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Cherunio was the shortest woman there, and Jondalar really hadn’t seen her before He did then Though short, she was very much a woman, and she had a quality of vivacious enthusias She was almost the complete opposite of Serenio His eyes showed his interest, and Cherunio nearly quivered with delight now that she had his attention Suddenly she turned her head, caught by a sound

“I hear the rhyth to do a couple dance,” she said “Come on, Jondalar”

“Not know steps,” he said

“I’ll show you; it’s not hard,” Cherunio said, eagerly tugging in the direction of the music He yielded to the invitation

“Wait, we’re co, too,” Jetamio said

The other woman was not too pleased that Cherunio had captured Jondalar’s attention so quickly, and he heard Radonio say, “It’s not hard … yet!” followed by peals of laughter But as the four of them headed toward the dance, he did not hear the conspiratorial whisper

“Here’s the last water skin of wine, Jondalar,” Thonolan said “Jetamio says we are supposed to start the dance, but we don’t have to stay We’re going to slip away as soon as we can”

“Don’t you want to take it with you? For a private celebration?”

Thonolan grinned at his mate “Well, it’s not really the last—we have one tucked away But I don’t think we need it Just to be alone with Jetah”

“Their language has such a nice sound Don’t you think so, Jetamio?” Cherunio said “Can you understand any of it?”

“A little, but I’ to learn more And Mamutoi, too It was Tholie’s idea that we all learn one another’s language”

“Tholie say best way learn Sharaht I sorry, Cherunio Not polite talk Zelandonii,” Jondalar apologized

“Oh, I don’tleft out of the conversation But the apology roup with the newly mated couple and the tall, handsome Zelandonii had other compensations She ell aware of the envious looks of several young women

Near the back of the field, outside the overhang, a bonfire burned They stepped into the shadows and passed the wine skin around, and then, as a group was for women showed the men the basic an a lively melody, which was picked up by the mammoth-bone player, and the tonal qualities that resembled those of a xylophone added a unique sound

Once the dancing started, Jondalar noticed that the basic steps could be elaborated with variations liination and skill of the dancer, and occasionally a person or a pair displayed such exceptional enthusiaseathered around the dancers, swaying and singing, and without a conscious break, the music shifted to a different te never stopped, but people joined in— an endless variation in tone, pace, rhyth as there was anyone ished to continue

Cherunio was a lively partner, and Jondalar, drinkingSo the first fa in which the words to suit the occasion were hter, often by innuendos of Gifts and Pleasures It soon beca to be funny and those ere trying not to laugh So on the desired response Then ato the rhythm of the chant,

“There’s Jondalar, so big and tall, he could have had his pick of all Cherunio is sweet, but small He’ll break his back, or maybe fall”