The passing of the years had barely changed the rocky trail up to the peak of the Great Mountain. Or so the elders insisted. But Korin always managed to spot the little differences. Like a boulder that had inched its way to the edge of a drop and now sat precariously on the edge. It had once sat secure further back. Over the years erosion beneath had persistently carried it forward. Further up, where the trees began to thin, and the rock became more gray–the clay and minerals had long ago washed away–a slow growing sapling had weathered the years. When Korin had been ten the tree had seemingly shared in her youth, with soft skin and wispy branches full of soft needles. Now, as she passed it, she took note of how little it had grown in height. How its thin trunk had swollen, bark thickening like scabs, and how its needles now grew in rough course patches. How despite the whipping winds and harsh storms that hit this high up, the little tree had survived. That little tree was feral. Korin thought it would growl at her if it could.
"Your twenty eighth year will be upon us soon." The uniquely deep and raspy voice of Elder Ulias came from behind her. He was an aged man of three-hundred-seventeen, with leathered bronze skin. A set of youthful eyes met Korins as she glanced back at the man who formed the tail of their line.
"Two more moons." She informed with a nod.
"Ah splendid!" Ulias clapped his hands together, a large smile caking his face. "Then we shall be seeing each other. I'll remember to bring some new treats I acquired from one of the vendors!" He chortled along happily, "I have to say they are quite splendid! I've tried Etan's creations from the bakery and though they are delicious, these-" Korin could hear the man kiss his fingers and gesture to the sky, "heavenly! Why I think-"
"Ulias." A cold and harsh snap came from Elder Minora. "We are to ascend in quiet meditation."
Korin had just begun to wonder when the oldest Elder would interject into the ever optimistic and chatty rambling of Elder Ulias. With a whipish nature and a sharp tongue, the woman was quite the opposite of Ulias and Korin always found entertainment in their clashes of personality.
Ulias huffed and Korin caught sight of the old man as he poked his tongue out with childish mirth at the woman's back.
"The girl's birthday is on the same moon every year. You know that." Minora added with a jab and nails of finality in her tone.
Ulias grumbled and perhaps made another gesture, but this one Korin did not see as they continued their walk up the well worn path of the mountain.
A few paces ahead of the three, Elder Teban led the way. Even with being amongst the oldest members of the community, he was the tallest man Korin had ever met. Back still rigid and upright. Everything about the man was long, he hadn't shrunken and aged nor had he lost a single hair. It flowed from his head to ankle length in silver sheets and had a lengthy silken mustache to match. Korin had heard villagers joke that the youthful elder would live forever.
He was a quiet man who spoke only when necessary.
The elders of Ipahn were councils of wise and respected elderly community members. With their sizes varying from a singular member to a seat of twenty three in Iphans capital, Ichar. Most had once been the brightest and most innovative members of the country and were now appointed with keeping histories of internal and external affairs while using their experience and knowledge to advise their communities.
They would also be tasked with carrying out investigations and trials on anything supernatural or spiritual. Another place their extensive knowledge and lived experience had great value to the community.
As was the case with Korin.
Every full moon the elders would walk her up the mountain, past her home, through the forest, beyond the tree line, up to the very top. Where nestled between slate and stone bubbled and pooled a spring. Isolated and confined to the mountain, a spacious tub had been chiseled into the rock, from when Ipahn had feudal kings and the last of the religions were trickling from the land. It was an ancient place with sacred ties, or at least for now it was. She imagined it would not be long before time swallowed what was left of the memory of it. Even the elders were not sure exactly what its specific purpose had been in the past.
For now it was their pool of cleansing. Its waters, fresh and self contained, bubbling up from a mountain spring only to seep back in, disappearing into the earth.
Perhaps there was something crisp about the energy at the very top of the mountain. Today thin ribbons of clouds rimmed the slopes beneath them and the midday sun illuminated the valley in gold. All the trees seemed to hail towards its rays. Their needles and leaves glistened with what remained of the morning dew that had been trapped in the shadows of the landscape.
It was the only spot Korin could see the whole village, with its cobbled streets, buildings of brick and mortar, and busy square where she could make out a large fountain and coiling greenery. She imagined she had played there as a child, but she could not recall. Beyond the mainstrip was the edge of the river with boats and fisherman trailing in and out of the small harbor. From what she knew the ocean was a short trip down stream, though from her spot on the mountain, the mysterious blue sea remained unseen.
Indeed the top of the mountain had a very light and refreshing aura about it, or, perhaps, it was because the water was so damn cold. Korin sucked in a shaking breath and her toes curled as she leaned back into the tub. Just like always, it took a moment to force her limbs to relax so she could float on her back.
The elders stood around her, Minora at her feet harsh shadows casting her face in severe sternness. She was indeed a cold woman, as many villagers bickered so, but having spent so much time with the lady had humanized her in Korin's mind. She was by no means secretly kind or sociable but come next moon, they would walk the mountain, perform their rituals and afterwards there would be a new handmade talisman for Korin's threshold. Gifted to her yearly by the elder, who would pull her off to the side and with a polite, "happy birthday."
Teban stood facing ahead, eyes unfocused and silent, while Ulias shuffled in place, hands clasped in front of him, a small and sympathetic smile directed at Korin.
She offered him a brief nod of reassurance before she closed her eyes, relaxing the last of her muscles.
Once acclimated the pool became quite soothing in the heat of the sun. These rituals were not always so pleasant, as the weather on the mountain often set the mood, so Korin took the time to enjoy the water as the elders carried out the ritual above her.
Words from one of the dead languages of Evelia of the great continent were recited followed by the thumps of footsteps marching counterclockwise. She was never sure of their exact words or movements as the water of the pool distorted everything and she was to keep her eyes shut for the duration of the ritual.
Once she had opened them and had received a very harsh beratement from Minora while Teban had stared down at her coldly. Then Minora insisted they begin from the very start and had marched them all down the mountain only to make them reclimb it all over again. Worst of all, Korin had to make the trip dripping wet. It had been a harsh lesson.
All she knew was that it was magic and rituals approved by the high council. She relaxed in the water, counted slowly. The timing of steps ingrained into her memory. Eight, nine, ten- and a hand gently laid on her collarbone, pushed down, sinking her head past the surface and into the water.
…two, three.
And it lessened its pressure and she floated to the surface, taking a quick breath through parted lips before being pushed back under.
…two, three.
Repeat.
…two, three. Repeat.
And then a new pair of hands was guiding her forward. Gently helping her sit up and reposition herself, legs tucked beneath her, head slightly bowed. Minora would perform the final blessing. A series of movements carried out with an ornate strip of linen.
Korin kept time, raising a hand, another grasped her own and help raise her up. Though Korin would admit that the elders were not as strong as they once were and a lot of the effort went into Korin anticipating their movements and silent direction. She stepped out of the pool, and finally opened her eyes. Ulias stood next to her holding a thick blanket. Minora had stepped off to the side and she could see Tebans's silver locks already retreating down the mountain. With a once over and a nod of approval, Minora turned on heel and followed after him.
Korin took the out held blanket. "Thank you." She wrapped it around her wet clothes, its fibers quickly soaking up excess water. She had learned very fast to wear something light and bring along extra dry clothes.
"I'll step off to the side while you get changed." Ulias gave her a light pat and disappeared behind an outcropping of rocks.
Soppy and wet she waddled over to her neatly folded dry clothes. She peeled away each layer until she was naked in the breeze of the mountain. It always felt so primal and animalistic to be nude in the open. No one could see her from the cover of the rock but she still hurriedly put on her dry clothes regardless.
Once she was dressed again all that lay in her dry pile was a sash. She had spent the week embroidering it with the fine threads Mikhail had gotten her. He was always wearing clothing of Tellan, where the males often wore pleated skirts over leathers tied with decorative sashes. She had made him one she thought would match the creams and purples he always dressed in. Taking the time to stitch waxy petaled hyacinth on its ends. A vining border delicately lined its edges, ivory satin hosting splashes of glossy purples and blues. It was probably one of her most high quality creations. She'd been a little hesitant to just give it away when she had first stood back to admire her handiwork. A petty pride growing into a need to hoard the sash just so she could look at it from time to time. It'd been a brief greed. She had quickly come to the conclusion that it would be best viewed if Mikhail was the one to wear it. Paired with violet skirts and tanned leathers.
She folded the sash neatly. Tucked it into the large pocket on her loose trousers.
Wet clothes rung out and gripped in her hand, Korin rounded the corner and found the elder sitting on a chiseled stone bench beneath a large and lone juniper, gnarled and stoic. A distant future of the little sapling, rooted miraculously high up the mountain. She took a seat next to him, the valley strewn out beneath them.
Ulias dug through his robes, pulling forth a small drawstring bag after a second. "I actually brought the treats with me today." He said gluttonously.
Korin wobbled back and forth. "I didn't think you would bring me month old food."
He smiled and shook his head. "These ones are preserved. They wouldn't rot." He loosened the opening and emptied some contents into his hand.
Beneath a crystalline surgery coating was some dried fruit in a deep magenta. Korin took one and held it up to the light in awe. "It's so vibrant, even under the sugar."
"Well go ahead and try it."
Korin gave a look to the elder who already had a cheek full. She pulled the fruit apart which ripped in gooey strips. A floral and tart smell burst from its torn seams.
She tossed half into her mouth and was immediately met with an amalgamation of sugary sweetness, heavily ripened floral notes, tartness and a hint of vinegar from a preservative. As she chewed its gummy texture began to melt and the flavors intensified in a final burst as she swallowed.
"That IS heavenly." She echoed Ulias' earlier sentiment before tossing the other half in her mouth. As much as she did enjoy Etan's sugar baked goods, Korin was Ipahnish at heart and favored dried and roasted fruits with coatings and sauces to floury confections.
"It's a fruit from the great continent called a draco berry. They've been processed and preserved using Ipahnish methods." Ulias filled her palm with more and two slowly chewed through the fruits, enjoying the view below.
After he finished, Ulias propped open the bag between them, and dusted the sugar from his palms. "How was your month?"
Korin gently held up a hand, thought for a moment, and swallowed. "It was," she shuffled through words, "lively."
"Lively? I don't think I've ever heard you describe your time as lively before. Care to elaborate?" The elder leaned back and intertwined his hands on his belly, eyes still watching the valley, his ever present smile on his lips.
"It has been a month filled with events." Korin elaborated.
"So was it lively because it was laborious?"
Korin sighed at the old man, twisting her head to the side.
"Don't look at me like that," Ulias chuckled.
"Why do you do this to me?"
"Because nobody else will." Honesty in his words carried in the wind and the sun shone down, staining the pair in a glow, that- if one looked from the valley at just the right angle- would alight the two in an ethereal halo. And though his words were honest they lacked brutality. There was acceptance for the situation that Korin had had the moment she awoke from her coma. Ulias was well aware of this and never felt the need to dice words. "Lively doesn't just imply an abundance of activity, it implies a greater expanded feeling of occupation and completion, usually associated with positive events and feelings. So now tell me, would you say you had a lively month?"
Korin thought carefully over his words. "Well I'm not sure if lively is the right word then." She brushed the remainder of sugar from her fingers and tucked away strands of damp hair. "Some parts were positive and some parts were not but it was a lot of activity out of the ordinary regardless."
"Ah yes out of the ordinary," He parroted. "Speaking of, how is your head?"
"Oh. It's almost healed. Idoni did her last treatment last night." Of course the elders would know. Their opinion held a majority weight in the processing and charging of those men for their aggressions.
Tsk. The old man clucked his tongue. "I wanted a harsher punishment for them, but since they were not from this area, the others thought it best to banish them from the region." The 'others' being influential members of the community, the elders, and caravan organizers. Ulias scratched his head and let out an irritated huff. "They were escorted out of the village and orders have been given to keep them from reentry."
Korin nodded along. She had not given the men much thought since the accident a couple weeks prior. Between Mikhail and his steady presence, her treatments with Idoni, and getting back into the rhythm of work at the bakery, Korin hadn't had much time to think about it. And she really didn't mind.
Her memory of the night still hadn't recovered and for that she was actually glad. There wasn't anything to think about. One second she was walking past the men and the next she was awake with a headache, her assaulters already taken out of sight.
Though she was pleased to find that they had been banished from the area for Talis' sake, she still could not help but feel at odds with knowing the men had basically received a slap on the hands. Then they were sent off to probably just go harass others elsewhere. Korin wondered if the community heads did not have such foresight or if their actions were biased simply because she was involved. She worried that in between the lines of ethics and justice what they actually judged was the weight of two different kinds of sinners. Had the men received a more lenient punishment simply because it had been her that they had assaulted?
"One day, when you are gone to other worlds, who do you think will walk me up the mountain?"
Ulias blinked, eyes finally leaving the view of his home to look at the young woman. What he saw was not a woman who stared at home like he, but a woman who looked upon a world she would never know. A village she could not enter, a community she did not belong to, a single mountain among countless she could not leave.
"Well, I know a few people who have their sights set on my position. I haven't taken on any successors yet. I heard that Minora is starting to interview though. She's recently been talking of retiring and living out her remaining days next to the river. There will be time for you to officially meet our replacements before we part ways." Ulias paused, still looking at Korin whose sight never left the valley with a calm expression. "But none of that will happen for quite awhile." He felt the need to reassure her. Heard an underlying meaning in her question and felt his heart ache. If one could find it to search past the disturbing aura of the woman they would find an uncanny loneliness reflected on her being. One's own feelings of guilt and empathy reflected back on the mirror of her character.
She remained silent, gingerly plucked up another fruit, tore it in two and put half in her mouth.
Ulias joined in, the delectable little sweets the perfect treat for their view on top of her world.