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Above the niche, she noticed on the stone wall above the sleeping place, another of those mats, similar to the one on the table, made with fine fibers woven into an intricate pattern She wished she could examine it closely, find out hoas made Then she realized that she probably could They weren’t traveling any to be her home
Folara rushed out of the dwelling after Ayla and Jondalar left and hurried to another one nearby She had alht her mother’s eye and the bare shake of her head, and it ht want to be alone Besides, she knew her friends would be full of questions for her She scratched on the panel of the next structure “Ramila? It’s me, Folara”
Awo for you, but then Galeya had to go She said to meet her by the stump”
They both walked out froether As they approached the tall stu-struck juniper tree they saw a thin, wiry young wo toward it fro, fairly large waterbags
“Galeya, did you just get here?” Ramila asked
“Yes; have you been waiting long?” Galeya said
“No, Folara ca hereyou,” Ras as they started back
“Letthe rest of the way, Galeya,” Folara said, relieving her of the other bag “Is this for the feast tonight?”
“What else? I feel like I’ve done nothing but carry things all day, but it will be fun to have an unplanned gather I think it’s going to be bigger than they thought, though We may end up in the Gather Field I’ve heard that several of the nearby Caves have sent runners offering food for the feast You know that meansand turning to look at Folara, she said, “Well, aren’t you going to tell us about her?”
“I don’t knowto live with us She and Jondalar are pro to tie the knot at the Summer Matrimonial She’s kind of like a zelandoni Not exactly, she doesn’t have a , but she knows spirits, and she’s a healer She saved Jondalar’s life Thonolan was already traveling the next world when she found them They had been attacked by a cave
lion! You won’t believe the stories they have to tell,” Folara chattered on excitedly as they walked back along the stone front porch of the community
Many people were busy with various activities related to the feast, but several stopped to watch the young wo she had spent soer and the returned Zelandoniito her, in particular an attractive woray eyes She was carrying a bone tray of freshwo close enough to hear She had originally intended to go another way entirely, until she heard Folara talking
“What’s she like?” Ramila asked
“I think she’s nice She talks a little funny, but she comes from very far away Even her clothes are different … what little she has She only has one extra outfit It’s very plain, but she has nothing for dressing up, so she’s going to wear it tonight She said she wants some Zelandonii clothes, but she doesn’t knohat’s appropriate, and she wants to dress right Mother and I are going to help herto take ht even ride one She and Jondalar just went down there, to go swi in The River”
“Are you really going to get on the back of a horse, Folara?” Ramila asked