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Woop 
He stood quietly behind her as she spoke, listening intently and watching the tribesmembers as they devoted their attention to her. It was a strange feeling, after so many moons, to be standing there not on his own again. Ember had left them, but here was a place for her still if she should return to her true home. He would wait patiently for his friend to return at her own pace. In the meantime he had gained new loyalty, and he had faith in Ralla's ability to do justice to the rank she now held in the tribe's council. Watching her speak to the crowd, his faith was confirmed. She expertly explained hers and J'adore's addition to the ceremony, and he nodded to confirm it for each glance that reached his face. He returned Shiloh's bow when she approached them: her craftmanship abilities were superior to his in so many ways. The least he could give was hsi recognition.
He did nothing until Ralla asked for him to come forward. As usual, they would all participate in quenching the fire at his signal. He quitly grabbed the dry sand with one hand as he was leaning forward, and threw it on the flames in front of him. Rising, he used bigger scoops, giving the signal for the tribesmembers to join him in killing the flames. Once it had quieted he moved some of the half-burned wood aside and turned to Ralla. There would be more who had sacrifices to the tree, no doubt. While waiting, he unfastened a little puch from his belt and tied its string to the nearest "branch" of the bone tree. Inside rested a tiny piece of his leg bone: he had found it nested in the outer layers of his flesh while applying a poultice. He would give the spirits a part of this event which had reminded him of his own and his tribe's mortality. He thanked them for this reminder.