“So it is,” she agreed.

“Where did you come from?” asked the chief.

“I walked down from north of here. That way lies the Ireni Valley. Isolated country.”

“Why are you here?”

“Why does any envoy of Ilu walk the land? I come to pass on what little news I have, and to take away news in turn, if any have news to share. I can bide at the temple of Ilu here. If there is one. Where do the locals make their offerings?”

“We have no temples,” said Tuvi.

“None are built yet,” added Mai hastily, not wanting to offend the man. “Some among us say prayers to the Merciful One. How the rest manage their prayers and offerings I do not know.”

“Is it forbidden to build temples to the gods?” he asked, although his tone remained congenial.

“Not at all. But you see, holy one, that we must first build shelter and set up our markets and walls.”

“Folk must eat,” added Tuvi, “and they wish to sleep with some surety they will not be murdered at their rest. Surely the gods do not begrudge us that much.”

“Not at all, ver. And with the Flood Rains entering, you’ll certainly wish for shelter. You are outlanders.”

“Given title to this land,” said Mai. “It is all perfectly legal, holy one. Perhaps you could advise me on where temples might be most properly sited.”

“A worthy endeavor. I would be willing to bide a few days before going on my way. There’s a substantial ruin a few mey distant. Do you know it?”

“I do,” said Mai. “There are substantial sinks of naya there, and a cave where a flame burns without cease. But the city fell into ruin long ago.”

“You know the place, truly.”

“A Qin soldier was murdered there by a demon several months ago,” said the chief.

“A demon! Eiya! I’ll avoid it henceforth, then. My thanks for the warning, ver.” Yet somehow, he did not seem surprised. “What is the other thing you wished to consult me on, verea?”

“I was just thinking—you’re the first holy priest who has walked out this way—a long way, I admit! I don’t know what the proper customs are for the marriage ceremony, beyond a contract.”

“That’s simple enough, verea. But you’ll need established temples here, nothing elaborate. An altar with a single attendant will do. However, no marriage can be sanctified without the proper offerings being made to each of the gods. Surely any of the local women who live here could have told you that.” He reached into the sleeve of his robe and produced a sunfruit, small but perfectly ripe. This offering he presented.

“Thank you!” Mai blushed as she accepted it. “Where did you get this, holy one?”

“North of here, about twenty mey distant, there lies a deep valley of particular fertility nestled in the high foothills. Hard to spot from the ground, and difficult to enter. Now if you will, verea, I’ll take my leave and go into camp, see if any wish to arrange evening prayers.”