“We are, but there are still jealousies and insecurities and all of the other baggage that goes with being sentient. And Liriili has more than her share of those emotions. She isn’t really a bad person, and she can only do just so much without the sayso of the Council, but she has no love for our family. While I doubt she’d try to actively harm you, don’t count on her for help either. Just stay out other way until we return, if you can.”
“I’ll do my best, Neeva. But return soon, please?” Neeva ran her fingers down her niece’s face and smiled. “We’ll do our best, youngling. You know we will. Now you go with Maati to my pavilion and get ready for the party tonight. I’ve ordered some things sent over for you to try on. I wish I could be there to see the faces of the young males when they set eyes on you!”
“Farewell, mother’ssister, safe journey and quick return.”
“Farewell, sister-child, till we meet again.”
“Let’s go through the courtyard,” Maati said, taking Acorna’s hand and pulling her away from the pavilion. “I always go that way when I can.”
“Why-oh, I see,” Acorna said, as the child stepped onto the path paved with several sets of the Singing Stones of Skarrness, similar to the ones Uncle Hafiz had at his compound on Laboue.
“Yeah, look,” Maati commanded her, and proceeded to play hopscotch-and a little tune-across the courtyard.
Acorna smiled, applauded, and followed suit with one of the tunes she used to hopscotch on Uncle Hafiz’s stones. She found it as hard now as she had then to stay unhappy when the stones sang.
Maati led the way to a pavilion at the far side of the town. “This is the vife()haanye’s home. Oooooh, look at the dresses!”
Walking into the pavilion -was like -walking into a particularly well stocked closet. Gowns of every color, cut, and description lay and hung on every possible surface and protuberance. Also in abundance were gleaming gemstones and little pointy objects, like hats, the size and shape of her horn. These were decorated variously with gems, with flowers, with pompoms, with ribbons, and gilt threads.
“Pom-ponu?” Acorna asked.