Chapter 96
End-June - 3,390 BC
Earth: Village of Assur
NINSIANNA
Just before it reached Assur, the Hiddekel River widened out, leaving a long, lazy stretch of water. On a hot day like today, the entire village abandoned their work and descended upon the beach like thirsty fish.
"Hey, Ninsianna!" a former patient greeted her.
"Ninsianna!" another friend waved.
A third friend gave her a thumbs-up.
Twisting the necklace she'd been awarded for winning the solstice competition, she wound her way through the crowded beach, humming a cheerful love-song. Normally she enjoyed washing laundry and gossiping with the other women, but yesterday her father had warned:
"Don't be a commoner! A shaman must set himself apart."
So how should a "Chosen One" behave around people who had been friends,
