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“More visitors have coht that gathering was large,” Serenio said “But then, most people know of the Mamutoi, even if they haven’t all seen one No one has heard of the Zelandonii”

“They not think we have two eye, and two ar, like they?” Jondalar said

He was somewhat overwhelmed hi usually saw ers, except for the residents of Dolando’s Cave and Carlono’s Dock Word had traveled so fast that others besides Sharamudoi had even come Some of Tholie’s Mah to accompany them, had been early arrivals There were people from upriver as well, or uprivers—both the Mother and the Sister

AndCeremonial custoedplace for a Zelandonii Matrimonial, and several couples were formally united at one ti the ho As Thonolan’s only blood relative, he would have a conspicuous place in the cere nervous

“Jondalar, you know most people would be surprised to learn that you are not always as confident as you appear Don’t worry, you’ll be fine,” Serenio said,her arms around his neck “You always are”

She had done the right thing Her nearness was a pleasant distraction—she took his —and her words were reassuring He pulled her closer, pressed his war himself the respite of a moment’s sensual pleasure before his apprehensions returned

“You think I look right? This travel clothes, not for special wear,” he asked, suddenly conscious of his Zelandonii garb

“No one here knows that They are unique, very special Just right for the occasion, I think It would see fa for you as well as Thonolan That’s why they have come If they can see you from a distance, they may not all feel the need to press in closer, and you know you are coood on you, too They suit you”

He let her go and looked out through a crack at the throng outside, grateful he didn’t have to face the roof prevented hi farther, then returned to the front and looked out again

“Jondalar, let me make some tea for you It’s a special blend I learned from the Shamud It will settle your nerves”

“Do I look nervous?”

“No, but you have a right to It will only take abox and added hot stones He pulled up a wooden stool—one that was hts were elsewhere, and he stared absently at the geo parallel lines above another row slanting in the opposite direction, giving a herringbone effect The sides of the kerfed boxes were rooves, or kerfs, were cut not quite all the way through Using steam to rooves to roove was also cut near the bottoe, into which a bottoht, particularly after they swelled when filled Covered with separate re to storage

The box made him think of his brother and made hi Thonolan had quickly understood the Shara wood His craft of spear utilized the sahten a shaft, or to bend one around for a snowshoe Thinking of a snowshoe re of their Journey, and, with a pang of nostalgia, he wondered if he would ever see his hoain Ever since he had put on his own clothes, he’d been fighting off spas up on him when he least expected it with sonantbox that had brought it on

He stood up quickly, knocked over the stool, and lunged to right it, justhiht tothe Promise Feast Both Tholie and Shamio seemed to be fine and their burns were al the conversation he’d had with the Shamud afterward

“Jondalar, drink your tea I’m sure it will help”

He had forgotten the cup in his hand, sht he detected cha After a while he felt some of his tension drain off

“You right, Serenio Feel better Not knorong”

“It’s not every day one’s brother takes a mate A little nervousness is understandable”