Tefior licked his lips and began to give orders, but there was a puzzled frown on his brow.
Anyone but me, thought Yorgh, grinning, he would ask, but he is timid of the answers I might give him.
Things went very well after that. With the returned wollies, it was easy to move back to the camp at the creek, where the Hunters had left their carts and most of their baggage. The Raydowers willingly traveled with them, and were loaned tents to set up a camp of their own.
For eleven days, the tribes camped there, exchanging feasts, hunting together, and finding things to trade. Yorgh was gratified at how his advice was accepted by both sides, even though in fear by one of them. The Raydowers looked uneasy whenever he casually talked of traveling back with them.
There was only one untoward incident, which was quickly hushed up. As Yorgh was told the tale, Vaneen had taken Jayn to swim in the secluded bend of the creek. Somehow or other it happened that only the Hunter girl had dressed when she shrieked that she heard a ponadu in the woods.
Yorgh remembered the way Jayn's dark robes had fitted over the hips, and wished he had been there to see. Then he thought of her kitchen in the mountain village, and said no more on the subject.
When some of the Raydowers became friendly enough to talk, however, the story of his escapade with Vaneen got around.
Yorgh caught people glancing askance at him every time he turned around. He went to old Tefior.
"I suppose you have heard it all," he said. "If you do not think it best, I won't come to your fire to see Vaneen."
The chief looked over Yorgh's shoulder.