CHAPTER 2
In your world, nothing’s set in stone.
There is nothing for one to fully own.
A certain family falls apart
while another ends up at the start;
making a circle of nothing but mess,
every one to blame but no one to confess.
There is no compassion and love for those lost,
no one to help or to see the cost
of how a community should be
and how caring could come so easily.
To always have and always know
a family in which love does show
a home of warmth and greetings dear
and caring words for one to hear.
The Elves themselves live only like this,
to raise happiness and sheer bliss.
Many a creature lives this way;
tis the nature of us all… in the land of Fae.
*****
The tree Sarci was dangling out of had opened wider, the hole now becoming a door for the two to go through. Luthien pulled the bark back, revealing a long narrow flight of stairs, going deep into the earth. They gradually descended, and Sarci closed the door behind them. Within an instant, everything was as it should be, and the door seeped back into the tree.
Luthien glided down the stairs, the only light were torches on the wall. Saida held onto the dirt and roots reaching out. She had tripped down those stairs too many times, and did not want to risk it now.
They finally reached their destination as the stairs spilled into a grand hall. Normally it was just a peaceful home with simple interior, but that night, food piled high on top of a table made of dried bones. Little children played chase around it, and one stopped to chew on the leg of the table.
A woman with wide eyes and floppy ears panted like a dog while resting in a long wooden chair, her clawed fingers twirling in one of her many braids. She was watching a green man with vines in his hair, putting on a show for her by touching an object, forcing beautiful flowers to bloom instantly.
In a corner was a round table, naturally growing wood from the dark cold soil. Around it, men Luthien knew were discussing things in whispers and lost languages. There must have been ten to fifteen of them, all young men of the tribe, huddled around with a space for Luthien to join. Their clothes were all similar: brown leather vests wrapped around there backs and buckled at the shoulders and sides, dark green leather pants circled their legs tightly. There arms and wrists were covered in well-crafted armbands, with a single stone in the middle; and if their hair was long enough, they had most of it pulled back in a pinecone clip.
The biggest one of them all was Konin. He had an opened vest that had the molding of what looked like a spine in the back, and bare muscular arms. His chest was muscular also, sticking out as a sign that he was the one you did not want to mess with. His arms were crossed and his face was still and plain. He never smiled. He never showed any emotion really, kind of like Luthien, kind of like all the collectors…
Saida could easily tell the head collector. His lean neck held a head full of knowledge. His cheeks were sunken in slightly and his eyes were narrow, as if he was trying to focus on a long forgotten tale in the back of his mind.
His head was covered with black bear fur, and it flowed down and tangled around his arms. They stopped at his hands, both occupied. The left hand was stirring some liquid in a brown bowl, the right, held a skull.
It was a unique skull. None that Saida had ever laid eyes on. The skulls of her people were longer. This one was short and stout with a smaller head and small teeth. It might have resembled a monkey to Saida but if so, it was no monkey she was familiar with.
Saida stopped staring when her brother turned to face her. “I’m going to go join the others. Don’t think about telling any one, even them, that you followed me all right? I can’t afford them thinking I’m irresponsible.”
“I understand” Saida answered as she lowered her head. “I’ll go see what the rest of the family is up to.”
Saida walked around, seeing so many creatures but not finding the ones she wanted. There home was always filled with many things, all caring and loving; but there was one unparticular she wanted to see.
“Nahna Bahna.” Saida called as she waltzed through the outlandish crowd. Horns, teeth, and claws appeared with every twist and turn. Short men with long beards and stubby feet darted between massive legs of giants with big noses and booming voices. They groaned as they marched; pounding echoes with each step.
Saida kept searching for Bahna, but instead of looking for a lean face and a skinny figure, or hair that matched the color of a season like that of the Anwa tribe, she looked for a short bent woman with eyes of wisdom. She scouted for long black hair twisting in old curls among her head; and gazing for her body to be trapped in a mesh of fur.
She finally heard a pleasing and familiar voice in the distance.
“What a party, what a party!” she heard the old women yell. Her voice would start out big, the words screeching and cracking, then fading in with the rest of the group, like she wanted no one to hear her. That’s just how she spoke; and Saida knew it was her. (Fix)
“What a party Sade,” Bahna began, loud as ever. “Don’t you think so?” The question was now quiet, and Saida almost missed it completely.
“Oh Nahna Bahna,” Saida said, raising her voice beyond the others. “It is a fine party indeed.” She knelt down to the little woman and hugged her dearly. “Are you enjoying yourself?”
“Why I always enjoy myself!” Her voice so loud you would think she was drunk. “But let me tell you Sade, happiness and joy are not the only feelings mixing around the air.” She held Saidas head to her mouth as she whispered those words of warning; her old bony fingers sliding through her glistening hair. She then let her go to straighten herself. When she did, Bahna saw confusion mixing in with worry on the young ones face. Bahna smiled that half hearted smile.
“No worries deary!” She yelled out. Her eyes squinting shut. “Just stay out of trouble.” She whispered and winked.
“Oh Nahna Bahna, what would I do with out you?” Saida hugged her again, and then turned to join in the party.
“You’d probably be a lot better off!” Bahna screamed, laughing, then softly whispered “I love you dear Sade, see you soon.”
‘Sade’ she thought. ‘Why does she insist on calling me that’ she giggled.
“Welcome to the winter celebration,” An echo carried through the underground cavern, distracting Saida from her thoughts.
A man with gleaming cat eyes was standing on one of the stump tables naturally growing from the earth.
“We want to thank Luthien and the rest of the winter Anwas for allowing us to use their wonderful home. Here’s to a wonderful winter!” The cat raised a goblet of red liquid and the others followed, a wave of hands and paws and hooves raised their glasses to the hosts of the party.
Saida bowed her head shyly while Luthien failed to pay much attention at all, and Bahna just waved and laughed; though she wasn’t technically related to them, every one saw her as part of their family.
With every one agreeing with the cat and glasses clinking in cheers, the party persisted through out the oldest autumn night.
