by Forthright
Hisoka said, “This is Boonmar-fen Elderbough, son of Spokesperson Adoona-soh Elderbough.”
The wolf touched his fingers to his forehead, as if tipping a hat.
“Juuyu Farroost is elder brother to Spokesperson Suuzu Farroost.”
The phoenix’s orange eyes locked with Ash’s, and he offered a small bow and a low warble of sound that sent a thrill up Ash’s spine. He arched his wings into a hospitable curve, which Juuyu accepted with a dip of his head.
“Sinder Stonecairne is … well. You may recall a display of dragons on the day of Kimiko’s first televised kiss? Sinder was the green opposite Lapis.”
The dragon offered a cheery wave.
Argent indicated the remaining member in their lineup. “And that is Jacques. He has his uses.”
The man flushed as if he’d been paid a great compliment.
Hisoka rapped his staff twice more against the ground at his feet. “You called for help, and we are here. We seven share the same vow. You shall have our guidance, our protection, and whatever resources you need. Never fear to ask. Our answer will always be yes.”
“And this,” continued Argent, whisking the drape from atop the barrel. “Shall signify the height, depth, and breadth of our resolve.”
Jiminy gasped. Eyes wide, he gesticulated wordlessly, babbling in the manner of wolves. He looked rather like a cub, wriggling on the verge of incontinence.
“Tsk. Have you something to say, Kourogi-kun?”
He clapped a hand over his mouth.
Argent rolled his eyes. “That was an invitation for you to display your superior knowledge.”
“By all the stars who ever sang,” Jiminy said with obvious reverence. “It’s pink.”
“Oh, well-spotted,” Argent drawled. “Thank you for clarifying that for all assembled.”
Tami raised her hand. “I see a little pink, but most of the block is clear.”
“We still call it a pink. That hint of color at the center is stronger than a triple-shot espresso to the system.” Jiminy warmed to his topic, talking fast. “The essence of this stone, the power it contains, has been pulled in tight, condensed, and multiplied. Any remnant of this size would make a serviceable anchor, but this is ridiculously strong. Size. Clarity. Color. If this rock was a reaver, it’d be a beacon.”
Sinder spoke up. “You are in the presence of the Orchid Saddle.”
Jiminy broke ranks, pushing right into the dragon’s personal space. Hand brushing urgently at Sinder’s, he asked, “One of the Four Gentlemen? First-sensei mentioned them in passing, and I looked for more information. But I only found one reference, barely a fragment of a story.”
The dragon begged, “Don’t ask.”
Jiminy blinked and closed his mouth.
Juuyu reached across and biffed Sinder across the back of his head.
“It doesn’t look like a saddle.” Kip casually picked the rock up and eyed its angles. “Not even close.”
“Have a care.” Hisoka quickly retrieved the stone, returning it to the cask. “The term is largely figurative.”
“What’s it supposed to do?” asked Tami.
Juuyu answered. “Harness the wind.”
“Kind of like how Pecos Bill saddled a cyclone?” asked Kip. At the various blank looks he received from the Amaranthine contingent, he folded his arms. “American tall tale. It’s legit lore, only a little newer.”
Argent sighed. “Setting aside the assorted fables, this crystal is Twineshaft’s gift to this enclave and its ward, in token of his attainment.”
Jiminy swayed. “Yours, Sensei?”
Hisoka shook his head. “Yours, now, Fourth of Wards. May Cadmiel’s song and Bethiel’s blessing ward the grove you’ve pledged to protect. And may every tree and all their kin thrive in peace for all your generations.”
Tami only left for work on schedule because Joe had hustled her out of Ash’s arms and into the house for a shower. And because Faisal had barged in to help her dress. And because Juuyu Farroost had handed her a Founders coffee to chase away the lingering effects of too much star wine before ushering her into a shuttle with blacked-out windows … and high enough ceilings to accommodate Ash’s wings.
“Good morning,” he murmured as she slid into the seat beside his.
She hummed around a sip of coffee.
He was dressed in his janitorial coveralls, and his wings were gone from view. Like today was just another workday.
“Where’s Kip?”
“Running through things with Harrison.” His knuckles lightly brushed her cheek, and he smiled weakly. “If Faisal wouldn’t come back here and harass me for undoing your fancy up-do, I’d be preening you right now to help me calm down.”
She hadn’t realized he was nervous. “Does it work if I preen you?”
Ash’s head tilted as he considered. “You’re welcome to try.”
“Hold my coffee.”
Tami pulled the tie from his ponytail and worked her fingers through the length of his hair. He immediately angled toward her as much as his wings would allow. She scratched little circles into his scalp, and he leaned into her, their foreheads touching.
At times, everything about her life seemed to be hurtling toward the unknown, yet times like this, the whole world seemed to pause. If it was Ash’s doing, maybe it was some kind of Amaranthine magic. As if having a long life didn’t diminish the importance of moments. He definitely had a knack for drawing out the potential of each one. He was always singling them out and slowing them down, so they could linger in them together.
Little by little, she would match his rhythm. Keeping time with the trees, she would true her heart to his. Ever and always remembering just how much power the meeting of a moment can hold.
Landmark Elementary’s gymnasium was bursting at the seams, even though reaver tradition meant opening up the school on one of America’s national holidays. Although all were welcome, students and their families were being given priority by the teachers at the doors, all of whom were accompanied by a reaver and an undercover Nightspangle or Woodacre.
Press was confined to the back wall, not that there were really all that many. Not when Spokesperson Twineshaft was scheduled to attend the January 1 program at Archer Middle, and especially not after the media learned that Eloquence Starmark would be making a surprise appearance at the opening festivities for West Branch High.
Decoys and diversions. Because the real story was here. And they’d tell it in their own way.
On the stage, five chairs waited to one side of the podium, where Tami stepped up to the microphone. Taking a deep breath, she felt the moment slow and hoped she could help her Landmark family to linger here, at the beginning.
From her pocket, she withdrew one of her courting gifts—Faisal’s tiny bell. The microphone broadcast its sweet note, as if to summon Bethiel to sing on her behalf. A hush fell, and Tami greeted friends and neighbors. As her gaze swept the room, she caught sight of Joe, standing between Cyril and Rook at the back.
Her twin was here. And he looked calm.
Heart light, Tami got with the program and introduced her audience to the first of their new neighbors. “Please join me in welcoming Fossa Craghart, who is a member of one of the deer clans—the American pronghorn. For the rest of this year, she’ll rotate through the classrooms, teaching supplemental sciences. By next fall, we’ll have added a lab, where students will enjoy more hands-on learning. Doe Craghart will also be working alongside Mrs. Connell in Phys. Ed. and assist Mrs. Wainwright, our school nurse, in encouraging our kids to have active, healthy lifestyles.”
Fossa joined her at the microphone—tall and tan, with short hair and black antlers, she wore loose-fitting clothes that resembled scrubs and a lab coat. Tami met her palms, then presented her with her Landmark lanyard. “Please tell us a little more about yourself.”
In richly modulated tones, Fossa gave a fuller introduction, then took her seat.
Tami kept the ball rolling. “Now, he
lp me welcome Viv Bellsweet, who is from one of the butterfly clans. She’ll be filling a vacancy in our school. We’ve been without a school librarian for too long. Viv will bring a much-needed boost to our school’s literacy program … and come alongside our teachers as we help our kids cultivate a love for books and a respect for the worlds they open.”
Viv was a delicate beauty with hair that passed for strawberry blonde in photos but was much more of a peachy pink in person. Most arresting was a set of graceful antennae where most people kept their eyebrows.
“Lady Bellsweet has already brought our collection up to date and is scheduling story times, author talks, and a book fair.”
She presented Viv with her lanyard and let her say a few words.
Nearly there.
“Next, I’d like you to meet Torrey Highbranch, who is from one of the avian clans. We’ll be keeping him very busy because we’re sharing him with Archer Middle. Professor Highbranch specializes in history, customs, and community. We’ll learn more about Amaranthine culture firsthand, since he’ll be bringing in regular guests—both Amaranthine from the surrounding region and students from West Branch High.”
The professor grinned when Tami presented his lanyard and eagerly introduced himself to the audience. His energy levels rivaled Kip’s, and she was sure he’d gain the trust they needed.
Almost time.
When the professor took his seat, Tami rang her little bell again. “Harrison, where did you get to?” she called. “It’s your turn, you know.”
“Coming, Principal Reaverson!” And so Harrison Peck, local celebrity, sauntered across the stage in his crossing guard uniform.
He gave her a wink.
She smiled and retreated a few steps, yielding the floor.
“Who here is a student of Landmark Elementary? Let me see those hands!” he asked, squinting past the lights. “Oh, now that’s a bunch. But let’s add to the number. How many of you used to attend classes here, even if it was a long, long time ago?”
Easily eighty percent of the people in the room had their hands up. Even a couple of the journalists. Tami found Joe in the crowd, and they raised their hands together.
“Not bad, not bad.” Harrison waved them to lower their hands, then posed a new question. “How many of you—children, parents, and guardians alike—have been through kindergarten orientation any time in the last eight years?”
Half the audience waved.
Harrison addressed himself to the three Amaranthine newcomers. “One reason we have kindergarten orientation is to make sure our students know which grown-ups are part of our Landmark family.” He showed them the photo ID on his lanyard. “You have these now, and that means you belong with us.”
All three new teachers lifted their nametags.
Harrison turned back to the larger audience. “I’m Mr. Peck, and you can recognize me easily, because I always wear a bowtie, even when I play bingo.”
“It’s true!” Tami assured, because for once, she’d been given the script. “I’ve seen him!”
The kids hooted and hollered. They all knew how this was supposed to go.
“And you’ll all be able to remember Doe Craghart, who knows all about nature.”
Tami offered a helpful aside. “Doe Craghart also has antlers.”
“Oh!” said Harrison, as if he hadn’t thought of that. “Is that all right to mention?”
Fossa smiled and inclined her head.
“And you’ll be able to remember Lady Bellsweet, who always knows the perfect book to recommend.”
Tami cheerfully added, “Lady Bellsweet also has antennae.”
“Oh!” Harrison blinked at their librarian. “Do you mind if I mention that?”
Viv folded her hands over her heart and smiled.
Harrison went right on. “And you’ll remember Professor Highbranch, who can teach us to have good manners with all of our Amaranthine neighbors.”
Tami said, “Professor Highbranch also has red hair.”
“Oh! Uh-oh,” said Harrison. “We may have a problem. Landmark Elementary already has someone with red hair!”
People chuckled, and several kids called out Kip’s name.
“You know,” said Harrison. “Introductions go both ways. Our new teachers haven’t met two important people who are part of our Landmark family. Should we see if they’re here?”
The vote was unanimous.
“Ash!” called Harrison. “Where’d you get to?”
“Here, sir!” he answered, striding out from the wings. Lifting his lanyard, he said, “I’m Ash.”
Harrison stage whispered, “You’re a grown-up, Ash. That means our kids should call you Mr. Fowler.”
“No, thanks. I’d rather be Ash.”
“I suppose that’s all right, since you gave your permission. Now, aren’t there supposed to be two of you?”
“Yeah, there’s two of us.” And like they’d always done, he put his fingers to his lips and gave a shrill whistle.
Nothing happened.
“Kip!” tried Harrison. “Where’d you get to?”
“Coming!” And Kip burst through the back doors, charged up the center aisle, pretended to trip, tumbled into a series of backflips, and put on the brakes right before crashing into the stage. Brushing off his coveralls, he walked slowly up the steps, as if nothing out of the ordinary had occurred. “Does something need fixing? Or … did you spill something, Mr. Peck?”
“No, no. We’re introducing everyone to our new Amaranthine teachers.”
“No kidding?” He did a double-take and gave his ponytail a sheepish tug. “Was that today?”
Harrison asked, “Are you teasing us?”
Kip smiled. “I’m totally teasing. I’d never forget a day as important as this one.”
“You forgot something, though. Where’s your nametag, Mr. Kipling?”
Patting at the pockets of his coveralls, he said, “Come on, Mr. Peck. You know everyone calls me Kip. I’m Kip, the janitor with red hair.”
“And that’s a problem,” said Harrison.
“It’s never been a problem before.”
Ash pulled Kip’s lanyard from his back pocket and helped him put it on while Harrison pretended to whisper explanations into his ear. Hands waved. Eyebrows jumped and furrowed. Kip nodded and shook his head by turns. And in ten seconds flat, he was up to speed.
“I’ve got this!” he announced. “My name is Kip. I never wear a bowtie, and I don’t have antlers or antennae. I do have red hair, but I’m different than Professor Highbranch. And I can prove it.”
He made Harrison back up, crouched low, then sprang up, turning a backward somersault in midair. When he landed, some applauded, but Kip held up his hands. “Wait. It didn’t work. Gimme another chance. On the count of three ….”
The crowd counted with him. “One. Two. Three!”
After another backward somersault, Kip checked over his shoulder, then scratched his head. “I guess I’m a little out of practice.”
Another countdown. Another flip. But this time, when Kip landed in a crouch, his tail bushed out behind him, and his ears made their point.
Gasps and exclamations of awe rippled through the room as Kip slowly straightened. “My name is Kip. I never wear a bowtie, and I don’t have antlers or antennae. I still have red hair, but I also have red fur.”
Harrison waited for the first wave of excitement to pass, then asked, “Kip, are you Amaranthine?”
“Yes. I’m from one of the squirrel clans.” He looked out over the audience, and Tami thought maybe he was looking for Joe. “Is that okay?”
Applause. And more applause.
Archer rewarded Kip’s courage with a standing ovation.
He moved to one of the two remaining seats on the platform and sat, unobtrusively bringing the remaining empty chair to everyone’s attention.
People quickly settled back into their seats, and Harrison quietly asked, “Ash, are you going to do backflips, too?”
“I’m not much of an acrobat.” Ash faced the audience and said, “My name is Ash. I never wear a bowtie, and I don’t have antlers or antennae. I don’t have red hair or red fur. I’ve always liked high places, but I’ve never really told any of you why.”
When he paused, Harrison asked, “Have you been keeping a secret?”
“Yes. But my secret’s a little different from Kip’s. He has fur. I have feathers.”
Kip snapped his fingers and Ash’s illusion vanished in a little shower of sparkles, revealing his wings. He demonstrated their full span, then stirred the air with slow wingbeats.
Harrison waited out the expected tumult, then asked, “Ash, are you Amaranthine?”
“Half,” he said, chin at a confident angle. “My name is Ash, and I’m a crosser. But that’s not the last secret for today.”
“There’s more?”
Tami stepped forward, and Harrison melodramatically clapped a hand over his heart. “Principal Reaverson, are you Amaranthine, too? “
“No, but I do have something to share. It’s not the same kind of secret as Kip’s, and it’s not the same kind of secret as Ash’s. But I think it’s just as wonderful.”
“As wonderful as antlers?”
“Yes.”
“Aa wonderful as antennae?”
“Yes.”
“As wonderful as red hair?”
“Yes.”
“As wonderful as a tail?”
“Yes.”
“As wonderful as wings?”
Tami laughed and asked, “Mr. Peck, are you stalling?”
“Sorry. Go ahead.”
“We wanted to share our good news with all of you first, because we’re counting on our hometown’s support. Ash has asked me to marry him, and I said yes.”
Under cover of all the confusion, Flootie commandeered the microphone. When she could make herself heard, she said, “I do hope you can handle at least one more Amaranthine today. Because Ash and Tami have got themselves a top-notch go-between, and he’s here to make his first official statement on their behalf.”
