Brave Story - Miyuki Miyabe [169]
“We saw your rope tricks back in the cavern,” Wataru said laughing. “But, if you’ve time to practice, I’d love to see you do your thing on stage.”
“Me too,” Kee Keema added enthusiastically.
“Then you’ll want to talk to the other swing artists.”
Bubuho sent Meena out and showed Wataru and Kee Keema to an empty tent. They settled in, and after a time, an old woman came in, bringing them a fragrant tea.
“Ah, Granny! Many thanks.” Bubuho stood and welcomed the old lady. “This tea will ease your fatigue from the journey. Drink up.”
The old woman was very short, and her face was wrinkled, like tissue paper crumpled into a ball. Her face was that of an ankha, but she had a bit of the look of a frog about her.
“I just came to see our Traveler here,” the woman said, staring into Wataru’s eyes so intently that he became embarrassed. “Tell me, how is Wayfinder Lau?”
Wataru was taken aback. “Huh? What? You know him?”
“For nigh well eight hundred years now. That one couldn’t call a bolt of lightning to save his life back in the day. I do hope his spellcraft has improved?”
Wataru smiled. “Sorry, I can’t say I saw him cast any spells.”
“So you’ve come to see the Goddess, eh?” Granny continued. “But have you thought of what you’ll do if you can’t see her?”
“Well…” Wataru looked at Kee Keema, who was also squirming uncomfortably. “I guess I never considered the possibility.”
It was an honest answer. The old woman snorted. “Then I’ve nothing else to ask you.”
And with that, she left the tent. Wataru blinked, and Bubuho smiled wryly. “My apologies. You’d be a bit cranky too if you were her age.” He turned back to Wataru. “I’ve heard the Traveler’s journey is a difficult one. Now, as you know, Meena is a girl with a special past and a unique destiny of her own. Take her along with you, and your journey may become more difficult still. She told you of Sigdora, yes?”
“Yes, she did.”
“And still you will take her?”
“I will,” Wataru said, nodding firmly. “I don’t know if traveling with me will help Meena find her parents again, but I think we will be able to help each other on our travels, at least.”
“Then I have nothing else to say.” Bubuho smiled gently. “Please, rest until rehearsal begins. The other members want to meet you, I’m sure. You’re free to go about as you wish.”
Wataru and Kee Keema took the opportunity to look around and talk to various circus members. In total there were about fifty people in the circus, and they learned several things: that the Elenora in the circus’s full name was the troupe leader’s deceased wife, and that their show on the lakeshore had been delayed on account of the wildfire.
“The hot winds blew even up here, and the waves on the lake were so bad we could barely go out in a boat, let alone set up our stage.”
Kee Keema had already become fast friends with the waterkin in the circus, and he spent his time practicing their staff-tricks. While they ran about hooting and hollering, waving wooden swords shaped like spears, Wataru continued walking through the camp, asking if anyone had seen, by the lake or in the woods, a little sorcerer in black robes. No one had noticed a thing.
The sun had set when rehearsals finally began. The stage was lit and stars were twinkling in the sky. Music started and dancers appeared, singing the song heard earlier in the day. Wataru was enchanted. It was a show just for two, and he loved every moment of it.
Though she must have been out of practice, Meena was the headliner of the show. In bright-colored clothes she leapt from swing to swing, high above the stage, flitting with light grace, twisting in midair, catching herself just when you thought she was going to fall, and striking a pose for the crowd. Wataru’s palms were sweating as he watched the performance. But when Meena landed safely in the spotlight, he clapped until his hands were sore.
Wataru began to wonder if Meena wouldn’t really be more happy here with the circus than traveling with him.
Still, her past must drive her to find out the truth. Wataru wondered how he would feel