Chapter 31
Traveling upstream on the river took four days, instead of three. The boats sat lower in the water now that they had five extra people, but everyone took turns paddling and they made a light chore of it. Isika loved the days on the water. The strength and beauty of the river flowed around her, and the air grew slightly chilly as the season of cooling began, but not enough to be uncomfortable. Everyone was in great spirits, laughing and teasing each other. Now that Ivy was well Isika learned that she was the most spirited of them all. She never stopped making jokes or teasing people. Isika watched her, marveling at her. What would it be like to be so full of joy and self assurance? Maybe that was what it meant to grow up in Maween.
Ivy, Jabari, Gavi, and Aria were all good frie
