With huge eyes, Lorelei observed the figures of the Binshi emerging from between the trees and thought they really deserved the name White Elves. From the tips of their hair to the hems of their garments, they were clad in the color of winter. As they came closer, more and more details of their attire became visible. Silver and black patterns crawled on their clothing, merging into fantastical shapes that made one dizzy to look at them. Some of the Binshi concealed their faces behind blood-red veils with thin slits for their eyes, making them look even more mysterious and domineering. Others wore impressive head-decorations of beads, horns, and filigree metal, with small silver bells attached, that chimed a clear tune with each step.
Most of the Binshi were walking on foot but six were mounted on strange goat-like creatures. The sizes of mules, with two pairs of crystalline horns curling on the sides of their fluffy heads, these beasts were a strange combination of cuteness and strength. Their silky gray coats shone in the midday sun like covered in spring dew. The clanking of beads from the reins together with the beats of their hooves on the ice bridge, and the bells of the Binshi, created a kind of strange music to accompany the procession.
“There it is!” Lorelei heard Baroness De Vindur’s low voice next to her. “Every year the same flashy nonsense. What’s the point of putting up this show?”
“What’s the point of us dressing like walking treasure troves?” Baron Argente rumbled, dangling the ornate chain decorating his broad chest. “We are measuring our dic-, ahem, dignity.”
“But we don’t drop dead from being overdressed.”
“Speak for yourself." Duncan scoffed and promptly received the burnt of Neli's glance. He ignored her and raised his voice. “By the size of that icicle, at least four shamans will be fainting this time. Whatcha say, Gregor?”
“Seems right.” The young Binshi replied without tearing his gaze from the procession. “But with a few potions and some rest, they should be all fine. What is surprising is that we have kukuls this year.”
“He means the ones with the red veils.” Lorelei was startled to hear Rish’s voice feeding her some much-needed explanations. Her friend had snuck away from the Binshi side and was now standing behind her. “The kukuls are body-replacements for the kush-turgans who switch souls with them.”
“Like with soul-merging?” Lorelei remembered Yanosh’s words.
“No. They literally switch souls but it can be done only for a couple of hours. It puts strain on the body-double since the souls of the kush-turgans are immensely powerful, so one kukul can't manage it alone. You see over there, there are several red veils per clan.”
“But why do something so dangerous and not just send representatives?” Lorelei frowned.
“Because they want to personally discuss the... recent events.” The one who answered this time in a low voice was Noah. “The dhrowghost and Shana’s partial awakening were likely the reason why... Quiet now! They’re almost here.”
Lorelei straightened her back in the most dignified pose she was capable of. Looking up and down their welcoming formation for a final time, with people standing attention akin to richly decorated statues, she mused how different it was compared to the dusty but warm welcoming of the Barons just a dew days prior.
In passing, Lorelei again caught a glance from the little Star-gazer next to Noah. And again, chills ran down her spine and limbs. Even from this brief look, it was clear - the girl despised her with passion for some unknown reason. Well, it wasn't like Lorelei particularly liked her spoiled attitude either, especially when comparing her to sweet and timid Anuk, and yet, she also couldn’t hate Shana. After all, the little Binshi had saved their lives from the dhrowghost. There was also the debt she owed Yanosh, a dept she could only repay to his daughter. Besides, as a grown woman, it was unbecoming to engage in petty quarrels with a child. She had to keep her cool, no matter how much she wanted to yell at Shana and tell her her true feelings. No matter how much she wished to demand an apology for all the tantrums and insults, right here, in front of the whole summit. She wanted to drag her out before Noah and the kush-turgans and give her the slap she deserved…
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The sharp pain returned to Lorelei’s head, crawling down her neck and making the tips of her fingers prickle. Her chest rose up and down with shallow breaths, her ribcage feeling crushed by an immense weight. She wanted to jump out, to cry her frustrations and anger, or she was going to burst.
Close by, the sounds of silver bells and clacking hoofs created a lulling melody. Lorelei gritted her teeth and her fists balled, the nails painfully stabbing the soft parts of her palms. To get so out of balance... The stress lately had been just too much. After the Grand Council was over, she would ask Noah to allow her and Rish to go on a short trip to gather some indigenous herbs; far from Ildemar, its schemes, its secrets, and its obnoxious Star-gazer. Maybe Andrash and the children would also like to come, and Saya too. It would be so much fun!
‘Think of the trip!’ Lorelei held her breath, trying to suppress her flaring anger and the persistent headache. ‘Smiling faces. Green fields. Fragrant herbs. Singing birds. Blue-horned goats?’
Fantasy and reality merged into one. Lorelei's eyelids fluttered and the pulsating headache shrank to a dull pressure behind her temples. A few steps from her, the goat-like creatures had stopped, crystalline horns gleaming in the sunlight, as their riders dismounted. From their gorgeous attires and the air of nobility they exuded, Lorelei recognized them as the kush-turgans of the Great Clans. Two of the six Binshi had their faces hidden behind the red kukul veils and only their star-filled blue eyes were visible.
The kush-turgans stepped forward and stretched out their hands, left palm facing the sky and the right one pointing in Shana’s direction.
“Moren-gadir, der nashe tebe drim! Mir-mama, Moren-gadira pobrani, na zimesh ildesh da usti!“
“Star-gazer, we give you our gift,” Rish whispered from behind. “Mother Above, protect the Star-gazer so that she resists a thousand winters.”
Shana lifted her palms, imitating the kush-turgans, and her clear voice concluded the ceremony.
“Moren-detir, der vashe primne! Mir-Mama, der drimen podeli, Moren-detira pobrani!“
“Star-children, your gift is received. Mother Above, share the gifted gift, protect the Star-children.” Rish’s hushed voice quaked slightly as she finished the translation.
Listening to the Binshi’s blessing, Lorelei too felt warmth in her chest. ‘Such a lovely show of kinship,’ she thought and almost scoffed, trying to fight the headache drumming behind her eyes. ‘But where is the kinship when you people decide to disdain and hunt others based on the purity of their blood? Or when you torture little children and turn them into soul-sucking demons? And the Star-gazers? One faker than the other! If it wasn’t for Yanosh and his prophecy, many bloodsheds might have been prevented!’
Lorelei’s chest was burning. She wanted to step up and shout all this in the faces of those white-haired hypocrites. Her eyes stung as she remembered the sad and contorted form of the dhrowghost, the fear in Kai and Anuk’s eyes, and Andrash’s anguish of almost losing his children. It was so unfair!
Getting suffocated by the onslaught of dark emotions, Lorelei suddenly felt a light touch. Warm rough fingers brushed against her icy hand. She lifted her head and saw Noah’s worried face and his lips that mouthed a silent “Are you alright?”. Looking into his cool gray eyes quenched the fire in her chest. Lorelei inhaled slowly, forcing herself to think about green fields and making medicine. No matter how angry she was, an outburst, here and now, would bring more harm than good.
While Lorelei was fighting her inner demons, the Binshi delegation split into six groups. One by one, the clans began to approach the Duke and his party, bringing gifts and exchanging otdavak. First, as Rish helpfully whispered from behind, was the kukul of Trout Stream – a burly man by his look, but when he and his escort stepped forth to greet the Duke and the Duchess, the voice coming from behind the veil sounded female. They brought necklaces and bracelets covered in rainbow-colored crystals that sparkled in the sun. Crescent Peak’s kukul and his partner followed afterward, their gift – finely wove snow-silk. The kush-turgan of Bear Ridge, a sour elder with bone-beads in his hair and beard, came to greet them next, throwing a load of furs in Noah’s feet. The woman accompanying him, probably his daughter, exchanged opdavak with Lorelei while wearing an angry and disdainful expression. As they were stepping back, both openly threw poisonous glances at Gregor and Saya who stood nearby. Their behavior made the snake in Lorelei’s heart rear its head again, but she managed to remain silent, albeit with some effort.
‘Merhek’ She cursed and bit the inside of her cheek. ‘Breathe, breathe! Mix fresh shepherd’s purse with ribleaf and honey to put on open wounds…’
Finding inner peace once more in her medical recipes, Lorelei prepared to greet the clan from Twilight Pass, her hands performing the otdavak gesture on their own. That’s why it took her brain a couple of seconds to realize that something was wrong. Her left hand gripped firmly the palm of the Binshi woman before her to recieve her blessing. The right one, however, remained hovering in the air. Lorelei blinked and a bead of cold sweat rolled down her spine, all her anger now replaced by fear. It was impossible to finish the otdavak. The woman before her was missing her left arm!