CHAPTER 25
Camavel, M’Pak, and I walked slowly to the Bowl for Miravel and Canticor’s mating ceremony. Most of the villagers were flying there, but Camavel had slowed down noticeably in recent weeks. I think she was happy to have the excuse of accompanying the non-flying human as her reason for walking.
It was a pleasant walk, but I did worry for her. I didn’t know how old she was, and I’m sure it was impolite to ask. She was sharp as a tack, but she tired easily. Fortunately, we had left early in the morning, so we had plenty of time to get to the Bowl for the wedding.
We chose a seat near the top of the hill because Camavel couldn’t walk down far. We still had a good view of Miravel, Canticor, Belar (Miravel’s father), and several other males from the village.
Miravel and Canticor both wore skirts of gold strips of cloth, which matched perfectly with the gold in Canticor’s gold and teal crest feathers.
I wondered if that was intentional. The other males wore various colored skirts that didn’t seem coordinated in any way.
Maybe they were groomsmen? I asked Camavel.
“The other males are there to illustrate that Miravel’s choice is intentional. She will choose him out of the group. It shows that she had her choice of males and is not simply mating with Canticor because he is her only available option.”
Ah. Different from our customs, but no judgment.
Belar addressed the crowd. “Greetings, honored visitors. Thank you for witnessing Miravel’s mating today. She informs us that she has made her choice. Is this true, Miravel?”
“Yes, father.”
“Then blessings be upon your chosen mate and the house you dwell in.”
“Thank you, Father.”
Belar sat down next to Miravel’s mother in the crowd. Miravel stood in the center of the bowl. All the males formed a line to the left of her, with Canticor in the middle. She sauntered to the line of males and stood in front of Canticor. She smiled at him, and he smiled at her.
“AHELNO!” she yelled, loud and clear, pushing him hard in the chest and running to the other end of the Bowl.