The Celebration Read online

  After Greeter of Friends had translated everything for the Gakkans and no further questions or comments were forthcoming, the assembly at the High Council building was dismissed. Rhuna waited patiently for the usual mingling and casual conversations between High Council members to finish, and then fell into step at Tozar’s side.

  “You spoke well today,” Tozar told Rhuna as they walked away from the High Council building. Rhuna expressed her thoughts about prattling too much at the end of her address, and then told Tozar how excited she felt at the prospect of helping the Gakkans settle into their new home in time for the Celebration of Cakes and Colours.

  On their way home, passing the bustling stalls of food products and other supplies, Rhuna chose a jar of honey, some specially preserved fruit for the yeast cakes, and an assortment of coloured dishes, pots and containers.

  “I love this time of the season,” Rhuna said as she handed over the bulkier items for Tozar to carry. “So many nice things we only see during this lunar cycle before the Celebration!”

  “A busy time for you, My Dear,” Tozar responded. “Lozira can learn to prepare some cakes and coloured items as well this time,” he said cheerfully.

  * * *

  The following days felt special to Rhuna as she filled her home with colours and pleasant cooking aromas, and when evening approached, she lit the scented candles she had made with various oil essences. When the day for departure into the mountains neared, Rhuna guided her daughter through the process of preparing spices, preserved fruit and yeast dough. The scent of cinnamon, ginger and nutmeg made her giddy with anticipation for the Celebration of Cakes and Colours.

  “Why do we bake the yeast cakes now already, and not the day before the Celebration when all the other sweet cakes are made?” Lozira asked as she followed Rhuna’s cooking instructions.

  “The yeast cakes taste better when they’ve been baked and wrapped up for a while,” Rhuna answered. “You can wrap them in some of the dyed fabric you made at school recently,” she added.

  Lozira nodded in silence as she watched the yeast cakes bake slowly on the heated stones.

  “So, are we making the other cakes up there…in the new mountain settlement?” Lozira asked with a distinct tone of aversion in her voice.

  “Yes, along with the sweet fruity drinks,” Rhuna answered. “All the coloured containers, textiles, wall-hangings and scented candles will be packed and carried by donkeys.”

  “Why do the Gakkans need a new settlement in the mountains? Why not come to live in the City of Atlán?” asked Lozira.

  “Not everyone wants to live here,” Rhuna replied, and smiled as a puzzled look crossed her daughter’s young face. “They are used to living in the mountains, in their own way…they’re not ready to adapt and mix in with Atlans.”

  “But you did,” Lozira challenged.

  “Yes, but I got used to Atlan ways while I lived in Mediz for six solar cycles and attended the Atlan School there. Even then…” Rhuna paused as her thoughts reached back to her adolescence. “…it was still a big change when I finally came to the city of Atlan for the first time. But your father was here to welcome me, so it was much easier for me to adjust.”

  Lozira smiled and appeared to be satisfied with Rhuna’s explanation. She swished her long golden hair over her shoulder and returned her attention to the freshly baked yeast cakes.

  * * *

  Rhuna awoke in the dark and sprang out of bed, eager to leave the city before sunrise in order to arrive in the new mountain settlement by the end of the day.

  “Lozira, get up!” she called for the fourth time, and then heard Tozar chuckle in the adjoining room as he prepared himself for the day ahead.

  “She is still reluctant to spend the Celebration apart from her friends in the City,” he stated simply.

  Rhuna merely grumbled as she packed the necessary layers of warm clothing for Lozira. As she packed them in manageable bundles, she realized once again how her special Masters Robe facilitated life in many ways.

  “Remember to take spare footwear,” Tozar reminded her, as if knowing her thoughts.

  “Our Robes make it so easy in the cold season!” Rhuna responded. “No need for any other clothes, in any season!”

  “We are fortunate in many ways,” Tozar said as he kissed her cheek in passing. “Gak and his people shall meet us at the Junction of Roads at first sunlight,” he added after a moment, then stopped at the door to Lozira’s room. A few harsh raps on the timber frame sufficed to move Lozira into action and rush to prepare herself.

  Rhuna adjusted her special white Master’s Robe once more after putting on her thick footwear, and then ushered Lozira outside.

  “But it’s still dark!” Lozira whined.

  “We told you that it was arranged to leave the City at first daylight,” Rhuna replied irritably. “Stop dragging your feet and walk properly so that you can appreciate the wonderful silence at this time of day!”

  Rhuna realized that she had always loved the first sunrays of the day when everything was peaceful and still. She was grateful that no one spoke until they arrived at the meeting place.

  “Look! The first rays of light are upon us,” said Greeter of Friends short time after Rhuna and her family had assembled with the Gakkans and twenty other Atlans with donkeys to carry various supplies. Tozar quickly attached the bundles he carried onto one of the donkeys, and then spoke with the Atlan mountain guides.

  “Although we expect the day to be calm and dry, it is prudent to always traverse this mountainous terrain with ropes and other essential items, should any unexpected occurrence befall us,” said the leader of the guides.

  Greeter of Friends stepped up beside Rhuna and then asked her a question. “On behalf of Gak,” Greeter of Friends said as he glanced behind him at the wizened old man. “He wonders why you carry no other clothes, and only one other set of footwear.”

  Rhuna walked towards Gak and the two young people she assumed were his children and descendants, and then raised her sleeved arm towards him.

  “Touch my robe,” she said. “It’s made from natural fibres, but transformed by Atlan Masters, like they transform sand and rocks.” Greeter of Friends quickly translated, and immediately Gak and his children began to carefully touch and examine the fabric of Rhuna’s robe.

  “It keeps the body cool when it’s hot, warm in the cold season, dry when it rains, and it never needs to be cleaned like regular clothing,” she said enthusiastically.

  Gak and his people reacted with awe and wonder when Greeter of Friends finished his translation of Rhuna’s words.

  “We learn to make our Robe when we finish studying to become an Atlan Master,” Rhuna continued in her explanation. “It takes a long time because it’s a process of many steps, but now that I have it, life is so much easier…except when I have to wear this thick and heavy footwear because of the cold snow,” she added, looking down at the cumbersome waterproofed material strapped to her feet.

  “They have noticed that many Atlans wear the Master’s Robes, but did not know the special qualities of them until now,” Greeter of Friends explained.

  “Let us commence!” called a deep voice from the other side of the assembled people, and Rhuna quickly found her place between Tozar and Lozira as they marched along the road which led towards the snow-capped mountains.

  * * *

  Rhuna looked back at the City of Atlan and was surprised that they had already reached a high elevation within a short time. The well-trodden path appeared almost level and easy to traverse, but she heard others around her speaking of the difficult sections further ahead.

  “Look around at the nature while we’re on the easy path,” she told Lozira.

  “It’s sooo boring!” Lozira quickly retorted with a deep pout.

  “No, it isn’t,” Rhuna insisted. “Listen for some birds or noises in the tall grass. Lots of animals live here, even when it gets very cold.”

  Lozira released an exaggerated si
gh and stomped her feet in childish protest.

  Rhuna noticed that the well-trodden dirt track had become a rocky trail interspersed with bushels of grass, and when she stopped to look back she gasped in awe. The city of Atlán looked like an exquisitely-crafted jewellery case, with sparkling gems of different colours within. The rays of the ascending sun splattered on all the shiny metals of Atlán’s beautiful buildings, making the reflections dance

  “A magnificent view indeed!” Tozar sighed with deep appreciation.

  “We may rest here briefly,” said Traverser of Deserts, the leader of the Atlan guides. “This is the last view of the City of Atlán before our path leads over the range and through the canyons beyond.”

  Rhuna found some soft clumps of grass to sit on, and began to eat her rationed portion of mixed nuts, seeds and dried fruit.

  “Why did we stop here?” Lozira asked as she looked puzzled. “Where is the path into the mountains?”

  Rhuna noticed that the rocky trail had disappeared, and only shrubbery and boulders of various sizes lay ahead.

  “The guides know the way,” she answered. “They use trees, rocks and hills to mark the way, and if it snows they use distinctive wooden pole with colours so that they don’t get lost.”

  “We can get lost?” she asked alarmed.

  “Of course!” Rhuna answered smiling at her daughter’s alarmed expression.

  One of the donkey leaders came around to everyone with a gourd of fresh drinking water, and before long, Traverser of Deserts announced the continuation of their walking journey. “Follow in the steps of the person ahead of you,” he instructed.

  Rhuna noticed the alarm in her daughter’s face as she looked around her. “You heard,” she said to Lozira. “Pay attention to where you put your feet, otherwise it’s easy to get lost!”

  Lozira’s expression changed from alarm to gloom, then sudden desperation. “I want to go back home!” she wailed.

  “Come now,” said Tozar, stepping aside to comfort his daughter. “Is it not possible to become lost in the City of Atlán?” he asked her.

  Lozira looked surprised, and then simply shrugged her shoulders.

  “Of course it is,” Tozar answered for her. “It is possible to lose one’s way in any unfamiliar location.”

  Lozira blinked as she considered her father’s words, and then nodded.

  “For this reason we follow guides who are skilled in walking across unknown terrain. Once they have established guideposts, signs and walking paths, we can follow them with confidence. You never feared becoming lost when you followed a sign in the City of Atlán, did you?” he asked with a twinkle in his eye.

  Lozira shook her head and then looked at their guides threading a path between large boulders. She nodded reluctantly and then found her place between Tozar and Rhuna as they continued their journey.

  Rhuna enjoyed the midday meal of light vegetable soup with bread and cheese, and then looked more closely at their surroundings as they waited for the Traverser of Deserts’ signal to continue. She noticed that boulders of all shapes and sizes were now just rough rubble covering the slopes and filling small gullies.

  “Is it still far away?” Lozira whined.

  Rhuna reminded her daughter that the guides said they would arrive by the setting of the sun, and that they could be confident it would be exactly so.

  “Everything looks the same!” Lozira continued to lament as she spun her head around.

  “That’s how it is in some mountains,” Rhuna agreed, while secretly also wishing their journey to end soon. The scenery had become dull, and she could no longer contain her excitement over meeting Morning Glory again.

  Finally, when they had eaten the last of the nuts and seeds during another rest period, Rhuna suddenly saw a most beautiful sight.

  “Oh, look!” she exclaimed, pointing across a small gulch.

  “Behold – the new Atlan settlement for the Gakkans!” announced Traverser of Deserts as he stopped to turn around and smile at Rhuna.

  Rhuna was in awe of the beautiful spectacle as the evening sun gave the earthy stone buildings a soft, orange glow. Glimmering white rivulets of Atlan-made paving stones meandered between the glowing houses like the veins of a leaf.

  “Observe,” said Tozar in hushed awe as he drew Lozira’s attention to the various parts of the settlement. “The dense and strong stone made by Atlan Transformation Power gleam white in the sunlight, and they reveal the newly-constructed irrigation channels and a dam for the settlement’s water supply.”

  “And I can see the central courtyard with the main community buildings around it,” Rhuna added.

  “Restrain your enthusiasm!” Traverser of Deserts’ warning tone tore Rhuna out of her reverie. “Continue to adhere to the prescribed path,” he continued sternly. “The crossing of this final gulch can be treacherous!”

  Rhuna obediently followed the guide’s instructions, and ushered Lozira to hurry alongside her. The final moments before seeing her childhood friend again felt impossibly long, but her patience was rewarded by the surprise of seeing Morning Glory standing on the path ahead of them, eagerly awaiting their arrival.

  Rhuna rushed passed the guides and other members of her party until she stood directly in front of Morning Glory.

  “You are finally here!” Morning Glory bubbled as she threw her arms around Rhuna. Memories of her adolescence spent with Morning Glory in the Atlan colony of Medíz flashed through her mind and warmed her heart.

  Rhuna barely noticed that they had entered the settlement as Morning Glory gushed with happy news and plans for the Celebration. She stopped and looked around the courtyard where tents and stalls were already erected in preparation for the Celebration of Cakes and Colours. Children excitedly hovered around one stand boasting particularly colourful decorations, and Lozira dashed towards them.

  “We don’t have these things in Atlán!” Lozira exclaimed with delighted surprise.

  “They have made their own paints to colour the clay pots,” Morning Glory explained. “And they also dyed the dry twigs and grass, bundled them together and tied them with these coloured threads.”

  “How clever they are!” Rhuna said admiringly.

  “It is surprising how inventive people – including children – can become under certain circumstances,” Morning Glory surmised, and then turned to face Rhuna. “Let us provide food for you now: a warm meal of vegetable stew and bread!”

  Rhuna’s stomach growled in anticipation of the hearty evening meal. She looked around her as Morning Glory ushered her to the eating area, and noticed both Atlans and Gakkans sitting around cosy fires or finishing their work for the day.

  “Many Gakkans desire to build their own personal habitation on the outer perimeter of the settlement,” Morning Glory explained as she pointed to some small abodes further away. “They are good, hard workers, and want to learn new skills from us Atlans.”

  “I heard that the Gakkans are very independent,” Rhuna said, then looked at the community buildings once more. One of them was still without a roof, and another without glass windows.

  Almost all finished now,” Morning Glory said proudly. “A good feeling of accomplishment when you can help others in this manner.”

  Rhuna sat beside Tozar and Lozira as they were served the warm evening meal, and before she had emptied her bowl of stew, she felt overwhelmed by sudden tiredness.

  “You should rest first, sleep and then unpack in the morning,” Morning Glory continued, as she ushered Rhuna and her family into one of the newly-built stone houses. “Not many furnishings yet, but at least there is warmth and a soft bed.”

  Rhuna felt grateful for the comforts of good food and warm beds, and she was asleep as soon as she felt the smooth pillow on her cheek.

  * * *

  Rhuna awoke the following morning from a deep sleep, and was immediately aware of her new and unfamiliar surroundings. The air smelled different, and she tasted earth mingled with fresh cooking aromas
. She stirred in anticipation of the new day and its exciting new impressions, and then heard Tozar and Lozira also wakening.

  “I can smell food!” Lozira said as she jumped out from the bed covers.

  Rhuna and her family quickly dressed and prepared themselves for the day, and then headed outside to find Morning Glory and the source of the delicious scent of food. Before long, the courtyard had filled with people eager to enjoy the new day.

  The morning meal of warm flat bread with various sweet and savoury spreads was enjoyed in the community area where people chatted happily, standing or sitting on straw and textile cushions. Rhuna finished her meal and walked along a row of stands where finished cakes and colourful items for the Celebration were displayed. She turned aside and gasped in surprise when she saw Greeter of Friends standing next to her.

  “Keeper of Wisdom, I must speak with you!” he hissed urgently.

  Rhuna fell speechless and merely nodded. She let herself be ushered away from the stand and chattering people, and then listened intently to the young Atlan.

  “The Gakkans…have informed me only this past moment…that many of their people are missing – presumed lost in the wilderness!”

  “What?”

  “They are deeply concerned about some of their people who have not yet arrived,” repeated Greeter of Friends after taking a deep breath to calm himself.

  “Tell me what happened,” said Rhuna after she also took a fortifying deep breath.

  “When approaching the far side of the mountain range,” Greeter of Friends began. “…a storm hindered the slower party from traversing the valley due to sudden downpour and floods. It was understood they would follow when the weather cleared and the river was no longer flooded and preventing the party’s progress.”

  “When did this happen?” Rhuna wanted to know.

  “Considerable time has now passed,” answered Greeter of Friends gloomily.

  “Why didn’t they say anything until now? They could have asked the Atlan High Council for help!”