She was a little afraid and sat straight herself, feeling the solemnity of the moment most intensely.
When he saw that she had grasped the situation, he began to unwrap the parcel very carefully, using ritualistic movements, his lips murmuring something inaudible to her as he proceeded. Her heart began to beat faster and as he reached the last layer of bark cloth, she was leaning forward breathlessly to see what lay between them.
It was a sphere of yellowish-grey stone, small but exquisitely carved, the patterning following the curvature of the surface in intricate spirals.
She stared at it fascinated.
Maal folded his hands. She noticed he had touched only the wrappings, the sphere itself he left strictly alone.
She looked up at him, her eyes questioning but not daring to say anything
