Leraa Rainbow: The Vhisthoha

For those who didn't get to read this story, I'll reprint it here since a very special picture came to me today:

Letters to Unghaahi: The Lesson of the Rainbow

There was a summons that had come to the temple in the outpost as the party was leaving the pier. Everyone was giving Obhantaa their profoundest consolations as the ship that carried Rautu away had disappeared over the southern horizon and though the white giant was aggrieved that he was meant to be deprived of his brother's presence for a time, it was Otenohi who felt more saddened by Rautu's absence than any other. In planning his small deceptions for his brother, he had felt himself again and to have Obhantaa by his side and Unghaahi to scold him, it had felt ever as it should have been if only they were on the islands. The summons that came for them, however, caused some further distress for the inquisitor as it was a message tendered to himself and Unghaahi. The message was given to Ghodhina by one of his informants and the Den Ashan quietly reiterated its contents, telling the two giants their presences was needed on Sanhedran.

Unghaahi made numerous whispered questions on the matters of the letter's sender, the style of the script, and the urgency with which it was written and Ghodhina replied the correspondence was from the Hakriyaa, inscribed with much necessity in the words employed on the page. Ghodhina apologized for the poor timing of the letter and conveyed that Unghaahi and Otenohi were to return within the next few days. The celebration for the destruction of Thellis capital had been over for a few days and though Unghaahi had been permitted to remain off the islands during that time, the ceremonies were over and his time to restore himself as Den Amhadhri and Hophsaas instructor had come. He took some solace in knowing that Otenohi would be with him and perhaps he could help to revive some of the honour the inquisitor had lost in his absence, but though he did not dread the manner of his return for himself, he harboured a great apprehension for Otenohi, not for the renewed shame that may confront him when they reached the southern shores but for the pang of separation that would be enforced upon him.

Unghaahi nodded when Ghodhina had completed his reiteration of the letter and when they came to the temple, he quietly asked him to usher the women elsewhere so that he may tell the news to his two brothers. Ghodhina gave no opposition and obeyed Unghaahi's delicate command. Anjhali and Rhodhira returned to Obhantaa's home to observe their sleeping kittens and the Den Ashan escorted Tyira to the temple garden for her to continue her implementation and equally for him to regard her.

Unghaahi turned to Otenohi and Obhantaa as they remained at the foot of the temple steps and he inhaled to begin his explanation of their departure only to be interrupted by Obhantaa's saddened expression.

"You are leaving, Dhenidha?" Obhantaa said in a quiet and somber tone.

Unghaahi could not negate his brother's affecting question even though he would have wished to and he placed his arm around his brother's shoulders to brace him for his response. "We must leave, it is true, but we will not leave until you have been introduced to your brothers at the barracks," Unghaahi firmly promised.

Otenohi's appearance showed he did not approve of the sudden removal but he kept his brooding conjectures to himself and only lowered his vivid eyes. He joined in the half embrace of his brother and was forced to submit to his superior's word to preserve Obhantaa's wellbeing in the outpost and cure Unghaahi from his lonesomeness on Sanhedran. Though the inquisitor was not fond of being compelled to make such a disagreeable decision, he resolved he would be assisting both of them with his compliance and said nothing to gainsay the summons.

"Will they train with me, Dhenidha?" was Obhantaa's nervous question. "Will they teach me Hophsaas and share their meals with me?"

"Of course, brother," Unghaahi purred in his low voice. "You are an Amghari now and you must learn to train with them and be one with them if you wish to remain Onaasa. You have already surpassed them in Hophsaas and if you remember what I have taught you, they will wish to duel with you every day to improve their own skill. They are not your Anonnaa as we are but they will honour you as their brother and will share their knowledge with you. Khantara built this outpost himself and few of the Amghari here were under his command. They have much to tell you of his teachings and they will honour you with their company. Would you wish to meet them now, brother?"

Obhantaa felt pleased to be considered as worthy of the training the barracks had to offer and was so enthralled with learning from his honoured brothers, he had forgotten there was a garrison of Amghari with whom he could train and form new acquaintances. Obhantaa was diffident and reserved with those whom he shared little intimacy but the presence of Unghaahi and Otenohi would make the forming of alliances easier and he therefore agreed with an eagerness that recommended itself to his happy nature and keen sensibilities in wishing to please everyone.

"Come, brother," Unghaahi said with a nod toward the barracks, "you can introduce them to your hangaara."

The cat ever-present at Obhantaa's large feet gave forth a contended rumble of appreciation and she followed them on their short walk to the garrison of the outpost. She stopped when she noticed something appearing in the sky and nuzzled the back of Obhantaa's leg to draw his attention to it.

Obhantaa looked up to regard a rainbow in the fullness of its arch shimmering in the sky above. The plethora of colours shone with brilliance, radiating its luminescence across the whole of the outpost. Obhantaa exuded a small exaltation of awe for the rainbow for though there were many of them to be seen during the rain season on the islands he had never seen one so complete or so close.

"Look, Dhenidha. Look, Dhirghena," Obhantaa said, pointing up. "A Vhisthoha."

The three giants observed the rainbow encompassing the sky for some time, noting its shimmering hues and the clarity with which it could be seen when there had been no rain to mark its presence.

"How is the Vhisthoha made?" Obhantaa asked, unable to look away from the vibrant crescent above him. But before either of his brothers could offer a reply, Obhantaa was overcome with a sudden aggrievement. He had only asked his beloved brothers a question yet it caused him great pain to know that he would be obligated to write to them to ask them such queries in the future and he sighed for their impending separation, melancholy that he would only be able to remain with his brothers for a little while longer. He was suddenly wanting to ask them everything all at one to make certain he could gain their understanding of every subject about which he knew nothing and he his thoughts tumbled forth in an array of hurried inquiries on the colours of the rainbow, why it portrayed certain hues and not others, why had it appeared when there was no rain to precede it, and how long it would last when he understood many things in his recent past to be fleeting.

Otenohi was the first to give cheer to his brother, remarking that the rainbow was a warning that the Haanta were propagating their race as they should and therefore extra sessions of Khopra were necessary to appease the intent of the symbol. Otenohi laughed at Obhantaa's bemused expression and the white colossus soon simpered as well, uncertain if his brother's claims where true but promising to fulfilled his mate all the same.  

Unghaahi gave Otenohi a glare of disapproval for telling their impressionable brother a falsehood but Otenohi claimed it would only help Obhantaa be diverted from their absence and Unghaahi was compelled to agree. "The Vhisthoha his made when the air is rich in water," he told Obhantaa. "The sun shines light onto the drops and the combination of the water and sunlight forms the Vhisthoha in the sky."

Obhantaa hummed his comprehension and studied the object above him, inspecting its intensity and observing the humidity in the air. "But, the Khun no Haanta says that the Vhisthoha was made by Ghaan Khosselin," Obhantaa said.

"Yes, brother. There is a legend in our guide that tells us he placed one in the sky to prove we had conquered our affliction and each time there is one above the islands, we are meant to rejoice for its presence as a sign of our triumph as a people. Our ancestors endured much suffering being given their ethnaa by cruel and false gods with no manner in which to suppress it. Ghaan Khosselin brought us the Haanta, our enlightenment, and when he passed on, he left us the Vhisthoha as a testament of our own strength. We are a noble people, brother, and we must remember this when greeting others who do not know us."

"Yes, Dhenidha," Obhantaa said, still looking at the rainbow above him.

Otenohi contended that his explanation was more fitting and scoffed at his brother's dignified tutelage, then smiled for allowing him to mock his lesson.

Unghaahi looked at the rainbow and then behind him, casting his gaze toward Sanhedhran in the north. "Now that your home his here, brother, this symbol hold another meaning for me," he said, placing his hand on Obhantaa's back.

Obhantaa heard the somber tone in Unghaahi's voice and turned his attention from the arc of light. "What, Dhenidha?" he said, his amber eyes fixed in worry.

"From here, this Vhisthoha can be seen on Sanhedhran, proving that we will not be as far from
each other as we may believe. It is a short distance from the islands to the outpost and though we may be parted, Anonnaa are always together as long as they are able to see the same Vhisthoha in the sky."              

Obhantaa gauged the renewed happiness in his brother's eyes and then looked up. "The Vhisthoha, Dhenidha?" he repeated, as if the word had suddenly changed in meaning.

"Yes, brother."

Otenohi looked to the side and wiped the budding tears from his mirthful eyes. He had wanted to chide Unghaahi for his receptivity, knowing well he harboured the same level of sentimental excellence himself, but was hindered by Unghaahi's integrity and openness. Otenohi was forced to stifle his tears for the lecture rather than speak mischievous words in opposition of it and he gave a nod of silent agreement to Unghaahi, telling him his lesson was appropriate and would make the parting easier when the time had come for it.

Unghaahi and Obhantaa exchanged a heartfelt smile and both of them resolved to remain in good spirits toward the matter of their separation long after the rainbow had dissipated over them.