Within the course of a ga’onax, there are five ga’as when the azure and red heavens blend into one. At that time, the sky of Aoringinas is veiled in a numinous violet hue.

  Upon the crest of Mount Bazdien, the great Oawgiboni donned a mantle of white blossoms. Cool and fragrant currents of a’Boni wafted across the land, gliding over the Kocurang meadow, where warriors set aside their arms and immersed themselves in the festive air.

  The singing of the ownan mingled with the blithe, lucid calls of creatures wheeling across the sky. Root-crafted instruments answered in measured strains, and stone drums gave forth a steady, resonant beat.

  The folk sang and danced with quiet fervor; music and their souls were woven into one, and in that union they were truly themselves. The ownan cherish freedom and peace, holding dance and song dearer than battle. Warhosts are assembled only in defense, to shield their people and safeguard Nature. In times untouched by war, their lives unfold as a living dance of nature, brimming with joy and in harmony with earth and sky. The festival of gratitude, called Oawgiboni, is kept so that they may lay aside their burdens, gather as one, and offer thanks.

  Ramii and Katuo, hand in hand, spun with easy grace to the steps of the thanksgiving dance. Nearby, their two dance teachers, Lyndorin and Rudidi, watched with smiling eyes.

  ‘Dear Ramii, dear Katuo,’ Rudidi called out, her voice deliberately loud. ‘Split up, you two. Must you always pair together?’

  They parted sheepishly, each taking the hand of Lyndorin and Rudidi in turn. The ownan dance required more than fluid movement and rhythm; it thrived on the shifting weave between partners. Circles of dancers entwined and merged, blossoming into wider rings before dissolving again into smaller, more intimate loops.

  The Oawgiboni Festival was not reserved for the ownan alone. Their friends from other species gathered in ever-growing numbers to share in the celebration. These creatures had dances of their own, attuned to the melody with a grace no less than that of the two-legged folk. Above, people and beasts soared together, tracing soft and elegant arcs across the sky.

  ~~~

  The festival’s opening dance gradually came to an end, giving way to the lively traditional games.

  ‘OaaKiteh. Now is my turn. My patience has not been in vain,’ Hudyn proclaimed solemnly, speaking in the tongue of the ownan. Yet within himself he felt a faint pang of regret. He had missed much of the festival’s opening, having earlier declared with iron certainty that “Warriors such as I have no time for idle song and dance.”

  In the end, swept up in the joyous air, he could not resist leaping into the midst and dancing among the beasts. His self-devised routine, odd though it was, drew both laughter and applause.

  Most of the festival games were simple team activities, easy to join and easy to form into groups, and certain to bring joy to all. A few contests for warriors had also been added by Skichip. Among them was a one-on-one match called “Bind.” To win, one had to bind an opponent’s limbs with an o'whip and bring them to the ground. “Bind” and “Archery” were the two contests most ardently embraced by the warriors.

  The “Archery” contest was held before the “Bind” match. Its rules were straightforward: archers rode g’loors in wide circular flight, aiming at three small dried fruits suspended at different heights, while judges scored their shots. “Archery” had never been a traditional game among the ownan. It was Ramii who, in the course of practicing the orO’ spellcraft, devised a way to conjure a bow and arrows. The ownan warriors were struck by this weapon, for they had never encountered its like before. Soon they too were conjuring o'bows and o'arrows of their own and learning to wield them. Skichip then decided to include “Archery” as a competitive event in the festival.

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  Ramii and Katuo were determined to claim victory. They had trained long and diligently with Hudyn and Lyndorin. The prize for the top three competitors was a set of exquisite jade rings. The two impartial judges were agud’A Skichip and agud’A Krutas.

  At last, the archery contest ended without a prize for Ramii and Katuo. Though they had been the first to master the bow and arrow, they could not surpass the more gifted archers. They could only watch as the jade rings were awarded to Lyndorin and two other warriors. Then Katuo, ever observant, noticed that Lyndorin’s ring was now worn upon Krutas’s finger.

  ~~~

  The warriors turned to the game of “Bind.” Hudyn, who had little taste for archery, poured all his focus into this event. Never had the air seemed so charged with anticipation. All eyes were fixed upon the coming duel between two figures: Hudyn and agud’A Skichip. Hudyn had awaited this moment for a long time. The instant Skichip announced the contest, he issued his challenge without hesitation.

  In truth, the match between them was far less grave than Hudyn’s stern expression suggested. The crowd stood at ease, free to cheer and laugh as they pleased—and most of their cheers were for Hudyn.

  Each opponent called forth an o’whip of his own. Skichip faced Hudyn in a stance wholly different from their first encounter. His demeanor was no longer as stern as before, and he held his guard with quiet caution. More than anyone, he knew how much Hudyn had improved.

  Skichip moved first and lunged forward. Chhooot! His strike lashed out. Hudyn sprang back at once, his heart giving a sudden jolt.

  ‘Ooo!’ the onlookers cried in unison.

  Hudyn’s arm was struck, yet the o’whip failed to entangle him. “Blazing fast,” he thought. “Even faster than before.”

  Though he longed to win, Hudyn remained patient and kept his guard high. Each tested the other in turn. Then, after several exchanges, both drew back at once, their gazes locked. The cheers around them ebbed into silence. All present knew the duel was nearing its decisive moment.

  Whoosh! Hudyn lashed. Skichip did not evade; he caught the blow with his o’whip, twisted it round Hudyn’s whip, binding his wrist fast. In the same instant, a second o’whip formed in Skichip’s free hand and swept low.

  Hudyn’s left leg was snared; the other slipped clear by a hair’s breadth. Skichip jerked hard. Quick-witted, Hudyn conjured an o’staff with his remaining hand and drove it deep into the earth to brace himself.

  ‘So,’ Hudyn growled through clenched teeth. ‘You... you had that in reserve as well. Do not think you alone can fight with both hands.’

  ‘Onward, Hudyn!’ ‘Do not let him take you down!’ ‘Hold fast!’ ‘Do not let go!’ ‘Hudyn!’ ‘Hudyn!’ ‘Hudyn!’…

  The crowd roared with fervor, Ramii and Katuo shouting louder than any. Yet it was plain that Hudyn stood at a clear disadvantage, and victory was tilting ever more toward Skichip.

  Then, all at once, tendrils shot up from the earth beneath Skichip’s feet and coiled tightly about his legs. Hudyn gave a fierce tug on the o’staff, and Skichip crashed to the ground. Moments before, his o’staff had pierced through the earth and reached Skichip’s position.

  ‘Hudyn has won!’ ‘Hudyn has defeated the agud’A!’ ‘Hudyn!’ ‘Hudyn!’ ‘Hudyn!’

  The crowd erupted in cheers. Ramii and Katuo rushed forward, other warriors following close behind. Together they lifted Hudyn high and cast him into the air.

  ~~~

  After the Oawgiboni Festival, the trio returned to the Lodom Mountains.

  During that time, Katuo and Lyndorin had taken turns recounting what they had seen and endured, patiently guiding Ramii and Hudyn as best they could. In this way, the two came to grasp something of the Call of Oaa, though not in any full or settled understanding.

  The three made their way back to the mountains in some fear that the Master might send them away. At last Tiknahah stood before them, he said nothing but passed his gaze over each in turn and gave a slight nod. Only then did they dare to breathe more easily.

  Earlier, Katuo had returned alone to the Lodom Mountains to see Master Tiknahah, not from any wish to boast of the wonder she had newly come to understand. She wished only to see him again, for she took comfort in his teachings.

  Whenever she stood before him, she could not help but think of Mr. Rono. In the days at Diang, her grandsire had taught her many useful things, and as she grew older, she came to value his words all the more. I am truly fortunate to have had two teachers in my life, Katuo would often say to herself.

  When Tiknahah received her, he showed quiet satisfaction in the effort she had made. Yet he asked, ‘And where are your two companions?’

  Katuo hesitated, unsure how to reply when he spoke again.

  ‘Return to them and learn together. The one who sees clearly must help those who do not; only such a one may truly be clear-eyed.’

  ~~~