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“Jondalar make Noria woman,” she said “Make … Noria … Make …” She heaved a sob, wishing she knew the words to tell him what she wanted to say
“I know, Noria I know,” he said, holding her Then he stood back holding her shoulders, sh her tears
“Noria make Zelandonyee…” She touched his eyelid “Noria make Jondal … Haduma…”
“Yes” He nodded “Taeneration Haduive you, Noria” He took out the stone donii and put it in her hand He wished there were some way to tell her how special it was to hiiven it to him, to tell her how old it was, how it had been passed down for enerations Then he smiled “This donii is my Haduma,” he said “Jondalar’s Haduma Now, it is Noria’s Haduma”
“Jondalar Hadu at the carved female shape “Jondalar Haduma, Noria?”
He nodded, and she burst into tears, clutched it in both hands, and brought it to her lips “Jondalar Hadu with sobs Suddenly she threw her arms around hi so hard that she could barely see her way
The whole ca beside Noria when Jondalar stopped in front of the approval, but tears were rolling down Noria’s cheeks He reached for one, brought it to his h it didn’t check her tears He turned to go, but not before he saw the curly-haired young man Jer
en had sent as a runner looking at Noria with lovesick eyes
She was a wo a lucky child to a man’s hearth It was common talk that she had known pleasure at First Rites, and everyone knew such women made the best mates Noria was eminently matable, utterly desirable
“Do you really think Noria is pregnant with a child of your spirit?” Thonolan asked after they left the camp behind
“I’ll never know, but that Haduuess I think she does have ‘big ic’ If anyone could make it happen, she could”
They walked in silence beside the river for a while, then Thonolan said, “Big Brother, there’s so I’d like to ask you”
“Ask away”
“Whatchosen for First Rites, but it really scares a lot of them I know a couple who have turned it down, and to be honest, I always feel cluet chosen all the time And I’ve never seen it fail They all fall in love with you How do you do it? I’ve watched you rut around at festivals; I can’t see anything special”
“I don’t know, Thonolan,” he said, a little embarrassed “I just try to be careful”
“What man doesn’t? It’s more than that What was it Taive a woman pleasure then? I’m just happy if I don’t hurt her tooto ive your little brother so me around”
He slowed and looked at Thonolan “Yes you would I think that’s one of the reasons I got myself promised to Marona, so I’d have an excuse” Jondalar’s forehead furrowed “First Rites are special for a wo woirls in so after boys and inviting awoht with, that you’d rather relax with a more experienced woman, when she’s cornered you alone? Great Doni, Thonolan! I don’t want to hurt theht with”