"We are ready. Watch the bride to descend!" The Turks turned to gaze up to the hills where a young woman was standing. She walked across the meadow and picked flowers and hay for a bucket as she moved. Everyone waited silently until a shriek escaped from the lips of a child. Neha ran to her mother and together they walked to the man waiting for them. The rite itself was short and sweet tying of a knot and casting of the runes. The mothers laughed approvingly when Nella declared after seeing the runes, that her parents would be happy together forever. Everyone waited for Auburn to confirm or refute the prediction, but Ram knew that Nella had spoken the truth. Her cousin would have a happy marriage. Instead of submitting to the insecurities of others, Auburn declared that it was time to eat.

"So what are your thoughts?" Ram asked as her fellow Turks gathered around the roasting lamb.
"Is there going to be any more nudity?" Reno asked while reaching for the burning flesh.
"Did you manage to convince the mothers that you're not Flame?" Rams replied with a question.
"No, I just informed them that I only have eyes, lips, limbs and a heart for you my love", Reno smiled blissfully to Ram who guffawed.
"Watch it red or I wont save you next time one of them comes barging in", Sage interrupted.
"I think it's you who needs saving", Vincent pointed out to Sage as he noticed the closing Aquamarine.
"Daughter", Aquamarine nodded to Ram who replied in similar manner:
"Mother."
"I need an able pair of hands to help me with the stone", Aquamarine said coldly and waited.
"Sage is more than happy to help", Ram replied with a faked smile as she stole Sage's plate from him.
"Follow me young man", Aquamarine said and waited for Sage to walk with her.
"What was that?" Kandi asked while covering her lamb chop with chocolate sauce.
"Payback for the tracking chip", Ram said nonchalantly, "He has to carry the foundation stone of Neha's new granary to where ever my mother decides to have it built."

Sage tried to hide his grimace as Aquamarine told him to move the huge piece of granite for the twentieth time. This time he was pretty sure he wouldn't need to carry it around the granaries any more.
"Now all you need to do is to dig a hole to place the stone in", Aquamarine said and sat on the stone. Sage nodded and looked for a shovel.
"With your bare hands", Aquamarine specified almost endearingly.
"Naturally."
"You probably should take that vest off first", the older woman said, "so it wont get dirty."
"Of course." Sage obliged welcoming the warm breeze on his scorching skin. He started ripping the hay from the ground when Aquamarine made her first attack.
"How long have you been shagging my daughter?"
"Excuse me?" Sage retorted.
"You heard me? When was the first time you two had sex?"
"I don't think it's any of your business", Sage evaded turning his eyes back to the ground.
"Of course it is. She's the fruit of my loins. My only child and curse. Everything concerning her is my business", Aquamarine stated, "Now, what are your intentions with her?" Though Sage had shivered when Aquamarine had called her daughter a curse, he didn't see any reason to lie so he spoke the truth.
"Completely dishonourable."
"Good", Aquamarine said and smiled, "The sooner you get her knocked up the better."
"What?"
"Impregnate her. Don't they teach you anything about reproduction in that city?"
"I understand what you are saying but I don't understand why?" Sage said and faced the old woman.
"My daughter needs a child. She's a born mother but fears to accept her fate. She needs to give birth and return to her tribe forever", Aquamarine explained, "Ram doesn't understand that I'm not just trying to make her life miserable, I'm trying to protect our tribe. We need her here. She has the gift of Sight and we need her to guide us through the storm my grandmother has seen."
"I didn't know that", Sage whispered.
"Of course you didn't. I didn't expect Ram to tell you anything about her true family."
"Ram has another family in the city. It's not a traditional family but it's filled with people who love her and who would be devastated should she leave them and not come back."
"You'll live just fine without her. I'm sure that my daughter has made sure you wouldn't even know to miss her should she disappear tomorrow", Aquamarine declared brazenly.
"She did disappear and we did notice. That's why we are here, to take her back with us, to the city where she belongs, where she's happy", Sage felt the rage boiling within him.
"But she made her disappearance as convenient as she could for you, didn't she?" Aquamarine pressed and Sage had to nod. He remembered seeing the box filled with letters in Ram's closet and highly organised shelves. Even her computer had a file with instructions what to do should she disappear.
"I thought so", Aquamarine said and continued speaking with almost an apologetic tone, "See my daughter may think her life is in the city and that she's happy there but she's a country girl at heart. Nothing will ever replaced these open fields in her heart and her spirit wont soar without her blood around her. She'll never be truly happy if she abandons her fate as the leader of this tribe. You don't want her to be unhappy now do you?"
"No I don't", Sage shook his head.
"Good, then just plant your seed and set her free."
"And what if she does get pregnant? Don't I have any claim over the child?" Sage asked angrily.
"You are welcome to join our tribe as the father of her firstborn but I doubt this simple life we lead would make you happy", Aquamarine pointed out and stood up, "It's time for the mothers circle to decide my daughter's fate. Thank you for helping me with the foundation stone young man. You are free to go."
"You can't just dismiss me like that", Sage protested.
"I just did", Aquamarine said smugly and walked away.