The Threshold; sometime later…
The flute’s melody filled the silent forest- no bird nor beast dreamed of interrupting the soothing melody. Under the largest tree in the forest Silver Harmony played to a rapt audience: in the tree and around the dell in which she sat were all manner of creatures. Some drew closer; the bravest mice nestled in her green streaked, brown hair; a heron sat by her feet, occasionally nipping at her espadrilles; a fox curled up in her lap.
As the tune ended, all the animals withdrew quietly, except the heron. The woman fixed it with a piercing glare.
“For someone wanting a favour, you are going about it terribly.”
The heron preened its feathers.
“Don’t play dumb. I can see the marks under your wings and your eyes are wrong.”
The heron cocked its head at her.
“Fine,” snapped Silver Harmony, standing up, “I’m getting something to eat. If you are still here, in this form, when I get back I shall pluck and roast you.”
She strode off.
When she returned, with an armful of fruit, the heron was gone. Silver Harmony let out a sigh; she had wanted some company. A hand touched her shoulder and she whirled around. Standing behind her was a young woman. She was a fair girl of middling height- about half a head shorter than Silver Harmony. Her shoulder length blue-white hair hung in a plait. Her eyes were a starling shade of blue and silver and on each of her bare arms was an indigo patch of skin. Moonsilver tattoos ringed here throat, wrists and navel.
“How did you know?” she asked. Her speech was lilting but not breathy.
“What?” Silver Harmony was taken aback.
“How did you know I wanted something?”
“No-one comes to me unless they want something,” said Silver Harmony, her steely composure returning. “Least of all Lunars.”
“Is that why you’re so sad?” asked the girl, tilting her head to look into Silver Harmony’s eyes.
“What do you want?” barked Silver Harmony, breaking the girls gaze.
“I wanted to come with you; I know you’re leaving”
“Why?”
“I’m looking for someone. I thought it was you, back when we first met Ineverthankedyouforsavingme.Thanks ,” the girl started speaking quicker; “I felt so happy- I didn’t know why- it just seemed right to… y’know? …kissyou.I’msorry. But I know there is someone I need to find. I can’t wait because they might…”
Silver Harmony cut across the rapid patter; “You’re rambling. Do you always do that?”
“I never used to but lately…”
“Who are they? Why is this person so important?” Silver Harmony inquired sternly.
The girl hesitated. “I don’t know. I just…”
“You don’t know!” bellowed Silver Harmony “Your tattoos have barely set: you haven’t even started your training: those fey are still out there- we didn’t get them all when we found you.” The girl quailed at Silver Harmony’s show of rage. Silver Harmony exaggerated her exasperation and annoyance into apoplexy- a show to cow the girl. She would not allow this girl, who she had risked her life to save, wander off and get herself killed.
“I… I’m sorry” wailed the girl, tears streaming down her face “I know it’s stupid and dangerous but I have to go. I feel like my heart will burst if I don’t find her. I know I can’t find her alone but I didn’t know anyone who would help, except maybe you: I know you’re not happy here or in the town: you smile a lot but they’re never real- even when you sleep with people. You hurt but you won’t leave. I thought maybe if I asked, you would… but… but…” The girl turned and ran, weeping.
Silver Harmony was rooted to the spot, speechless, for a full second before her legs moved without thinking and she ran after the young Lunar. She caught up to the girl before she cleared the rise. She placed a firm hand on the young woman’s shoulder and turned her around. She was a mess: tears ran down her face and her breaths were coming and going in ragged bursts.
“I’m sorry,” said the elder woman, “I didn’t mean to upset you so but it is an enormous and dangerous choice. You need to be sure you are doing the right thing. Sleep here tonight and we’ll see if you’ve changed your mind in the morning.”
Silver Harmony led the girl back to the roots of the tree. They ate the fruit- Harmony in silence; the girl crying and hiccoughing quietly.
Eventually the girl fell asleep and Silver Harmony made her preparations. As with all the others, she would see the girl’s dreams and use them to help guide her on the best course. From spy and courtesan to spiritual guide. How in creation had that happened? She wasn’t even a Zenith. What would Ki-on think?
Her heart gave a twinge at the thought. It did so again as she looked down at the Lunar. Tears still ran down her face, even in sleep. Silver Harmony felt the guilt rise within her: she hadn’t meant to upset the child so. Before the black mood could overcome her, she pushed it aside. Now was not the time for lassitude.
It took about an hour to work the spell. Unusually nothing changed, as she was drawn into the girl’s dreams, except a fine thread appeared in the girl’s hand: the bond to the mysterious person the girl sought but knew nothing about. It was natural- not sorcery or any other fell influence; Silver Harmony knew this- but too small and weak to be worth wasting a life on. Silver Harmony bent to snap the thread and free the girl from its siren call: it was for the best.
As her hand touched the cord, the dream lurched. Silver Harmony was swept away by the feelings wrapped in the cord: love, hope and faith of a strength that were beyond comprehension. It took everything Silver Harmony had to stop herself being obliterated away by them.
When she recovered, she was standing in a field of roses. The roses were amazing hues of gold and silver and obsidian. Looking up she saw the Sun and Moon together in the embrace of an eclipse. Something made her turn around. In the centre of the shadow of the eclipse were two people: the girl and another woman. Silver Harmony blinked. No, it wasn’t the young Lunar: she was Northern but her hair was longer- blonde not blue- and her tattoos were on her face and neck. The other woman was a pale skinned Solar with long silver hair.
“I see all of you…” said the Lunar, the sound of her voice came from far away.
“I did not do everything for you, but I did everything I could.” whispered the Solar. Her voice was close by and Silver Harmony knew- with a leap of her heart- the Solar yet lived.
Silver Harmony suddenly felt cold. Looking up she saw the eclipse had disappeared. A black cloud swept across the field and blasted them. The two women braced against the gale as it tried to sweep them apart.
“I will never give you up. In this life or any other,” cried the Solar, desperately trying to hold onto the Lunar.
“I’ll come find you… I’ll always come find you… I love you” shouted the Lunar, barely audible over the wind.
Just as the wind broke their grip, Silver Harmony grabbed their hands and pulled them back together.
“And I will help her find you!” she shouted over the storm, “I will not let despair, danger or uncertainty destroy this bond.” She mustered her essence and produced the cord the young Lunar had held. Her anima cut away the winds leaving them hanging in silence. Wrapping the cord around the Solar’s hands Silver Harmony focused all her will into the message.
“Take this and know: She lives again. She is coming for you.”
The young Lunar woke up alone. She looked around the dell, choked back a sob and slowly she climbed out of the hollow. As she reached the crest she was bowled over when a heavy pack caught her in the midriff.
“About time you woke up” Silver Harmony chided, “I thought you were going to sleep all day.”
“What’s this?” asked the Lunar, confused.
“Food, weapons, books and some of my things,” said Silver Harmony turning away shouldering another pack, “if I’m going to be dragged across Creation looking for your girlfriend, you can at least carry some of the weight.”
Realisation slowly crossed the girl’s face. She ran down the slope and hugged Silver Harmony.
“Thankyouthankyouthankyou. And maybe we can find someone to fix you too. y’know so you can have a baby again. Maybe you’ll find someone you can love as much as Ki-on. He doesn’t want you to be alone. Oh dear. I’m babbling again, sorry. Hey! Why’re you crying?”
The girl trailed off as she saw trails of tears running down Silver Harmony’s cheeks.
“How do you… how can you know that?” she whispered.
“He was in my dream with you last night. He was right beside you the whole time. You couldn’t see him? I could tell you loved each other a lot. He was so proud of you but he felt sad that you were sad and cou-” Silver Harmony’s fingers covered the girl’s lips, cutting her off.
“Thank you” whispered V’neef Silver Harmony.
She took a deep breath, straightened up and looked towards the rising sun.
“Let’s go,” she said and marched off, the girl scurrying in her wake.
As they reach the edge of the forest, Silver Harmony turned to the girl.
“I never asked: what name did you choose- during the ceremony?”
“Oh! I’m Laughing Vixen Hiding Wisdom. Nice to meet you.”
“Hmm…” Silver Harmony murmured, “It's missing something. ‘Laughing Vixen Hiding 10,000 Wisdoms’. That’s what you should be called.”
“Really?”
“Yes. Now let’s go, we’re burning daylight.”
“Do you think you could teach me to sing? I think she’d like that…”