Vidar led the way through the large mushrooms, with the group following quietly.
“So what are you guys?” Askold asked as he jogged up to Vidar. “That was pretty cool back there. I’ve never seen anything like it. Well, honestly, all of this is new to me. I’m human and don’t have any powers, which sucks.”
Vidar looked at him and sighed again. “We’re called Vatte. We have lived deep within the redwoods for thousands of years. When the gods left, and the monsters took over the lower half of Xyberus, we migrated into the Amanita Copse. No monsters come here because these mushrooms are incredibly toxic, as I’m sure you have experienced.” He looked at Askold, noting his blistered fingers.
Askold wiggled them in the air. “Not too bad.”
“Well, you must have touched a small one. The bigger the mushrooms are, the worse they are. Be sure not to touch these at all. We do not have a remedy for the burn as we are immune to them.”
Seda was listening with rapt attention as the group followed Vidar, Lucja, and a skipping Orion through the mushrooms. Small twinkling lights in the distance caught her eyes as they walked forward. She looked at Elco and asked, “What do you think about all of this?”
“I’ve heard of the Vatte. They were once a thriving community and are rich in earthen magic. This is my first time meeting them, though,” he replied.
Seda looked around in wonder as they approached the twinkling lights. Small homes with thatched roofs made from ferns, rounded wooden doors, and circular windows were erected haphazardly around the area. Strings of lights, made from the little glowing balls they had stepped over earlier, were strung between all the buildings, lighting up the area. Hundreds of Vatte were outside doing various tasks. They washed their clothing in a stream, cooked over small fires, fixed crumpled rooftops, and chatted with each other happily as they drank from small, round cups made from carved wood. The most interesting part was that all of them were doing these tasks using magic. The water moved itself, and the ferns for the roofing were magically placed.
No one was over five feet tall, leaving Seda appearing awkwardly tall. Everyone wore the same earth-toned garments, men with pants and tops, and women in dusty-colored dresses. When they saw the group, they all paused their tasks and watched, leaving their magicked items floating in the air. Children pointed at them as they passed, halting the games they were playing.
Vidar led them to the center of the small village and climbed up onto an old redwood stump, waving his hands around. The stump grew another ten feet taller, lifting him toward the sky.
The villagers hesitantly approached the area, watching Seda and her friends.
“My people, we have travelers tonight. They wish to seek shelter and food. It has been averylong time since we last had guests, and Lucja wishes for us to celebrate and host. Please show them as much kindness as they show us. Let’s show these people how the Vatte like to party!” Vidar shouted from the stump.
The Vatte all jumped and clapped excitedly, their peach-like cheeks glowing pink with delight, their previous tasks now long forgotten. Music began playing around them, coming from smallstringed instruments carried by several Vatte. The sound was so new to Seda, so unique and so beautiful.
“Get more mead!” someone shouted, and Seda looked around, trying to find the source of the yelling. She had never tried mead before. She heard about it in Joro, but only the critical members of society living in Cascade had access to it.
An excited bubble grew in her belly.
Orion ran up to her and grabbed her hands. “What’s your name, beautiful, magical, purple lady?” he asked her as he hopped around her in circles. “My powers haven’t come in yet. I have another hundred or so years. It’s hard being so young and so unfair!”
“I’m Seda. It is nice to meet you, Orion,” she said to him. He grabbed her hand and pulled her into the center of the area where others were starting to dance to the music. He jumped around and danced as the space filled with more Vatte. Seda looked around, a little embarrassed to be dancing. She didn’t know how to dance, and her body felt awkward as she moved, trying to mimic the movements of the other Vatte. Her ankle still hurt, but she ignored the pain.
She caught sight of Kalon watching her, and she nervously waved at him. He had his hand over his mouth, trying to stifle a smile as he watched her with eyes full of delight.
A small man approached her and handed her one of the small wooden cups. She peered into it and saw the thick, golden liquid within. She took a hesitant sip, and the sweetest taste she had ever experienced exploded in her mouth.
As the sweet honey and caramel flavors laced her palate, she let out a moan. She took another deep sip, enjoying the fiery sensation as it moved down her throat.
The Corvids shifted into their raven forms and flew around the area, their wings flapping with the beat of the music, creating a gentle wind around the area that blew everyone’s hair around. The Vattecheered and clapped at them, spilling mead from their cups. More and more people and group members began to drink and dance, including Seda. The air was thick with a substance the Vatte were smoking, and it smelled strong, with an earthy aroma. She felt so free, soalive, no longer caring if she looked silly as she moved her body.
The Vatte brought out food and handed Seda a small bowl filled to the brim with vegetable soup and some flatbread. She found a place to sit down and sip the broth. Warmth spread through her body, and the spices burst in her mouth. She had never tasted soup as delicious as this before.
She glanced over at Elco and saw children playing around him, placing flowers into his silky mane. He pretended to paw at them like a large cat with mice, with his long, spiked tail flicking around.
Dizziness swirled in her mind from the mead as she sat on the log watching the others. Kalon came up from behind and sat beside her, his arm brushing against hers. She looked down and saw that he had rolled up his sleeves, and the hair on his strong, muscular arms was standing where it touched hers.
He took a sip from the soup he was holding, and Seda watched his Adam’s apple as it moved on his throat. Blurry images of him and the Vatte surrounded her as the laughter and smells of the environment lifted her spirits. She felt happy and carefree. She smiled at him and giggled when he looked at her with a questioning expression, causing her to drop her bowl of soup onto the ground accidentally.
Kalon quickly picked it up.
“Would you like more?” he asked her, offering his own bowl.
“I donnnn’t think so,” she slurred and hiccuped.
“The mead is strong here. Do you feel okay?”
She looked in his direction, and his fuzzy image came into view. “I feeeelll great.” Her words grew more muddled and slurred the longer she sat.She reached out and gently took the ends of his braid in her hand, twirling it around her fingers.
