Elemental Witch: Child of the Earth (Part I)

The Peaceful Ones

 Amiya stepped off the small boat and onto the shore of the river, letting out a slow breath as she watched the activity unfold in front of her. The land under her feet was no different than that behind her and she allowed that thought to steady her as she walked up from the water's edge, Reyani following behind her as they cautiously approached the gathering of Feysha that had gathered just outside the Wild. She realized as she got closer, that they had mimicked the Human markets, though they really only had makeshift tables and frames holding a vast variety of goods. 

Fabrics weaved into various clothes, left as long bolts of cloth, coloured more brilliantly than she thought possible. Gold shaped into jewelry, various statues, ornamental dishes and a variety of things she wasn't sure how to identify. Expert wood craft ranging from those small things to beautiful furniture and then there was the food. Various methods of preserving, smells she did not recognize, plants and berries she did not know existed on this island. There was even a group gathered around one stall selling a selection of instruments, playing a hauntingly beautiful song that drew her closer.

When the Fey had appeared at dawn and Verana had said that they were willing to meet her friends, her and Reyani jumped at the chance. Sir Benchan and several of his men had disembarked first, standing respectfully to the side, watching the interactions. For every one of the human Guards, there were two darkly dressed, armed Feysha visible and probably more lurking silently in the trees, waiting.

Amiya stopped short of the gathering, feeling suddenly overwhelmed by what she was seeing, realizing that Humans saw this part of the Feyshan world even less than the brooding warriors - which was never. Dressed in bright colours and near translucent fabrics, wearing beautifully peaceful expressions and smiling, they moved lightly, but more like birds dancing on the wind than the prowling predators of their warrior class. 

Their dress was loose, flowing robes, billowing shirts and pants, dark hair braided and adorned with flowers and it seemed as if they all moved in time with the delicate music being played. The fabric of their clothing appeared at first glance to be completely see through but when one focused on the wearer, it was apparent that it was not. As sheer as it was, it was not as revealing as standing without clothing, though it made her blush to realize how much skin she was seeing in a public setting.

"You are about to cry. Does this upset you?" Verana was in front of her suddenly, drawing her gaze away from the market, worry, concern and confusion on the woman's features. They were  Feyshan features but not completely. There was even more contrast to Verana's light hair, solidly muscled frame, taller stature and something in her facial features that placed her apart from the rest of the Feysha. Different but more and definitely not human, but she could see now why Verana was an outsider amongst her own people.

"No... I mean... I'm afraid of interrupting all of this. I don't know where to start, I feel like I would ruin it with my clumsy presence." Amiya said softly to her friend, seeing the understanding growing her friends expression.

Verana blinked and was suddenly smiling with a gentle humour. "They have told me they think you are beautiful. I did my best to explain to them, about what a King is... and how you are to be married. Marriage is a big event for my people and they will be giving you gifts. Don't worry about the costs, we don't have money like you do. Whatever you do, whatever you are good at, if you can find a way to make a gift out of it to any Feysha you meet, even ten years from now, they will be happy."

"And if we wish to purchase something?" Reyani asked, stepping close, her own eyes awestruck, her voice sombre.

"Some do wish to practice this, I have explained my basic knowledge of your value in gold, they will accept what they think you can afford and it will go into a community collection, in case any of them wish to brave the market. Or perhaps if any of the merchants decide to bring their things here for an afternoon." Verana nodded, turning and leading them to the far end of the Feyshan gathering, to where she began offering translation and introduction to the weavers and seamstresses. 

 Both men and women seemed to occupy this as well as all other roles within the Feyshan community and most of them  smiled peacefully, shyly even.  Verana moved between them and Amiya taking time to explain various cloths and robes, providing gifts, recommendations and drastically cheap prices when they finally made their way to purchasing anything.

As they made their way along, they were greeted more enthusiastically,  finding their hair adorned with flowers, necklaces of flowers placed over their heads and an increasingly larger number of the Feysha appearing from the trees to watch them. A calm permeated the entire interaction, no one rushed Verana or demanded attention, as if they were happy with the amount of time presented to them and completely at ease with whatever was happening. 

Benchan only stepped in with a couple of his guards to take some of the goods from her and Reyani, transporting it back to the boat. Every time he returned, he would glance at her for a moment, in askance of her comfort before disappearing once she offered him a nod. Verana gradually appeared to adopt that same serene look on her face, though her eyes roved between her people and Amiya and Reyani,  translating tirelessly between the two languages.

The day was half done by the time they finished at the music stand, watching the musicians who were playing. Amiya stood, leaning her shoulder ever so gently into Reyani's as they listened, feeling that same peace and serenity of the Feysha washing over her. All her worries, the stressors and doubts that raced through her mind every day were gone, leaving a content appreciation of the world as it is and faith that it was as it should be. The past was acceptable, no matter what it contained and she felt as if the day would stretch on forever, if she only let it.

Verana stood to her other side, watching the musicians, seeming to relax as well and Amiya turned to her as the music faded between songs. "Do the Feysha enjoy human music?"

Verana pulled herself out of that serenity, turning to look at her, giving a curious smile. "I don't think they've bothered paying much attention to any. But all music is of interest to our them."

"Some of these instruments are similar to human ones. I think I could play that one." Amiya pointed to the curved, stringed instrument similar to her guitar, "and Reyani plays a flute, kind of like that one."

Verana nodded and walked over to the group, talking softly to them for a few moments. The musicians looked at her and she shrugged, answering a couple questions before she turned and waved the two of them over. One of the female muscians handed them spare instruments, as another motioned them to sit amongst the group. Verana translated a great deal of talking into a simple statement. "They say you play and they will see if they can follow."

Amiya was playing with the strings of her instrument, testing the sounds of it when Reyani gave her a look. "What if they don't like what we play?"

"Have faith, I feel like nothing can go wrong. Don't you?" Amiya grinned softly to her friend, seeing Reyani nodding, she murmured the name of a lighthearted love song they both knew well. 

She paused, letting her friend pick up the melody with her instrument before falling in with her, playing the tune gently, before allowing herself to begin singing along with it. It only took a few lines, but gradually the rest of the musicians picked up the melody, including singers, who followed her words with some of their own.