The village leader then turned to conduct the marriage ceremony. First, she stood before Aphila and Dargo, who both rose to greet her. She took out a single red cord and handed it to them, letting each hold one end.
"Do you swear to live together, side by side, from this day forward?" she asked solemnly.
Aphila answered first.
"We will share our joys and sorrows, our pleasures and our pains, always together."
Then Dargo spoke firmly.
"I swear to live with him until death parts us."
The leader nodded approvingly and handed Aphila an oval-shaped white stone, about the size of two palms placed together.
"Aphila, may this be your cradle of life. May you be blessed with healthy children."
Then she began to chant a long spell in a language Dominic couldn't understand.
The white stone began to glow softly, and the light spread over Aphila's body like a gentle wave.
It lasted only a brief moment, so brief that Dominic almost wondered if it had been an illusion.
