TO THE BEAT OF THE DRUMS ( open )

[jaquael dorian]

` here come the drums, here come the drums,


"Ai shor jhaeli sai varyr si shysaes."

The words were hissed through the treetop, earning confirmation in the form of whispers and animal calls. Even the Eukari in their plant forms knew how to respond. It was not odd, the leader leaving to patrol the borders of their tribe, in fact they all took turns in patrolling; it was part of the law of the Jhalasi, they all took turns in protecting the borders and those that lurked within them. Just because he was the tribe leader made no difference; nor should it, if anything he should be taking the most 'shifts', not that his tribe would allow this. He helped out in other ways.

After a brief moment of pause a large, black eagle rose from the tree tops with all the grace granted to a bird of prey; his movements were magestic as he flew in systematic circles around the trees. Slowly, ever slowly, his flight inclined until he was high enough that his keen gaze could see miles before him. His wings struck up a rhythmic pace that was both constant and soothing to his ears, his amber eyes moved back and forth over the landscape; it was usually those who could morph into birds or woodland creatures who took the patrols in the tribe for they could blend in with the natural wildlife. There was no fear of hunting here, for if someone hunted them then it would be every tribe who sought revenge, not just a single one.

The landscape was bland, and after circling over the tribelands for a couple of minutes he slowly started his movements towards Pellanoir; the floating city. Part of his job was to make sure the towns within Taravehan functioned correctly and without disarray for he knew that some of his tribe also frequently visited the towns for supplies. Jaq considered his tribe to be the best; it was the largest tribe of Varmi and Eukari in the land and in the entire realm for his predecessors had been the only ones to see the need for alliance between the groups; they had been the only ones who dared to try. He knew that his tribe were happy with the way things were; there was no complaining about favourites for, of course, there were none. Equality was one of the main ideals the Jhalasi set out to prove; for it was one of the main things that the tribes squabbled over. It was childish. The eagle shook his head in an oddly 'human' gesture, although its eyes never left the ground. Yes, there was nothing out today.

A brief; but loud, cry soared across the sky in what seemed a defiant screech. However, those who lived within the forest would decipher the sound well enough; all was safe, nothing was wrong today. Obviously, the call would be repeated by various scouts throughout the day to make sure that the calm was maintained. It was amazing to see how quickly his tribe could get into battle formation, in fact it was something they practised regularly to make sure that if ever something did go wrong they would be ready to deal with it. The days of war had ceased and the wind blowing from the West was merely seasonal. These days the utopic society was all but achieved, for though there was inequality between leaders and races; they were at a peace or at the very least; a stalemate.

The eagle's wings tilted effortlessly and his descent began, he angled his dive so that it drew him to the edge of the forest of Taravehan, on the side closest to Pellanoir, while he was on his way back to the tribe he may as well gather some supplies. Normally, the forest supplied all they needed to survive; food, wood, water, herbs and so many other things yet there were some material items that the forest could not give. These were seen as luxuries and were only purchased on the second week, however the tribe loved them and Jaq loved to please his tribe.

While he was still two meters from the ground his transformation begun and he landed - as a human - in a crouch upon the ground. His black locks fell into his face, obscuring his eyesight for a second before he pushed them back and stood up. These days he no longer felt nautious in the change; it was amazing that he could change in less than a second and still not feel slightly sick. Although Jaq was one of the best Varmi, even though his transformations were limited to two other forms he knew them all inside and out, knew each weakness and strength and could transform between them without resorting to the human form. It was satisfying to know that he could do something the rest of his tribe could not; although he never gloated about it, just quite contendedness. Any gloating was not his character, nor would it be admired.

Slowly he turned around and walked back into the forest aways, he crouched down to a fern and smile. Oddly, he bowed at it and then proceeded to talk. Metamorphi knew there own; even when nobody else did.

"Saer saes ai mar kai ailai Pellanoir eil vesari airaes eil sai aezaes ti jharaes."

He smiled and did not wait for the fern Eukari to transform but merely turned around. When they were in the forest they always spoke in 'Si maes os si saer' to prevent any unwanted ears from listening in. It was a complex dialect and one that was only taught to the Jhalasi yet when one learned it from a young age it was spoken almost as well as the common tongue. Jaq walked slowly from the forest toward Pellanoir. There was no fear of attack in him for he could defend himself well enough. Would today be a good day? If his tribe remained healthy and untouched then yes; today would be fantastic.

translations;

Ai shor jhaeli sai varyr si shysaes: I shall leave to patrol our borders.

Saer saes ai mar kai ailai Pellanoir eil vesari airaes eil sai aezaes ti jharaes: Tell them i shall go into Pellanoir to purchase items and to expect me later.