A Whisper of Wings (16 page)

This started the argument all over once again. The stars each posed and preened, claiming superiority over the others. Finally they stopped just short of blows.

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The Fire spirit hemmed and hawed, fluttering thoughtfully around and round the twinkling stars. Finally Fire shook its head.

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The stars grumbled and gave up their shine.

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Fire flew swiftly back to earth, then rolled the stolen starshine into little balls. Fire held up the world’s first gemstones and laughed with glee.

First Mother’s tail was as good as won!

Meanwhile, Zui-Kashra-Zha wandered disconsolately through the forest. Night drew near, and still she had no thing of beauty to show the Fire spirit. Zui-Kashra-Zha cradled her tail lovingly in her hands, listening to the sounds of little birds.

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First Mother smiled and raised her face up to the sky; a hush fell as she brought a brand new gift into the world.

Softly, quietly, the girl began to sing.

Music rose, playing out the sounds that Shadarii’s throat could never form. First Mother’s song swirled like a rain of orchid petals. The audience gasped as her aura spilled across them, caressing them with love.

The song rose to its finish and trailed off into silence. The Fire spirit sagged in defeat. Suddenly the creature sprang up to its feet and dashed the gemstones down into the ground. Beaten! Beaten by a mortal! The spirit tore its hair and pranced in rage.

Suddenly a shadow fell across the scene. Fire looked up in apprehension as the stars of the southern cross descended to the earth. Mother Rain and Father Wind loomed overhead; Fire tried to hide the fallen jewels, but it was far too late.

The stars angrily confronted Fire.

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They snatched back what sparkle they could still find. Far too many fragments had been lost inside the earth. The stars glared at Fire in anger.

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The Fire looked at the Milky Way in fright, then fell down before First Mother and begged for pity.

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First Mother wavered; though she knew it might be wrong, she took pity on the weeping spirit.

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The Fire felt deliriously happy to have escaped so very lightly. The creature touched the mortal’s tail and made it shine with light. With a last hasty glance at the assembled stars, Fire dashed deep into the earth.

With a sudden cry of joy, First Mother danced off through the forest. She threw her store of colours to the little plants, bringing brightness to the world of dripping green; and so the first flowers came into the world. Zui-Kashra-Zha had invented song and discovered cooking all in a single day.

Though her body eventually passed away, as all mortal things must do, still her spirit lives to guide her children; and when First Mother flies up to meet her parents, the passage of her tail can still be seen behind her. For when Wind and Rain come down to visit earth, their loving daughter rises up to join them, leaving a sparkling rainbow in the sky.

The dance done, Shadarii sank down in a graceful bow and covered up her face with the petals of her wings.

Not a sound came from the audience; thjere was silence even from the great, dark spirits of the trees. Shadarii slowly wilted, her worst fears suddenly seeming to be real.

Someone suddenly thumped their spear upon the ground; another hunter joined the first, and then another and another. Others swiftly followed until the clearing thundered with applause. Shadarii stared around herself in wonder.

They had liked it! She was saved!

Shadarii blushed beneath her mask, then swiftly called the children in to kneel beside her. A renewed outburst of cheering rose from the clan. Shadarii’s ears flushed bright red; she ducked her head, thankful for the cover of her mask.

“Delightful, girl! Absolutely delightful!” Counselor Fotoki spread wide his hands. “Nochorku-Zha! You’ve kept her hidden from us far too long!”

Nochorku-Zha sat coldly in the shadows, glancing at Traveesha through slitted eyes.

“Traveesha - an opinion! Is the brat truly qualified to dance?”

The Dancing Mistress made to speak, licking at her lips as she tried to force her words. She looked from Javïra to Shadarii, her heart hammering loudly in her throat; suddenly the woman seemed to wilt. Traveesha’s whisper trembled in her throat.

“She-She is the finest dancer in the tribe…” Mistress Traveesha closed her eyes and looked away. “She can stay. She has won her place amongst us.”

“Oh nonsense! I agree the tale was improvised, but it has a most innocent charm. Shadarii - did you really invent the tale yourself?”

Shadarii gave a hesitant little nod, trying to avoid the High Priestess’ eyes, and Chitoochii beamed with delight.

Nochorku-Zha stirred himself once more and beckoned little Kïtashii closer. The girl slipped off her mask and hesitantly approached the Chief. She bowed clumsily, her skinny rump tilting high up in the air.

Nochorku-Zha sank back into his cushions, then steepled his fingers and glared out into the dark. Finally the old man reached his decision.

“Very well. Shadarii, a dancer you remain! It is done.”

A wild whoop of approval thundered from the crowd, and Shadarii’s face lit up with joy. To her father’s embarrassment, she flung her arms around him and hugged him till she cried.

Traveesha sucked her teeth and glared about the cheering crowds. Her eyes lighted on Kïtashii, and the little girl quailed beneath her gaze.

“Kïtashii, come and see me in the morning! You are a dancer as of now.”

The village seemed to dissolve into a storm of merriment; tribesfolk sang as the instruments rang out through the darkness. Couples laughed and swirled into the sky. Traveesha watched it all through pain dulled eyes, as with a heavy heart she turned back towards her lodge.

Damn that Javïra! Now she had been forced to contradict herself before the eyes of the entire blasted clan! The last few days had been an absolute disaster.

“Traveesha-Zho? A word with you if I may!”

Zhukora silkily detached herself from the darkness, her lean curves shining beneath the light of distant stars.

“I have been waiting for you, honoured Mistress. I pray there are no hard feelings between us. You surely understand that I must fight to protect the interests of my sister.”

Traveesha-Zho sourly turned away.

“Your sister’s ‘interests’ have filled enough of my time for one day. Forgive me if I retire to my bed.”

“Please! A moment more! I wish to speak with you about a matter of some-ah- some delicacy. An embarrassment to the both of us. I wish to speak with you about the problem of my sister.”

Traveesha-Zho reluctantly faced Zhukora.

“Zhukora, you will forgive my lack of manners.” ïsha flared around the woman like a sullen, fitful flame. “I am tired and I am weary, and I cannot quite face the thought of Shadarii for tonight. She has cost me face before the council. She has made me break faith with my own niece. My one and only wish is to go to bed! Perhaps this nightmare will all look different in the morning.”

She began to walk away, but Zhukora strolled amiably along beside her. Zhukora’s bodyguard, a quiet blonde girl with haunted eyes, kept silent pace with both of them.

Traveesha sighed, wearily sat down on a log and let Zhukora have her way.

“Oh very well, Zhukora, crow just as you like. I have little choice tonight except to listen.”

“But Traveesha-Zho, your authority is not lost! We all saw the way you stood against the High Priestess. You are a hero! People will long speak of the day that Traveesha held her ground against the mighty priesthood!”

Traveesha blinked, then stared into the face of hope. She looked in wonder at Zhukora. Why hadn’t she seen all this before? Of course! She was the ultimate victor! Traveesha had triumphed after all!

Zhukora warmed the older woman with the power of her eyes.

“Yes, so now you see! There’s no reason to be glum.” She leaned closer, drawing Traveesha beneath a veil of intimacy. “As to our mutual problem… Shadarii has pushed our pity much too far. She is stubborn, willful and unlikely to cooperate with other girls within a dance.” She gripped Traveesha’s hands. “Perhaps you can do us all a great service. Give Shadarii a Past-holding task of no account; perhaps the preservation of something special - something old and forgotten? Something she will never be called on to perform. Shadarii is kept occupied, your dance class is at peace… Nobody loses, and everybody gains!”

“Yes! A brutal, vulgar dance performed with dao. Hero spirits wield such weapons when they enter into battle! Dao - ugh! I shudder just to think of it.”

“I trust the dance is safe? I should not want to think of my beloved sister being in any danger…?”

“Safe! Ha! She’ll never get to demonstrate the art! Illegal - forbidden! No one may demonstrate the battle tales. Yes, knife dancing it is!” The dancing mistress eagerly dusted off her hands. “I hope that this has sorted out your problems?”

Zhukora bowed, her wings sweeping out to hide her face.

“Why yes indeed, wise mistress. I am forever thankful for your wits.”

Hours later, Zhukora fluttered up outside her family’s lodge. It had been a most satisfying evening. She swept aside the curtain and was puzzled to find the lamps still alight. Zhukora stalked into the lodge with a frown scored across her haughty brow.

“Aaaaah my precious beauty! Come in, my treasure! Come in and hear the joyous news we have for you!”

Her father’s voice bubbled brightly through the air. Zhukora smoothed her face into its accustomed mask, flicked her streaming hair across her shoulders and advanced into the light.

Her ears suddenly went flat in rage; Prakucha beamed up at her with a malicious smile. Nochorku-Zha had invited vermin into their home! Here - and on her mother’s rug! Zhukora somehow managed to jerk her gaze down to the floor, then knelt and bowed in obiesance to the high chief of the Swallow-Tails.

“Father. Prakucha.” The last word was spoken with a spit of venom. “Pray forgive my tardiness. Had I realised we were expecting guests, I would have remained here to serve you.”

“No matter, no matter! Your sister - the fat one - she saw well to our needs before I chased her off to bed.” The old man waved his hands. “Come! Come closer! Come and share the marvelous news we have for you.”

Her own father poured Zhukora a brimming cup of tea. Zhukora pursed her lips in puzzlement.

What on earth was going on?

She felt revulsion slither up her hide as Prakucha watched her hungrily, his eyes drinking in her every curve and swell. He stared at the slim lines of Zhukora’s rear, and his smirk made Zhukora crawl with nausea.

Nochorku-Zha reached out to take his daughter by the hands. Zhukora blinked in shock; he had never touched her with affection in all his life. What was the old spider up to now?

“Aaah Zhukora! Fairest of my little brood. It is always such a pleasure to see my young ones come of age. Sometimes the years just seem to slip us bye…” He shook his head and eyed her fondly. “We have been unfair to you, my daughter. You have had to be a mother before you could even be a bride. Well no more! Finally I shall give you what I know you crave so dearly. I have just arranged for your marriage to Prakucha!”