The sun hung low in the sky when Xan managed to find his way back to the Verdan village. He emerged from the trees to see the funeral pyre still burning, though it had burnt down to mostly-broken logs and hot embers by now. The shrine devotees continued to stand watch around the pyre, but Taika was no longer there.

He looked over towards the village. On the side closest to him, a small group of Ignas Verdans were hustling about. Some were commanding the earth to form pits, into which were placed large Ember Sang crystals. Others were busily chopping away at root vegetables and slabs of meat on tables that had been set up on the far side of the clearing. And by the caravan that belonged to the Rivule Verdans, a couple Ignas Verdans were shaping the earth into a small raised platform. Xan spotted Rowan directing them as they lifted and flattened the stone and dirt.

As he approached, he called out to Rowan in greeting. Rowan turned, his face lighting up when he saw Xan. He scooped Xan up into a bear hug.

“Xan, there ye are!” he said. Then he put Xan down and patted him on the back. “We were just about to send a search party out to find ye. Where have ye been?”

“Oh, you know, just… going for a walk,” Xan said awkwardly. Then he cleared his throat and gestured to the other Verdans. “What’s all this about?”

“It’s the farewell feast,” Rowan said. He then proceeded to explain to Xan that every time an Ignas Verdan died, the village would hold a communal meal where people could reminisce about the deceased. It also served to bring the community closer together.

“And we’re in charge of the entertainment,” Rowan said, sweeping an arm to indicate the platform.

“I see…. Well, I’ll leave you to it, then,” Xan said, waving his hand in farewell.

“Hold on,” Rowan said. He gently took Xan’s hand and rubbed a finger over the area that was swollen and bruised. “How’d ye do that? Ye know what, I don’t need to know. Be healed.”

In an instant, the pain disappeared and the swelling subsided. Xan clenched and unclenched his fist experimentally. Then he chuckled, shaking his head.

“That still amazes me,” he said.

“Me too, lad. We can’t let ourselves get too used to miracles, now can we?” Rowan said. He gave Xan a small wink.

“Pull it tighter! Tighter!” Camilla’s voice suddenly rang out. They both turned to see her directing a couple more Ignas Verdans who were hanging a large canvas between two poles behind the platform.

“Well, I had better get back to it. This production isn’t goin’ to run itself,” Rowan said.

“Can I help with anything?” Xan offered.

“Afraid we got everythin’ covered, lad,” Rowan said.

“Oh. Alright,” Xan said.

There was an awkward pause. Then Rowan scratched his head, looking back towards the impromptu stage.

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“Actually…” he said, “there is one thing. Could ye find me mother-in-law, Rose, and ask her which side of the stage she would like to sit on for her bit? She’s very particular about that.”

“Sure,” Xan said, straightening up.

“She was back by the wagons, last I saw her. Check there first,” Rowan said, gesturing.

As Xan approached the first wagon, he saw Declan sitting on a stool in front of it, in the process of putting on an elaborate set of studded leather armor.

“C’mon… come on now…” Declan grunted as he struggled to buckle on one of his shoulder pads.

“I’ll get that for ye,” Teresa said, coming out of the wagon. She was dressed in a flowing gown of red and orange that reminded Xan of a sunset. With practiced ease she proceeded to buckle on both shoulder pads.

“Thanks, love,” Declan said. They both leaned in for a kiss, with Declan reaching up to gently pat Teresa’s slightly protruding belly.

Xan cleared his throat awkwardly. “Pardon me, but have you seen Rose? Rowan asked me to find her,” he said.

“Sure, lad,” Declan said, standing up. “She said she was goin’ to help the children get ready. Check the next wagon, she’s probably there.”

“Thanks,” Xan said. As he turned to leave he heard Teresa playfully chiding Declan:

“Well, come on now, let’s get your face painted.”

“Ach, but that’s the worst part, love!” Declan replied, chuckling.

The door to the second wagon was open, and as he approached, he could see Maeve sitting just inside the door with Ciara kneeling in front of her. The little Verdan’s face, arms, and shoulders had been decorated with brown swirling patterns. Maeve, for her part, was wearing a gray gown that faded into purple at the hem of her skirt and the ends of her sleeves. She was currently in the process of weaving bright blue ribbons into Ciara’s braids.

“Are ye done yet?” Ciara asked excitedly.

“Almost, just be patient,” Maeve said.

Xan cleared his throat again, waving when Maeve looked up at him.

“Pardon me, is Rose here? Rowan asked me to look for her,” Xan said.

“She’s not,” Maeve said.

Just then Nora appeared from around the corner of the wagon, her arms held out from her sides and a frown on her face. Her face, arms, and shoulders had been decorated with brown patterns as well, although these reminded Xan more of leaves and flowers.

“How much longer do I have to wait?” Nora complained.

“Just until the paint dries, Nora. Is Grandma still helpin’ yer brothers?” Maeve asked.

“She is,” Nora said.

“Check behind the next wagon, then,” Maeve said to Xan, gesturing with her head.

“Thanks,” Xan said, nodding.

He moved around to the back of the last wagon. To his surprise, he found Taika there, sitting on a stool and smearing brown paint onto Einri’s back. The boy giggled as she put the finishing touches on what looked like a pair of wings.

“That tickles!” Einri said, squirming.

“I’m just about done… there. And now your face,” Taika said. She gently turned him around and started painting tiger stripes over his forehead and cheeks.

Shadow blinked over onto Taika’s knee, trilling happily. Einri gasped and jumped.

“It’s alright, Einri. Hello, Shadow,” Taika said. She used the back of her painting hand to pet the silver weasel.

A low hoot sounded above them, and Xan looked up to see Sage sitting atop the wagon. At the owl’s call, Taika looked up to see Xan standing there. There was an awkward moment of silence.

“What are you doing here?” Taika asked, turning back to painting Einri’s face.

“I… uh… Rowan asked me to find his mother-in-law, Rose,” Xan said.

“That would be me,” said an elderly voice. Rose was sitting on the other side of Taika, intently focused on painting geometric designs across Aran’s chest in the same brown paint. “What can I do for ye?”

“Um… Rowan sent me to ask you which side of the stage you’d like to sit on for your bit,” Xan said.

“Downstage right, like I always do. Honestly, he ought to know that by now…” Rose trailed off as she turned Aran around to paint his back.

“Right… then I’ll just… I’ll just go let him know. Shadow, come on, girl,” Xan said.

Shadow sighed. She rubbed her cheek on Taika’s arm. Then she blinked over onto Xan’s shoulders. Xan turned to leave.

He hesitated.

Then he walked back to the stage to find Rowan.