The festival came to an end and in matching rhythm, and S?lvcù of all ages worked together in cleaning up, each one effortlessly coordinating their tasks.

  Candles carefully snuffed out one by one, leaving thin trails of smoke curled into the sky, their fragrance of lavender, vanilla, crisp mountain air, and cool mint.

  Children darted around the circle, collecting the emerald, gold, white, sapphire, and crimson ribbons from their dance. Their small hands clutched them tightly as treasures of memory. A symbol of their woven harmony with life.

  Divided in fairness, the leftover food was shared evenly among the families to ensure nothing went to waste.

  Laughter lingered, faintly, but now softened as though the night itself urged them toward closure and reflection.

  When the final lantern was extinguished and the circle drifted to its natural calm, InuShin found his gaze pulled to his mother.

  She had withdrawn from the bustle. Her movements were careful and precise, yet her air exposed the tension within her. Approaching quickly, he stumbled over himself.

  “Mother,” his voice filled with worry and curiosity. “What’s wrong?”

  Her lips curled into a forced smile, faint, but it didn’t reach her eyes. “Nothing, Shin. The festival has been long, and I’m simply exhausted.”

  Three years with the S?lvcù has taught him to read the unspoken. To pick up on not just the words, but the weight they carried. Determination filled him as he shook his head firmly.

  “No,” he inhaled sharply through his nose. “Your air speaks different. I’ve lived here long enough to feel when something is off. And right now, something is wrong.”

  Her composure faltered slightly, for a split second as she looked away. A heavy silence sat between them, as if she was debating her next words.

  Sighing heavily, she finally spoke. “I must attend a meeting with the council tonight. It is… not a place for children. You and the others are not permitted within the chambers.” She turned and stepped away.

  Reaching out, InuShin grabbed her sleeve. “I’m sorry, Mother. But is there something I can do? I don’t like seeing you like this. Is there any way I can help?”

  His mother smiled once more. This time a little warmer, appreciating his willingness to assist. “No, Shin. These matters are for the adults. I must leave now.”

  Letting go, he watched his mother disappear into the Elders’ tree base. The air lingered with him outside, filled with unanswered questions. What has you so concerned?

  Bubbling energy approached as Syelira skipped towards him, a bright shining smile stretched across her face as she radiated joyous energy. “Shin!” She called out excitedly. “What did you think of my performance? I tried my best to capture the emotion of each state. Did it look that way? Do you think I made the Fallen proud? Do you think my parents would’ve loved the performance?”

  Her enthusiasm gleamed.

  Caught between the joy of her excitement and the shadow of unease from his mother’s expression, he tried to share her enthusiasm. Truly.

  With a small smile and nod, he said. “You were wonderful. I felt every emotion from you and the dancers. I can tell you put a lot of effort into your practice. I don’t doubt your parents or your ancestors would be proud.”

  Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

  The weight pulled at him, forcing his shoulders to slump and his words to dull.

  Tilting her head, she stepped closer and narrowed her eyes. “Shin, what’s wrong? You sound like you’re not here at all.”

  “Mother is concerned about something,” he started, slowly. “Near the beginning of the festival, I saw her talking to Zarien and she looked worried. She wasn’t enjoying herself in the festival and near the end, she was talking to one of the Elders.”

  He shifted his attention to the tree. “I want to know what’s going on. I want to help.”

  Without thinking, he stepped towards the Tree Base but Syelira grabbed him, pulling him back.

  “Shin, we can’t go there. It’s forbidden. Only the chosen are allowed to enter.” Her words were soft. Gentle zaffre eyes stared into his.

  Staring at the tree, a heavy weight crushed his shoulders. “I need to know what’s going on. I know she won’t tell me, but I have to see what I can do to help.” Exhaling, he scanned around the Tree Base and spotted small roots protruding from the ground. “Sye, can you keep an eye out? I promise I won’t go in.”

  Hesitant, she finally says. “Okay.”

  InuShin approached the right side of the tree and maneuvered around the branches, gripping the tree for support. Slick moss covered different parts of the roots and branches.

  As he carefully climbed the side, downward, the cool misty air from the bustling river beneath him wafted around him.

  Firm grip on a protruding root, he approached a small window, focusing on the voices inside.

  “We made a pact,” his mother protested. “We agreed no…fighting. No more wars. Why…do the Gr?nnage start now? After all the lives…lost.”

  War? Are the Gr?nnage trying to start another?

  “Maelira, calm yourself,” one of the Elders, Terenol, said, his voice frail. “We do not know the extent of their actions. We can not say…if they are seeking war or…”

  “What about our children?” Another asked. “We need…assistance, a unity…Skifulv and Kobrrev.”

  Will the Skifulv and Kobrrev help?

  InuShin's heart pounded as he firmly gripped the tree roots and shifted himself back up the sacred circle.

  With a low grunt, he pulled himself up as his mind drifted. Are the Gr?nnage planning an attack on the village? Were they the last to sign the treaty or something? I know Mother leaves to meet with the other races’ diplomats.

  Inhaling sharply, his muscles tightened.

  “Shin?” Syelira’s voice broke his thoughts.

  “Hm?”

  “What did you hear?” she asked, curiosity filled her soft eyes.

  “Oh. I didn’t catch everything. But I heard Mother and the others mention the Gr?nnage and maybe a war? They also said something about the Skifulv and Kobrrev.”

  Syelira’s mouth fell open as her eyes grew. Frightened. The air around her shifted. Colder. Somber. Her body slumped forward as she turned and walked away from the Elders’ Tree, leaving the sacred circle.

  “Sye?” InuShin asked, confusion tightening his voice. He followed her. Careful.

  Stopping outside the circle, her voice came out small. Shaking. Each word carried a memory she wished she could bury.

  “The dance… was about the war one hundred moon cycles ago. A war where all the races clashed…” Inhaling deeply, her gaze fixated on the ground. “And where the Gr?nnage left scars deeper than any could heal.” she swallowed, pausing as tears began to form. “So much blood, and the Gr?nnage were sneaky. They made their way into the village. I thought I was going to die…but Ganda Terenol saved me.”

  “When the war finally settled, my parents…” her knuckles turned white, the air around her stagnated as the salt from her tears surrounded them. “They were killed. I was seven years old when they were taken away from me.”

  InuShin’s throat tightened. That’s why she asked if her parents would’ve been proud. Through these years, he never once thought to ask about her parents. He never questioned their absence. I just assumed they were busy. I thought that’s why she was allowed to hang out all the time. But three years? Was I so caught up with my own life that I didn’t consider others?

  Guilt laid thick on his shoulders as he stared at her. He grew accustomed to her bubbly personality. He always saw her laughter. Her playfulness. Her boundless curiosity. But now, a shadow clung to her. How could someone so positive experience something so heavy?

  “Now that I’m old enough to perform,” her fingers glided across her triple spiral pendant, triskelion. “I asked my Granda, Elder Terenol, if we could dedicate the dance to the Fallen. To my parents. As a remembrance for their sacrifice.” Her breath deepened as she sniffled, tears streaking down her cheeks. “After they died, I was left in the care of Granda Terenol and Maelira.”

  “I had no idea.” His heart ached as he watched her.

  Hesitantly, he closed the distance between them and wrapped his arms around her.

  As she buried her face into his shoulder, she began sobbing and clinging to him. “I miss them so much. I miss their smiles, their hugs. Da’s cooking. Ma’s bedtime stories.” Her grip on his clothes tightened. “The times we would play in the forest. Collect…flowers to give to the villagers, and share meals with others. They were the kindest people you’d ever meet.”

  Unsure, he carefully stroked the back of her head. He opened his mouth a few times, uncertain what to say. Her crying softened as he comforted her, but she remained clinging to him.

  After a slow moment of silence, InuShin finally spoke.

  “Sye?”

  Without turning her head, she replied. “What?”

  “I don’t know what’s going to happen. But if there’s going to be a war, then I’ll do my best to protect you.” He shifted his arms into a warm embrace, hugging her. “I’ll grow stronger and fight by your side so they can’t cause anymore pain.”

  Her body relaxed as she hugged him back. “Thanks, Shin.”