Alice smiles remembering Bette telling her how she was won.  It still brings a smile to her face.  Alice was still wearing this smile entering the conference room to wrap up this deal.

Nomadic Life – Chapter 2

Bette and his delegation which included his parents, sisters and other close relatives along with his best men, entered the central area within Tina’s tribe.  The rest of Bette’s tribe were to make their way to the ceremony on their own.  Dismounting they were greeted by Tina’s father.  The groom’s entourage was led to the ceremonial yurt.  On a large table spread out before them was the dastorkon, a colorful cloth filled with food in preparation of the wedding feast.  Tradition dictates that the dastorkon be filled with all kinds of foods and sweets and today it carries such delicacies as candies, melons, watermelons, nuts and different breads.  The same yurt now contained Tina’s dowry which had been moved by camel and then neatly stacked behind the tör, Bette’s seat of honor.  As they enter the yurt Bette makes a show of walking up to the dastorkon and sampling the feast.  This is the signal of Bette’s acceptance of Tina’s family hospitality.

Bette had been nervous but was determined to hide this from anyone who would be looking on.  As he walks up to the table he is impressed with the vast display in front of him.  This must be a family of some means to have such a spread.  Picking up a piece of bread he turns and raises the bread up to show all present what it is and then brings it to his lips and takes a bite.  All present cheer at the display and the festivities begin.

After tasting the food Bette’s next task is to go in search for his bride.  Tina had been moved behind the bridal curtain, a draped off area to the right of the dastorkon.  It was here that Tina was to sit with her maidens helping to hide her.

With his best men following Bette begins to search the room for his bride.  Bette is enjoying the show and makes a production of the search.  After a few false investigations which have the crowd laughing at his antics Bette finally pulls back the drape.  Standing in front of Tina hiding her from Bette’s view are her maids of honor, her jenges, they are her last line of defense, effectively hiding her.  Bette tried to look around Tina’s girls to get a look at her.  His curiosity was finally getting the best of him.  A little embarrassed he pauses, considering the smile on the woman’s faces as they wait for him to begin the negotiations.