Page 56 of Tiger's Trek
“Or seven,” said Daz. “Seven is also good.”
“Or twelve,” mused Zakhar.
“Yes. But three are always required.”
“But why three?” asked Stacia.
Daz picked up a stool and showed her the legs. “It cannot stand without three. Nothing in this world or any other can. Each leg symbolizes our purpose.”
Veles touched the first, saying, “We have a duty to take care of our world and all the life and resources available upon it. Seeing all of them as gifts given by the Source to be used responsibly and carefully. Life is a precious thing. No life should be ended without much consideration.”
“The second leg is about community, home, family, relationships, nurture, growth, and many more such things that are somewhat difficult to define,” said Stribog. “Choice, opportunity, and certain freedoms must be enacted for civilizations to develop and for people to thrive and be happy.”
“And this one?” Zakhar said, pointing to the last leg.
“This last one is about work,” said Moksha. “Without industry and effort, civilizations collapse.”
“The balance seems tricky,” Stacia said.
“Oh, it is,” replied Stribog. “Too much of one, and another weakens. All must be given an equal amount of attention. Just as all legs of a stool must be measured and cut the same, else the stool will be off-balance.”
“But the point here,” said Daz, “is to remember thatweare not the Source. We serve it. We draw upon its power, yes. But all of us lend our strength to the same cause in the end.”
“But... but I still don’t understand. Whatisthe cause?” asked Zakhar.
“You of all people must know the answer to that question, don’t you?” said Stribog.
“I...” Zakhar stood there open-mouthed. How could he tell these goddesses of old he was coming to doubt his purpose in life for the very first time. That he was concerned that he’d joined the priesthood for the wrong reasons. That he feared coming on this journey might mean the loss not only of his core beliefs but of his place in the hereafter. The path he stood on now was not only uncertain, it was dark. He felt blinder than Iriko, and unlike the tiger, he’d been left without a guide.
“Perhaps he will find the answer on his journey,” Sima added kindly.
“Yes, perhaps,” Moksha said. “Come, let us present our gifts and send them on their way. They must hurry if they wish to save their friend from the Games.”
Veles was the first. She pressed a coin into Stacia’s hand. “As I am the goddess over the waters, toss this coin into any cup of water you drink from or bathe in, and the waters will heal you from injury.”
Peruna gave them a metal cup and moved her hand across the top. Blue flames erupted from within, glowing hotter than anything Stacia had ever felt. When she passed her hand over it again, the flames disappeared. “This is a burning cresset. You can use it to start fires or warm yourselves. If you pour out the flames, they will flow like hot pitch, encompassing whatever they touch. You must always remember to turn it off before stowing the cup.”
Next was Yaryl, who gave them her pet ermine and a bag filled with very rare red gold. Zakhar took to the ermine immediately. The furry white animal climbed into his coat and curled up in one of his large pockets and went to sleep.
Moksha gave them a bag of barley and another of rye, both of which would always remain full, no matter how much of it they used.
Then the last three sisters combined their abilities into one great gift. “Come and see,” said Daz.
Stacia and Zakhar followed the sisters outside, where they found a great swollen dirizhabl’ of some kind with a small wooden vessel attached to it with a series of ropes and pulleys.
“What is it?” asked Stacia.
“Your mode of transportation,” said Stribog. “I call it a Rackapelterly Aeroflation. Climb inside the structure. I’ll teach you how to control it with my ability to manipulate the wind, jump far distances, and travel on lightning.”
“Don’t forget harnessing the storms and using my birds,” said Sima, just as a large network rose before the balloon. The air in front was now filled with hundreds of winged creatures all screeching and cawing and tweeting. Each one was leashed to the structure via a harness so small it could barely be seen, but it was somehow effective enough that none of them twisted around one another or became trapped or stuck.
“How? How are you doing that?” Stacia asked, darting around to the front to see the miraculous setup.
“Simple,” said Sima. “I asked them. They have control over the harnesses. If it gets twisted or uncomfortable, they simply unlink it with their minds. When they’re ready to pull again, they link back in, and it reattaches. It’s constantly in flux, but because there are so many, someone’s always pulling.”
“That’s amazing!”
“It is, isn’t it?” Sima grinned. “Now, you take good care of my babies, and they’ll take you where you want to go. Bogatyr Mountain, my sweet things. You’re headed to the Novgorod Games. Make sure to stay warm in that freezing weather.”
