The Village

Anbana beckoned Fred and Astra to follow him and the small procession walked to the largest hut in the village, the communal meeting place. On the way there, Abentata, who happened to be Anbana's brother whispered to him, "How will we be able to understand our visitors? Their tongue is strange to us."

In reply, Anbana put his arm around Abenata's shoulders and smiled broadly. "Brother, the spirits know all, see all. It is dealt with."

Once there, Anbana instructed one of the children who where playing nearby to announce to the rest of the villagers that their presence was required.

Before long the entire village had turned out and was in the meeting hut. Anbana stood at the front; Fred and Astra were to his left and a small unassuming woman to his right. Both Fred and Astra noticed that a large majority of the village were staring at them with an intensity that was unnerving, while the others were noisily chatting among themselves.

Anbana raised his arms and immediately all was quiet, all attention focused on him. Anbana said something and gestured towards Fred and Astra. The small woman had moved from her place at Anbana's right side and now stood next to them...

...And suddenly spoke in their language! "Do not be afraid," the woman whispered. "The spirits have blessed me with your tongue so I can translate for you what is being said."

They could hear Anbana was still talking, and Fred and Astra's attention was diverted to the villagers when they all chorused a single word. Their interpreter said, "They are welcoming you to the village. Our leader says he sees you as his personal guests, and are to be treated with respect." What she didn't mention was that Anbana had warned that anyone found mistreating them would be punished, as was custom.

Anbana turned to them and said something that was translated as "He says he would like you to share a meal with him." She added, "though if you want to rest first, he understands."

1. Fred and Astra agreed to the meal. After all, they hadn't eaten properly for quite a while.
2. They decided that rest should come first. Hopefully Astra's nightmares would have gone.

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