Travos sits at the bottom of a winding hill surrounded by farmland, with more roads heading in three directions; all reaching inward through the Tube, toward the Constant Star. The homes are all constructed with the same material as Esken's’: a form of earthen walls domed enough to become roofed with grass growing on all of them accompanied by wildflowers and a mix of the residents favourite herbs. The townsfolk themselves come out to meet the small party descending the hill. Siff sees smiling and curious faces, eager to say hello and welcome their new neighbor.

Names and handshakes and hugs blur into a pool of fatigued joy. Siff gives up trying to remember everybody and just takes in the welcome. She has never felt so loved. They lead her along paths to what must be the village center. There are tables all around with chairs and benches to sit on. The centre of the circle is left open on cobblestone as a place where people speak and perform. She sits by Lucas and Esken and is joined by Lucas’ family, who are just as eager as everyone else to welcome her. The entire village has come to see her and they gradually take their seats around the circle, smiling and waving at a slightly overwhelmed Siff.

Once everyone is accounted for, Javentus makes his way to the cobblestones and signals for silence. The excited chatter subsides as the people wait for the official introduction, “Ladies and gentlemen of our fine village, today we have the honour of welcoming a new member to our community. Please join me in welcoming Siff.” He gestures toward her and the circle erupts with cheers and applause. Once the people have calmed down again, and Siff has turned several shades of red in embarrassment, the Lord Elder continues, “She has come to us from afar; possibly from the gods themselves. But she wishes to leave that past behind her and become one of us, to learn our ways and our stories, and to become what we all aspire to help one another become: the absolute best possible outcome of our purpose. To live in her soul-call. It is fortunate then, that we have such excellent storytellers among us. Petrin, would you be so kind as to begin for us and tell the tale of our entry into this world?”

Petrin smiles with joy and bounds to the cobblestones as Javentus returns to his group and takes a seat. There is visible excitement among the crowd as the storyteller takes centre-stage: a shorter man with a beard, looking to be in his forties. A little stout but full of vibrancy and joy, he clearly is comfortable being the centre of attention, and he holds it excellently with his deep, powerful voice, “My dear friends! What a joyous day it is for us! That we can welcome a new member among us and tell the wondrous tales of how we came to be here. What beauty lies ahead for us must truly be magnificent if we are still so blessed. The glory of the gods be upon you all and may you find peace.

“Today we shall begin within the darkness brought to light: at the beginning of all things. For our ancestors were first birthed here, in this wonderful place, much as it is now. In the beginning was darkness and chaos. The universe was a tumultuous and painful place to live—even for the gods. Coming to the conclusion that this was not how things should be, the gods met with one another and chose to create a new creature that would bring harmony to all things. They knew this would be a long journey for whatever creature they created, for chaos was surely covering all of nature. To strengthen their creation they chose to make them in their own image, so their visage would reflect the glory that is possible for them. We were birthed by the gods themselves, and given the name, ‘Humanity’. A new creature come to life as babes in a chaotic universe would not survive long, so the gods created a world—this world—for them, to raise them and train them for what is to come. The gods themselves raised the first of them, leading them—and indeed, us—into what we know to be true. We are called to be one with our soul-call, and one with the land around us. The earliest of our people lived among the gods until they were able to hunt and glean from the land, then the gods, in their divine wisdom, left for their own home. They promised they would take us to Vesta, our great and promised inheritance, and that when we arrived there we would be ready to inhabit such a perfect place. We know this promise to be true, as the stars teach us every night through their changing that we travel on toward our promised home. The Constant Star waits for us, beckoning our hearts to be ready for the great call for which we were created.

“Our heroes of old learned to live in this land and become a part of it. They recognized the power of unity with the land and the creatures within it. As that unity grew so did our understanding of our purpose. To become what we can become, we must sacrifice and celebrate our own desires as much as we pursue them.

“There are many stories and tales to tell, but this day let me tell of Travos: The Wanderer. The first of us to venture from his homestead.

“He was one of the Great Ones at the beginning; Travos grew with the gods in unsurpassed wisdom and understanding. He was an excellent woodsman: strong of heart and spirit. He discovered many methods of hunting food, all with great respect to the animals he would take for his people. He was raised by Jupiter, the great leader of the gods, who taught him to always look beyond the horizon for what is possible and never think that what you know is all there is to know.

“Travos took these teachings to heart, and once his father had left he began to see Jupiter was not just talking about the mind, but also about the physical space in which he lived. Yes, the great adventure of the soul is to explore oneself, but Travos sought new learnings and new experiences by venturing from his home and his family into the unexplored areas around him. There were others like him, but whereas they sought to explore the land toward Vesta, Travos chose bravely to seek into the Wildlands, away from the promise. For his father had also taught him that not all wisdom is found in safety; great danger can birth great knowledge.”

Siff sits astounded, whatever Petrin is doing is profound. The imagination can only go so far, but it is as if she journeys with Travos, exploring the lands with him. She sees Jupiter and feels a pang in her gut. How many Jupiters have there been since that time? Would her father have been such a good leader? Petrin’s storytelling ability is borderline hallucinogenic, though she has not eaten or drank anything since coming to the circle. Is it his cadence? His words? How is this story so powerful?

Travos is a powerful man, bounding through the wild-grass, hunting prey, discovering new foods and new lands. He comes upon the End Forest and even dares to enter that. He finds a path through the many mysterious beasts that lie within and reaches the Gate at the far side where he is met by his father, Jupiter. Jupiter tells him he has reached the world’s end and can continue no farther, for he is not a god himself. Travos must turn back. Travos kneels and thanks Jupiter for the wisdom and strength he has been given to understand and to survive in the most dangerous of places. Jupiter tells him there is much else to explore, and with this journey behind him all else will seem like nothing to fear. Travos returns to his people and tells of all he has seen and heard; he leads a group of settlers over the hills to found a village close to the End Forest, hoping that one day his people will be counted worthy to join the gods. That is the tale of how this village was founded. However, his restlessness and need for adventure do not allow him to stay here for long, “…and he journeyed once more into the distant wilderness, leaving us this beautiful land to enjoy, knowing he would never return from his soul-call: to discover and learn the great things the gods have given us.

“And now let me introduce to you our master storyteller, Elleibrieth.”

A woman of similar age to Petrin joins him on the cobblestones. She is tall and slender, but strong in presence and confident in her gaze as her eyes meet with Siff’s, “Dearest guest, honored elders, and beloved community, let me share the tale of our own village’s very first born hero. Our ancestor Clomenei: the one who learned the languages of the wild.”

If Petrin’s stories were captivating, Elleibrieth’s are intoxicating. Siff is right there with young Clomenei as she senses the animals are more than mere wild beasts. She begins to understand that their behavior communicates as much as their vocalizations, that the deer and the sheep and the wolf and the horse can be spoken with. And that her own soul-call is to bring unity and symbiosis. She is the one who brought horses to the community, not as captured and broken animals, but as willing participants in the world they were creating: to help the future of both species.

Siff wonders about Lucas’ horse, Callio, and its history in the community. What does talking with horses even look like?

Clomenei holds her animals dear. The deer refuse to be tamed, reveling in the joy of bounding over hills and valleys. She runs with them, as they leave her far behind. But she has learned to keep steady pace and catches them when they are tired of sprinting, laying in their midst among the glades, soft light playing on their hides. She mourns bitterly when they are taken. Very few die of old age as the cycle of life calls predators forth. She understands it, but weeps at the necessity. Clomenei defends who she can, but even promising safety within the village does not entice them to give up such freedom. And that is her revelation: that we would not trade our freedom for safety, but live according to our soul-call, even when it calls us to risk our very lives, “We must be who and what we are: the universe demands it. The universe needs it. And we need it also.”

Elleibrieth silently exits the cobblestone stage, her audience seated in silent awe at her storytelling.

The stories and visions have captured Siff’s imagination and transported her through hours sitting here with Lucas and Esken. The sun is starting to lower in the sky and young men and women begin to build small fires in dedicated pits around the circle. The tables begin to be served with breads and cheese and meat sitting on platters with crisp fresh vegetables. Water comes about poured into wooden cups and set before each of those attending. Those serving do so with genuine joy on their faces, excited to give to others what they have prepared. And Siff is really excited to eat it, though she is wise enough at this point to wait and see what protocol there might be. Diving in might just be frowned upon.

Once the places are laid the chief priest makes his way to the centre, “Let us pray.” Siff looks around to see some heads bow, some arms raise, some hands hold out, some cover their faces, but all close their eyes. She chooses to close her eyes, but this is going to be really weird, “Great Jupiter, who guides us true toward Vesta. Saturn, who teaches us wisdom. Mars, our mighty protector. And Pluto our gracious caregiver. We thank you for allowing us to participate with mighty Janus, and all your great goodness towards us. We thank you for the gift of our new member today and we pray your blessings upon her. You are awesome in your wisdom and we pray we are able to walk in the soul-call of Siff as she joins to our own. May your names forever be praised, and your promises come quickly to us. Bless all who call upon your names as we speak with one voice:”

The whole village speaks in meaningful unison, “Praise you and let it be so unto the whole,” Before each of them kisses the knuckle of their index finger as a salute to the gods.

Yep. That was definitely weird. If these people knew exactly who they were praying to I don’t think they’d be impressed. Damn that’s uncomfortable to know.