Dark Matters_ Ghost Dance (Book 2) - Christie Golden [43]
"Thanks, Mom," said Tom, hugging the blanket around him. "How about some chicken soup?"
"Maybe later if you're a good boy," Chakotay replied. "In the meantime, I'd better keep chopping these vegetables if we're going to have anything to eat for dinner."
The door opened. Yurula- entered, carrying a woven basket full of herbs. Chakotay saw something
that looked like a purple loaf of bread peeking out over the top of the basket.
"Paris!" she exclaimed, pleased. "Were you able to get to the fire on your own, or did Chakotay help you?"
"I am as yet unable to stumble to the fire on my own," said Tom, sounding more like his old self with every minute, "but I remain confident mat someday I will be able to feed myself."
She chuckled.
"I understand mat we have you and your mate to thank for our survival," Paris continued. "I'm sorry I haven't been able to express my appreciation sooner."
"You were in no condition to do anything but eat, sleep, and get better," Yurula responded. "It was an honor to assist Soliss hi tending Strangers to our village. While you were both asleep earlier this mom-ing, Culil Matroci stopped by. He says that when you are feeling up to it, we would be happy to prepare a feast and celebration in your honor."
"Feast?" Paris perked up considerably. "Sounds wonderful."
Yurula stopped putting things away and regarded him steadily. She went to him, knelt beside him, and pressed her cheek to his forehead. Paris raised an eyebrow and looked at Chakotay. Recalling his own reaction not so long ago when Yurula did this to bun, Chakotay grinned. Yes, Tom too was definitely feeling better. *
"Let us see how you feel throughout the day," she stated, rising and putting her hands on her hips. "Soliss will not like it if you have a relapse. But if
you continue to feel well, I see no reason why we should not have our welcoming celebration. The skywatchers tell us the weather will change after midday and the night should be bright and clear. Perfect for a ceremony. And you two will have to do nothing more strenuous than sit and enjoy yourselves."
"Sounds like a plan," announced Paris. For a moment, Chakotay found himself smiling in anticipation. Then he remembered Yurula's arms filled with the deformed child, taking it to be abandoned to the wild things of this place. Tears on her face, but resolute, confident that she was doing the right thing.
His smile faded, and an ache rose in his chest. There was so much good here, so much kindness. Such talent. And yet, and yet.
He turned back to chopping the vegetables with unnecessary vigor.
Paris continued to improve throughout the afternoon, though he did crawl back to his pallet for a nap at one point The Culilann skywatchers' forecasting had been completely accurate. As they had predicted, the steady drizzle slowly stopped and the clouds parted, revealing a dazzling blue sky and two suns, one large and one small. Steam rose from the earth as the hot suns baked the moisture out of it.
With evening came a welcome coolness and even a breeze. Soliss had brought some beautiful robes for the humans to wear. "Our finest weaver has been working on these since the day you arrived," he told them.
The garments were a deep indigo hue, comfortingly soft to the touch. They were light and loose-fitting, allowing air to circulate and cool the body, necessary in this hot, damp climate. They sported intricate embroidery with threads of every color of the rainbow. The patterns curled and turned in on themselves, narrowing here, blossoming out there. Jewels had been sewn into the sleeves and flashed in the firelight. Chakotay shrugged into his with ease; it fit perfectly.
"Did you measure us while we were asleep?" he asked in a mock-accusing