Chapter Seven
Ember gave Merlo his Wolfrider name at the Howl and, four days later, Kini still couldn't believe it. True, the name her brother had been given wasn't a name a true Wolfrider would have been pleased with--- especially if they were male ---but the Sun Villager seemed blissfully ignorant of that fact. He was proud of his name, though it'd previously only been used to tease him, and no longer whined or growled or rolled his eyes whenever someone called him, "Butterfly," whether it was Yun, Scouter, or even her. For the first time since they'd joined the Wild Hunt, the Sun Villager male was truly happy. And it was eating Kini up inside.
After all, she was the one who'd found her place within the Wild Hunt first; technically Merlo--- Butterfly ---still didn't have an official title, be it hunter, fisher, tanner, or Howlkeeper. True, with his harp, he woke the Wolfriders every day for their work, but it wasn't a real job; it was just something he liked to do, whether he was asked to do it or not. Being in charge of the majority of the clan's winter clothing, Kini firmly believed that she should have received a name before her brother. Just because he got in trouble more often, thus leading to more meaning heart-to-hearts with their tribeleaders… If anything, Kini felt that she was being punished for doing her job correctly and staying out of trouble.
It's not fair, Kini whined in her head. Now I'm the outsider. Her teeth clamped down on the string in her hand, cutting it from the ball in her lap, and she rummaged through the rest of his piles of yarn to use for the trimming. Merlo always has to be the center of attention.
"Kini? You in here?" Pool's head popped through the leather curtains that Kini had pinned up to shelter her den from the morning rays and allowed her to sleep during the day easier. Seeing the Sun Villager sitting in the middle of her den surrounded by her zwoot yarn, Pool beamed charmingly and politely stood where he was, waiting for Kini's permission to enter the den. It was a little strange how touchy the Sun Villagers could get about their dens.
Kini returned Pool's smile with a little less enthusiasmn but there was a genuine welcome in it and she granted Pool access to her den with a wave of her hand. Truthfully, it surprised her how happy the Wolfrider's appearance made her feel. Although Pool and Sust could be a little bothersome with their constant competition to win her interest, feeling ignored and overlooked made Kini welcome the attention her persistent suitors tended to give her.
"Shade and sweet water, Pool," she greeted him congenially as Pool stepped into her den. She expectantly waited a moment for Sust to pop in beside his friend as he typically did, but when the Go-Back didn't show she asked with a trace of worry, "Where's Sust?"
"Oh, Ember took him and Pike spear-fishing. They won't be back for awhile, so I thought I'd drop by and see what you were doing." His tone made it unclear if Pool had chosen Kini for company because he was lonely without his friend, or because Sust had finally given him the opportunity to talk with Kini alone. Either way, Kini couldn't help but laugh.
"Well," she pulled her laughter back into a few polite chuckles, "I'm sorry to say, I probably won't be very fair company today."
Pool's cheery smile melted into a soft frown of concern. "Did something happen?"
"My brother got his name," Kini grumbled before she could catch herself.
Pool blinked in surprise at Kini's bitterness towards her brother; the Sun Villagers had appeared to have been getting along much better these days. However, he'd been envious enough times of Sust and his superior ability with a spear to recognize it in the female elf, though it didn't make him think any worse of her for it. Her situation being as it was, it was more surprising that Kini had managed to keep from pronouncing her jealousy sooner, and to the entire pack.
Tentatively, he took a seat beside Kini's yarn, wishing that he could have been closer to the Sun Villager, but knowing that it was better to deal with an emotional Kini from a safe distance. "I'm sure you'll find a name soon," he assured her, vaguely aware of how lacking his attempt at comfort was, but unable to think of what more he could say.
"But that's the problem," Kini allowed herself to finally say out loud. Fortunately for the Sun Villager, it seemed that Pool was willing to listen to her rant and she was about to waste the opportunity to get her feelings off her chest. "It doesn't matter if I find a name I want. I can't just stand up on the wolf's head and say, 'Guess what everyone? From now on I'm going to be Thistledown' and just expect everyone to accept it."
"'Thistledown'?" The black haired elf giggled and Kini gave the Wolfrider a less than gentle shove.
"You know what I mean."
"Yeah, I do," Pool confessed with a laugh, pleased that the Sun Villager was being so…playful. "And why not?"
"Because that's the Chief's duty. Only Ember can---"
"Not always," Pool interrupted. Kini looked at the long haired youth in confusion. She thought the answer to that would be plain, especially to a full-blooded Wolfrider. Scouter's son couldn't help but laugh at the dubious expression on the Sun Villager's face. "Chiefs are more responsible for renaming tribemembers, and you've never had one before. When a Wolfrider receives their tribe name, it's the parents who give it to them. Since your parents aren't here, why can't you do it?"
"I…uh…"
"Besides, Pike has told us plenty stories of the first elves when they chose their names themselves. It wouldn't be against the Way exactly. I bet Ember would even abide by your decision, if you chose to take a name."
Kini considered this for a moment, chewed over the possibility, and allowed a chill of excitement run down her spine. To name herself, to declare that she was part of the pack on her own…it was tempting. However, at length, Kini shook her head and bit her bottom lip, eyes focusing on her own hands as she fiddle with her yarn.
"No, that wouldn't be right. My brother earned his name…one way or another; the least I can do is attempt the same." She released the breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding and, as she let the air slowly flowed out of her, she released the tension in her body that her anger caused. It was a calming technique she was trying to teach herself, to keep from making the same kind of dumb mistakes she'd made when first coming to Howling Rock. Another shake of her head cleared the remnants of her envy from her mind, at least for the time being, and smiled weakly at her guest.
Learning to control her emotions was a hard task for the once-baby of the Sun Folk when she'd been raised getting what she wanted as soon as she wanted it. While Merlo may have been lavished with attention growing up, Kini had been similarly spoiled in her forty years as an only child and the Sun Folk--- especially her parents and uncle ---had never really broken her of the habit. This similarity in raising was part of the reason why fights between her and her brother had never been too shocking a thing back at the Palace. But now Kini was forcing herself to grow up, to understand that everything didn't flow at her chosen pace, no matter how badly she wanted it to. And it was more frustrating than she ever really would have believed it could be.
"I shouldn't take what is better given," she explained to Pool after several stifling moments of silence. "Besides, I have to work on my patience anyway."
Pool was surprised by the wisdom in Kini's words, and by the determination in her violet eyes. "Well, fair company or not, I'd still like to stay with you." Pool smiled and cocked his head to the side, patiently waiting for Kini's answer to his request.
The Sun Villager giggled at Pool's insistence and found herself unable to deny the pleading look he was unconsciously giving her. "Oh, fine. But I'm not planning on spending all day in here." Dusting herself off, Kini got to her feet and, when Pool did the same, she all but threw her large pile of yarn and a barely started shirt into his arms. She didn't have to give the order for Pool to follow her out of the den.
Merlo was sitting with Tyleet, making one of the Sun Folk straw hats that the red haired elf was so interested in---or at least trying to. Weaving was never one of the young elf's strong points. Despite all the time he'd spent as a child watching his mother and father work, he could never quite get the knack of handling the dried grasses--- or cloth for that matter ---and he cried out more in surprise than in pain as the piece he was working on suddenly snapped up to slap his hand. With tears in his eyes, he sucked on the sore spot, trying to ease the sting, but didn't tell Tyleet of the mishap. However, Tyleet had heard his cry anyway and looked like she wanted to check on the young elf, make sure he wasn't too badly hurt, but then she noticed Kini approaching them.
"Oh, little brother, you're still doing it too roughly," Kini scolded and crouched down to take Merlo's hand and look it over. Ignoring Merlo's pout, she released his hand--- sure that it would be fine ---and took charge of folding the dried grass properly. "Ease them along, don't force them. Like this. See?"
Merlo muttered something under his breath too quietly for Kini to catch, but she was fairly sure that she didn't want to hear it anyway. Merlo had developed quite a vocabulary hanging around Scouter and Mender. Instead of even acknowledging that Merlo had spoken, the Sun Villager female turned to Pool's mother and greeted her with a sparkling smile.
"Shade and sweet water, Tyleet."
"Shade and sweet water, Kini." Tyleet glanced at her son smiling behind the Sun Villager and couldn't help how her welcoming grin shifted into bemused smile. She had been a little surprised when she'd been unable to find Pool early that morning, but, with Sust gone, she should have known that he'd be with Kini. Tyleet couldn't tell if the boys' attraction to Kini was based on the fact that they liked her, or that she was the newest female in the tribe. But she was fairly sure that neither boy was going to give up until the Sun Villager chose lovemate, whether it was one of them or not. Honestly, Tyleet couldn't even tell if Kini was interested in the boys or was just humoring them until they hopefully great tired of their game.
"I've finally finished my brother's coat," Kini announced, sitting beside the Wolfrider. She liked talking shop with the tanner, almost as much as she enjoyed trying to learn how to treat hides when she wasn't busy with her white-cold clothing. "I was going to make it first, but then opportunities kept popping up to measure everyone else and once I've got someone's measurements in my head, I've got to get it done or else I forget them."
"Can I see it?" Merlo threw in without looking up from his project.
"No," Kini answered off handedly. "I'm waiting until I'm finished with everyone's before showing them off."
"But you said---"
Smirking at the pout Merlo lifted his head to shoot at her, Kini turned back to Tyleet. "After I finish this one for Krim, Scouter's the last one."
"Really?" Tyleet asked with a giggle; she'd forgotten how funny the siblings could be when they weren't seriously going for each other's throats.
"Yes; it's been hard pinning him down for a measuring. He's always sleeping if he's not on watch duty or hunting."
"Scouter works hard," Merlo stepped in defensively. "He deserves to sleep when he needs it."
"I wasn't saying he doesn't," Kini quipped. "I'm just saying that he's so busy, I'm going to have trouble making sure his coat fits him right. That's all."
Merlo looked as if he wasn't sure if his sister meant her words or if he should keep pushing his defensive of the Wolfrider scout. However, at Kini's amused shake of her head, he decided that it was better to just let the subject drop.
Cheerful over her avoidance of a fight with her brother and eager to get on with her work, Kini refocused on the two needles in her hands and her yarn, blocking out the rest of the world as she performed her designated tribal task. She could be much like Merlo in that way; when she was really focused on something, she didn't have room for much else. Her attention span was more extended than Merlo's, though, meaning she tended to fixate on things longer than her brother would with that intense focus.
"Softsong," Pool said out of the blue after what felt like a solid hour had passed.
Some how, that one word cut through Kini's dedicated haze and she froze in her knitting, looking at the Wolfrider curiously. "What?"
Tyleet also paused in her hide scraping to look at her son curiously. Pool seemed a little embarrassed by the suddenly attention--- even Merlo was now looking at him in bewilderment ---but explained, "If you were to name yourself, you should pick Softsong."
Kini couldn't believe Pool was still stuck on that subject. However, she had to admit that he'd caught her attention with his suggestion. "Why Softsong?"
"Because you're always humming," Merlo interjected knowingly. "Every time you're working on something."
The Sun Villager blushed at the fact that she'd never noticed her odd tendency, yet everyone else apparently had. Seeing Kini's negative reaction to his suggestion, Pool hastily added, "It's nice seeing you enjoying your work like that." Kini couldn't help but smile at Pool's comment and he felt encouraged enough to continue. "But it's not just that. I mean…" He paused, trying to think of the best way to word his thoughts without upsetting or insulting Kini. "There's always something…musical about everything you do."
"Musical?"
"I like it," Tyleet stepped in, saving her son from embarrassing himself further. "It's fitting for you."
Kini looked thoughtfully at the elder Wolfrider, than broke into giggles and shook her head vigorously, tall ponytail waving like a willow branches in the wind. "Oh, no, Tyleet. That's not me." She lowered her lids halfway and smiled flirtatiously at Pool as she said, "I'm not so soft."
"You are in all the ways that count," Pool replied without missing a beat, surprised and excited that Kini was actually showing interest in him.
Tyleet chuckled at the pair and stood up, walking over to the male Sun Villager and pulling him to his feet. "I just remembered, Butterfly, that with Ember, Pike, and Sust fishing, Scouter has no hunting duties and should have gotten all the sleep he needs for the day. It's an excellent time for Kini to measure him for his clothing. Let's go get him."
Although not always very quick on subtlety, Merlo caught onto Tyleet's idea of giving the pair some alone time and he unconsciously blushed as he awkwardly followed the red haired Wolfrider out of sight of Kini and Pool. Right away Kini understood what Tyleet was doing and she couldn't decide if she should be grateful to the Wolfrider or unbelievably angry with her. It wasn't that Kini didn't like Pool; on the contrary, she found the full blooded Wolfrider to be quite charming. However, she was quite sure that Pool would take her harmless flirting for much more than it really was, so decided to nip the situation in the bud before it had the chance to get out of control.
Smiling prettily, Kini bit down on the last stitch, sparing a moment to gaze at the finished coat in appreciation, then gathered her yarn before getting gracefully to her feet. "I'd better go with them before Scouter has the chance to make up an excuse not to be fitted today."
"But…" Pool trailed off as Kini left, feeling embarrassed and frustrated, but not enough to give up. Getting to his feet, he wondered if there was still time for him to catch up with Sust's fishing group. He glanced over his shoulder and couldn't help but smile at Kini's disappearing form as an idea to gain the female's favor came to him.
The Wild Hunt had gathered on the night of the full moon, huddled closer than they usually sat, breaking off more in groups rather than pairs. With the nights getting colder as the season of white cold drew closer, their howls had grown more subdued than usually and even after a bellyful of dreamberries Pike couldn't come up with a single story that felt right for this night. So he opened the floor, allowing his tribe to throw out whatever suggestions they had.
Amidst the cheerful shouts for tales of the first Wolfriders to bond with their wolves, the discovery of dreamberries, and even the war with the Djun, Ember noticed that Kini and Merlo were sitting quietly, not involving themselves in the story telling decision. They were normally like that, perfectly satisfied to be silent in the background while the Wolfriders argued and joked. Now that she thought about it, Ember realized that neither Sun Villager had ever taken a turn telling a story, which even Teir had done after rejoining them years ago.
"Kini, why don't you give us a tale?" Ember's voice cut threw the tribe like a crash of thunder, though she'd spoken almost quietly.
Kini's eyes grew wide as everyone turned to her expectantly at Ember's suggestion. Even Merlo tilted his head curiously at his sister, the expression on his face obviously telling her to go ahead. On the opposite of the circle, Pool and Sust also gave Kini clear support in their faces, both eager to hear more about the Sun Villager they were pursuing. However, as nice as the support was, Kini didn't feel up to the job of entertaining the entire tribe.
"Oh, no, Ember. I'm no storyteller."
"It's easy, Kini." Pike stepped up to the female and crouched down in front of her, taking her hand and placing several items in it. "These are all you need."
Kini looked at the dreamberries now in her hand doubtfully. "I…"
"Please, Kini." The Sun Villager was surprised when her Chieftess addressed her in a near whine, like a child begging its parents to stay up just a little longer. "I grew up in the Sun Village, and haven't had much of a chance to do more than visit briefly in eights of years. It'd be nice to hear some stories of it."
Though she hadn't made it an order, Kini found it hard to deny her chieftess' request, especially when she made that child-like voice. "All right."
Taking a deep breath, Kini got up and walked over to the center of their circle close to the fire. She kept the dreamberries Pike had given to her in a firm, yet gentle grip as she considered all of the possible stories she could tell. Truthfully nothing too exciting had happened in the Sun Village apart from the Go-Back War, but considering that Yun and Mender had lived through it, she didn't believe they'd want to remember that awful event. Serrin cutting Dart out of wrapstuff to Recognize him was the last truly exciting thing that had happened before the humans had come driving the entire village underground. All these stories that came to mind were much too depressing and harsh for a Howling.
"Mother and father's first Recognition," Merlo quipped as if he knew what Kini was struggling with. "That's a good one."
Surprised for a minute, Kini smiled gratefully at her brother for his suggestion. Yes, she'd forgotten how important her own conception and birth had been to her people. Clearing her throat, she closed her eyes and concentrated on those foggy memories, trying to bring them closer to the surface. Without thinking about it, she popped a dreamberry into her mouth, then another, and another until all the berries she'd been holding were gone. Swallowing the sweet tasting fruit, she felt the haze of her memories start to clear and focus as the story her mother had loved to tell her before bed every night when she was a child; she'd even once lock-sent the entire tale to her when she'd started showing interest in taking a lovemate of her own.
"Mother was a potter, not as good as some but fair enough, and worked the fields when it was the season for it. Father was a weaver who made all the clothes for the festivals and special occasions. They'd been friends for years, since the Wolfriders had first come to the Sun Village and settled down. Both had fallen for a Wolfrider, yet been driven back by the differences between us, not able to understand or accept what they truly were, even though mother stayed close to her heart's once-desire."
Dewshine sat up from reclining against Scouter and asked, "Kini your parents…"
"Vurdah and Ahnshen."
Dewshine, Scouter, and Pike all shared a look; they were the only original Wolfriders who'd traveled the length of the desert to make it to Sorrow's End, and they all remember the incident involving Ahnshen and Moonshade. They'd also known that Vurdah had been one of the three maidens who'd taken a particular liking to Skywise, then disappeared from the stargazer's side for years. None of them were quite aware of exactly what had happened between the two, but the way Kini was talking, it appeared that their "break up" had had more effect on the Sun Villager than they had assumed.
"Their failure to 'tame' the Wolfriders helped my parents bond to the point that they were as close as elves could be without being lovemates or siblings. Once Skywise left the village on his quest with Cutter, Mother had decided that she would take no lovemates until she Recognized."
A dreamy sigh escaped Merlo as if it was the most romantic thing he'd ever heard and Tyleet had to cover her mouth to stifle her giggle of amusement. Pike shook his head, not understanding how any elf could make such a decision. It wasn't just Recognition that made lifemates, otherwise he never would have had Krim or Skot. However, the smile that Kini gave her brother said that she echoed his feelings on the subject, which caused Pool and Sust to shift in their seats a little uneasily. A far away look came to Kini's purple eyes as the dreamberries began to take full affect and she cradled her arms close to her stomach as she continued.
"Mother longed for a child more than anything and father, well, what he wanted the most was a lifemate that he could know inside and outside, no ambiguity and no doubts. They both knew that Recognition would fulfil their dreams, but they never thought that it would happen between them. On the day that it happened, Mother was working in the fields collecting the new harvest for the Flood and Flowers Festival--- it'd been a grand year for the Sun Village, though no more exciting than most as they awaited the awakening of Cutter's tribe ---when she came up the most extraordinary colored flower." In her dreamberry haze, Kini walked over to a flower beside Mender's foot and started acting out her story as she said, "Mother had never seen a flower so vibrant and purple in her entire life, so she unrooted the flower and took it to show Ahnshen. I think she was planning on asking him to make her a festival gown to match her discovery when she entered his hut, but she was so excited, she didn't watch her step as she rushed down the stairs to his workshop."
So caught up in her story, Kini actually tripped over her own feet and it was by mere reflex alone that Sust caught her. She giggled as she pulled herself back to look at his face, lowering her eyelids at him flirtatiously, draping her arms over his shoulders to support herself.
"It was really only by luck that Father managed to catch Mother before she took a tumble that would have been hard for even Mender to fix. Of course Mother was ready to die of embarrassment and started to explain all about her discovery of the purple flower. Father never looked away from her face for a second." Kini leaned in, almost brushing her lips against Sust's as she said, "The moment she could bring herself to meet his gaze…it struck."
"What?" Sust asked breathlessly, just starting to lean in a little further.
"Recognition!" Instantly Kini was on her feet, escaping before their lips could meet and Sust nearly toppled forward.
Pool laughed at his friend's missed opportunity, slapping his back sympathetically as his eyes focused on the female gamboling away from them. Sust cursed under his breath and sent that at least he'd gotten close to having the first kiss, for the second time. That was more than Pool could say.
"Recognition," Kini repeated herself, unaware of the argument she'd started, "after eights of eights of nothing but endless time and boring routine."
"I remember that," Mender interrupted, chuckling over the incident involving Sust. Trying not to seem like he was unable to control his snickering, he added, "The festival was moved to the next day to celebrate."
"Yes, and mother became the first lifebearer of the Sun Folk since Serrin, daughter of Wing and Behita."
Mender automatically winced at the name of his brother, surprising even himself with his reaction. The Now of Wolf thought had eased the passing of his brother so many centuries ago, but hearing his name spoken in the first time in so long conjured up an old pain that would never fade completely. Yun, at Mender's shoulder, curled up closer to the healer, sensing his ache and silently offering her aid in easing it. He gave her a grateful smile before turning his attention back to Kini's story telling.
"Father provided everyone with new clothes, which he'd been saving when they celebrated Leetah's return. But even Savah agreed that it would be all right to use them since Leetah probably wouldn't want a fancy celebration when she returned to her home land." Spinning on her toes, Kini clasped her hands to her chest and proclaimed, "It was such a simple way for Recognition to occur, no problems and no conflicts--- Mother and Father agreed to be lifemates and moved into Father's hut ---but the festival was so beautiful! The lights, the clothes, the flowers, everything! Even Windkin was jovial and that glider had been sour since we'd lost Dart to wrapstuff a second time."
This time it was Dewshine who reacted to Kini's lighthearted mention of her son. To have him called a glider…She grasped Scouter's hand and leaned against him more. Off handedly she wondered where her son was now--- he'd not come when Cutter's son had piloted the Palace after the Djun war ---but then Kini had actually started dancing, drawing everyone's attention.
It was a common dance performed by Sun Villagers for their Flood and Flower Festivals, but for those who'd only seen the primal Go-Back dance for the dead, it was unbelievably graceful and amazing. Even Mender who'd seen such dances countless times during his life in the Sun Village found himself unable to tear his eyes off the dancer. At some point Merlo had joined in with his harp, matching the rhythm of Kini's movements without missing a beat, but no one was quite sure when. It was almost as if the music had been there the entire time Kini had been talking and it was just now that it was loud enough for all of them to hear.
Feeling a tingling sensation building under her feet, Ember found herself compelled to join in the dance and, without a word to Teir, did just that. Kini didn't seem surprised with Ember's presence and immediately took her chieftess' hands in her own. They moved like two parts of one mind, totally in sync and flawless, and no one present could look away. There was something special about this dance, this tribute to life, that made everyone just stop and appreciate it.
Softsong.
Kini looked at Ember in confusion--- which was only partially due to the dreamberries she'd consumed ---though she didn't stop dancing. Had it really been the chieftess that had sent to her just now?
Pool told me what you were talking about earlier, and he's right. The song ended, but Ember didn't let go of Kini's hands. This time she made her sending open to all of those gathered. You are Softsong.
Kini gasped out loud, eyes going large with disbelief, and looked around at the Wild Hunt. Smiles were plastered on every face and Kini still couldn't believe it. At last her eyes fell on Pool and instantly teared up; she couldn't even send how grateful she was to the Wolfrider. Pool beamed at the attention and gave Sust a smug smile, telling him that this contest wasn't even close to being over.
