Tryss’s heart skipped. He had never been inside the Speakers’ Bower before. With shaking legs he walked past her. It took a moment for his eyes to adjust to the light. The interior was plain and unadorned. A ring of stools stood at the center. He was pleased to see the room was empty of other Siyee.

“What is it, then, Tryss?”

He turned to face Speaker Sirri. For a moment he could not find his voice. She smiled, the skin around her eyes creasing, and he remembered that she was only one of his own tribe, selected by his own people, and he had no reason to be intimidated by her.

“I’ve made something,” he told her. “I want to show it to everyone tonight.”

“Your hunting harness?”

He stared at her in surprise. Her smile widened.

“Sreil told me about it. He said it had potential.”

“He did?” Tryss blurted out. He thought back to the day he’d brought down a yern with drug-tipped spikes months earlier. Sreil had said something…“Good try.” Tryss had assumed the boy had been mocking him. Perhaps he’d meant what he’d said.

“Yes,” Sirri replied. Her smile faded. “I have to warn you. It will take a lot to convince people. Nobody likes the idea of carrying anything heavy or—”

“It’s not heavy,” Tryss interrupted.

“—or being encumbered by something,” she continued. “You are sure this invention of yours works?”

He swallowed hard, then nodded.

“Then I’ll give you time to show it to us at the beginning of the Gathering. That gives you an hour to get ready. Is that enough?”

He nodded again.

“Then go.” She indicated the doorway.

Tryss hurried out. As the other Speakers turned to regard him, he realized he was grinning foolishly. He schooled his expression and walked away.

An hour! he thought. I thought I’d have to wait until the end of the Gathering. I had better tell Drilli, then get the harness.

Once he was clear of the dense forest around the Speakers’ Bower he leapt into the air. He flew down the Open to Drilli’s family bower. Landing outside her home, he called her name. At once he heard voices arguing inside. After a moment she pushed through the door-hanging, grabbed his arm and drew him quickly away. He looked back to see her mother frowning at them from the entrance.

“Well? Did they say you could show the harness?” Drilli asked.

Tryss grinned. “Yes. But at the start, not the end like we thought. We’ve got less than an hour.”

Her eyes widened. “That soon?”

“Yes. You better get the breem ready while I get the harness.”

“No, I’ll need your help to carry them. We’ll get the harness first.”

They hurried to his family bower. Tryss was surprised to find it empty.

“My parents must have left early,” he told her. “They said they—”