Qeya River šest

marriage. there were of course many ceremonies, but they were meant for crowds and those within them: namely relatives who traveled between bands for these celebrations. they were political rites. but here there were no rival clans nor sharadoii, nor seal hunters. there was only a saatsine man and woman asking to be married.

he was quiet, considering what pieces of lanzadoii culture he might offer to this newly-made pair. for another he might have asked more questions, demanded some show of ability. but they had known each other for time before sun eater, and sheep killer had hunted with the cutting wisdom of a thrown spear. their union shared mutual strength. 

"for seven days, you stay together. only together, away from us. as one. seven days. hunt, as one. after, come to say you are married now. some take new name, to say 'one.'"

a pause came to pass. sun eater looked directly to stone crier. "we walk, even with child. birth time, we stop for two turns of the moon." he glanced between them. "they walk, or left behind." a child at so tender an age could expect to be carried at least in part, but when they could taste caribou, they would join the saatsine properly.

now to sheep killer. "i give skin of deer for first sleeping robes," he said, ribald amusement glinting now in that stare. "take high path. lay under stars. caribou spirits will bless."

and their children would be lanzadoii.