Nal m'se was sitting on the Head Matriarch's Stone in the center of the gathering area when Fa, Aapo, and Ul m'ka returned.

"They're gone for good," Fa announced. "They are now outside of Nuatomin territory."

"I see," Nal m'se stated. They had been gone for the past day in order to banish Abarra, Ix k'eh, and the other Shaso warriors.

"I should have known better," Fa muttered. "She was the one who suggested the alliance in the place. As a vote counter, she probably found a way to manipulate the votes in favor of the alliance."

"None of us saw this coming, Fa," Aapo reassured, glancing at Nal m'se. The elderly woman breathed in deeply. She had had suspicions, but she would never have imagined this would happen.

"What should we do now?" Ul m'ka asked. She tried to stand up straight and look confident, but unease gnawed at her. Her son had betrayed the tribe. He had gone against his own family for his own gain. She didn't know what to feel - happy because Abarra's plan had failed, sad because Ix k'eh was a traitor, angry because her family was torn apart. Most troublesome of all, how should she feel toward her son. Should she still love him? She shoved those thoughts aside. Get it together! she told herself. No emotion, compose yourself like Nal m'se! She gazed at her mother, wondering how the elderly woman could keep it together at a time like this. Despite her new, youthful appearance, she still maintained a serene, all-knowing disposition. 

Nal m'se clearly read her expression. She smiled down at her daughter tenderly.

"It has been a trying time for us all," Nal m'se said. "Let us get some rest. For tomorrow, we must rescue the people at the seasonal meeting. They are still being held prisoner by the Shaso warriors."

"How do we defeat the Shaso?" Fa questioned.

"With the dresses," Nal m'se answered. "Take the sunshine and moonlight dresses and use them on the Shaso. Also bring weapons so the members of the tribe can be armed."

"That won't be necessary," a voice declared. All turned to see Zi m'pelev leading the Nuatomins, Alkses, and Eredst up the mountain path. Nal m'se, Ul m'ka, Aapo, and Fa stared at them.

"You're here!" Fa cried. "How did you get away?"

"We realized that there were more of us than the Shaso," Han, one of the Eredst vote counters, explained. "We all attacked them together. They shouldn't be returning for a long time. What happened with the dresses?"

"We defeated Abarra and banished her, Ix k'eh, and Sfrin," Aapo explained. "I think it is abundantly clear what their fate is if we catch sight of them ever again."

"The tribes may rest here for the night," Nal m'se offered. "Tomorrow, you can head back to your territory."

The matriarchs began organizing Alkse and Eredst tribes, designating locations for them to sleep.

"Come with me," Nal m'se commanded Aapo, Fa, and Ul m'ka. The four of them headed to the matriarchs' cave. Once inside, they gathered around Nal m'se's throne.

"We need to discuss what we shall do about the alliance," Nal m'se began. "I understand if you have reservations due to the present circumstances, but it may be a good idea in order to preserve the tribes from future attacks."

"I agree," Aapo said.

Fa nodded. "I think my people may be in favor of it. We will have to hold another vote, though."

"Why don't you do that now?" Aapo suggested. Fa left the room to take the vote.

"The dresses will still be a symbol of the alliance," Nal m'se proclaimed. "Bring in the girls."

After the Eredst took their vote, which was in favor of the alliance, the girls and their mothers were brought into the cave.

Nal m'se opened the chest she had stashed the dresses in from before, and pulled out the three gowns. The girls gaped. Finally, they were faced with their true gifts.

The dresses were masterpieces, shimmering brilliantly in the cave. Entranced, each stepped forward to receive their present.

Sa k'u fingered the weaving of the sunlight on her gown, soaking in the precision. Lachina grinned from ear to ear. This was the dress she had wanted. The precision of the design compared with her vision was remarkable. Even Taavi was in awe of her dress.

"Would you like to try them on?" Nal m'se prompted.

"Yes please!" they exclaimed in unison.

They soon returned, wearing the light. Fairuza and Ul m'ka beamed with pride at the sight of their daughters. They were the symbols of the tribes' alliance - the leaders of the future.

"And what do you think?" Nal m'se asked.

"It's ravishing!" Sa k'u squealed, twirling around in the layered, golden ball gown.

"Simply divine," Lachina commented. She struck a pose in the tight gown. The black and silver strands had been artfully constructed, giving off a mysterious glow.

"I shall honor the starlight in this dress, as it heals people," Taavi resolved. A few chuckles broke out at the seriousness in the girl's tone.

"When can we pay our respects to Celisae?" Sa k'u asked eagerly.

"Yes, where is the girl?" Lachina echoed.

"The last I heard, she was in critical condition," Nal m'se disclosed. "She might not make it."

"Why don't we use the starlight on her?" Aapo inquired. "That ought to heal her, right?"

"Kletasuah tried. It seemed to help her a little bit, but fell right back into her previous condition," Nal m'se said. "She may be too far gone for even the starlight to save. Kletasuah said that what she really needs is the antidote."

A dark cloud seemed to settle in the room. The fact that the creator of the dresses may never see the results of her labor was sobering. Then, Fa's eyes brightened.

"Wait!" Fa exclaimed. "There's a poison very common in the desert. It comes from the Xeoil scorpion. If Abarra had Ix k'eh give Celisae that poison, then we have an antidote!"

"With you right now?" Aapo queried, raising an eyebrow.

"Yes. Xeoil scorpions run rampant in the desert, so our healer always carries the antidote with her," Fa explained, his optimism growing. "Maybe if we search Ix k'eh's old cave, we can find the poison that he used."

"He sleeps.... slept in our cave," Ul m'ka said. "I'll go search it now." 

"I'll go get our healer," Fa volunteered. The two hurried from the room.

Nal m'se lips smiled slightly. "So, there may be hope yet for the weaver."