‘Coloured smoke isreserved for special occasions and this is one, so it isappropriate. It shall be purple to honour the dead.’ And he hurriedoff into his hut and returned with a ceramic jar. ‘Wait here whileI send the signal, and we will sing to him when he arrives.’
Miranda took Alpha outof her leg pouch, placed it on the ground in front of the hut andtold it she was signalling for Aquitain to join them. Alpha saidnothing. Five minutes later Kami returned with twenty villagers andtold her that all the village fires were giving off purple smoke.The villagers didn’t look as happy as before as they knew shebrought bad news, but they would sing a welcome to the new visitorall the same.
Ten minutes passed andMiranda began to get a little nervous when suddenly Aquitainappeared beside Alpha with a dimension bag in his mouth. Thepurple-scaled Jeti villagers looked a little shocked at first onseeing a bear, but when Kami began singing they all sang as well.Aquitain recognised the words. They were singing in high Draconic,the language of magic and power.
When they finishedsinging the shaman spoke to his people in a language that Aquitainimmediately recognised as low Draconic.
‘I am Aquitain the mindwizard. I thank you for your warm welcome. May Jacintra give youstrength and courage!’
Kami and the villagerswere shocked; none had expected the bear to talk into their mindsin their own language.
‘What is this? Is yourfriend K’wala?’ said Kami to Miranda in Mudrun Common.
‘No. He is Aquitain. Heis not K’wala the spirit bear,’ she replied.
Aquitain asked her forpermission to mindlink and she nodded.
‘What’s the problem?’asked Aquitain.
‘You spoke to them intheir own language so they think you must be K’wala the spirit bearwho was the totem spirit of the bear people,’ she replied.
‘Miranda these littlepeople speak and sing in a language called Draconic. There are twoforms, a common form for everyday use called low Draconic and aformal form called high Draconic used for manipulating magic.Granddad had me learn both forms so that I wouldn’t make anypronunciation mistakes when making magic items. I thought onlydragons spoke it and I’m probably wrong with the sentenceconstruction, but they actually understood me. Is that good orbad?’
‘I don’t know. As faras I’m aware there are no Bear people left. I’ll ask Kami,’ shereplied.
‘Are you on good termswith the spirits of the Bear people Kami?’
‘Yes,’ repliedKami.
‘Then why are youconcerned about Aquitain speaking your language?’ she asked.
‘It is our sacredlanguage used only for speaking among the little people. How doesthis stranger know the language if he is not K’wala the spiritbear?’
Through their mindlink,Miranda repeated what the Shaman had said and then asked how he wasgoing to explain the fact that he knew their language.
‘Strictly speaking I ama spirit in a bear body. Tell him I am Aquitain the spirit bear, afriend of Jacintra.’
‘I’m not so sure aboutthis Aquitain. This could land us in trouble with the spiritworld.’
‘Miranda, we’rereturning their treasure to them and it should cheer them up toknow that Jacintra’s got friends in the spirit world; especiallywhen we’re bringing bad news.’
‘I suppose,’ she saidreluctantly, as if she knew she was going to regret this later, andtold Kami what Aquitain had said.
‘This is wonderfulnews. Jacintra has sent a friend to help us over our sorrow. We aremost honoured.’ and they all began to sing another song in praiseof Aquitain and Jacintra. Aquitain understood the words and wasembarrassed. Fortunately Miranda didn’t, but she did feel themagical power within the words and said a silent prayer to the Ladythat they didn’t upset K’wala or anyone else in the spiritworld.
Aquitain felt somethingpoke his leg and looked around. The shaman’s assistant was standingthere looking up at him.
‘He’s not a spirit,he’s real,’ said Rori.
Kami and the villagerslooked horrified as Miranda told him what the assistant hadsaid.
‘Please forgive him,Spirit Lord,’ said Kami in low Draconic. ‘He is Rori my youngassistant. He has forgotten that spirits must have a body to livein this world. He wants to be a shaman and he has learnt the songsand rituals quite well, but he lacks authority with those aroundhim. He listens to our young too much. They think fighting isbetter than singing, but they don’t know the cost for we have beenat peace for a long time.’
‘Rori, strength andcourage are good in fighters but they can be taken away in theblink of an eye by fear,’ said Aquitain. ‘Your songs have greatpower within them. They can give courage to your fighters and takeaway their fear. They can also create fear in the hearts of yourenemies and sap their strength. Is that not worthy oflearning?’
‘I guess so, SpiritLord,’ replied Rori.
‘Good,’ said Aquitain‘Climb on my back and we will go and meet your friends.’
‘I have few friends,Spirit Lord. They think I am weak and only want to be a shamanbecause I am no good at fighting.’
‘Then maybe we canchange their minds,’ said Aquitain and the slim little reptilianboy climbed up on Aquitain’s back, wrapped his legs aroundAquitain’s neck and hung on to his ears with a big toothy grin.
Miranda nearly burstout crying with emotion. She knew the best way to break down fearand mistrust was to gain the trust of the children. Her bear wasfull of surprises, but she felt a little jealous that it wasn’t herriding on his back as in her dream. My turn will come, she thought.Kami and the other villagers also broke out in smiles. Then Kamiwith Miranda carrying the dimension bag led Aquitain, surrounded bythe villagers, into the village centre where dozens of adults andchildren came to watch.
‘It’s a shame we comebearing such sad news,’ said Aquitain through the mindlink toMiranda.
‘I know, but you havealready cheered them up. Kami said that they will celebrate tonightbecause their relatives in the other Jeti clan will be with theirancestors.’
‘Mandy, can you feelthe power? Each of these little people is like a mind wizard. Eachhas a small source and each is not individually powerful but whendirected by the shaman through their song they all contribute powerto make their songs potent.’
‘So that’s theirsecret,’ said Miranda. ‘I have always been able
