Two Eyes Cenote sixty-fourth [ap]

Senmut spoke of religion and Seal understood. She drew parallels between her studies of the ancestor spirits and felt herself fluent in these paths of thought.

“Yes, you must,” Seal nodded sagely. “I brought one such rare mineral as a gift for the new Pharaoh – a piece of starfall! It is only located deep within the territory. And the herbs, well, some only grow mountainside, as well. Edelweiss, for example.”

Their conversation painted, to Seal, a delightful picture: Desert nobles bringing foreign goods to Moonspear’s isolated heights. Perhaps they could host a hunt of stag or a feast! Maybe other Moon villages would meet there to trade, as well.

Then, Senmut expanded on the business of arranged marriages. When he made the point that his own hand was in Toula’s deck, Seal’s heart lept into her throat.

A fantasy novel wrote itself in Seal’s mind, a la memoirs of a geisha.

He, a revered and refined prince of Akashingo.

She, a young provincial girl born for so much more than village life.

Two star-crossed lovers!

Seal tucked her chin against her throat as her face began to burn. She tittered nervously and tried to disguise her bashfulness. “O-oh! You must speak to Kukutux, then,” Seal explained. “She is the Moonwoman, matriarch of all the Moon villages. She is a matchmaker.”