Noise reverberates through the clearing as hundreds of tribes members bustle through the clearing. Snowy trees stand guard around us, and every so often, icy drops fall on my nose. I glance again at the branch above me, wishing I had been more careful when I set up the robe station.

A few women I do not recognize pass by my station. They finger the garments on display, organized by type — normal, extra warm, and waterproof.

"Did you make these?" one woman asks. I nod. Fortunately, my cheeks have stopped flushing every time someone asks. "They're absolutely beautiful."

"Thank you."

The women murmur amongst themselves before smiling and moving on. Only about half of the people who stop by purchase an item. Either many enjoy browsing or the reputation of Nuotomin clothing is widely talked about.

The robes, especially the waterproof and extra warm ones, sell quickly. I only accept trades that Jeayma m'ke approved. She provided a list of items that we most need, along with the acceptable quantities to request for each robe. A few times, I must negotiate with adamant customers, who insist that a single robe isn't worth more than three specialty tea leaves. The first time I came a few years ago, it was difficult for me to put my foot down, and I ended up handing some of my specialty robes at a discount. But it gets easier to assert the worth of the tribe's handiwork with each person that argues with me.

Sunlight slowly ascends from a gentle filtering through tree branches to directly overhead. Hunger starts to pang in my stomach, and my feet grow tired from standing. I shift my weight from side to side and roll onto the balls of my feet to stretch them. Finally, Jeayma m'ke returns to my station.

"How are the trades going?" she asks.

"Good." I show her all the items we've received, including some crucial medicines and herbs that we'll need going into the winter. Jeayma m'ke gives her approval and directs me to where the rest of our tribe has gathered. The three tribes have formed circles in the center of the clearing to eat our second meal.

I slip through and around conversations to reach the cooks at the center. Ulane m'ke and two other cooks pass out bowls already containing food. I approach cautiously, still wary of the matriarch. Her eyes settle on me, and she quickly reaches for a bowl at her side.

"Thank you, Ulane m'ke," I say. She gives me another of her tiny smiles before handing a bowl to the next person in line.

Tribes members form small circles within the Nuotomin part of the clearing. I alone sit in the snow-covered grass. The stone warms my palms and fights against the chill threatening to soak my robe. It doesn't, of course, due to the sunlight weaved in the material. I devour half the bowl in just a few minutes, then force myself to slow down, to savor the rest of the stew. There's no reason to set any aside for Mother as it will likely get ruined on the trip back.

With nothing better to do, I watch the rest of the tribe. My gaze drifts over those laughing and eating, traveling to the front of the clearing, where three, wide tree stumps protrude from the earth. Apparently, many, many seasons ago, when our tribal ancestors first found this place, they found three fallen trees that were once attached to the stumps. They were so massive in height and breadth that when they toppled over, each in slightly different directions, they took down the trees that used to be in the clearing. The tribes worked together to cut down the remaining stumps, creating the clearing as we know it. As for the three massive trees, they leveled the jagged bark on the stumps to create seats of honor for the tribal leaders.

The tribal leaders are approaching the seats of honor now. Nal m'se, our Head Matriarch, sits on the left with Ulane m'ke at her side. In the center is Aapo, King of the Alkse, donning a white robe that matches his beard and eyebrows, which are perpetually set in scowl. His wife, Fairuza, stands behind him, symbolizing the covert power that strengthens his reign. The Speaker of the Erdest tribe, currently Fauna, takes the tree trunk furthest on the right. She wears her hair in a series of tiny black braids that reach halfway down her back. A woman I've never seen before stands beside him. Her skin has the beginning of creases and is slightly paler than the rich brown of the other Erdest.

The three leaders and co-leaders converse amongst themselves. For an instant, I wish I could creep closer to overhear what they're saying. They probably wouldn't even notice me. But I quickly tamp down the thought. That would betray their trust. If they have anything important to share, they'll do so when they deem it appropriate.

Apparently, they do have news. The woman from the Erdest tribe waves her arms wildly at the hundreds gathered. Shushs swarm through the crowd, until the clearing is silent. I vaguely remember that they did announcements last time I came. It's a way to forge deeper connections between the tribes and catch up on the happenings within the other tribes.

"Thank you," Fauna says, standing up. She's a young, energetic leader, perhaps ten years older than me. Reportedly, she has wisdom beyond her years and has been reelected to represent the tribe for nearly a decade. "We don't have many announcements. The biggest news is that we have elected a new co-leader, Abarra."

All the people in the clearing pound the ground with either their hands, feet, or both.

"We have experienced an unusually good season." Fauna's voice echoes through the trees over the raucous. "We have had three days of rain, which has enabled us to grow some special crops this year. You may notice that we have more variety of goods as a result. Our hunters have been very successful in catching game meat and fur to trade as well." Fauna sits down on her tree trunk, indicating that she's done.

Aapo stands next. "We have also had a highly productive farming and fishing season. We have had ten new births in our tribe, but we have mourned the death of one of our Elders." He pauses a customary five seconds to honor the dead tribe member. "We mined less salt than in previous seasons as the lake froze early this year. However, a surplus from previous years should make up for this season's deficit." Aapo sits, motioning to Nal m'se, the oldest of the tribe leaders.

I'm surprised she didn't speak first due to seniority. Then again, that could be what they were discussing at the beginning, perhaps she asked to speak last. But why would she do that?

Nal m'se rises to her feet. Maybe I'm biased, but she seems the most regal of the three. She holds her head high, and her posture emulates the majesty of the mountains.

"We have had a very fruitful season as well," she begins. Her voice carries over the crowd, commands their respect and attention. "We have many robes, furs, cured meats, lumber, and other goods to trade. I'm sure every tribe will leave well-stocked for the winter. However, I have a more pressing matter to bring to the tribes' awareness. For the past few months, our warriors have been monitoring unrest on the other side of our mountain. It seems that the Anderwres have been assembling and drawing closer to the border between our territory and the free cliffs."

A hush falls over the crowd. I'm stunned into silence, barely able to breath. Is this what the messages were all about?

"Even worse, the Anderwres committed an act violence against our tribe." Gasps ripple through the crowd. "A party of our warriors was attacked at the border. All but one were slaughtered." Murmurs erupt in the clearing. Aapo and Fauna shift in their seats.

Fauna's voice rises above the din. "What are your current plans of action regarding the Anderwres?"

"We plan to mobilize our warriors, guards, and hunters in anticipation of an attack. According to our sources, the Anderwres have grown in number since the previous attack they made against us. We need all the resources we can gather. That is why we are proposing a military alliance treaty."

"With us?" Aapo chuckles, but the death stare Nal m'se levels him with silences him. "We have no need for such an alliance. The smaller tribes in the prairies come to us for protection and have little means to threaten us."

"Right now, that may be the case," Nal m'se says. "But future threats can still arise. And if the Anderwres invade us, you will lose a trading partner."

"I'm sure we can find a way to get lumber and furs. And we can survive on fish and the foods we grow."

"Celisae is the only person who can supply you with waterproof clothes."

The forest deadens. I can only hear the pounding of my own heart. Aapo shifts in his seat, an uncomfortable smile frozen on his cheeks.

"Who is this Celisae?" he asks.

Nal m'se scans the Nuotomins. The crowd parts until there's a straight line from the Matriarch's brown eyes to me. I gulp, but slowly step forward, one snowy crunch at a time. I stop once I reach the tree stumps and bow.

"I am Celisae, weaver of the Nuotomins."

"And you're the one who makes our special cloaks and robes?" Fauna asks. I nod, keeping my eyes trained on the ground.

"You may stand," Nal m'se says, though it sounds more like a command than an action she's permitting. I stand tall, trying to put on a façade of confidence. My shaking hands betray me.

"Why haven't you taught anyone else this skill?" Aapo questions. "Why is she the only one who knows?"

"That isn't your concern," Nal m'se says.

"Actually, it is. Waterproof clothing is an important resource to us, and it is risky for only one person to know how to craft it."

Nal m'se doesn't waver in her gaze, but a long pause stretches before she responds. I can barely breathe. What if she orders me to teach other weavers the art? I'll be exposed for using the sunlight thread.

"I suggest you reconsider our proposition," Nal m'se says. "If waterproof clothing is truly valuable to your tribe." Aapo purses his lips. Fairuza leans over to whisper in his ear.

"We will vote as to whether we join your alliance," Fauna says. "If you wish to ally with the Nuotomins and provide reinforcements to join them in the Mountains, go to the left. If you are against the alliance, stay where you are."

Shuffling ensues in the clearing as people attempt to make it around the Alkse and Nuotomin tribes. The Erdest form lines on the furthest side of the clearing, pressed up against the forest's perimeter. Soon, the people on the left outnumber those on the right. I glance at Fauna, who speaks with Abarra. The clearing is too loud to hear what they say.

Fauna stands and waves her hands. Silence ripples through the clearing once more.

"I think the tribe's decision is clear," she says. "We will pledge our support to the Nuotomin." The smile edging her lips suggests that she supports their decision. Abarra surveys the scene, impassive except for a flicker in her eyes that I can't quite pinpoint.

Aapo sighs. "We will pledge our support as well. Half of our warriors here at the summit will return to the mountains with you. But how can we be sure of that you will aid us when the time comes?"

"We will give you a token of your choosing," Nal m'se says.

Fauna's appraising gaze settles on me. I shift, feeling like an insect being scrutinized.

"Since Celisae's weaving is so crucial to our tribes, how about three waterproof cloaks?" Fauna suggests. "One for each of the tribal leaders."

My head spins. More cloaks of sunlight? Tears prick in my eyes, ones that have been building for many, many moons, since the first night that the Earthwatcher contacted me. I suppress a groan of exhaustion and frustration.

They'll give you time to work on it, I try to reassure myself. It won't be as bad as with the Earthwatcher. The entirety of her projects for me had to be kept a secret. I would only need to gather sunlight by night for the alliance cloaks.

"That's a good idea," Aapo says. The surprise in his voice irks me, breaking through the flurry of emotions and plans bombarding my mind. Does he think he's the only person who can come up with good ideas?

"The cloaks will be ready by the next tribal summit," Nal m'se says. "We will pledge to send both of your tribes warriors should the need arise."

A small wave of relief washes through me. At least I'll have six full moons to work on the cloaks. I'll be able to devote my full attention to the starlight cloak when I return from the gathering.

"You may rejoin the tribe," Nal m'se says. It takes a moment for me to realize she's speaking to me. I bow once more before disappearing into the sea of eyes that are watching me.