“Shuttup, Nads.” Cato stood up, pushed his hand through his hair, and loped over to the tent flap. “Let’s see this foreigner, shall we?” He pushed the tent open to reveal Vita chatting excitedly to the stranger, still holding his arm.

“Welcome, welcome!” Nadya’s mother beckoned the pale man inside. She then put her palms together and said, “Sastipe.” Recognizing the seriousness of the occasion, Vita and Nadya clumsily repeated the greeting. Even Cato joined in.

The man chuckled softly. “I’m sorry, I’m not from around here…what does that mean?”

“It means good luck and good health, sir. May I ask where you are from?”

“Oh, here and there. I was born in Starling Islamite, in the Northern Sea. I’m Ari Bjornson, by the way.”

“And I am Dooriya Gry. I am honored to meet you.” Dooriya bowed and Ari, after a moment’s hesitation, did the same.