Page 64 of Unfinished

She climbed into the seat beside R’kash in the front after Faseeth helped Veesha into the back. It was chilly out that afternoon, and she’d brought a jacket which she quickly put on. It’d only get colder once they were up in the air.

“Are you comfortable, Veesha? Do we have blankets?” she asked, turning back to R’kash.

“Blankets are in the storage compartment along with the surprise you requested,” he told her.

“Veesha’s fine, lady,” said Faseeth. “Her wings help keep her warmer than the rest of us.”

The flyer lifted up ahead of them, and the other priests led the way towards the river. R’kash took his time following to ensure they had ample room between the crafts.

She should’ve brought her comm device from back home. She hadn’t worn it since the ship since it wasn’t functional on Xithilene, but she still could’ve used it to play some music. Their little trip definitely called for some Christmas carols. Instead it was silent except for the wind.

Sienna leaned to the side as the first trees came into view to get a better look. The flyer had pulled even further ahead of them, unsurprisingly as it was meant for much longer distance travel, but it hadn’t landed yet and was circling the little patch of forest. Whatever tree they chose wouldn’t be like any Christmas tree she was used to, but it wasn’t the exact details that mattered, just the traditions. It’s not like she’d grown up with any of those grand pines and firs she’d seen at friends houses or gracing the parks in December. Her mother had always insisted on a fashionable tree, preferably a fake one. Sienna had always wanted an old-fashioned tree that smelled like the woods, with mismatched ornaments and a star at the top.

R’kash’s hand settled above her knee, and she sighed, crossing her arms over the edge of the glider. It was going to be a good Christmas, she just knew it.

The glider slowed down as they approached the trees. The river looked a little rougher today with white foam streaking the deep blue waters. Someday they’d have to explore more and see if there was a calmer stretch where they could teach Veesha how to swim later when it was warm. She glanced behind her, watching Veesha’s wings jump with anticipation, and could already imagine it.

The glider landed, and R’kash turned to her before he moved to get out. “You know they’ll try to pick the largest tree. Ever since you spoke to Jesthi about this, they’ve been discussing it.”

Sienna laughed. “You’ll just have to make sure they listen to me then—I am the Christmas tree expert here.” R’kash lowered his head in a saucy little bow, and she stood up and swung her legs over the side of the glider before he could come help her. “Come on, Veesha,” she said, holding her arms out to the girl, “let’s go find a tree!”

R’kash just watched fondly, and then he stood and stretched, taking his time before he got out and walked to the glider’s back compartment. She smiled when she saw him pull out the container and cups for the hot chocolate. Sure, it was Evathi style, but it would still feel good to sip the warm drink while they walked through the shady little forest.

The other priests had already gotten out of the flyer and were making their way towards Sienna’s group. Jesthi was holding something that looked like a metallic box at his side, while Ivekth kept sending appraising glances at trees that were far too large to take home in the flyer.

Sienna took a moment to scan the trees, trying to decide which species would work best. The ones with the thickest trunks reminded her of oaks or maples, big strong trees that it’d be a shame to cut down. Although they hadn’t lost all of their leaves, the branches were also a little sparse. She moved on to the next type, which reminded her a bit of stubby willows. They were growing closer to the water, so she started walking to the right in order to get a better look.

She heard R’kash serving the chocolate behind her and smiled when H’viss remarked that at least that was a human tradition that made sense. A few branches cracked behind her, so Sienna looked back, but it was only Veesha. She didn’t have any chocolate yet, but her red eyes were bright and she was skipping over the crinkling leaves and fallen trees. When she got closer to Sienna, she held out her hand.

Sienna walked over and took it in her own, and then they went down together towards the bank. She wasn’t going to get too close while she was alone with Veesha, just in case. Now that she could see the water up close, she could tell the current must be powerful.

“Stay with me, okay?” she said as she squeezed Veesha’s hand.

The little girl gave her a squeeze back and pointed to one of the willow-like trees Sienna had been looking at earlier. “That one,” she said.

“Let’s get a better look,” Sienna told her, leading them closer.

They stopped in front of it, and she tilted her head back. It wasn’t too tall—the priests had been right that the kitchen had a high ceiling—and it didn’t look anything like a conifer, but the narrow leaves that covered the drooping branches were closer to needles than anything else she’d seen so far that afternoon. About two feet of trunk was visible at the bottom where the branches didn’t cover, but it was definitely a workable option.

Veesha reached for the tip of one of the branches and smiled. Then she pointed the end toward Sienna. “Look at the flowers.”

Some of the branches had tiny rose red buds along the ends alternating with the leaves. They looked almost like berries. Sienna nodded. “They’re pretty, aren’t they? Should we go get the others and show them?”

Veesha grinned.

“Good, but we should walk around it first and make sure it looks good from every side,” Sienna told her, and they circled the tree to finish their inspection.

In the end it didn’t take long to cut down the tree. Jesthi’s little box tool got the job done, and it only took two of the men to carry it back to the flyer. Luckily the trunk was flexible enough for them to wedge it through the hatch without too much trouble, and then they were on their way back to the temple.

The advantage to living with a bunch of religious gardeners, was that Evathi had plenty of supplies around to get the tree set up once H’viss and Neevish brought it inside. It didn’t take them long to get it in water and supported, although Sienna did have to ask them to spin it around to make sure it was standing straight and the best side was facing forward.

“Now we just need some lights,” she said. “Do you have anything that will work?”

“We don’t have anything quite like what you showed us in the image, but I think I know of something that might be close,” said Jesthi. “Ivekth, come with me down to the courtyard storeroom.”

“I’m going to get the decorations I brought with me from Earth,” Sienna told the rest of the group.

“I can help you,” said R’kash.

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