by Paul Kidd
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Kïtashii artfully posed in the mists, letting water trail down her skinny curves; Rooshïkii rose and stretched. Suddenly the two girls noticed their admirers and pantomimed their shock. They ducked back into the water, fast enough to preserve their modesty, but not too fast to hide themselves from the boys…
Shadarii quietly unshipped the eel and dropped it in the creek, and the creature sped away towards Kïtashii’s rump. The girl had half risen from the water as one boy craned towards her for a kiss. Their mouths parted, almost close enough to touch…
Shadarii ambled back upstream with her hands clasped behind her tail, while at the swimming hole, female voices raised a sudden squeal of fright. Shadarii slitted up her lashes and wandered on her way.
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Kotaru reached out to hold Shadarii’s hand, then looked up into a beam of light and slowly closed her eyes. Her ïsha aura swirled as her face grew sad and wan. The tall hunter turned and looked at her in sorrow.
“Are you happy, Shadarii? Is this life truly what you want?”
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She looked up at him with eyes as deep as forest pools.
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“You are wise, Shadarii.”
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They walked to the edges of the forest, and stood poised high above a whole new world. Below them, plains and forest now lived in harmony. Sea peoples worked side by side with alpine gardeners and shepherd girls. Shadarii looked across the scene and sighed.
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Kotaru looked around in shock.
“Zhukora? Zhukora was mad!”
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Tears stood in Shadarii’s eyes.
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A bell boomed out to call the leaders into council. Kotaru turned to his companion and looked into her eyes.
“Are you sure you won’t come to the meeting? You know that you are welcome. You are loved, Shadarii.”
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Behind them the great bell rang once more, and Kotaru turned to go. He looked back to see her standing on the rocks above him with the wind streaming through her hair. The forest spread about her as she gazed into his heart.
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A rainbow spread its light behind Shadarii’s tail as Kotaru-Keketál wandered onwards to bring life into a dream.
Far above, the Silent Lady smiled. She watched over him until he passed far beyond mere mortal view.
Notes:
1) Kokïku: In alpine speech “Two beauties joining” . In Plains speech, “New Dawn”.