He was beginning to like her very much.
86 He had had no close female relationships since his first attack. The
woman that he had long thought would be his mate politely asked if
their relationship might end.
87 He had given her her freedom without question. He understood her
feelings. She wanted healthy children, not daughters that would carry a
curse.
88 Since then, he had known a few women, but with the understanding
that
there would be no permanent relationship.
89 "What are you thinking about?" asked the woman.
90 "About some things in my life," explained Swift Deer, "things a
Mukan girl wouldn't understand."
91 "How did you know I was Mukan?" the girl asked.
92 "You speak my language very well," explained Swift Deer, "but you
have a slight accent. And when you wish someone to believe
what you say, you touch the tips
of your fingers to your shoulders in the Mukan sign of blessing."
93 The woman laughed. "You Children of Spirit! You miss nothing!"
94 The others had retreated to their rooms, and Swift Deer was led to
the bath. As the woman scrubbed him she mentioned his skin was loose.
"You must shed at an
odd time," she remarked.
95 "Yes," answered Swift Deer, "I shed about mid-winter instead of
mid-summer. Many of my people do.
96 "I love new skin," the woman said, "when it's so smooth like a baby.
I had a baby once. I was still nursing it when my master sold it. But
the man and woman who took it had just lost their own and I know they
will love it. I'm glad Great Mountain broke his