The men stood in perfect alignment - bright beads, lofty skins covering their bodies, and feathers braided in their short hair. They stood with determination, looking gratefully at Anissa as she sat cross-legged on a small stack of plush furs. The cooking fires crackled behind her as the Great Cheif waved his arms around, a burning bundle of herbs trailing smoke. It gave off a spicy smell as the smoke blew in the light breeze, spreading it through the settlement. She wasn't familiar with this ritual, but she believed it was one of celebration for the lives she saved - maybe a gesture of reverance and thanks. She smiles and they visibly relax, as if they feared she found them unworthy after their rescue.

The Great Chief says a few words in their exotic language - the one she studied and obssessed over for her entire college education, all waiting for this moment to arrive - and he turns to face Anissa. She looks him in the eye with respect and the man pats the shoulder of the closest one to him, who happened to be his eldest son.

"I bless the union." The Great Chief simply announces, producing thick, white, chalky powder from the bowl in his left hand. He drops the herbs and crushes them under his right foot, scooping the powder in his hands and placing the bowl down next to it. Anissa tilts her head in confusion as the elder lifts his hands up in a circle fashion, clapping them high above his head and exploding the powder in his hands. It blows in her direction and she forgets to close , tasting the strange substance on her tongue, feeling it fill her senses as it covers her. She sneezes and the Great Chief smiles warmly, lowering his hands.

"What union do you speak of?" She asks when a woman walks up, ceremonial blue clay streams across her cheekbones, and hands the Great Chief a sturdy hardened clay vessel. He lowers himself on one knee, a gesture only showed to someone with great respect, or welcoming a highly revered family member. Anissa appears shocked, but reaches out to wrap her hands around the bowl and sees the dark red liquid inside. She hesitantly brings it to her lips and drinks, feeling the warm wine run down , tart and invigorating. there was a hint of something pungent and spicy.

The vessel is taken back after her first mouthful and immediatly passed on to the men before her, until each of them has taken a drink. The Great Chief repeats the white powder and Anissa sneezes a second time.

"I welcome you to your husbands." He exclaims, and the men fall out of line. Anissa's jaw drops.

"What?"