TWENTY-SIX: Spring Jubilee

People from the City always came to Spring Jubilee.  Last year seems like yesterday.  It was the last time we saw Threse.

“Miguel!” I heard a familiar voice call across the meadow.  She was walking with Priscilla.

            “Therese, it’s always good to see you!” I said.

            “Aren’t you going to ask ‘when did you get here, Therese?’”

            “How’s the City?” I asked.

            “You heard about the Ephor? The World Prime Ephor, who was also the Ephor of Canadi, was well, met his end?” she asked. “Of course you have.  The under-citizens are speculating that he was assassinated but, of course, it that doesn’t come across on any of the IDE-Walls.”

            “Newspapers?” Priscilla asked.

            “Of course, but only the under-citizens really take them seriously.  To your everyday City folk it’s just fun gossip.”

            There was silence between all three of us.

            “I never can get a handle on the real world when I live in the City, Miguel.  Here seems so far away,” she paused. “Does Ricci have anything to do with it?”

            “Ricci,” I sighed.  “Since he was the Lieutenant Ephor he’s in a good position to be Ephor of Canadi.”

            “Ephor of Afriarbe is Prime Ephor now.  I hear he’s a friend of the Diofe?”

            “Yes,” said Miguel.  “He should be here for Spring Jubiliee.”

            “When’s the last time we had a friend of the Diofe as an Ephor of one of the Pantaganents much less, World Prime Ephor?”

            “It’s been a long, long time,” I sighed.

            “How old are Arous and Edlawit now?”

            “Ten and eleven,” said Priscilla.  “And you won’t believe it but they are putting on a show for the Jubilee.”

            “Really?” Therese asked.

            “They’ve written it and are performing it themselves.”

            “I’ve heard Arous is a pretty good Skin-Dancer,” said Therese.

            “Yes. She’s telling most of the story with the help of a couple other Skin-Dancers we know.”

            “Efavah and Mekko?” Therese asked.

            “Yes!  Two of the best in the world.”

            “So good they were forced underground,” I said. “They were so good a telling stories people hated them.”

            “I see them about once a week or so.  They help support the mission in the City. Some nights I have them come in and storytell.”

            “Be careful, Therese,” said Priscilla.

            “I know, I know,” said Therese, then changing the subject.  “I’ve seen Arous’ mother.  She’s very popular on the IDE-Walls.  She was one of the runners up to be the late Ephor’s Idelle.  Instead, she’s Lueitenent Ephor Ricci’s Idelle.”

            “That was no accident, I’m sure,” I said.  “Nothing with Ricci is an accident.”

“He’s a slippery one I’ll give you that.  And the people of the City love him,” said Therese. “And Arous, does Ricci know she Skin-Dances?”

            “Yes,” I said. “He found out when she was a small child.”

            “How long before she and Edlawit -”

            “How much do you know?” I asked.  I was surprised.

            “Enough to know, I’ll see Arous in the City.  I don’t know when.”

            “It’s a few years yet.  Even I don’t know when.”

            “She leaves the path,” Therese sigh. “Is it for sure? I know with your mind-sight sometimes the future is mutable.”

            I put my arm around Priscilla and pulled her close to me.

            “There are a few other things that must happen first.”

            There was the blast of a ram’s horn.

            “It’s time for the show,” Priscilla said jumping up and clasping her hands together.

            “Ladies,” I said. “It would be my pleasure if you would accompany me to the theatre.”