Little longer

Raen guessed they were being shown their quarters. But later at dinner he would definitely see her and then he wanted to ask her name. His heart was pounding with unusual excitement and he wondered if it was because of his short sprint or because of the girl alone. He quickly ran to the temple to wash and properly dress. He had to make a good impression, Hereke had said, and he wanted to do that at all costs. Freshly scrubbed and in clean clothes that were actually intended for tomorrow's feast day, he took a little time beforehand to sit a few moments in front of the statue of Hyaun in the upper sanctuary and fathom the new feeling of being in love. A whole new world opened up before him. He closed his eyes and inhaled the smell of the melam. From one of the side rooms he heard muffled prayer chants. He felt good all around, life pulsed powerfully through his others and he would have loved to sing out loud.

Above him, Hyaun smiled meekly down at the young fellow, who was in