Figurehead

two

The marketplace is as divided as the town itself. Perhaps symbolically, since it is located between the dwellings on the outermost rim of the province, and those of the outskirts of Deritri's city. Apparently it used to be only makeshift, since Deritri's centre has a proper marketplace, large and bustling. But now it is solid, the market stalls established, despite constant fights in the cleared space.

On one side of the irregularly-shaped clearing is a small number of market stalls, as opposed to the other side. Here, the Escatin traders set themselves up each first light to serve their fellow Escatin, as well as any Avu who approach. This is where I have been spending my days, learning to distinguish between hunted animals, bred animals, good and bad meat. I have been taught pottery skills more advanced than the basics I learned as a child. I can now name a handful of herbs found in the desert, most of which should never be touched or eaten.

These traders have taught me a lot. Even if a few of them haven't meant to, or wanted to.

I think those here who at first wanted to be rid of me are slowly, maybe, growing to accept my presence.

As I stand with my kerchief tucked loosely beneath my chin, watching as Ersu transforms a lump of clay into a shallow basin, it is difficult to believe it is Dre here. It will be Qui in two weeks. It doesn't seem like mid-winter is coming anytime soon. I'm not wearing a jacket, my clothes are not thick, but I am warm. The winds are still warm. It is only at night that it feels like Dre- but the locals say that's how it is every season.

Ersu explains himself briefly as he crumples the half-finished basin back into a lump and pounds it with a fist. "It was gathering air, so if I were to heat it in the fire, it would shatter, and the shards would fly through the sky."

"Dangerous," I mutter, and he nods once before returning to silence.

He doesn't talk much. But he doesn't need to, really. Sometimes I wonder why he came to Deritri in the first place, but I know it's nothing to do with me. So why ask?

"Look what I got," I hear a now-familiar crow. I turn to see a woman come to a stop a few steps before me. Her dark red hair is the same colour as the stains on her clothes, gloves and on the bulging sack she holds. Her dark eyes glint in the early golden light.

"What is it?" Ersu asks with a roll of his eyes. Every time she comes back from the desert, they follow a routine, of sorts.

She walks around to the market stall on my left- Ersu's is on my right- and dumps the bundle on the bench, hauling out three hares. One, it seems, she did not kill. Its limbs are tied tightly together by dried vines, its fur bristling. She grins as she holds it up. "Wait until Werv sees this." She shoves it back into the sack.

Werv is a breeder; every now and then, the hunters bring back live prey so he can raise them alongside more tame animals of the same kind, breed them, so that when hunting gives no yield, there is still a source of meat available. There aren't many breeders here in this town, which is good for Werv when the later months of Dre come, like they soon will.

Some days I find it strange that, instead of getting to know Tui, Tri and Yef, I have come to know these traders instead. But that is how it is. I still think, sometimes, that Tri doesn't like me and have yet to find out if it's just my opinion or if it's true, and if so, I don't know why. I can only guess it's because I'm so close to Dein. Was so close. Am so close. I don't know anymore.

It's been so long since I've had any communication from those back on Escatin land. Over a month.

By now, Med would have been inked and named trusted messenger. Maybe he's staying in my dwelling, if it can be called mine. Lus and Riu would have been tied by now, but probably not yet bound. I think. My sister would be growing, training in whatever role it is she would have chosen. I don't know what role. As for my parents? I can only guess they are the same now as ever.