The Celebration

by Barbara Underwood

  The Celebration

  Rhuna looked out of the large window of her luxurious home in the fair city of Atlán, tightening the woollen wrap around her shoulders as she noticed the blueish ice on the paving stones below.

  “A cold morning,” said Tozar as he finished dressing, then came to stand behind Rhuna at the window.

  “Everything is in different shades of grey,” Rhuna grumbled, pulling the wrap closer around her neck.

  “How pleasant it is, therefore, that the city of Atlán enjoys its most colourful celebration during this dull season!” Tozar said cheerily.

  Rhuna thought about the seven days of festival cheer with sweet food, warm beverages, songs and music which kept people happy during the cold season.

  “Another lunar cycle…” Rhuna began, and then looked at Tozar questioningly.

  “Yes, it is time to decide,” Tozar responded.

  “But it’s such a long way, and we never go anywhere without Lozira,” Rhuna began, looking out of the window again and imagining the long trek across wind-swept mountains and possibly snow.

  “Lozira is old enough now, at ten solar cycles of age, to understand and appreciate such a journey,” Tozar answered in his usual sagely manner.

  “Then I can tell Morning Glory that we’re coming?” Rhuna asked, suddenly excited at the prospect of a journey to unfamiliar places.

  “You should discuss it with her and make plans,” Tozar replied, smiling. “It is good to see the excitement in your face, My Dear,” he added, and then kissed her forehead.

  Rhuna hurried to finish her usual morning routine, and then entered the small chamber of her home to summon messages by means of the Gazing of the Waters. She focussed her mental energy on the unlit candle cradled in a wall nook, and a flame instantly sprang to life. The dim light from the small flame revealed the basin filled with water in the dark corner of the small room.

  Although she summoned messages every morning and evening, Rhuna’s body tingled with anticipation at seeing her childhood friend again after many solar cycles. After standing still in front of the basin to calm her active mind, Rhuna began the process of summoning messages by means of the Gazing of the Waters. Unlike most Atlans, Rhuna’s mental skills enabled her to summon visions without the aid of coloured powders and words of incantation.

  Rhuna opened her eyes and watched the water in the basin swirl in many different colours, then turned grey and opaque a brief moment before revealing a clear image on the water’s surface. Rhuna smiled when she saw the familiar face of her old friend, Morning Glory, and she listened keenly to the young woman’s words.

  “May you be well and contented, Rhuna,” Morning Glory began in a common Atlan greeting. Rhuna quickly scanned the entire image to take in her friend’s surroundings, noting the earthy colours of the wall in the background, and the sound of the wind outside her friend’s shelter.

  “We are well, despite the cold wind and hard work,” Morning Glory said. “Progress is slow, and harder in the harsh weather conditions this past lunar cycle. The constant rain has made the ground so muddy! And the strong wind sometimes blows everything down just after we have erected the tents and poles! Speaking of rain…do you remember when you first came to Medíz and they named you ‘Adopted by the Rain’ because you arrived during the rainy season?”

  Rhuna nodded and smiled, even though her friend was unable to see her.

  “Ah, yes,” Morning Glory continued after a nostalgic sigh. “It would be wonderful to have The Celebration of Cakes and Colours here, with this people who has journeyed so far across difficult terrain to find a new home. And we Atlans shall also greatly desire the sweet food and refreshment after our work to establish this village! In fact, the leaders of this people should have arrived in the City of Atlán by now, to become acquainted with it and its people…” Morning Glory continued in her usual prattling manner.

  As soon as the message finished, Rhuna returned to the main room of her home and sat down on her favourite plush seating cushion. She cleared her throat and began to speak a message to Morning Glory.

  “We are coming to visit you and spend the celebratory days with you!” She paused as she smiled happily, and then thought about the journey and necessary preparations.

  “Lozira is old enough to come with us,” Rhuna told her friend. “We can bring all the usual festive food and items, and any other supplies you need and oh! I’m so happy that we will be together again, after such a long time!”

  Rhuna finished speaking her message to her childhood friend, and then quickly strode into Lozira’s chamber. Her daughter was combing her long yellow-gold hair, and she looked up expectantly as Rhuna burst through the doorway.

  “We’re going to spend the Celebration of Cakes and Colours in the new mountain village where Morning Glory has been helping the local people!”

  “What?” asked Lozira with a frown. “But it won’t be like here!” she said with a pout. “I want to spend the Celebration here in the city of Atlán!” she protested.

  “But this journey will be interesting and exciting!” Rhuna replied, a little taken aback by her daughter’s firm opposition. “You’ll meet interesting new people, help Morning Glory and the other Atlans in building new homes, and we’ll have the same cakes and colours for the Celebration as we do here in the city.”

  “It won’t be the same!” Lozira interrupted, standing up and wrapping her warm overcoat around her. “Why do I have to go with you?” she asked Rhuna.

  “You always come with us,” Rhuna replied. “We’re a family. You’re coming with us, and it will be a really nice experience, you’ll see!”

  “No, it will not!” Lozira barked as she stomped past Rhuna towards the door.

  Rhuna sighed deeply as she watched her daughter leave their home to attend school, and then donned her warm overcoat and sturdy footwear. She pulled the hood over her head as she stepped outside, and then walked briskly towards the grand building of the High Council of Atlán.

  Rhuna watched her reflection on the surface of the wet paving stones as she ascended the wide stairs to the imposing building. She never ceased to admire the exactness of each stone block in the steps, paved courtyards and Atlan buildings, and she sighed inwardly as she realized she would never be able to recreate such fine workmanship.

  As she reached the top of the stairs, Rhuna looked up to admire the High Council building, made with ingenious Interlocking blocks by the First Atlans who possessed advanced abilities no longer seen anywhere in the Atlan Empire. She told herself once more that she would seek out an old Atlan Master one day to ask about the significance of the First Atlan’s work.

  Before she entered the grand building with its high, domed ceiling, Rhuna heard the muffled sounds of many people assembled inside, and she suddenly felt the tingle of nervous anticipation at addressing a large audience.

  Rhuna approached the seating area for Council members where Tozar already sat in a forward row. Ten other Council members greeted her as she lowered herself onto one of the seating cushions behind them. She felt it was appropriate to sit in the back row because she was by far the youngest member of the High Council, and had only been invited to join when she demonstrated exceptional Atlan skills in summoning visions.

  Rhuna watched the people assembling In front of the small group of High Council members, and noticed that some were strangers who appeared to be in the city of Atlán for the first time. She recalled Morning Glory’s message about the homeless people whose leaders had come to the City of Atlán to become acquainted with their new neighbours. Rhuna looked closely at them, noting their torn and ragged clothing, bare feet and undernourished physiques. She could easily reconcile what she saw with the accounts Morning Glory had giving her in r
ecent lunar cycles about the wandering people in search of a new home. Rhuna felt proud of her old childhood friend for taking part in such important and rewarding work, and became excited at the prospect of joining Morning Glory at the site of this people’s new home.

  Tozar stood up, stepped towards the huddle of newcomers and spread his arms out in a welcoming gesture.

  “We, the High Council of Atlán, warmly greet and welcome to you to our city,” Tozar said in a friendly tone. “May you find contentment among us, and prosper under our guidance!”

  Then Tozar looked around at the other members of the High Council with a puzzled expression.

  “By which name do they traverse these mountains?” Tozar asked.

  “They have no name,” answered a young Atlan man promptly. Rhuna looked at him and recognized the fair-haired youth as a new member of the Low Council. Unlike most members of the High and Low Councils, the young man did not yet wear a white Master’s Robe.

  “Ah, Greeter of Friends! You guided these people to the City of Atlán, did you not?” Tozar asked the youth as he turned to face him. Rhuna watched both of them and smiled at the apt name given to the young man.

  “Indeed I did,” nodded Greeter of Friends. “Along the way, I attempted to communicate with them and learn their language,” he stated in a formal manner, standing erect in front of the High Council members. “…with reasonable success, I may add,” he said proudly.

  Rhuna admired Greeter of Friends’ capacity for learning another language in such a short period of time, and felt happy at the good fortune for both Atlans and the strangers who benefitted from Greeter of Friends’ talents.

  “The oldest person among them is simply called ‘Gak’. And so, if I may presume, the Low Council members and I have chosen to name this people the Gakkans.”

  “Very good, Greeter of Friends; very good,” said Tozar with a chuckle. “So be it then. The Gakkans be welcome!”

  The members of the Atlan Council clapped their hands in response, and then Greeter of Friends stepped towards three Gakkans standing at the front. Rhuna noticed that one of them was thin and frail, and she assumed that he was the oldest one who was named Gak. She looked at his wizened face and thought his skin looked like old brown leather.

  Beside Gak stood a man and woman, both much younger, stronger and confident. Rhuna assumed that they were Gak’s two grandchildren due to their similar features. Both of them spoke in turn to Greeter of Friends in their own language until it appeared that the message was properly conveyed and understood.

  “The Gakkans have endured an arduous journey,” spoke Greeter of Friends. “They require rest and nourishment, but requested this audience with the Council first.”

  “You wish to make a request or pose a question?” asked Guardian of Harmony. Rhuna looked at the woman who had recently become a member of the High Council, and whose smile always conveyed warmth and compassion.

  Greeter of Friends promptly replied on behalf of the Gakkans. “May I presume on behalf of the Gakkans,” he began, then glanced at Gak and his attendants. “This is a proud and independent people which does not expect gifts from strangers,” he explained. “They are in attendance today merely to be introduced as visitors to the City of Atlán, and humbly seek direction to food, shelter and work.”

  “Work?” repeated Guardian of Harmony. “We do not require them to work for food and shelter,” she said adamantly as she shook her head. “All work is voluntary, and all necessities are shared by everyone!” she added with a heartfelt smile.

  Greeter of Friends bowed his head. “May I presume to explain on behalf of the Gakkans,” he repeated. “This people has survived harsh conditions for many generations without any assistance from others. These circumstances have made them fiercely independent, and they strongly desire to continue in this course of self-preservation by not accepting anything they cannot acquire themselves.

  “Very well, then,” mumbled Guardian of Harmony, shaking her head again. “There is always something to do in the Food Hall and Food Preparation Areas.”

  Greeter of Friends quickly translated, and Rhuna watched as Gak and his two young aides listened and then nodded deeply in approval.

  Guardian of Harmony turned towards Rhuna and smiled.

  “We are delighted that you shall once again speak to our audience about the Celebration of Cakes and Colours,” she said. “In view of the unexpected high number of visitors, it would be desirable to elaborate on the Celebration.”

  Rhuna nodded as she swallowed hard, her confidence momentarily shaken by the sudden change to her carefully prepared speech. She stood up and adjusted her robe as she faced the large audience of Atlans and visitors. She felt the usual flutter of nervous excitement in her stomach, followed by a wave of uneasiness as she spoke the introductory words.

  “Atlans and friends,” she began, suddenly self-conscious of her different manner of speech which was not as eloquent and refined as that of people born and raised in Atlán. She looked towards the section of High Council members and saw Tozar smiling encouragingly at her.

  “The cold season has begun in the City of Atlán and many of its colonies, and for many people this is the most difficult time of the entire solar cycle,” she began. Her confidence rose as she heard her steady and loud voice speak the well-rehearsed opening sentence.

  “The Atlan Masters of long ago knew this, and in their great wisdom they established customs to retain emotional and physical health during the cold season,” she continued. “As a Healer, I know how the coldness can affect a person’s overall health, in the physical body, in the mind and also emotionally. There are various treatments for all these conditions, but in my experience as a Healer for over ten solar cycles now, I can say for certain that the customs set down by the Atlan Masters is the best treatment for everyone!”

  Rhuna paused and looked at the attentive faces in front of her, and then noticed that Greeter of Friends was translating her words to Gak and his attendants. She waited until he finished speaking in the Gakkan language, and watched as the Gakkan people began to nod with approval.

  “When it is continually cold, the body needs more food of a certain kind which nourish both body and mind,” Rhuna continued her speech. “The Atlan Masters of long ago knew which foods would provide the best sustenance and energy during cold seasons when certain foods are unavailable, and when people languish due to the long, dark days and constant coldness.”

  Rhuna paused again and watched Greeter of Friends translate to the Gakkans. This time, Gak and some others whispered responses to Greeter of Friends, who listened carefully and then turned to Rhuna.

  “The Gakkans related to me their anguish during the cold season, when many of their elderly, infirm or newly-born ones perish,” Greeter of Friends said.

  “Oh,” Rhuna said, fumbling at this unexpected interruption to the flow of her speech. “If Atlan Healers like me had been there, some of those deaths could have been prevented, I’m sure,” she added, and then quickly resumed her planned address.

  “Atlan Healers use not only traditional herbal tinctures and certain foods to cure ailments, but also treat mental and emotional conditions with solar light colours. Different colours affect various conditions of the mind and body, and exposure to them can restore a healthy balance,” she explained as her thoughts quickly recalled her success in the use of Solar Light Healing.

  “The Atlan Masters of long ago expanded on this Healing with Colour, making certain colours and colour combinations solid so that they can be seen and touched. That is why the Celebration of Cakes and Colours involves so many colourful decorations; to keep people healthy during the cold season.”

  Rhuna paused as she had been taught by Tozar, and briefly scanned the faces in front of her.

  “Aside from herbal tinctures, treatment using certain foods is also important. For example,” Rhuna paused as she recalled some of her own experiences curing people with food treatment. “Some ailments are caused by t
oo much acid in the body, and eating acid-neutralizing foods is a very effective cure. Sweet foods quickly provide energy to the mind, nerves and muscles when the patient is feeling weak and tired.”

  “As a Healer,” Rhuna continued. “I’ve seen the effects of cold, dull weather on the mental and emotional health of my patients. But I’ve also seen the amazing improvement in their condition when they were given sweet cakes and shown many coloured items.”

  Rhuna paused again, and then noticed that Greeter of Friends was whispering to Gak’s two attendants. She waited a little longer than usual, assuming that Greeter of Friends was translating her speech to Gak. Rhuna noticed surprise and curiosity grow in the faces of the Gakkans as they heard the translation given by Greeter of Friends, and she waited a little longer before she resumed her speech.

  “It is not healthy for body and mind to endure coldness in a colourless environment for several lunar cycles, and therefore the Atlan Masters of long ago established this Celebration of Cakes and Colours. The cakes are sweet, made with honey and syrup, and the yeast cakes have dried fruits in them to give extra sweetness.”

  Rhuna was suddenly aware of a gnawing pit in her stomach as she thought of the yeast cakes which she had not enjoyed since the previous Celebration of Cakes and Colours one solar cycle past.

  “In later generations, more activities became part of the Celebration of Cakes and Colours, such as music, songs and storytelling, often in the form of a play,” Rhuna added, recalling Guardian of Harmony’s direction to give details for the benefit of the Gakkans and other visitors. “And on a certain day, which is often the coldest of the cold season, we have a big feast of hot foods, cooked meats and breads, then the sweet foods afterwards. We also drink delicious hot fruit juices mixed with spices. This is the time we often sing, play music and tell stories all night long…”

  “We invite everyone to partake as they feel inclined,” Guardian of Harmony cut in, and Rhuna quickly sat down as she realized her speech had been concluded.