Once back in Hill Village, Klondor lost no time in going to his father. Fortunately the villagers had finished their work for the day and so Borrin was just washing himself in preparation for the evening meal. When he saw Klondor and Pettic he stopped and stood waiting for them to approach.
"Well," he asked, "How did it go? We assume her mother gave permission for you to court her or you"d have been back before now."
"Father, it was perfect. She"s perfect. Her mother was pleased to allow me to court her."
His mother then came out of the hut and saw Klondor.
"Well, at least tell us her name," she said.
"Sorry mother. She"s called Beline. Mother, she"s even more perfect than I thought." He started on a description of Beline"s charms.
"I have no doubt you think she"s perfect, son, but j
