Amarel Mountain

By Lyn McGinnis

Descendants of the Tolku of the Primary Epoch, the Koru, Yakku and Yelda, now populate the planet Anu in the Secondary Epoch. The Killing Swath destroyed much of their former world and has left many unanswered questions. We follow groups of Koru, Yakku and Yeldic characters inhabiting different regions within different societies as they unknowingly move toward the realization of many profound truths about themselves and their world. The Living System of Tatchlan, the crowning achievement of the Primary Epoch, is revived. It is adored by some and feared by others. The ultimate manifestation of Tatchlan on Anu is the Majastas. The transition between the death of one Majastas and a successor being enveloped by the Mantle forms a monumental backdrop for a series of dramas, leading all characters to make their way toward each other. One of these events is the discovery of Amarel Mountain.

• Language: English
• Publisher: BookBaby
• Release date: Nov 16, 2023
• ISBN: 9798350933031

Book preview

CHAPTER 1

Sama-Andam

Pictured: Modern Danam Yeldic Icon representing the Double

The formation of Doubles amazed the most-ancient Tatchlan Masters. Following refinements within The General Plain of Tatchlan, these women manifested an unforeseen sign of the Living System. Their bodies absorbed their first pregnancy, magnifying their blood’s potency with each successive conception and absorption. While not envisioned and impossible to predict prior to their first impregnation, Doubles became a most welcome addition to the Spokes of the Cluster Wheel.

Chapter Fourteen of Thesan-Apulu Chronicles

Tolku Foundation Segment Valheed-Alvaza Collection

Day 174 of Two-Week 10, Paultesh – ‘Reflection,’ in the Year 286 of the Majastas Koru Calendar, it is the second two-week of the summer season and the third hour of the day, named ‘Nu Dispels,’ near Sama Cluster.

Maja Sama-Yava swooned on the edge of the towering Salarish field. The other seven members of his circle knelt around him as he lay twitching.

Alas! What is this? Sama-Vadash, the eldest male of the circle, cradled their Maja’s head in his lap. As he bent over him, his long black hair brushed the younger man’s light copper face. The Maja’s profusion of attractive dark spots grew pale.

Vadash, should we prepare to give? nineteen-year-old Sama- Andam asked as she and Sama-Lavan drew their Offering Knives.

No. A Double should pause until we better know the cause, Vadash answered.

Despite their shock, members of her circle smiled at Sama-Andam. Nine days ago she had discovered she also was to become a Double, as Sama-Lavan, her thirty-one-year-old cluster mate. The third Double was an ancient Elder named Elder Sama-Vara. Still displaying her pregnancy, Sama-Andam and her babe had begun to merge, transforming her into a new being. Her soft red, warm moist scent was already intensifying and now possessed a delicate grain spice accent. Their circle of eight, composed of six men and two women, was distinguished in having both women declared Doubles. Of the sixteen Circles of Eight in Sama Cluster, none other displayed two such wonders of Tatchlan in a single circle, and few of their age and size had three Doubles in their entire cluster. This also meant they ‘improved their depth’ within Sama Cluster.

Maja Sama-Yava awakened with a fit of coughing and turned to vomit. The others cried and reached to hold him. At last, he heaved several heavy sighs, Our Majastas . . . he said beginning to weep. The others exchanged nervous glances and formed a tight Comfort Knot. Their legs and arms entwined about their Maja in a circle of sweet flesh. He continued to weep and Sama-Lapay, their Touched, joined him. At last, Maja Sama-Yava’s breathing slowed.

Our Majastas . . . is dead. The circle trembled and several cried out.

Majastas Zudaz-Vozev dead? Sama-Jalas said, Yava, how do you know this?

Maja Sama-Yava turned to look at the older man, I have been encompassed by Her Presence twice, he spoke in the distinctive multitone voice of the Maja. The second time I was a Ripe Adult and lay beside Venerable Koru Maja in our Majastas Gathering. Our Majastas made us one. My feet ever felt Her life spreading through the living loam. Her life ended this hour.

She is . . . She was two hundred . . . Sama-Jalas stammered.

Our Majastas Zudaz-Vozev has lived two hundred and eighty-six years, Sama-Vadash said.

Sama-Jalas frowned, I had thought we would be but a day and night before Her face. Has some calamity befallen Her?

I cannot say Jalas, Maja Sama-Yava said. I am not an Invocate and do not work the Living Instruments. The Primary Faces of Tatchlan do not know my name. I am certain She has died and no more.

For a time their Comfort Knot rocked as they wept. When done, Maja Sama-Yava stepped unsteadily outside the Knot.

We will observe Her passing in full while continuing our immediate calling. I must go back to our cluster to confer with other Maja and Elders. Sama’s ‘Gate of Sorrows’ will be opened and the other three gates closed this day. Venerable Sumudin visits us this night and may tell us more. We must make ready for the Baby Mother harvest of the Coarse Salarish and gather our part for trade with our Yakku in Kalasek Forest. Yakku join us this night also.

He read their expressions, Our Foremost Ones, the Tolku, had Majastas of extended and brief lives. Our initial Koru Majastas has died young, yet her legacy is rich. We, the children of the Yakku and Koru, thrive. Tatchlan’s Mantle seeks our second Majastas of this, our Secondary Epoch. Soon enough the balance will be restored. We must not cease our vital service to those Yelda and Koru depending on us. All portions of our Leadership Ring will gather later, and then we will unite with them.

Yava, Sama-Andam said. We are to do the ‘Birth of Yelda’ tonight, and I am the Teller.

Yes.

Do our sister clusters send circles to join us?

None were invited to this Telling. All have joined us many times of late, and so we pause from our interlacing cluster relations.

What of our Sumudin? Will Yuna circle come? We servants ‘dwell at a distance’ from their Living Mountains and but ‘cut the grass.’ It is sure the deep assemblies throughout the Mulungu Mountains ring with the news. Would not our honoured ‘Paramount Contacts’ be recalled for an urgent conference? And what of the Yakku of Kalasek? Sharing our preference for the day hours, their custom has been to visit us during the day. They may resent the Telling being left until dark for our Koru Yelda. I am also pressed to ask what of our children? Will they hear my words?

Maja Sama-Yava’s red-brown hair and eyes glowed in the morning light as he looked to the west towards the Kalasek forests. Those circles designated to do so will visit our Yakku. For each time we see our Paramount Contacts, the Honoured Sumudin of the Yuna Cluster, our Yakku neighbours visit us twice. Our Yakku arrive this day as they have since Sama’s beginnings. Close relations with them are part of our use to our Mother Koru and a key to our prosperity. We are one of four Yeldic clusters surrounding their forest and have similar relations to other clusters surrounding different Yakku Estates across the Marachla Plain. In appreciation of our Koru’s protection, they continue to fortify the Yelda. We have deep love for our Venerable Koru and their Koru Yelda, and lay nestled in our Koru ‘Majastas Hand.’ Yet, our foundational adage remains ‘The Yakku are our Fathers and the Koru our Mothers.’ In each way, these Yakku are our ‘Fathers.’

He looked east, but the distant mountains could not be seen, As for our Sumudin, they will have already entered their carriage to arrive this night. Our Mother Koru place great stock on our emergence as separate and complete beings and our Majastas Mother Zudaz-Vozev followed our progress with interest. It is happenstance they arrive the day our Majastas has died. None could foresee or provide for it. We must all bow to the cruelty of blind circumstance.

‘The Yakku are our Fathers,’ Sama-Andam quoted, and are esteemed. I would they were less aloof.

The Yakku are proud and have reason for it, Maja Sama- Yava replied. They also bear sorrow, concerning the Suvuka and other matters. While born here, they continue to miss their larger community, and we must show them kindness.

He turned back to look in the direction of their cluster compound, All Sama Cluster’s Maja receive the same message, so each circle will know. Together we will gather our children and bring them this news. With patience, we will be guiding them through their fear and confusion. This night, they must hear the Telling. They need to sense their place by hearing how we came to be. If the Sumudin do not come, you must give them this.

Sama-Andam bent her head, Should I speak of our Majastas?

Maja Sama-Yava came and knelt facing her, Dear present spouse and future Double! You have heard us say you do not appreciate your depth! You already excel with your Orator status and now become a Double! Finish and return quickly. You will observe our preparations and participate during this exceptional day. Do not be troubled by your innocence. This night you employ your skills to provide familiar comforts. I counsel no novelty. The Telling grows in thoughtful and patient increments. I presume to say the Erudite and Enhancement Bureaus will labour on this for many two weeks or longer before we see fitting tributes to our Majastas worked into this and other Tellings.

The Maja rose and strode back towards their cluster compound. The rest stood and looked up high at the ripe Salarish, hissing in the wind.

Known as the ‘First Generation’ of the Koru Yelda, the Sumudin are the most closely bonded of all Yelda to their Mother Koru. They immerse themselves in all aspects of the Koru’s Cluster-of-Clusters Nation. While they dwell within the Koru’s Living Mountains, they are also ‘Paramount Contacts’ with diverse populations beyond their sheltering walls. These initially included the Estate Yakku, and the Field Yelda of Rho-Jashun’s Marachla Plain. They would later liaise with the Danam Yelda of Statos-Vey.

Chapter One-Twenty-Two, Culsans-Sispe Interim Annals

Venerable Koru Fifth to Twelfth Generations

Valheed-Alvaza Collection

We must turn back! At eighteen, Yuna-Monu was the youngest member of his Sumudin Circle, and his clear white skin had turned an unusual peach. His dark yellow hair hung glistening with burning sweat, and his yellow eyes were pools of distress.

Monu! Maja Yuna-Honos, one of the Yuna Cluster’s circle of eight’s Maja chided. What are we to do? Turning back would create a gap in our observations. We can neither alter the past nor affect what is to come. Maja Yuna-Honos was the tallest of this Koru Yeldic circle and possessed notable ‘Yakku’ features, including larger-than-average ears.

The five males, two females, and one Complete, a perfect blend of female and male, sat on a broad divan in the polished opulence of the Koru transport carriage. Each carriage held one, two or four circles of eight. This carriage was for a single circle. In contrast to their light colouring, the interior was coated in dark geometric patterning and rich veins of polished minerals. A tall narrow window nearby displayed a set of quivering symbols denoting their speed and distance to the next stop. The extended set of carriages hurtled underground through the Arnom Spoke Line from their grotto within Mount Arnom. Their carriage was fuelled by the Mecalan insect colonies’ continued pulses beneath them. Their destination was a tiny speck surrounded by vast Salarish fields on the open Marachla Plain.

She was so vital when we lay within Her Presence last! The young lad lamented, How could She die? What happened?

Maja Yuna-Yuyuz and Maja Yuna-Honos, the two Maja of their circle, moved to either side of him.

Monu, Maja Yuna-Yuyuz, at forty-six the elder of the two Maja said, as you, we are ‘plunged in the sea of distress.’ Honos and I know - and say no more. You have heard it confirmed by our Koru, and Koru Yelda Maja, travelling within other carriages. They felt it during the hour of ‘Nu Dispels,’ and none understand more. Her notably large eyes mirrored his anguished face back to him.

Yuna-Monu looked at each member of his circle of eight. They mirrored his shock and sorrow back to him. He drew several deep breaths before intoning the Honour Chant he had once sung to their Majastas when he was a child. ‘In splendour, resembling the maker of the day,’ Yuna-Monu faltered, and the others wept as they joined in, ‘in gravity, twin to all oceans, in patience, approaching Anu of uncounted epochs.’ None could continue, and the group closed their Comfort Knot around the boy on the broad divan and wept. The scene was repeated in every carriage carrying Koru, and Koru Yelda, beneath the broad Marachla Plain.

The ‘Field Yelda’ were the most modest of the three branches of Koru Yelda. A common term used among them was they ‘but cut the grass.’ Despite their humble beginnings raising crops, tending orchards and herding livestock on the broad Marachla Plain, a profound seed germinated within them. Even living in such humility, some clusters have survived the otherwise universal anonymity of rural life. While the Danam Cluster is the most famous, another cluster closely associated with them earns mention. They were named Sama Cluster. They distinguished themselves in many ways, including initiating a new chapter in the life of the Yakku in their Estates on the plain. This took place long before their eventual integration into Danam Cluster.

Vanth-Voltumna Accounts

Yeldic Bulletins

Yiz-Vayaj Collection

Day 174 of Two-Week 10, Paultesh – ‘Reflection,’ it is the seventeenth hour, the beginning the night cycle, named ‘Xica Nu,’ after the first of Anu’s four moons, within Sama Cluster.

Sama Cluster compound was circular with a woven Salarish thatch roof. A tall Cluster Pillar stood at its centre. The Life Pillar was broad enough for twelve men to kneel in a circle round it. It was a gift to the cluster from the Koru and stood on a raised platform as a throne. It bore a single large eye below its broad, tapered tip and its body was covered in tiny mosaic tiles of orange, yellow and red patterning. The Eye faced towards the Eastern Gateway of Sama, named the Gate of Delight. Garlands circled it after the daylong lamentations of the cluster. Facing this pillar, and its broad platform, stood a wide circular opening in the floor. This shallow pit was used in many ceremonies. All sixteen Circles of Eight, composed of one hundred and twenty-eight Ripe Adult members, stood around the outer wall facing the Southern Gateway. In front of them sat two hundred and seventy pre-adults ranging from infants in arms to Fresh Adults approaching or reaching their twenty-fifth year and thus about to undergo their Life Cake ceremony to become Ripe Adults. Sama Cluster was forming several new Circles of Eight composed of Fresh Adults. Nu had set, and they waited for their honoured guests, the Sumudin. These Koru Yelda would emerge from a nearby knoll and leave no trace of the artfully hidden door when they closed it behind them. The upper leaves of the Larpana Plants set in niches halfway up the surrounding wall began to transform from white to pale yellow with black patterns, signalling the first hour of the night, the Hour of Xica Nu, the Initial Moon. As they did, Sama Cluster heard the Sumudin Yuna circle coming. They opened the curtains of the Southern Gateway, the ‘Noble Gate’ and entered. The eight Sumudin wore grey and purple robes and wide masks of white. They bowed to the assembled group who returned the gesture. Though not Koru, their distinctive broad Koru Yelda frames separated them from their slender ‘Field Yeldic’ cousins in Sama Cluster.

They proceeded around the outer edge to the northern side of the compound, where they bowed to their other guests standing at the centre back. They were the Yakku of the neighbouring Kalasek Estate were so tall their heads neared the roof. Their thin pointed faces, tiny noses and huge, flapping ears unmistakably marked this young female and male as Yakku. The Koru Yelda tried not to stare at their elongated toes, which they understood they used as a second pair of hands. These two Yakku had chosen to stay until dawn out of respect of the Koru and Yelda’s Majastas’s death. They wore tight body suits thick with leaf designs and carried tall staffs. They bowed to the Yuna circle before turning to watch the drama.

Taking a quick breath, Sama-Andam stepped onto the main floor.

We go back! she declared.

Back and back and back! the pre-adults replied.

Eight other figures stepped through the Southern Gate. They surrounded the Life Pillar where they stood with crossed arms. Each wore a simple white cloak going down to their feet. Their cloaks had arms ending in what appeared to be white gloves. Beneath their cloaks appeared pointed white shoes. Plain wide masks covered their faces.

Back, back, back to a time, beyooooooooooond count, Andam stretched her arms wide.

Beyooooooooooond count! the pre-adults and Fresh Adults called, mimicking her gesture as Sama-Andam began to pace with deliberation in a slow circuit around the pillar. The children began to clap in time to her steps. The masked figures stepped off the platform and bent forward as if peering into the distance in all directions.

We go back, back, back to when noble beings strode this land.

Back and back and back.

We go back, back, back - to the Tolku!

The eight masked figures who were part of the performance stepped back onto the pillar platform. They raised their heads and shoulders, their palms held up and outward in traditional greeting.

Our Foremost Ones! Our Foremost Ones! the young audience called.

Back to our Foremost Ones, shining as Eyes of Nu!

Eyes of Nu!

They spoke to all creatures, they sang to all birds.

All creatures and birds! All creatures and birds!

Their wisdom was great, their love profound.

Wisdom great. Love profound!

They witnessed misery and cured it! They beheld folly and addressed it

Cured misery and folly! Cured misery and folly!

Alas! Sama-Andam stopped. The Tolku were not alone! Eight more figures now came in from the Northern Gateway - the ‘Gate of Sorrows.’ They passed behind the guests of honour as they moved in a crouch towards the central group. They wore dark heavy coats covered in fur and held up a large, flat slab carrying the impression of a large animal print on it.

Alas! Alas! Alas! the children said.

Another power had no respect or love for them.

Say not their name! Say not their name!

The Suvuka!

The children hissed, as did the adults. The encroaching figures knelt before each of the eight standing ones and held up their paw image. They began to emit low growls.

They sought to conquer the Tolku. Their onslaught covered this land in ruin and death. The Masters stopped their wombs. Those who sought conquest were conquered.

The eight masked figures, now representing the Tolku, pushed out their raised palms, and the eight crouching figures fell back. Those symbolizing the most-ancient Tolku’s Cluster-of-Clusters Nation now stepped off the platform and began to herd those playing the Suvuka hordes to an open space to one side of the compound.

Conquered! Conquered!

They were banished, and there they stayed.

The masked figures brought the eight dark ones back to stand huddled inside the Northern Gateway, and drew a vine around them before returning to the pillar platform.

Banished and stay! Banished and stay!

Their Majastas, rooted deep in the living loam, ensured happiness and peace filled the land.

The eight masked figures dramatically dropped their cloaks, peeled off their gloves and stepped out of their shoes to reveal brilliantly painted naked bodies of four adult women and four men. They removed their simple masks to reveal smaller ones of crimson. Sparkling ornaments rose from the top, sides and dangled below.

Happiness and peace. Happiness and peace, the children called.

Our Foremost Ones turned Anu into a fragrant garden living for ages beyooooooooooond count!

Eight others entered from the Southern Gate. They wore simple masks and cloaks. Each held aloft a Queldeday attached to a short pole. These little creatures emitted a mighty light at night. The new performers approached the platform, each kneeling before one of the erect figures. By holding up these blazing creatures, their light caught the unique qualities of the reflective paint and design. The eight figures now shone, their colours filling the entire compound. The audience’s faces glowed red and yellow. The Cluster Pillar became dazzling.

Fragrant for millennia and millennia, for ages beyoooooo-ooooond count! the pre-adults cried out.

Sama-Andam extended the moment before coming to a stop and uttering Alas!

Those bearing the Queldeday handed each figure a large black cloth and departed. The brilliant masks flung the cloth over themselves, stepped off the platform and crouched as black stones around the pillar. Sama-Andam covered herself in a black cloak. The brilliant display was replaced by darkness.

Alas, she repeated from under the cloak, the Killing Swath came.

The youthful audience became hushed.

Death spread across our world. Anu sickened and withered, Sama-Andam said spreading her arms under the cloth. She began to weave her way about the crouching forms. The elegant Foremost Ones fell like leaves.

Four of the eight figures lay flat beneath their covering as she passed.

Alas, Sama-Andam repeated. All turned to look at the eight captured figures. They began roaring and struggling with their bonds.

The unharmed Suvuka began their second onslaught.

The figures burst free, and some of the little ones exclaimed while the rest hissed. They roared and smashed their slabs as they ran around the compound’s outer wall to descend on the fallen forms. They struck down two of those crouching.

Two small remnants escaped, Sama-Andam called over the noise.

Through the Southern Gateway, behind the Life Pillar, two large props rolled forward. One was a model of a tree and the other a mound with a gap in the front. During this distraction, the prone figures rose and disappeared through the same gate the props entered. Two others came in their place, dressed in plain cloth and masks, as the others. The tree and rock came to rest either side of the pillar, and the two new figures ran to them. One jumped into the tree, and the other climbed into the opening in the rock.

Across the sea on Thermistal, they fled into the high trees, Sama-Andam walked over and gestured to the tree. The Suvuka could not reach them.

Four of the Suvuka figures tried to climb the tree but could not reach the figure.

Here on Rho-Jashun, Sama-Andam moved towards the mountain, they fled to the Mulungu Mountains in the east.

The other four Suvuka surrounded the mountain figure as if seeking but not finding their prey.

Time came and time went, Sama-Andam said as she removed her cloth and began to march around the pillar. The children began to clap to her steps. The tree and pillar were on wheels, and two turned them slowly as she walked to ensure everyone saw them.

Their talons ripped and their teeth punctured all across the three lands. Anu resounded to the thunder of their paws.

The children cupped their hands and struck the floor many times to imitate their sound. Unseen players outside pounded on the Compound wall for added effect.

Yet their Second Onslaught could not climb high into the trees nor bury deep into the mountains. The ruined descendants of the Tolku survived.

Survived! Survived! the children said.

The Suvuka continued to circle the tree and the rock, but could not find or reach either solitary refugee.

Nu grew hot, Sama-Andam gestured upward, and Anu’s Face altered under his fierce gaze. Nu’s growing power and the Swath modified these hidden ones, Sama-Andam said.

The figure in the tree stripped off his clothing to reveal a fine network of yellow netting covering his body. His under mask was tall and thin, displaying large eyes and huge ears. He stood tall on the top of the tree, his head near the thatched roof.

Those in the trees grew into a new entity, named the Yakku, the ones swaying in the trees, Sama-Andam declared.

The swaying Yakku of the trees! the young audience shouted.

Their bodies grew taller than the most-ancient Tolku. Their fingers and toes grasp the trees.

Grasping fingers! Grasping toes!

The figure in the mountain stripped off her clothing to reveal an ample and shining white body. She wore a smooth mask emphasizing a pronounced wide nose and broad forehead. She sat in a recess in her mountain, possessing a regal air.

Those in the mountains also grew into new entities, named Koru, the ones dwelling deep in Anu’s Flesh.

The deep Koru of Anu! the children called.

Their bodies also grew tall and broader than Tolku. Their bones and muscles are thick as stone.

Bones and muscles of stone!

Our Koru grew a new Majastas . . . Her voice wavered before recovering. She defeated the Suvuka! As the Tolku of old, She made their wombs barren, so they died away.

Die away! Die away! Die away! Die away! As the children shouted this, those around the mountain fell to their knees and lay flat on the floor.

They began to dwindle on Thermistal.

Two moving about the tree fell, and the others slowed and displayed signs of ageing.

The Yakku came down from their trees and pursued them! They chased them back to their prison.

Chase them! Chase them! Chase them! Chase them! The pre-adult’s cries filled the compound as the Yakku figure chased the two remaining Suvuka back to the Northern Gateway.

They put an end to them.

End them! End them! End them! End them! With each chant, the Yakku struck at the two figures until they fell.

The white Koru figure emerged from her mountain and stood beside the Yakku at the pillar.

The Yakku and Koru knew nothing of each other. They learned each other’s woes and adored each other.

The two figures turned and began stroking and fondling each other as all ages in the audience laughed.

Yet, Sama-Andam shouted as she raised her arms, a greater wonder was to come!

She stepped aside to reveal eight children between the Koru and Yakku. Neither yellow nor white, the four girls and boys resembled the pre-adults sitting watching them.

Their offspring differed from either Yakku or Koru children. They were smaller and lighter. They could either live in the trees with their Father Yakku or enclosed by Anu as their Mother Koru. They could also live on the open Skin of Anu, as neither their Mothers nor Father’s may do for long. They were named Yelda. They became us!

Yelda! Yelda! We are Yelda! The pre-adults jumped and yelled.

The Yakku are our Fathers and the Koru our Mothers, Sama-Andam intoned.

The Yakku are our Fathers and the Koru our Mothers, the pre-adults, Fresh Adults and Ripe Adults replied in unison.

Despite herself, Sama-Andam introduced an innovation. She pointed to the two visiting Yakku at the back and called, Hail to our Fathers!

The surprised group turned as the pre and Fresh Adults roared and waved, Hail to our Fathers!

The Yakku smiled and waved back, causing general laughter.

Hail to our Mothers!

Hail to our Mothers! the cluster called as one to the Yuna Circle representing the Sumudin. The Koru Yelda also smiled and waved to them.

Meanwhile, the figure playing the Mother Koru went back to her mountain, taking one child in each hand. The Father Yakku went back to his tree, taking one child in each hand. The remaining four Yelda children stood before Sama’s Cluster Pillar.

Yelda live with their Father Yakku, and are called Yakku Yelda, Sama-Andam said returning to the Telling.

Hail to our friends, the Yakku Yelda! The pre-adults cried, and the two Yelda progeny waved at them from the tree.

Yelda live with their Mother Koru. They are called Koru Yelda.

Hail to our friends, our Koru Yelda, the Honoured Sumudin! The pre-adults waved to the ones in the mountain. Some turned and waved at the eight guests at the entrance.

Everyone laughed again as the Sumudin, some still wrapped in their characteristic purple and grey garb, and the bemused Yakku, waved back.

Many tended by our Koru are sent to adorn Anu’s Flesh. We are those Yelda. We adore our Mothers and our Fathers, and we make a new life. We take the place of our Foremost Ones. Our feet planted on the Living Loam. Hail to ourselves! she gestured to the four remaining children. They stood equally spaced around the pillar.

Hail to all Yelda! Hail to all Yelda!

Sama-Andam began walking around the pillar.

"We are the wonder of this the Secondary Epoch! We are the Tolku reborn! We climb the highest tree as the Yakku. We delve the most bottomless caverns as our Koru. We stand on Anu’s Flesh beneath the Stern Eye of Nu!

We climb! We delve! We stand!

We are the flower rising through suffering and despair. We make our Mothers and Fathers smile through their tears. We wipe Anu free of all trace of the Suvuka, and turn it back into a garden.

We are the Yelda! Anu smiles once more!

An intense beat erupted from four drums at the edges of the hall, and the whole cluster stood to dance in alternating circles about Sama’s Pillar.

CHAPTER 2

Yuna-Monu

Pictured: Sumudin icon.

Of the many accomplishments of the Sumudin across the immensity of the Koru’s Cluster-of-Clusters Nation, perhaps one of the most notable was recorded in detail at the onset of the Secondary Epoch. A single Circle of Eight from the Yuna Cluster had certified Primary and Secondary Uses. Their Primary Use was the opening the contents of the Parayad Treasury within the Kodrapum Grotto of Mount Arnom. Their Secondary Use involved being ‘Paramount Contacts’ for what would become the famed Sama Cluster of the Field Yelda. This single circle would witness momentous events within both diverse forms of service.

Volume One, Chapter Two, Alpunu-Calum

Cluster’s Zudaz Majastas Annals

‘First Moment of Disturbance of the Secondary Epoch’

Valheed-Alvaza Collection

Day 178 of Two-Week 10, Paultesh – ‘Reflection,’ and the first hour commencing at dawn, named ‘Nu Opens,’ within Arnom Spoke Line approaching their home within Mount Arnom.

The eight members of the Koru Yelda Circle of Eight sat in their gently rocking carriage to return to their home mountain. There, their Yuna Cluster dwelt within the ancient Kodrapum Grotto of Mount Arnom.

Four nights! the youngest Yuna-Monu exclaimed. How do they endure the Upper Abyss thinning into naught over their heads? How do they endure hours under Nu, the Fierce Daymaker? He pointed at their folded sets of grey and purple patterned Abyss Robes, We have never tested our robes for so long!

These Field Yelda are a different breed to us, Maja Yuna-Yuyuz said as she looked adoringly at the youth with her large eyes.

They are! the boy replied. They are lovely and their ways charming. Still, I am grateful to have solid rock over my head and resting my ‘eyes on the loam.’

The others nodded.

None from the other Field Yeldic clusters attended this time.

No, Maja Yuna-Yuyuz said, I cannot say why. Our Field Yeldic Sama is the largest cluster in the region and our sole concern. Other Koru Yelda circles attend to the surrounding smaller clusters. They all maintain deep ties to each other and our Sama Yelda. Perhaps this time they chose to have only special guests at their Telling.

Special . . . I forgot! We beheld two Yakku!

Yes, Maja Yuna-Honos said, this was unexpected. Kalasek Estate dominates their western boundary, and the Yakku add much to their lives. Due to our different inclinations, we are seldom in their cluster at the same time.

It was a shock to encounter them, Yuna-Monu exclaimed. They are odd! I could not believe how thin their faces are or the amazing length of their toes! The female and male were very interested in the new Yeldic Double who performed The Telling, and Doubles in general.

I also noted their questions concerning Doubles, Maja Yuna-Honos said. We have much to learn about the Yakku.

While these were very kind to us, Yuna-Monu continued, why are the Thermistal Yakku hostile to our Koru living there?

I also know little of the Yakku, Maja Yuna-Yuyuz said as the others nodded encouragement. Those Yakku of the Kalasek Estate are descendants of a happier time when Yakku and Koru were more amicable. Over a century ago our Majastas . . . our late Majastas, held a Triumphal Progress through the Viracocha Mountains in western Thermistal. Of course, this early accord between Koru and Yakku, begun early in The Interim, led to our beginnings. Since those joyful nights, the leadership of the Yakku has become hostile to our Mother Koru. In the past few generations, our ‘Mothers of Rho-Jashun’ and ‘Fathers of Thermistal’ have become estranged. Those we saw at The Telling have found peace nestled within our Majastas Hand here on Rho-Jashun. Though this is a boon, it has lead to the severing of ties to their homeland. For this, they are termed ‘exiles,’ despite being born among us.

It is one of the puzzles of our time, Yuna-Nobov said, who aspired to earn the title ‘Venerable Scholar.’ Masters of many schools devote their careers to this question. The ancestors of those Yakku we saw became victims of their nation’s changing aspect towards our Mother Koru and us. These populations serve both as separate colonies and outposts for the rare new expatriates making their way to us. Our Majastas lavished considerable time over them during Her Reign. She had these ‘Yakku Estates’ set aside composed of forests, with their native and hybrid species arranged as those of their native Thermistal, in several well-disposed locations, including Kalasek. Beyond serving as occasional breeders to continue Her Yeldic programme, She wished the Field Yelda to maintain ties and chose to settle many new clusters near them. I have heard Field Yelda clusters surround most of these Yakku Estates.

The emerging Double chose to greet them during the Telling, Yuna-Monu said.

It was a good and kind gesture, Maja Yuna-Yuyuz said. It clearly pleased them.

The rest murmured agreement before the carriage fell silent. All could smell Yuna-Monu’s need to say more and waited for him. When he did speak, it was on a new topic, I did not understand several things concerning the Field Yelda, Yuna-Monu said tentatively.

Of course, Maja Yuna-Honos, the circles’ second Maja said. You have recently joined this circle, and we intended your observations of this, your first visit, to complete your initial training. Your Ripe Adult Use has been shown to merge with our Circles’ twin Uses of Service to our Field Yelda work, and the ongoing recovery of our most-ancient Parayad Treasury. While my primary focus is our Treasury, I welcome these occasional forays into our circles’ Secondary Use among these Field Yelda.

Yuna-Monu nodded before frowning, These . . . ‘Baby Mother’ rituals we witnessed. Why do they practice them?

They are time-honoured ways of demarcating their agricultural calendar. Maja Yuna-Yuyuz replied. Unlike Honos, her Primary Use was the Field Yelda. Being tied to the seasons beneath the Upper Abyss, their year schedule is more elaborate and arduous than most Sumudin’s within our mountains. Their traditions commenced within the Royran Valley before their migration out onto the Marachla Plain.

Yuna-Monu nodded at this, I appreciate the necessity of their intensive toil according to the seasons for their spring and winter crops. I refer to the Kothon Festival taking place back at the beginning of the year where they ‘pierce’ the loam by a knife followed by that huge green phallus, and this Baby Mother rite. Why do they form a baby from seed paste and fashion a mother figure over it, plant seeds inside them, dress them and place them at field’s edge to sprout? Are these not the same traditions practiced by our Foremost Ones prior to the quickening of Tatchlan?

They predate all recorded histories, Maja Yuna-Nobov said, and were an ancient institution before the first Suvuka Onslaught. They are the eldest of institutions, continuing throughout the Majastas Reign until the end of the Tolku.

Why introduce such rites among these Field Yelda? While endearing to watch, what purpose do they serve? Does it not consign them to backwardness?

Dear boy, Maja Yuna-Yuyuz smiled and placed her arm around the youth. They are the life of their traditions! Our Majastas was wise to ensure the complete Salarish customs, as with the similar Charsha rituals further south, were revived among these Field Yelda.

They serve two purposes, Maja Yuna-Yuyuz continued, Within these pastoral clusters, they provide vital emotional structure to their industry and treasured stability to their lives. Their larger purpose also involves continuity. These customs predate such ancient institutions as the Achalam, Chelyaka and Laranal religions, serving those rustic clusters across Rho-Jashun, Statos-Vey and Thermistal with little amendment during the Greater Era of the Primary Epoch.

The rural communities of most-ancient times and these emerging agricultural clusters are by nature conservative, said Yuna-Mosum, their female Between of the ‘Lapis’ Aspect, was often quiet. She was distinguished by her short stature, Koru features, her robust build and large hands. Maja Yuna-Yuyuz continued. This tendency serves them well. These traditions preserve much wisdom and ennoble their efforts. They are intended to provide balance to the uncertainties of weather and other adverse conditions they must face.

The Mecalan pulse beneath them altered, alerting them they approached their home terminal. The tall thin window displaying the line of symbols on the tunnel wall blurred as they shifted from Pulse Four, travelling at over 200 andas per hour, to Pulse Three, reducing down to 80 andas per hour. The corresponding set of messages became apparent at the reduced pace.

Cluster life also provides a supportive structure, Yuna-Monu said turning to look at each of the Maja. As for the life of the larger Cluster-of-Cluster’s Nation, it could be said our public observance of the Primary Tatchlan Faces festivals, and annual carnival also serve to provide balance against the chaos of raw life.

The lad pondered before adding, I had wondered if clusters assumed a different form among the Field Yelda. While custom-bound in some ways, they innovate in many others. This orientation of their cluster to four gates at the cardinal points with specific ritual functions is unique. We must report this new Double, Sama-Andam, to the Doubles and Vats Bureau of the Wellbeing Ministry so they may dispatch an egg. These Field Yelda are strong with pre-adults and Spokes of the Cluster Wheel and begin to regularly produce Doubles. Their Elder Circles are vital and provide worthy guidance. Sama Cluster is rich with Maja, exceeding the primary one-to-eight ratio, and other manifestations of our Resplendent System are profuse among them. I had assumed these antique customs were a temporary measure until their clusters emerged.

A fine assessment, Maja Yuna-Yuyuz declared. No, these traditions will remain a vital component across their countless generations. These Baby Mother rites are part of a proud heritage the pastoral clusters maintain. As the years pass, you shall learn these Field Yelda possess surprising depths. Your appreciation for their richness and subtlety shall grow.

The carriage shifted from Pulse Three to Pulse Two, having dropped to 20 andas per hour. As they reduced to Pulse One, dropping from eight, to two andas, suddenly the Mount Arnom Terminal of the Arnom Spoke Line lit their carriage windows, and they slowed to a gentle stop. While temporarily empty of passengers, the terminal was filled with sombre memorials to Majastas Zudaz-Vozev. Several busts and full statues of her stood across the platform. Her face was painted white to honour the Venerable Koru. The rest of the statues were coated in glorious colours, over which hung heaps of flower offerings. Sets of Suvuka bones were reworked into four beautiful sculptures along the platform, clearly symbolizing how their removal from Rho-Jashun made the modern age possible. Dark cloths hung over the usually colourful back walls, with only the topmost portion still exposed. All along the wall at the base of the curved ceiling the name was repeatedly emblazoned, ‘Arnom Spoke Line 97.’ The numerals referred to the year the line was begun. A meticulous script flowed over the hanging cloths with their late Majastas’ name done in the standard repeat pattern. Over this, were hand-written quotations from Tolku classics:

‘Our Revered Superior and Chief Refuge’

‘Possessor of large eyes, unto whom was due the obeisance of Anu’

‘We were ever able to Adore You with Reverence.’

‘Capable of charming each creature.’

‘We indulged in Piteous Lamentations and lay Scorched with Grief.’

‘She whose effulgence was as Nu and the four moons’

‘You knew the past by Intuition and Cherished Truth.’

As their line of carriages pulled away they stopped to examine a small sculptural arrangement demonstrating Her first wonder, performed over two hundred and fifty years ago. Three polished figures of lozenge-shaped creatures, near a hand’s breadth long, stood in frozen procession on a small platform. They were magnified portraits of Mecalan colony members, the tiny creatures powering their carriage. The first depicted how this treasured Tatchlan Creature appeared during the Primary Epoch. The green figure was the tallest and fattest of the three. The second represented how the creature degraded after the Killing Swath. The near-black image was far flatter and rounder and had half the legs and eyes of the earlier being.

The third, known as the first of the ‘Recovered Ones,’ Tatchlan Creatures brought back to life, was far longer than the other two and had a distinctive blue colouring. While its forty legs, positioned along its length with the longest and most powerful at its hind quarters, were impressive, it was its long abdomen that provided the basis for their collective pulse propelling the carriages. The statue also articulated the four sets of