Afterward, Shkai'ra was aware mainly of fragments: "-love in honor-"

"-all children of one blood-"

The loaf was cut and they reached together to sprinkle the salt, each taking one bite of bitter amarantha bread.

Megan: "So I swear." She reached her hand toShkai'ra, yellow light glowing around the fingers.

Shkai'ra: "So I swear." She said and took it, reaching with her free one to Shyll.

Shyll: "So I swear." He took her hand and linked it with Rilla's, whose fingers were glowing red.

Rilla: "So I swear."

The cup passed, and the priestess upended it to show it empty. "Goddess witness!"

She handed it to Sova, who returned it to the table and knelt between them and bowed her head, flush and white succeeding themselves across the pale freckled skin. The priestess bent slightly, spoke to her: "Sova, do you consent to be the child of these, as of their blood?

"Yes. Oh, yes."

"Do you, in union, consent to take Sova as yours, child of the blood?"

"We do." All four of them answered.

The priestess of the Goddess stepped back, motioning them to their feet. "Then as Her witness, I call to the winds that this union is made. Give joy to Her who made it!"

The crowd's silence broke, and they rushed forward to lift the newly wedded four on their shoulders for the journey back to the city, wineskins already being passed hand to hand.

The End

Appendix I: GLOSSARY akribhan-a Zak endearmentAlmerkun-continent across the Lannic Ocean Amam-Tor Enchian title of nobility amaranth-type of grain, like barley anschal-Zak, excuse me Arko-empire west of Yeola-e Baiwun Thunderer-a Kommanz god of war bayag-witch/devil figure bayishka-marriage negotiator, matchmaker Benai Saekrberk-Abbey of Saekrberk across the river from Brahvniki Benaiat-Abbot Brahvniki-freeport on the north shore of the Svartzee celik kiskardas-Zak, lit. "steel kin"

chiliois-one thousand strides, approx. equivalent to a kilometer ClawPrince-merchant prince cormorenc-spearbills, giant cormorants cytokenska-Zak animal healer DragonLady-the Dragon Lord's wife; aka the Woyvodaana DragonLord-ruler of F'talezon; aka the Woyvode dreamdust-Zak drug, ferociously addictive; reroutes pain through the pleasure centers, causes an AIDS-like breakdown of the immune systemF'talezon-Zak capital at navigation head of Brezhan River F'trovanemi Isle-major Zak base south of F'talezon fatrahm-Zak, blood relation on the father's side Fehinnan-the Tectate of Fehinna, a nation on the east coast of Almerkun Fehuund-the Thanish devil flahmbrug-Zak, volcano forus-Brahnikian, foreigner Fraosra-lit. siblings, brethren of the Abbey, monks frehmat-Zak, lit. "one who is not directly related to me who I trust like kin."

gar-predatory fish of the Brezhan, averaging seven meters long Glitch-Kommanz god of misfortune Gods'Tears-Zak drug that causes unconsciousness Gothumml-head god in the Thanish pantheon graukalm-killing cold out of the steppe, the so-called grevious, or monster, wind Haian-native of Haiu Menshir, the Healers Isles Halya-Zak, hell Hoparu-ho-group of tribes living in the far east Hriis-migratory, monotheistic desert tribe Illizbuah-capital city of Fehinnairon cycle-thirty days Iyesi-first empire after the Fire Jaiwun Allmate-a Kommanz fertility goddess Kaila-Yeoli curved sword Karibal-tribe living within Hanged Man's Rock Kchnotet Vurm-"The Knotted Worm," a tavern in Brahvniki kh'eeredo-a Kommanz endearment Khyd-hird-Kommanz, teacher, guru kraumak-glowing stone created by Zak magic, used in locations where torches are dangerous Kreml, The-keep in the center of Bravnild Leyshi-Aenir horse goddess manraug-Zak magical energy Mar-Tor Enchian, mother Mitvald Zee-Zak name for greater ocean, of which Svartzee is a part Mogh-iur-tributary kingdom of Arko, near the Moryavska tribe Moryavska-tribe north of Arko Nardimoot-annual meeting of the Praetranu where public debate is allowed naZak-lit. not Zak, foreigner night-siren-genetically engineered plant, considered dangerousOestschpaz-tributary west of the Brezhan patrischana-Zak, father's sister's child poivrkinrkin-Zak, fishhook Praetanu-council of ClawPrinces in Brahvniki Raku -wandering desert tribe Rand-native of the Kingdom of Rand rokatzk-Zak curse schvait-a northern federation of kingdoms Shambailah-bright, stationary star visible in the northern hemisphere; also, Zak name for paradise shirrush-lau-dragon-like creatures, carnivores Slaf Hikarme-(House of the) Sleeping Dragon Stroemfiar-clan of barge owners on the lower Brezhan Svartzee-so called for the dark-blue color of the water Tchernebog-Aenir, hell Teik-honorific, medium rank, equivalent of "sir" for both male and female teRyadn-agricultural people of the Steppe Vechaslaf River-large river joining the Brezhan at Aenir'sford vetri-Zak, winter Vra-monk vryka-Zak, grey wolf wayang-shadow puppet theater yangbohtgh-Zak, young squireYeola-e-nation southwest of Brahvniki Zak-the witch-folk Zar-title of the Benai of Saekrberk Zibr-southeastern steppe country Zingas-Zak title, equivalent of Lord or Lady ZingasSmiurg-DragonLady, aka Woyvodaana Zinghut Muth'a-Kommanza name for death, lit.

"The Black Crone"

zowettzum-Kommanz curse zteafakaz-Kommanz curse Appendix II: CREW LIST Crew of the Zingas Vryka (Lady Grey Wolf) Rilla Shadows'Shade-Captain Annike-second mate Ochen-ship's carpenter Temuchin-bosun Dannake-supercargo Iczak-ship's healer Shenka and Jakov-Inu's attendants Piashk-able crew Yahn-able crew Boryis-able crew Deigjuburg-a MoryavskaMoshulu-a Moryavska Crew of the Zingas Vetri (Lady Winter) Megan Whitlock-Captain Piatr-cook and quartermaster Mateus-first mate Cerwyn-second mate Zemelya-supercargo Yannet-able crew Stanver-able crew Agniya-bosun Ilge-able crew Alexa-able crew Mikail-able crew Norvanak-able crew Jimha-able crew Yuri-able crew Vodolac-able crew Osman-able crew Bocina-cabin-kid Mara-able crew Rowing Boryis-able crewNikola-able crew Renar-third mate Yvar Atonkeyfist-able crew