“I do.”
“Dice?”
“That’s right. We do it after you’ve performed which won’t be until this evening. In the meantime you’d better relax. Would you like drink?”
“No thanks,” he said quickly, remembering her previous suggestion. Who knew what she might slip into the booze? “I’ve got some thinking to do.”
It was a long day. As the sun began to lower behind the trees the ceremony began. In solemn procession they marched through the village, first Crystal, resplendent in her costume, carrying a carved wooden box and by men with spears. Then Kevin, some elders, the oldster, Ansher, grinning all over his face and wearing what seemed to be a coating of blood and dung, a dozen drummers, three men with flutes, all accompanied by the ubiquitous spear bearers.
Three times they circled the tents and
