A Day of Rest
I rose on a morning just after highsol had turned into emberfall. The scent of the ripening tubers in the valley below was rising up the mountain. It mingled with a chill in the air, the rot of tree needles past their prime, and the song of glowy bugs as they prepared for their cold weather slumber.
Jynx had gone out early to roam and visit the weasel family in the valley. He returned with an invitation from Serai.
Serai wrote,
Blissful Bright to my little star and the white one,
In the Spinebacks, we celebrate when we can. The season has turned and we need a rest before the coldness of winter. Today we take a break from work.
The hearthkin are having a meal together. Come for food, laughter and nonsense.
May you be as strong as the mountain.
❤️ Serai
Lyka, no need to cook.
I smiled. The rain had teemed down for several days and Jynx and I had been stuck in the Echo Chambers. I’d composed several songs, practiced learning magic, studied the planet to see who I needed to help next, and when I absolutely couldn’t think of anything else to do, I’d cleaned the caves.
Jynx padded towards me. Hoooman’s work much. Stupid. Nap most important. He nuzzled my knee. No magic food! Last time, Lykie make cook room explode.
Jynx sank down to the floor and began licking his foreleg as I placed the invitation on my desk and rose. “If we’re going down to Serai’s I should put these potions away.”
I scratched my head. “Stars! I should wash my good shirt, it has a stain down the front.” I started to grab a chair so I could reach the top shelf of the bookcase., but was blocked. Jynx stood in front of me, positioning his side against the bookcase so that I could not reach the top.
I sighed and tried to go around him. “Jynx, get out of the way!”
No move. No work day. Jynx dodged another attempt to reach the case.
I looked into Jynx’s determined cobalt eyes. They were warm, but there was a hardness there that always appeared when he thought I was being unreasonable.
“Fine, I’ll leave the potions.” I took my fancy shirt out of my clothes chest and walked down several fights of rock stairs, until I came to the water pools where I washed my clothes.
started to lower the cloth into warm water when Jynx zipped by me and grabbed the fabric. He ran across the cave with my blouse flying like a flag flicking through the wind.
“Jynx, what are you doing! Stop!” I wanted to chase him, but I knew he was way too fast. There was no way I could catch him.
Jynx climbed up a high ledge, dropped my blouse onto it, and promptly plopped down. Lykie no work! No work day! Must go Serai’s. Must go now!
Jynx hopped down off the ledge leaving my shirt behind him. He walked by me, not even looking behind him.
Hooman’s need no work. Hooman’s work much. He slapped his way out into around a bend in the caverns and disappeared.
I shook my head and followed. We walked down the windy path into the valley and up the carved stairs that led to Keefee and Serai’s home. Before I could call out, the twins Marura and Junib, bounced out of their door carrying trays of fragrant Skypod buns.
“Happy workless day, Angelika!’ Junib slapped her stone tray down on the chipped and cracked surface of the communal table. She chuckled. “No white one! I see you sniffing. Mom will have your fur if you eat these before everyone sits at the table. Actually, you’ll be gone and I’ll get it!” Junib reached down and scratched Jynx’s ears.
“Take a seat, Angelika!” Marura sat down and began strumming her minolo.
Lykie sit. Lykie listen. Jynx watch.
The melody of Maurara strumming, was bright and jubilant. People came out of doors, up from the valley, and down from the ledge garden above. Just about everyone of the hearthkin joined us.
I leaned over to Junib. “But, shouldn’t we help Serai?”
“There’s nothing to help with, Lyka. We cooked all day yesterday. Mom’s reading a spicy novel that Doriler gave her. She’s hiding it from dad.. Doriler really does have awful taste in books.”
I watched as Norina, the seamstress who always had a needle in her hand, leaned back in a chair and laughed. She sat beside Nedlor, the keeper of the kin’s Moon Leapers, who had speared a piece of roasted meat and was chewing on it. Juice dripped down his chin onto his shirt. All around me the people were eating, laughing, gossiping, dancing and enjoying the night sky.
The celebration was amazing. Serai’s baking was delectable, Marura’s music had the kin stomping and dancing in the chilly air, and the conversation with Keefee and Serai was comfortable and interesting. When Moon Wake was just a memory,my eyes began to droop. Although the celebration was still vibrant and alive, I said good-bye to the hearthkin and made it back to the Echo Chambers.
I grabbed some of the warm bread and the flask of spiny tea that Serai had sent home with me and sunk down in my chair.
Bread now. Work tomorrow. Jynx must have been tired. He didn’t even bother to beg for the bread
I sunk into the soft fur blanket behind me. It felt warm and soothing on my back, and it smelt like moss and moon flowers. I put my feet up on the makeshift stool I had made from rocks, and without thinking, reached for reports from the outer district.
Jynx, who had been snoring, opened one cobalt eye. He glared at me. No work day, Lykie! No work!
I smiled. Jynx was right. We had worked so hard helping people over the last sol that I was always tired. Sitting under the twin moons, enjoying food and fun, had made me relax for the first time in a long time.
I put down the papers, blew on my tea, and watched the fire in my hearth blow sparks up and out a crevice above.
Lykie improving. Still far to go. Jynx moved closer to the fire, lay down, and warmed his belly.
Tomorrow, lesson two. Rest needs more rest! Jynx put down his head and almost immediately fell asleep.
To all of you wanderers out there, I wish you a happy Labour Day. May you spend the day with loved ones, enjoying food, fun and laughter.
Jynx says you should have a nap, or two, or three. Enjoy your day everyone. 🐾
Lykie say work. Lykie say rest day over. Lykie wrong. Hoomans need more wander. 🐾
Learn about napping - because Lykie does it wrong.
Introducing the Spineback Mountains - Erudus' magical peaks.
