Chapters 17-20

In chapters 17-20, Kira had finished the robe and wanted to have a walk with Thomas. They did their little walk to the Fen, where Matt lives, and found out that Matt's mother had thrown rocks at him and he ran away for a "giftie" for his "friend," according to Matt's brother. Of course, since the trial he must have gone is so far away, he wouldn't come back for a while. Then came the time of Gathering, where the Singer sang the old, old songs and they worshipped the Great Object. Before the Singer sang, the Council introduced some people: Thomas, the carver; Kira, the threader; and Jo, the future Singer. As the Singer sang, Kira spotted Matt in the crowd. He had not been in town for almost a week, and he had been very dirty. At lunch break, she greeted Matt very happily and he gave her blue: a color very hard to find to dye threads. Kira thanked Matt for a long while and declared Matt her favorite.