With her eyes closed, Tamara sat in the middle of the path. Facing the village, she pressed her back against the boundary. The path may have continued on beyond the village, along with the rest of the landscape, but she could feel the invisible barrier supporting her posture. Breathing
slow, she listened.
"Tamara." Joseph whispered next to her ear.
Her eyes flashed open, and she lurched forward with a gasp. Having thrown her hands ahead to catch herself, she looked back to see Joseph standing above her.
He was grinning.
"You've tried that before." He said.
She puffed her cheeks and squinted her eyes. "Hmph! Tought I could hear you dis time."
Chuckling, Joseph circled around and offered his hand. She took it and got to her feet. Before looking up at his face, she
noticed the new patch of color on his chest. It was a little off center, but once she realized it had been her bandana, she couldn't stop the smile that spread across her face. In order to hide it, though, she tilted her head down. Her focus toward the ground, she was reminded that her hand was still in his.
She let out a silent gasp.
"I had help again." Joseph said.
Popping her head up, she asked, "So you find dem!"
"I did." He said. "And they're here, too. Just out of sight." Looking toward the village, he nodded in that direction, "In the meantime…"
She looked. The majority of the villagers had already gathered along the path. They placed themselves at a point that was centered among all the long houses.
Some of them were sitting next to each other, while some sat alone, but Joseph could tell they were starting to form a circle. Those still standing and those who hadn't arrived would eventually fill in the gaps. Those who were standing were holding long pieces of cloth. With both hands, they were flapping the material out in front of them. There were varying lengths and colors. Joseph knew they were doing this because the dye was nearly dry. Those sitting down had their fabrics folded in their laps.
There was one elderly man present, so far. It wasn't the man who left the storage shack earlier. Nor was it the one who walked between him and Tamara, either. Those two would arrive with the others.
"Almost time." Tamara said.
Still holding her hand, Joseph started toward the group. Those first few steps, Tamara was silent, unaware that Joseph saw her staring at the patch on his chest. She was also unaware that she was pressing her other hand upon her chest.
"Heard anything from Chantale?" Joseph asked.
The spell was shattered. Tamara's eyelids fluttered, and she lifted her gaze to his face. Registering the name he spoke, her expression hardened, and she gazed toward the tower.
"No. Not a word."
Joseph sighed, "So she might not participate in the meeting."
Turning back to him, Tamara said, "I can lead it!"
He felt her hand squeeze his. Offering her a smile, he said, "Oh there's no doubt that you can."
She beamed.