Tree Singer

Chapter Five

Chapter Five

Mayten glanced nervously around. The whole clan was gathered in the community square. Roughly two hundred people greeted each other in the gentle spring sun. A platform had been erected for the occasion so that everyone could see and hear. It was a large, rectangular stage about five feet off the ground with stairs going up to each side. The ceremony would be followed by a community meal. Tables had also been brought out from homes near the center and stood in two long lines against the back of the square. Dishes covered with cloth lined the tables, adding savory smells that made Mayten's stomach growl. The atmosphere was festive. Nine of the clan's own would level up and receive their callings today, becoming adult members of the clan's community.

Mayten stood near the stage with all the families of those leveling up her mother had come down early this morning and hadn't joined them yet. She shifted from foot to foot next to Oleaster. He bumped her shoulder with his and gave her a smile that calmed the flutters in her stomach. Wollemi stood in front of her and she nervously played with his hair, his small hand reaching up to still her fingers. The clan stood in family groups, nearly sixty groups in all. She could see Cather with her small family. Cather looked beautiful in her clan dress of green, the top of her long hair tied back with a matching green bow.

Mayten was suddenly aware of her own brown pants. It had never occurred to her to wear a dress, but dresses were impractical for tree climbing singers. The whole clan wore woven, loose fitting garments of greens and browns with the adults wearing their ceremonial aprons that signified their callings. The clan colors looked particularly good next to Cather's hair. The same colors did nothing for Mayten. Cather saw Mayten looking at her and gave her a dimpled smile but Mayten could see she was nervous. Cather would be called to be a healer like her parents, which was what she wanted, Mayten was sure of it.

She saw Tray and his parents with his four brothers and three uncles. He almost stood as tall as his da. He'd teased her as he passed her by in height this last year, towering over Cather, the shortest of the three. He was even growing into his ears that had always stuck out a bit too far. He had unruly straight black hair and almond shaped eyes with skin the color of creamed coffee. His family were all travelers of various sorts: some traveled on trade ships, some were the more favored questers.

Tray stood next to his uncle Adven, who was a famous quester. Mayten shivered as Adven glanced at her with a frown and she looked quickly away. Adven scared her. He was Tray's da's younger brother, but nothing like that kind man. It seemed like he was always lurking around the clan, like a cougar you could never quite see but knew was there. He had long straight, shaggy hair and an unshaven face. He always wore a hat that covered one eye. Mayten had never seen him smile. Yet Tray idolized his uncle and wanted nothing more than to be called a quester so he could travel with him.

Oleaster bumped her arm again and, when she glanced at him. He jutted his chin toward the stage. There in the center of the stage, stood Taiwania, glowing with beauty in a green dress and white apron, preparing to sing. Of course, she had thought to wear a dress. Mayten sneaked a glance at Tray, who rolled his eyes at her and made her smile, he could always cheer her up. She turned to watch her sister.

Every year the youngest singer-of-stories was given the privilege of singing the clan's first song. The first song told of the clan's beginning and was very long. So, all of the people sat down on the ground on blankest they'd brought and got comfortable. Mayten thanked the stars that she wouldn't be called to be a story singer. She'd die of embarrassment before she'd stand on a platform and sing.

Mayten had to admit her sister had a beautiful voice but she had trouble paying attention; there was so much to think about and she practically had the song memorized anyway since it was sung at the beginning of every gathering. The song was of the origins of each clan on the island. Her own clan had come to the land from ships across the sea in Europe. They were prisoners that had been banished by the King. Some were bad people who had actually committed crimes but most were just imprisoned for being poor and unable to pay their debts or were political prisoners. Wave after wave had been deposited here generations ago and left to die. But the islands original inhabitants, who were said to look a lot like Taiwania, were a peaceful people who lived in a unique way with the land. They had embraced the disheartened prisoners and healed their frayed spirits. Eventually, they had intermarried with them.