Tree Singer

Chapter Seven

Acerola and Zigba, Mayten's twin sisters, stood next to her da in front of the stage. Each had her toast colored arms wrapped around her swollen belly. Mayten felt her jaw drop. She'd completely forgotten about the letter announcing their pregnancies that had come so many months ago. The two did everything together, even marrying the ocean clan brothers who stood next to them now. It was not surprising when the letter came that they were both with child. But it did make their trek here even more surprising. It was at least two days of walking to the sea and probably three or four for them in their current condition.

Last year, for Taiwania's leveling day, the twins were not expected to come, having only recently been married and moved to the ocean clan. Maybe they came today to hear Taiwania sing as well as for Mayten's calling. Had they made it in time for her sister's song? Or perhaps they planned to stay and deliver their babies here with Mother's help. Castanea knew a thing or two about birthing babies, that was certain.

Whatever reason they were here, Mayten was glad. They could comfort her when she heard the news that her friends were being ripped away from her. And if they had their babies it would be a welcome distraction from her emptied life. But the thought of helping care for more babies drained the energy from her limbs. She was tired of babies. She didn't think she'd ever want babies of her own, having helped care for so many siblings.

"Canela Logger," the clan leader intoned and a chunky short girl stepped up to receive her apron. What had Mayten missed? Oh, why couldn't she stay focused? Frantically she glanced up and down the line. Five initiates had already been called and were standing on the other side of the stage fingering their aprons proudly while she'd been grinning at her sisters. That left four and Cather and Tray were still standing next to her.

The names were usually called in order of the surname but Cather Healer's name had just been skipped when the leader called Canela's. Mayten's heart dropped to her feet. She looked at Cather whose eyes were glistening again but this time her face was alight with joy. It was true then, Cather would be going. Cather glanced at her with a wrinkled brow that seemed to be begging for understanding. Mayten did understand. Cather had wanted to go with Tray and was getting her wish. Tray was more important to her than her best friend. Mayten frowned and Cather turned quickly away, her face blushing red with heat.

Digby Merchant, Mayten Singer, and Tray Traveler were all that was left in order of surnames. Would they need a merchant on their quest she wondered? The leader hadn't said how many members of their initiation would be going. She started as Digby's name was called and he received the apron of his clan, embroidered with a symbol of his trade, a set of scales, on the bib of the apron. Mayten's would have an oak tree and Cather's a pair of healing hands, Tray's would have a boot for traveling.

Now only Cather, Mayten and Tray were left on stage. Cather reached out for her hand and Mayten took it, reluctantly, then grabbed Tray's large hand in her own. This might be, depending on when the questers had to leave, the last time they stood together as friends, she would swallow her sadness and support her friends. She waited for her name to be called.

Cassia turned to them, holding her hands arms out with her palms up as if in welcome. "These three initiates have been chosen to go on our quest." Mayten dropped her friend's hands and looked behind her, sure that she had missed someone else to whom Cassia was now referring, but the stage behind her was empty. There must be some kind of mistake, tree singers didn't go on quests. She glanced at her mother, who now met her eyes, her jaw set. Mayten had seen that look before, when her mother was giving birth and refused to cry out. Her da, however, had tears streaming down his face, as did the twins and Taiwania. Wait. What? Taiwania was crying for her? Oleaster's jaw was set like her mother's but his eyes shone as he looked up at her. Only little Wollemi gazed at her with unabashed joy.