edge of the forest, the echo of the drums were the only remnants of the song she could hear.
Where had they all run off to?
The lights of Cavargi stretched her shadow into the trees. She held there for a moment, remembering what Jay told her. Nathaniel and Travlack's sudden disappearance replayed in her mind. Her curiosity became ravenous. Before mantis territory, they confirmed that they hid things from Ava.
How was she to trust them across continents if they left her in the dark at festivals?
A step.
Then another.
The light of the moon illuminated the grooves of boots in the dirt.
"Keep a lookout, Vae."
She walked longer than she hoped she would have to. Ava moved at a cautious pace, hoping her escorts were just around the next tree. What could have caused them to vacate the festival without so much a word?
Her fingers moved on their own, snapping incessantly to grant a source of light. Despite her practice, Ava's fingers still were not able to produce anything but a spark. Each small flicker of light briefly lit her surroundings.
"Come on…come on…"
She became so focused on her attempts that by the time she did not realize she deviated from Chrissy's tracks. Finally, a small steady flame appeared where her thumb and index finger met. The next moment, it extinguished itself. She froze in her steps.
"Vae!", she whispered loudly, "Did you see that?!"
Another batch of attempts. After another minute, the flame appeared again. She held it up only to realize she was lost. A brush with the wind put her flame out, leaving her in the darkness once more.
Frustrated, another series of attempts produced the small flame again. This time she hunched over the small flame, protecting it from the breeze.
"Okay, Ava, just find the footprints…"
She shuffled through the forest. Periodically, she bent down on a knee to scan the ground for any trace of Chrissy or the others. A while passed without a lead. Weary and losing hope, she leaned against a tree. Her boots sank slightly in the damp ground at the base.
Vae's ears perked up. She started to mew incessantly as if warning Ava.
She felt a drop land on her head. Without thinking, she dabbed a finger onto the drop to inspect it.
"Is it the rain, Vae? I know you don't like the–"
Red.
She shoved herself off the tree and snapped her head upwards. A mass of shadow held itself stable in the branches.
A feather fell in the light of the moon.
Verdant.
With blood tipped on the end.
The clump of black had noticed her thanks to Vae, whose soft noises had turned into a full hiss. With a raspy breath, it dropped from the tree, barely managing to land. Ava snapped in desperation, trying to understand what was picking itself up from the ground.
In the dim light of her hand she saw the same face from Marlowe's cabin. A man amassed in bright feathers drenched in blood.
"...you…," Lanon growled, struggling to stand.
His breathing became sporadic and heavy. For every step he took forward, Ava took three steps back, struggling to turn away from the sight of feathers crawling from his skin and into the stream of blood that followed his every move.
His hands tore into his head. He flung his hands forward, the blood from his arms speckling Ava's. He screamed in pain with each wild movement, sinking to his knees.
"...food…"
Ava took off.
The violent hum of feathers lost volume as she broke through a branch.
Then it came back.
Ava turned to see Lanon lunging at her with blinding speed. She barely managed to hit the ground before his hands took the space where her head had been. Scrambling up, she ran in the opposite direction, screaming in the dark.
It was back.
That face she tried to forget.
The same face now hunted her.