page54 (2/2)
Jondalar grunted and turned over in his sleep, and Marthona glanced in the direction of their sleeping furs She lowered her voice evenas Jondalar is still asleep We do not consider it appropriate for hi until the ceremony”
Ayla slipped off her summer tunic and picked up the heavy, ornately decorated one “Nezzie told me to wear it closed like this if I just want to show someone,” Ayla whispered as she tied it closed with the sash “But for the ceremon
y, it should be open, like this,” she said, rearranging the gar the sash “Nezzie said, ‘A woman proudly shows her breasts when she is joined, when she brings her hearth to form a union with a man’ I’ cereht for you to see”
Marthona nodded “I am very pleased that you showedbefore the occasion only to women, intimate friends or family, but I don’t think anyone else should see yours just yet I think it would be …,” Marthona paused and s to surprise everyone If you like, we can hang it in hten out A little steam would help, too”
“Thank you I’ve been wondering where I could put it Can this beautiful tunic that you gaveelse “And I have another tunic I would like to put somewhere, one I made Would you keep that for me?”
“Yes, of course But put your outfits away for now We can do it after Willa else you’d like me to keep?” Marthona said
“I have necklaces and things, but they can stay inthe,” Ayla said
“Do you have
“Only two necklaces, including the one froiven to me by a woave me when I left She was the headwoie’s , since they would match the tunic I would like to, but my ears are not pierced,” Ayla said
“I’m sure Zelandoni would be happy to pierce them for you, if you want,” Marthona said
“I think I would I don’t want any other piercings, at least not yet, but I would like to wear the matched ambers when Jondalar and I are mated, and the outfit from Nezzie”
“This Nezzie must have been quite fond of you to have done so much for you,” Marthona commented
“I certainly was fond of her,” Ayla replied “If it hadn’t been for Nezzie, I don’t think I would have followed Jondalar when he left I was supposed to mate with Ranec the next day He was the son of her brother’s hearth, although she was more like a mother to him But Nezzie knew Jondalar loved o after hiht It was hard to tell Ranec I was leaving, though I did care for him, very much, but I loved Jondalar”
“You must have, or you would not have left people who held you in such high regard to come home with him,” Marthona said
Ayla noticed Jondalar shifting around again and stood up Marthona sipped her tea, watching the young woman as she refolded her Matrimonial outfit, then the woven tunic, and put the pack When she returned, shekit, which was on the table