Two days later, at the site of the feast.
Bum-bum! Bum-bum! Bum-bum!
Drums and laughter echoed throughout the Redwood Basin.
More than a dozen drums were being hit at the same time, and their sound was enough to shake the ground.
Three chairs stood atop the stage, already claimed by Rion, Haria, and Haden.
Around them, around a hundred tribe members danced with wide grins stretching across their faces.
The group leaders, scout leaders, Marin, Valak, Varok, Arok, Zaelyane and Taien sat under a beam shelter much grander than the others.
The collective laughter and chatter of all the tribe members overpowered the sound of the drums and the children that weren't there the last time now ran around performing their mischievous games and acts.
Rion watched them dance and laugh with a wide grin, and Haria stared at Haden, who was watching everything with a faint smile, from the corner of her eye.
