Songs - Part 1

Fa'o's sweet, clear voice rose happily in song and almost as one the Ra'van'ti joined in, melodic lyrics punctuated with laughter as the tribe made their way through the jungle forest toward home. Many people swayed from side to side as they walked, clapping their hands or moving their arms in intricate gestures in time with the singing. Occasionally someone would call out with sheer exuberance to be answered by several others in kind. Only the sa'naku Shre'ka had ridden back during her Trial seemed disturbed by the noise, taking wing with an irate hiss to glide to another roosting spot a short distance ahead of the advancing People.

Shas'tan strode along near the front of the tribe, looking around at his clan, hard pressed to find a flattened ear in the entire group. He grinned. Spring Festival was over. And although it had started out bleakly enough, he could not have asked for a better conclusion. The Ra'van'ti had ultimately fared well this year. Their males had performed admirably, all able to claim themselves a Chosen, even Kast'na.

The anu'at's smile broadened, pleased for the youth. Kast'na had looked utterly stunned when he discovered he had finally succeeded in winning a mate. True, it had only been possible because of the extraordinary event of both Mrul'garr and Mo'du'khan of the Ta'gua withdrawing from the Choosing, and true, Sa'di, of the Na'lat, Kast'na's Chosen, was the last one to remain, but the youngster had beaten two other males during the Trials to win her and Shas'tan was happy for him.

The clan leader was also pleased that his second son, Bo'ku, had managed to win Ma'na'nat of the On'tak'na. Not only was she quite beautiful with her long, luxurious pale gray fur, but the tribe needed new blood, which both she and Sa'di would provide since all the Ra'van'ti Chosen had found mates among their own People.

He glanced about at the new couples, secretly delighted. Hra'tan's dark massive bulk was easy to spot and his and Dan'oa's smitten expressions left no doubt as to their happiness with each other. His eldest, Mar'lo, had made a marvelous match for himself and the People with Fa'o. She was becoming quite a skilled and deft healer, and her singing was exceptional. Shas'tan would have hated to lose her to another tribe. Besides, he knew their Healer Mo'at, Ar'mari, would have missed her greatly as well.

And his youngest, Zas'khan. Shas'tan chuckled, shaking his great maned head. He knew his son was beside himself with joy. And young Shre'ka, too. But perhaps more than anyone, the anu'at suspected, their Sa'uuk Mo'at was the happiest. Shas'tan knew the elder Cathar well and felt as a brother to his old friend. Losing Shre'ka to the Ta'gua or any other tribe for that matter, would have been devastating for the Ra'van'ti, but incredibly more so for Fey'qua'ri. Shas'tan was relieved the Sa'uuk Mo'at had been spared such a loss.

The anu'at was finding the laughter and happiness infectious. He looked around, searching for his own mate. He spotted Fan'tara not far away, having an animated discussion with Kar'fa, the Mo'at of Lore. Quietly, a mischievous glint in his eyes, he moved toward them until he was walking just to one side of Fan'tara, then brushed against her, dipping his head to give the tip of one of her ears a lick.

Fan'tara looked up at him, startled, the words she was going to say dying in her throat. She stared at him quizzically a moment, then caught his scent. Kar'fa's ears pinked.

Fan'tara nudged Shas'tan playfully with her shoulder, sliding her forehead underneath his chin. "Do you remember what it was like when we were Chosen, mri'te?"

Shas'tan closed his eyes and smiled, wrapping an arm around her. "Yes, I do," he replied. "Would you like for me to remind you?"

Fan'tara's smile was impish. "If we can stop to make camp early enough."

Shas'tan chuckled and gave her a hug. "I'll see what I can do."

To be continued...