by S. M. Welles
“Whoa!” Roxie flung her arms out but couldn’t get her feet under her. Aerigo’s grip fastened on her right arm. She grabbed hold of his with her left.
As Aerigo was pulling her upright, Roxie’s face broke into a wicked grin. Psyche. She gave a tremendous yank on his arm and pulled them both under water.
The water displace around her as Aerigo landed on top of her. She felt around with her heels for a solid footing to stop herself from being carried down river, but her body was too horizontal. Aerigo rolled off her and, as the water’s momentum began to push them downstream, she grabbed him around the waist with both arms. Her feet slid along the bottom as Aerigo got one of his legs tangled in both of hers. His free foot rooted itself in the sand. He put his arms around her and pulled her into a standing position in the waist-deep water. Roxie opened her eyes and gave him an impish smile. He returned her gaze with a look that said he might have been angry but couldn’t help smiling instead. “I win,” she whispered to him. She had managed to get Aerigo into the river the fast way.
He didn’t answer. They held their stance for a long moment, arms wrapped around each other’s waist, Roxie’s body getting pressed into his by rushing water. Or was that Aerigo’s doing? Aerigo’s expression softened. His lips looked particularly tempting. And then she could kiss his chin, his forehead, one shoulder, then the other. And then his amazing chest and—
Whatl is wrong with me?! Roxie looked into his eyes, hoping that would get her mind off kissing. No dice. Her gaze wandered back to his lips.
Aerigo lifted his hand and brushed aside a lock of hair from her face.
Roxie glanced at the hand lingering in her loose hair that wasn’t supposed to be loose. His caress sent her into a panic. “Oh no, I’ve lost my hair-tie!”
She more pushed away than let go of Aerigo and touched her hair. Aerigo’s hands withdrew from her waist and cheek. She turned away, not wanting to see him react to her change of heart. If she’d gazed at him any longer, she would’ve had to get on her tiptoes and kiss him. But that was the wrong thing to do. They had to stop a war; not start dating. That, and Aerigo was way too old for her, and she her heart shouldn’t be racing at the sight or slightest touch from someone a zillion times older than her.
“You must’ve lost it when you jumped in,” Aerigo said, breaking their awkward silence. His voice sounded neither disappointed, relieved, angry, nor hurt. Just an honest speculation.
His neutral tone allowed her to glance down river in a pointless attempt to locate her hair-tie. When she looked at him again, his face had reassumed its unreadable mold. “Guess this means I have to wear my hair down for once.” Another happy child swung off the vine, did a backflip and dove into the river. “Let’s go sit with Yayu.” I’m going crazy.
Over the next couple of hours, all the racers were able to cool down, rest up, rinse off and acquire quite the appetite. The arena was so packed, and the mood so buoyant, it was as if Roxie was at a wedding reception of gargantuan proportions. The sun had a few hours to spare before setting, and torches were already lit to provide a warm glow and to ward off bugs. The smell of food filled the air, along with the din of excited and conversational voices. Roxie and Aerigo followed Yayu and his sons past the laden tables.
“Man, I’m starving!” she said, eyeing the bowls and platters on every table. “Where’s our table so we can start eating?”
“We don’t start eatin’ ‘til everyone else does,” Yayu said. “We have to wait ‘til Din arrives. He’s gonna say a few things and then he’ll give us the okay to dig in.”
Roxie’s stomach growled. “May I at least have some more water?”
“Drink as much as you want. It’s awfully hot and humid.”
Yayu led the way to Clan Ormolu’s table, which happened to be the very one where Roxie had her foot tended to.
“Yay! Everybody’s back!” A five year old boy left his mother’s side and ran up to his father. “Visco! Ana mer a ranta Din?”
“Soon,” Soen replied, picking his son up and hugging him. “How are you, Eliza?” He kissed his wife and sat beside her with the boy on his lap.
“Juna and I are very tired after all that cooking.”
“I think we made twice as much food as last year,” Juna said as Roshi deposited himself between his wife and kids.
“Poor Issa got stuck with four children to look after.” Eliza leaned forward so she could see her friend further down the bench, “Didn’t you?”
“Dogen and Napora were very good at keeping Basho entertained, today,” Issa said. “They almost managed to tire your son out.”
“Did they?” Soen’s wife said with faint surprise. The couples laughed.
“Come sit by us, you three,” Juna said to Yayu and the two Aigis, patting an empty space on the bench next to her.
“Certainly, my dear,” Yayu said. “I was just waiting to ask where Daito was.”
“My husband’s performing this year.”
“No kiddin’! That’s great!”
“I know! He finally got the courage to get up on stage.”
“I can’t wait to hear him play,” Yayu said, claiming his spot at the table.
Aerigo took up the open space next to Yayu. Roxie attempted to sit next to him, but stopped when she heard Issa.
“Wait!” Issa said. “Your name is Roxie, right?”
“Right.”
“Come with me,” she said, getting up and grabbing Roxie by the wrist. Issa pulled her from the rows of tables. “Hurry! There isn’t much time before Din appears.”
Roxie obeyed and the two moved at a fast jog towards the cooking fires and several small tables laden with uncooked food. Issa led her between the prep tables where people worked on last-minute delicacies, and stopped at a table covered in cloth bags. Issa let go of Roxie’s wrist to root around.
“Aha!” She held her own bag high, then hugged it to her chest. “Let’s go sit over there.” She indicated to the trees with her head, then led Roxie by the wrist once again. Issa instructed her to sit in front of a large tree. Filtered through leafy branches, the sun’s rays struck around the girls in odd, bright shapes. So vivid, they looked as if one could grab hold of them. The one that fell into Roxie’s lap played over her splayed palms as she cradled its light. Issa sat behind her and plopped her bag beside them.
“I’m going to make your hair look very beautiful for you. And for Aerigo,” she added mischievously. She took out a brush and began working on Roxie’s tangled hair.
“What do you mean?”
“I think you know.”
“I don’t want to assume anything so… just tell me.” Her heart began to race. Sweat started beading on her forehead and blood rushed to her lips. She stayed very still and let Issa brush her hair, section by stubborn section.
“Come now, we’re girls,” Issa chided. “We know when we see another falling for a man.”
Roxie smiled at her hands in her lap and laughed inwardly. She was reminded of high school when she’d talked with her friends about boys. So many times she or someone else thought they’d found the perfect guy for them, that they were so going to get married one day, only to break up, days, weeks or months later. Roxie didn’t care about marrying Aerigo. She just wanted to be with him, to listen to his deep voice, melt in his strong, gentle touch, and—
“See? I’m right, aren’t I?” Issa said, shaking Roxie fondly by the shoulders. “Besides, I saw you two holding each other in the river. Even though I was far away, I could tell what you feel for one another. Anyone can see it in your eyes, too.”
“I don’t know about that,” Roxie said, fully aware of what she felt that she shouldn’t be feeling. But Aerigo?
“About what?”
“About Aerigo feeling the same way I do.”
“What makes you say that? From what I’ve seen so far, he always tries to stay near you.” Issa started braiding a lock of hair.
Roxie wondered if there was the slightest possibility her feel
ings were being returned. Aerigo worked hard to keep her safe, and he got upset every time she got hurt. But still: he’d kept his distance both physically and emotionally, minus the staying at her side part. But that had to be her more than him. He’d never tried to kiss her or initiated any of the hugs they’d exchanged either. “I think he acts as he does just to make me feel safe. I don’t think he really feels for me that way.”
“I think you’re lying to yourself,” Issa said. “Don’t worry; you can trust me. What’s really bothering you?”
Roxie sighed and slouched a little. Part of her just wanted to be alone, but her heart saw an opportunity to get some emotional weight off her chest. “You really want to know?”
“Of course,” Issa said sincerely, beginning another braid.
Roxie gathered her thoughts and threw in some courage for good measure. “I feel torn.”
“Between what?”
“Love and fear.”
“What are you afraid of?”
“A few things,” Roxie said evasively.
Issa paused mid-braid, “And they would be…?”
Roxie skipped the war, not feeling ready to discuss that subject. The prophesied war was the biggest reason she was trying to censor her emotions. “I want to love him. But I have this irrational fear that I can’t explain. In the river I suddenly felt very vulnerable, so I broke away.”
“That’s normal. You’re putting yourself in a vulnerable position when you reveal your feelings to someone. I felt the same way with Roshi. You just have to get over it.”
It felt relieving to know that she wasn’t the only who was afraid to let love show. “Aerigo is a wonderful person.” Where the heck did that comment come from?
“I’d say. Who’d want to pass up a man like that? Though it is strange in Sconda for a man to have no hair, I also find him attractive. He does have lots of muscle, and a good head on those broad shoulders of his. You still sounded unsure. What’s holding you back?”
Roxie looked around and saw there were only a few people left playing in the river or beyond the torch-lit boundaries of the area. When she glanced at their table, it was hard to make out individuals in the sea of fiery orange hair. One clean-shaven scalp got swallowed in the crowded dusk. “I can’t fall in love with Aerigo.”
“Why?” Issa sounded shocked.
“He’s too old for me.”
“Nonsense. And you’re not too young for him either. Many people with twenty-year age gaps have married and—”
“I’m not talking about marriage!”
“I know you’re not. All I’m saying is that when it comes to pure love, age doesn’t matter. Besides, who lives as long as an Aigis?”
“I don’t know.” She wiped her forehead tiredly and sighed. “Look, I probably shouldn’t mention this to you, but you’re not going to understand me if you don’t know what’s going on. Can I trust you not to tell anyone or freak out on me?”
“What does ‘freak out’ mean?”
“Kind of like, go temporarily insane, or get really upset.”
“Whatever it is, I’m sure I won’t ‘freak out’,” Issa said, stringing wooden beads into Roxie’s hair. “And I do promise to keep whatever you tell me secret.”
“Thanks.” And now to spill my guts to someone I’m supposed make feel safe and hopeful. I’m hopeless! “Just to let you know I’m only seventeen years old. I’m younger than you.”
“That would explain your concern about the age gap,” Issa said, her voice casual.
“My being so young doesn’t bother you?”
“You’ve already proved your tremendous potential in the race. One would be foolish to not have faith in an Aigis.”
Roxie wasn’t sure how doing decently in a race could give people hope, but the revelation eased some of the tightness in her chest. Maybe she could do this give people hope thing after all. “Thanks. You make me feel a lot better.”
“You’re welcome. So, what’s been going on?”
“Well, it’s more like what’s to come that’s the problem. Seventeen years ago a god named Baku created me in the hope that I could stop something bad from happening. I’ve always felt like I could trust Aerigo ever since the day I met him. I don’t know what it is or how to explain it properly, but it’s like something in my mind is drawing me to him, while I’ve been resisting it every step of the way. We have something very important to do, and I have no idea how long it’s going to take. Or even if we’ll survive. I think Aerigo’s just being extra kind to make me feel safe, and like I have a chance to succeed in this task. I have to try, even though I feel so scared. I know Aerigo’s sincere when he says he believes I can do what I have to. It’s the same with Baku. Plus I’ve enjoyed my visit to Phaedra and your world. I want to help preserve everyone’s worlds.”
“The way you speak describes what we call ‘grammah’, which means to face your fears. Ruma grammas. You are courageous. Fear can be an asset sometimes. What sounds better to you? Charging in blindly and overconfidently, or meeting obstacles head-on with wisdom and determination?”
“The latter. You sure know how to make people feel better.” So she was allowed to feel fear after all.
“And I know how to style hair. You’re done, Roxie,” Issa stood up.
“How do I look?” She turned her head one way, then the other.
“Beautiful. Now, what are you going to do about your emotional situation?”
“I’ll figure things out as I go along.”
Chapter 18
Eisisumet
Roxie’s new hairstyle was greeted with enthusiasm by Yayu’s family. She returned their praise with a shy smile, repeating the words ‘thank you’ to each of them in turn. As soon as they were finished admiring Issa’s handiwork, Roxie took her rightful seat next to Aerigo.
“You look nice,” he said. “You should wear your hair down more often.”
“Only if I can’t find or make more hair-ties,” she said, looking at the stage. “I hate wearing my hair down.”
A ball of shimmering light materialized over the stage. The arena fell silent. The orb sucked in air, causing all the surrounding trees to bow to it, and many a people to have to hold their hair back so they could see. The orb swelled to the size of a hot-air balloon before exploding. The bang made Roxie flinch, and then she looked up. The ten tall poles had a tiny flame hovered inches above each one. The crowd’s attention fell on these curios licks of flames with wonder, mesmerized.
Din’s voice reverberated all around them. “Welcome, everyone, to the two thousand and thirty-first Eisisumet!” The arena erupted with admiring cheers, catcalls, whistling and applause from every table. Before this ovation had a chance to die down, Din’s voice burst over the crowd, “As the first clan to be founded in the history of Sconda, I welcome our lovely host: CLAN ORMOLU!”
The tiny flame over the pole in front of their own table erupted with a loud roar, lighting up everyone’s faces in a shade of orange. During the flame’s sudden growth, Roxie could have sworn she saw a flicker of Din’s giant body standing over the stage, but it vanished too quickly for her to be certain. Her table was bathed in a gorgeous light as the arena filled with cheers and applause.
“And continuing in the order of their founding I now welcome the clan known for their prize runners: CLAN NIMBUS!” The table to their left erupted with cheering, as their flame burst forth. Once again Roxie saw Din’s form materialize for an instant. This time a faint outline of him stayed visible. As Sconda’s god went on to welcome each of the ten Clans, his giant body became fractionally more solid with the lighting of each flame. There was Clan Mercu, famous for its fishermen, Clan Seneca for its scholars, Clan Ikkyan for its crafters, Clan Jakushi for its ancient warrior tradition, Clan Fili for its beauty, Clan Yokayan for its music, Clan Yana for its inventors of spells… “And last, but not least, I welcome the final clan known for producing the best Wangamas in Sconda: CLAN NARIHARA!”
The last flame erupted and Din
could be seen clearly standing astride the stage, one giant foot on either side. He looked at his people with his fists on his hips and a contagious grin on his face. Everyone cheered even louder than before, then hushed once Din held up his hands. “Welcome, my beloved people! It’s so wonderful to be here. I hope you’re enjoying this year’s festivities as much as I am.”
Roxie leaned towards Yayu, and he bent towards her. “Why is Din speaking in non-Scondish?”
“He is?”
“He isn’t for you?”
“He’s speakin’ in Scondish for me,” Yayu said, and sat up straight.
Roxie shrugged and reclined against Aerigo for comfort. He put one arm around her and she put a hand over his forearm.
“Before we start eating I shall announce the results of the race, and I don’t want any sore losers starting a food-fight like last year.” The tables broke into a ripple of laughter. Din popped a smile. “I know you had some fun, and I am able to clean things up in an instant, but I still recommend that you keep your cool this year. Consider yourselves warned.” There were more laughs all around before he went on. “Now, the results are as follows, and please no cheering until I’m done. In tenth place with four-hundred and thirty-one points is Clan Yana. In ninth place with four-hundred and forty points is Clan Narihara. In eighth with four-hundred and eighty-three points is Clan Mercu. In seventh place with four-hundred and ninety points is Clan Nimbus. In sixth with four-hundred and ninety-four points is Clan Fili. Fifth place goes to Clan Ikkayan with five-hundred points—” At this point a wave of excited whispers and murmuring could be heard at every table, and Din’s voice grew a little louder. “In fourth place with five-hundred and thirty points is Clan Yokayan.” The whispers grew louder and there were a few shouts of shock.
“What’s all the murmuring about?” Roxie asked.
“The last two Clans are big rivals,” Aerigo said.
“In third place with five-hundred and thirty-seven points is Clan Ormolu.”
