Page 166 of Mikoto and the Reaver Village
“… was always easier for Amaranthine because the forefathersand foremothers were once human themselves. But for Impressions, who are theembodiment of the natural world … well, it’s trickier. The first to manage itwere either commanded by heaven or inspired by love.”
Eager for more details, Kyrie stole back and percheddirectly over the nest. “Are they in love?”
Salali huffed. “I’m hardly an expert, and that boy simply isn’tthe sort to spout poetry or sing ballads. But once he commits himself … I mean… isn’t loyalty a kind of love?”
Zisa waved his hands. “All of that may be important, but thisis not a matter of means. Rather, Tzefira must decide how to appear.”
“We are talking in circles, friend.”
Kyrie, who had many sisters, said, “Radiance has a robewaiting.”
Salali blinked, then hauled his hat low over his face. “Makerhave mercy. She wants to be pretty.”
“She certainly does.” Kyrie understood all too well. “Iwould want to be found beautiful in the eyes of my beloved.”
Zisa nodded.
Salali sighed. “Impressions in speaking form often resembletheir true form; however, they can also borrow their appearance from someonethey admire. Their mentor. Their friend. Their kin. Their love.”
Kyrie stowed these new details before asking, “Why do youknow so much about Impressions? Most people think they are myths.”
“Some of it’s age. There are those who remember what theworld was like before the imps completely faded. And wrote the stories thatpassed into legend.”
“Are you a forefather?” guessed Kyrie.
“I hardly qualify. Never been a father.” Salali went on.“Some of it’s this place. We’ve been preserving reaver lines and tree-kin fromthe beginning. But a few of us have been quietly preserving ties with imps. Forinstance, Starmark Kith have always had ears to hear the songs of stars.”
Kyrie believed that. After all, he’d always had ears to hearthe whispers of winds.
“But the main reason we have so many connections withimpressions would be Linlu Dimityblest. His knack brought them flocking. Wealways had a star or two hanging about, keeping Jori company.”
“He is Wardenclave’s star,” supplied Zisa. “And there isthat rainbow who visits most summers.”
Salali nodded. “We’re on the course of a comet, as well, butI think his last pass was before Tzefira’s time.”
“No other winds?” asked Kyrie.
“They’re not usually the sort to linger.” With a sidelonglook that was probably meant for Tzefira, he added, “Mikoto has always livedfor summer’s arrival. Now, we know why.”
“Linlu would have known sooner,” Zisa said sadly.
Kyrie studied their faces. “Is he away?”
“Well, he’s certainly not here.” Salali grimaced. “He’smissing. Went away with some secret purpose and never returned.”
“He would if he could,” murmured Zisa.
“We should set aside those cares for another day. Mikoto iswaiting for his bride’s appearing.”
Kyrie exhaled on a slow warble. “I have never seen a wind,so I do not know if they resemble one another.”
“Oh!” exclaimed Zisa. “Oh, I know! I am comely, and Mikotoloves me. Tzefira, let me be a brother to you, and I can stand beside you whenyou claim your husband. Wouldn’t that be nice?”
The wind twirled, scattering leaves and flower petals,before spinning away.
Salali, one hand clamped firmly over his hat, whispered, “Thatworked?”
Zisa tittered and vanished.
