“You gave this to me to grant me a favor; now I give it back to you with the same intent. I owe you. Should you ever need to collect, I am yours. Your warriors saved us.” I nodded to Ummi and Higal behind her. They both solemnly opened their arms in the Linaza salute.

Dagan placed his hand over his heart. “It’s the truth. I am also in your debt, Sarratum. And I will repay it when you need me to.

“And, uh…” He scratched his neck. “If I may be so bold, I also have a field full of barley I could sell you if you’d like?” He raised his eyebrows hopefully.

Sarratum Tabni took the amulet and fastened it around her graceful neck. She smiled shrewdly at him, then met my eyes. “The Koru who have died know that you’ve thanked them. Linaza tells me in my dreams. But you can be sure when I need your help, I will call on you. You can be sure.”

She nodded graciously at Dagan. “And send along a selection of your finest crop for me to taste. I’d be happy to have our farmers consider it.”

“I will, Sarratum. I will. Thank you.”

As she wandered off toward the fire, the Koru warriors flanking her on all sides, Dagan grinned at me excitedly. “Did you hear that? An expansion of the crop!”

“Yes, Arammu. I did.” I laughed. “And I’m proud of you.”

“Kammani!” Simti, nearly exploding in her impatience, flung herself awkwardly into my arms.

“You’re well, Simti?” She was practically glowing, so the answer to my question was obvious.

She laughed and pulled my hands up and kissed them. “Yes, my friend. So well. Ilu is the best husband. He’s here somewhere.” She waved her hand and beamed. “And,” she whispered, “I am with child!”

“Truly?” Chills of happiness for her flooded my body. “You’re sure?”

“Yes!” she squeaked. “I’ve missed two cycles of the moon!”

“I am glad for you, my friend. So glad!” After I danced her around and found out about what we’d missed in Manzazu, she released me with promises to talk all things married life later, and went to find Arwia.

Then it was just Dagan and me and our futures spinning out in front of us like threads from Nanaea’s spools. Long, and golden.

“Arammu.” He wrapped his arm around me once more, and we walked toward the crowd under the tamarisk trees. The red climber flowers along the courtyard wall lent a sweet fragrance as the cicadas buzzed somewhere in the dark. “They’re waiting for us.”

He inclined his head toward the group of our family and friends who’d quieted the closer we’d drawn to Dagan’s ummum, who stood in the center of the courtyard, a woven crown of flowers on her head.

“Let’s not keep them waiting a moment more.”

With a grin so wide and bright it lit up the dusk, he dropped his arm from my waist and I took his hand, and together, we walked down the path that led to our expansive future. As the crowds grew tight around us, Kasha near Dagan’s brothers, Nanaea, Iltani, and Simti cheek to cheek, both sarratums with their warriors behind us all, Dagan’s ummum draped long beads around our necks and asked us to promise one another our love. To swear to hold each other dear. We each laid our hands over our hearts and vowed to speak kindly to one another for the rest of our days, and prayed to Selu to protect us all our lives.