The Constant Star (50)

THE STORY SO FAR

She casts Lucas a glance and shy smile, he smiles back and they sit together at the table. Some bread and cheese waits for them, along with milk and grapes. Like every other thing she has tasted in this place, Siff finds it delicious, “Do you think they’ll accept me?” She doesn’t want to think about her options if they don’t.

“Absolutely! I have no doubt! You’re amazing and would be an asset to all of our lives, anyone can see that.”

“I hope so, Lucas. I’m kinda nervous.”

“The young lady who jumped from the sky and faced a torren is nervous about this?” Esken smiles and puts his hand on her arm, “You’re going to be fine.”

Lucas beams his agreement, “No doubt in my mind at all.”

“It’s just…I’ve never really been accepted anywhere…and I don’t know…I just…really want to be a part of this place…I just…”

“Hey, hey, hey. You’re going to be fine.” Esken’s arm is around her shoulders, giving her a hug, “You’re going to be fine.”

She sniffles and nods, and wipes her face with her sleeve. Siff takes a deep breath and composes herself, “Right then, should we go and meet them?”

The two men smile and stand, she joins them as they make their way to the door.

Siff, Esken, and Lucas leave the home and walk the garden path to the road. They stand and wait as the small party of elders ambles toward them, dressed once again in their regalia. After a couple of minutes they come to a halt before her and Javentus speaks, “Child, we have deliberated over your situation and have come to a conclusion regarding your request to join our village.” He smiles a tender smile, “You are most welcome here, Siff. We look forward to joining with you on your journey as you join with ours. Please walk with us and join us in your village.” Siff smiles and cries with relief. She can’t help herself but go hug the man. He is a little surprised, but embraces her warmly, “Welcome home, child. Welcome home.”

She separates to look into his kind eyes, “Thank you. Thank you so much.”

“Come, Siff. Let us take you home.”

40

Travos sits at the bottom of a winding hill surrounded by farmland, with more roads heading in three directions; all reaching inward through the Tube, toward the Constant Star. The homes are all constructed with the same material as Esken's’: a form of earthen walls domed enough to become roofed with grass growing on all of them accompanied by wildflowers and a mix of the residents favourite herbs. The townsfolk themselves come out to meet the small party descending the hill. Siff sees smiling and curious faces, eager to say hello and welcome their new neighbor.

Names and handshakes and hugs blur into a pool of fatigued joy. Siff gives up trying to remember everybody and just takes in the welcome. She has never felt so loved. They lead her along paths to what must be the village center. There are tables all around with chairs and benches to sit on. The centre of the circle is left open on cobblestone as a place where people speak and perform. She sits by Lucas and Esken and is joined by Lucas’ family, who are just as eager as everyone else to welcome her. The entire village has come to see her and they gradually take their seats around the circle, smiling and waving at a slightly overwhelmed Siff.

Once everyone is accounted for, Javentus makes his way to the cobblestones and signals for silence. The excited chatter subsides as the people wait for the official introduction, “Ladies and gentlemen of our fine village, today we have the honour of welcoming a new member to our community. Please join me in welcoming Siff.” He gestures toward her and the circle erupts with cheers and applause. Once the people have calmed down again, and Siff has turned several shades of red in embarrassment, the Lord Elder continues, “She has come to us from afar; possibly from the gods themselves. But she wishes to leave that past behind her and become one of us, to learn our ways and our stories, and to become what we all aspire to help one another become: the absolute best possible outcome of our purpose. To live in her soul-call. It is fortunate then, that we have such excellent storytellers among us. Petrin, would you be so kind as to begin for us and tell the tale of our entry into this world?”

Petrin smiles with joy and bounds to the cobblestones as Javentus returns to his group and takes a seat. There is visible excitement among the crowd as the storyteller takes centre-stage: a shorter man with a beard, looking to be in his forties. A little stout but full of vibrancy and joy, he clearly is comfortable being the centre of attention, and he holds it excellently with his deep, powerful voice, “My dear friends! What a joyous day it is for us! That we can welcome a new member among us and tell the wondrous tales of how we came to be here. What beauty lies ahead for us must truly be magnificent if we are still so blessed. The glory of the gods be upon you all and may you find peace.

“Today we shall begin within the darkness brought to light: at the beginning of all things. For our ancestors were first birthed here, in this wonderful place, much as it is now. In the beginning was darkness and chaos. The universe was a tumultuous and painful place to live—even for the gods. Coming to the conclusion that this was not how things should be, the gods met with one another and chose to create a new creature that would bring harmony to all things. They knew this would be a long journey for whatever creature they created, for

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