PART ONE: Rituals and Tasks

"Last one to the camp is a rotten egg!" Sannen shouted. All the children and teenagers who had been on the hill looked up, then began running towards after Sannen, who was already half way down the hill. Sannen glanced back and grinned. He turned around to face those running after him, making faces and laughing.

Suddenly a blue figure came hurdling out of the sky towards him. Avian laughed as he passed Sannen before changing from a heron into a human. Avian sped down the hill, followed closely by Sannen. Soon they reached the edge of the forest, where they stood leaned over and panting. Behind the tree line a glitter lake shimmered in the sun. Upon the shores of this lake was the main camp of the Hare Tribe.

Sannen looked up at his friend, whose blue-green feather were mussed as he leaned back on a tree grinning. "You cheated!" accused Sannen.

Avian grinned and shrugged his shoulders. "I can't deny it." he said in a matter-of-fact tone. Sannen tried to keep a straight face, without success. Grinning at each other, they clapped each other's back and followed the rest of the juveniles towards the camp.

They entered the camp, which was a bustle with activity in preparation for the Summer Solstice feast. Marilla, a young female Hare Tribe member greeted them as they entered the Great Tent

"Sannen, can you help prepare the supper? And try not to sample too much." she said in a mock stern voice, a grin on her face. She turned to Avian, "Melena wanted to see you; she's in the East Tent." Avian groaned a fake groan and winked at Sannen before exiting the tent.

He strolled over to the East tent and stuck his head. Melena saw him and quickly grabbed him before he could escape. "Hey!" she called, grinning. Avian bowed, pretending to be gentleman like.

"You called." he said, his voice falsely deep and low. Melena laughed and pulled him up from his bow.

"You can help me with these dishes." she said. Avian shrugged and joined her at the ceramic tub which was filled with soapy water. He grabbed a few dishes and began rinsing them out.

"You know, I am dancing at the ritual tonight." Melena said shyly. She looked up at him expectantly. It was symbolic for the young women, aged 16-19 to dance at the Summer Solstice, symbolizing their rise from maiden to motherhood, as signified by Mother Earth.

Avian grinned at her, before leaning over and kissing her lightly on the cheek. "I wouldn't miss it for the world." Melena smiled at him, and they returned to their dishes.

Everyone stood in line, holding their clay bowls. Sannen waited just beyond the line, while Clarin ladled watercress soup into Avian's bowl. Together they walked over to the blazing bonfire that glowed in the darkness. People slowly filed around it, waiting the festivities to begin.

Soon everyone was seated, talking quietly among themselves, enjoying their soup and fermented drinks. A drum began to beat as though in the distance, steadily becoming louder with every beat. Everyone quieted, listening to the rhythmic beat. The drums stopped, and the clearing seemed to hold still for a few moments.

A lone flute began to play a slow, lilting melody. The tune quickened and was soon accompanied by the beat of several drums and a low, steady chanting. The music grew louder, echoing in the heart and soul of every creature around the fire.

From the darkness the masked dancer entered, stamping in the rhythm of the drums. They circled around the fire, shouting and calling at different intervals. Avian searched the masked faces, trying to distern which one was Melena. Soon the music dwindled, and the dancers came to a stop. Every one held there breath when suddenly a lively flute tune began to play. The dancers broke out of their circle formation and began to dance there way to the outer edges, where the spectators sat.

Avian watched smiling as a fox masked dancer teased Sannen and lifted him from his seat to join with the dancing. A hand brushed against his knee, and Avian looked up. A pair of sparkling gold eyes shined from behind a black wolf mask. A tinkling laugh instantly identified her as Melena. Avian stood willingly, throwing up his hands, which Melena used to drag him towards the center, both of them laughing.

As the night grew darker, people began filtering out of the clearing away from the fire. Young children were put to bed with much protest and most of the elderly limped away, grumbling under their breath about tomorrows chores.

Avian and Melena sat staring into the fire. Many of the teen aged tribe members stayed, cuddling with each other by the fire. Sannen sat to Avian's left, sharing a blanket with Marilla, who had been behind the fox mask. They waited for Fieran to come to the center, to make his expected announcement.

"As you know," he began his voice deep and filled with inner wisdom. "A moon and a half from now you will be given a task. This task will require great skill, and will test your devotion, strength, and the most important quality of all, leadership. You task, upon completion will qualify you for the greatest honor available in this tribe." A titter went through those who listened, and they leaned forward eagerly. "These tasks will determine who will be allowed to join the elite group of warriors, the very names that spread awe and respect throughout the tribe." Fieran paused and looked down upon the youths with all seriousness. "The Blaenor."

Sannen grinned at Avian from his blanket. Avian grinned back with a twinkle in his eye. The Blaenor! The Blaenor were the elite group of members of the Hare Tribe. They were the boldest, the fastest, the smartest and the strongest of all the Hare Tribe. When they walked through the camp, children stared in awe and adults whispered in admiration. To be a member of the Blaenor was the greatest honor that could be given to a member of the Hare Tribe.

Fieran watched the reaction throughout the young members. Avian caught his eye and Fieran winked before stepping away into the darkness.

Avian turned to Sannen, who had a sly grin across his face. "Think we can do it?" Sannen asked.

"I'm gonna try." A lighter, more feminine voice cut in. Avian turned to surprise to face the determined face of Melena. Sannen stared at her.

"But you're a girl." Sannen mumbled. Melena heard him and looked at him angrily.

"There is no law against a female entering." she retorted, her voice hard as ice. Avian turned to look Melena in the eyes.

"You really want to do this?" he asked his voice quiet and gentle. Melena nodded, her lips tightly pursed. Avian sighed. "Well, I suppose you can work with Sannen and me."

Sannen shook his head violently and Melena turned to Avian with a look of pure happiness on her face. "You really mean it?" she asked. Avian nodded and Sannen cast him an angry look. Avian just shrugged as Melena threw her arms around Avian. "Thanks bud." she whisper in his ear, and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek before bounding away into the darkness with Marilla.

In the darkness, red eyes blinked. A dark shadow lifted from the tree branches over head and flew across the moon, silent as the grave.