The Sun Seeker

Jes crossed the street toward a brightly colored complex, with a long, heavy awning that depicting people gathered around a boiling stewpot. The enclave was one of hundreds across the planets, the only stable property the Children of Lore held onto. An old fashioned bell jingled overhead, and Jes felt tension leave her body as a familiar face bustled over.

“Jesphyra!” the round woman jiggled her way over with ourstretched arms, a smile cutting across her wide, dark face.

“Hello Sehkma.” Jes accepted the hug, the smells of saffron and chai somehow adding to the affect of being crushed with affection.

“Where have you been, child? I've had so many turns and tellings without you.”

Sehkma held Jes' face between her hands and stared deep into her eyes. “You look thin. Where have you been Telling your tales; a famine?”

Jesphyr smiled despite herself. “Well, I tried to get on a pirate ship, but they weren't interested.”

Sehkma tutted. “cheeky child.” She patted Jes' face affectionately, then paused again, more serious. “The shadows haven't gone yet, I see. You look like someone on the run from fate.”

Jes straightened, gently disentangling herself. She hadn't seen the Solari in weeks, but Sehkma's words hit a little too close to home.

“I've missed you too,” She said bemusedly, then looked around. “Where is everyone? It's not supposed to be this quiet around here.”

“Oh, there are a few out in the street right now.” Sehkma took her bag and they moved deeper into the enclave. The insides where draped with tapestries and carpets, all depicting a different tale. Large pillows and cushions made up most of the furniture. If not for the greeting counter along the back wall of the entry room, it would have looked more like a tent than a house. They pushed through a curtained door to a central courtyard. Lush bushes circled the paved area, and two thin trees curled elegantly around each other in the center as they stretched for the sun above.

“Of course, most of us are on the way to the Festival of Solem,” Sehkma continued as she shuffled toward the dormitories. “Have you gone to one yet? I know Cicera always refused to go, but it would be good for you.”

“When was the last time you went?” Jes asked, trying to distract her. Cicera had rarely explained her aversion to the Capital, and Jes didn't feel the need to break that trend. Especially with the Solari asking questions.

Sehkma smiled thoughtfully. “Oh, too many seasons past. Rashid took us for our fiftieth annuum.” she clutched at the necklace she wore; a medallion with a red jewel in the center, an old fashioned commitment stone. “but he doesn't travel as well anymore. And someone must tend to the enclaves. Who else would watch out for skinny young keepers?” she poked Jes in the ribs.

Sehkma led her into a dormitory, setting the bag on the closest bed. “You can have this one to yourself. As I say, most everyone is headed for Trium. I don't expect anyone beyond you and Hashem.”

Jesphyr glanced up at that. “is Uncle Hash here?” she grinned.

“And where else would I be?” a rumbly voice answered from the doorway. A barrel chested man leaned his head in, hazel eyes twinkling. “Sehkma would grow old without me here to pester her.”

“You make me old, with your begging for food.” The older lady swatted at him, but made room so he could smother Jes in another hug.

“She complains, but you know she needs someone to take care of,” He said with a wink at Jes. “You've been gone a long time, Sundrop.”

“Yeah, Sehkma scolded me already,” Jes responded with a twist of her lips. “It's good to see you, Hash.”

He patted her shoulder before turning back to Sehkma. “Speaking of food, are we Telling tonight, or having a quiet supper?” He rubbed his belly with a pitiful look. “It's been so long since breakfast...”

“Ohhh, you...” Sehkma threw up her hands, looking to Jes for pity. “You see what I put up with? Between him and Rashid, I have no peace. We will have a Telling tonight. What do you say, Jesphyra? Shall we sing the old songs?”

“Songs were always yours for Telling, Aunty.”

“Fah, but you used to help me! Cicera was always for the spoken Lore, but you loved to dance with me. We shall do it again. Tonight, as Solem turns to sleep.” She bustled off, leaving Hash and Jes shrugging at each other in commiseration.

“She won't take no for an answer, I suppose.” Jes said with a shrug, not truly concerned. She grabbed her bag and started unpacking.

“She usually doesn't...” Hash stared at the floor a moment. “Jes...” He studied her a moment. “A Solari has been asking about you; About your mother mostly, but also you.”

Jes stopped to look at him. “He came here?”

He shook his head. “Caught up with me on Dagen, about a month ago. And Haret told me that someone was seeking Cicera at the Festival of Solem last year.” He paused as what she said fully sank in. “He? You know of him.”

Jes huffed a sigh and sat on the edge of the bed. “There was a Solari on Periset, when I was there Telling.” Jes gave him a sheepish look. “He heard me tell Cicera's Lament.”

Hash's eyes darkened with shared sadness, and he took a moment to clear his throat. “I didn't know you'd started telling that one.”

“Well I shouldn't have.” She scrubbed a hand through her hair. “He drank it up, and then pestered me for information on Cicera's child. I managed to tell him enough to make him go away, without telling him who exactly I was,” She laughed without humor. It was hard to feel clever about that. “But I keep expecting him to hunt me down again.”

“He didn't suspect?” Hash was surprised.

Jes shrugged. “He asked what her child's name was, And I told him. He never asked what my name was, or how I knew Cicera.”

“Hmm. I'm surprised he didn't-” Hash glanced at her carefully. “Well, Solari aren't like most folk.”

“That's what Cicera always said.” She frowned at him. “What makes them so different, Hash?”

“Well,” he rotated his shoulders, not quite a shrug. “You've not been to the Grand archives on Trium. In the older accounts, about the first Children of Solem, it talks about how Great Solem had gifted the people with “hearing hearts, seeing minds and moving souls.” That's why we have the three Solari houses; The Listeners, The Watchers and the Hands.”

“Sounds like a kitschy way to found your government and make it seem cool.”

“Well, yes,” Hash conceded, “but its more than just artistic pros. There is something... odd about them. They know things.”

Jesphyr snorted. “Seriously Hash? We know things.”

“No, we remember things. They...” The shadow clouded his eyes again. “He knew I was... close with your mother.”

Jes shifted uncomfortably. “So?”

“He couldn't have known that. Shadows child, you barely knew that. Cicera made sure of that, and you lived with her.”

“I knew more than you thought I did.” She rubbed a hand across her forehead. Her mother had been very discreet, but Jes had seen enough. It was something they never discussed or acknowledged.

“Yes, I, um, caught that.” Hash cleared his throat, his cheeks pink as he forged ahead. “Look, just be careful around them. Cicera didn't share herself with many people. So if this Solari has found things out, he's putting in a lot of effort.”

“Hashem!” Sehkma's threw her voice across the courtyard. “Come work for your supper! I need the big telling pot and the banner needs set outside.”

Hash glanced over his shoulder and gave her a wave, but turned back to Jes with serious eyes. “You'll be careful?”

“I'm always careful, Hash.” She gave him a tired half-grin, but he didn't look reassured.

Sehkma hollered at him again though, so he nodded acceptance and left.

Jes flopped back on the narrow bunk, listening to them bicker distantly.