This could not go on. 'I came for Sola,' he said baldly.
Sol did not even hesitate. 'Take her.' It was as though the woman were not present.
'My bracelet, on her- wrist,' Sos said, wondering whether he had been understood. 'My children by her. She shall be Sosa.'
'Certainly.'
This was beyond credence. 'You have no conditions?'
'Only your friendship.'
Sos spluttererd, 'This is not a friendly matter!'
'Why not? I have preserved her only for you.'
'You-Vit-?' This elaborate guardianship had been for his, Sos's benefit? 'Why-?'
'I would have her take no lesser name,' Sol said.
Why not, indeed? There seemed to be no barrier to an amicable changeover but it was wrong. It couldn't work. He could not put his finger on the flaw, but knew there was something.
'Give me Soli,' Sola said.
Sol hanaed the baby over. She opened her dress and held Soli to her breast to nurse as they walked.
And that was it. The baby! 'Can she leave her mother?' Sos asked.
'No,' Sola replied.
'You will not take my daughter,' Sol said, raising his voice for the first time.
'No-of course not. But until she is weaned-'
'Until, nothing,' Sola- said firmly. 'She's my daughter, too. She stays with me.'
'Soli is mine!' Sol said with utter conviction. 'You woman-stay or go as you will, wear whose clasp you will-but Soli is mine.'
The baby looked up and began to cry. Sol reached over and took the little girl, and she fell contentedly silent. Sola made a face but said nothing.
'I make no claim upon your daughter,' Sos said carefully. 'But if she cannot leave her mother-'
Sal found a fallen tree and sat down upon it, balancing Soli upon his knee. 'Sorrow fell upon our camp when you departed. Now you are back, and with your weapon. Govern my tribe, my empire, as you did before. I would have you by my side again.'
'But I came to take Sola away with me! She cannot stay here after she exchanges bracelets. It would bring shame upon us both.'
'Why?'
'Sosa nursing Sol's child?'
Sol thought about it. 'Let her wear my bracelet, then. She will still be yours.'
'You would wear the horns?'
Sol jiggled Soli on his knee. He began to hum a tune then, catching the range, he sang the words in a fine clear tenor:
From this valley they say you are going
We shall miss your bright eyes and sweet smile
For they say you are taking the sunshine
That brightens our pathway a while.
Come
