They were his constant companions these days, though he knew little about them other than that they ate only the softer, juicier leaves produced by Table Woods' trees and called themselves Shikul. Where they lived or what functions they might perform in the Woods, he had no idea, for 'Shikul' was the only word he'd ever managed to decipher from the strange, singing noise they caused inside his head when a swarm finally succeeded in completely surrounding him.

He might not have known what use they were to the Woods, but Josef had quickly learned their use to himself, because they always fled whenever the Keeper approached, clad in his cumbersome metal garments and always preceded by an odd, greenish fluorescence. The Woodcutter was quick to follow their example, for he knew what fate held in store for the Artisan, who would inevitably follow all his meddling predecessors to an early grave. He 'd seen their bones many times now, and had long since ceased wondering at their stupidity ... all the Woods wanted was to be left alone, but no; they had to dominate, to control, to subjugate ...

But this evening there was no Keeper; Josef somehow knew it. The Woods had a carefree air about them and the little creatures he'd come to know and respect seemed more cheerful tonight. So ... it had already happened then; another Keeper had met his end ... Josef shook his head sadly as he moved skillfully between the branches, careful as ever where he put each foot. He could not feel much sorrow for the Keepers however hard he tried, for to a man, they were ignorant of the Woods' true nature.

Another rueful shake of the head was interrupted as the Woodcutter realised that Shikul had left him, and were streaming ahead down a mossy embankment. Ah ... he'd seen this before ... they wanted him to follow them. He smiled as he gladly did so, for they inevitably led him to a rich source of kindling, as if eager to help him clear the Woods of clutter.

Glittering swarm and human alike, they crossed a gurgling brook, turning not down the natural path through the trees, but instead following the furthermost bank of the stream, where it was sometimes necessary for Josef to duck and weave his way between the branches. Emerging at last into an open area, the Woodcutter gasped, for here it was; the home of Shikul. At first glance there appeared to be many thousands of the little nests, hanging from every available branch like the seeds of the Pendulum Bush ... but these were different - each one had a tiny, coloured light inside it, giving the entire grove a spellbinding, magical quality.

Josef barely had time take in the extent of the community before he was surrounded by a swarm of the little creatures. They were everywhere - on his skin, in his hair, all over his clothing - but he felt no fear, even when their singing rose to almost unbearable levels ... and then he heard it, gradually forming as the notes settled to defined pitches ... the melodic voice of Shikul ...

'This we give thee, gleaner of that which no longer bears food ... be no more afraid of any harm thee might do, for we know thee to be a friend of this place ...'

They left him then, in one rushing cloud and as they did so, Josef heard creaking, shifting noises from behind him. A smile touched his lips as he turned, for he was almost certain what he would see ...

Hoisting his half-filled sack back to his shoulder, Josef the Woodgatherer whistled a merry air as he strolled down the path the trees had opened for him, listening to the soft rustle they made as they closed up again, once more concealing the home of Shikul.

And the Wind City floated along above the land, on towards what lay ahead.

[Vue 6 Esprit]

Another contribution to *Winterflood's project ‘Wind City’.

Tales from the Wind City

Wind City is Copyright(c) 2007 Stephen Winterflood
Wind City - Shikul Grove is Copyright(c) 2008 Tango Wayne

Welcome to the Wind City and the stories of the people that live there; tales that don't always follow each other over time.

[I give *Winterflood the right to reproduce this image in ~Wind-City, if he should so wish!]