She paused, letting her words sink in. "Now it is time to enjoy the feast prepared by four incredible sisters who are newcomers themselves. Soraya, Rana, Yasmin, and Parisa. Thank you."
The crowd surged forward as music began to play. Annani watched with satisfaction as clan members approached the newcomers, introducing themselves, offering welcome.
Esag stood slightly apart, still looking overwhelmed. Annani made her way to him.
"It is a lot to take in," she said.
"I keep expecting to wake up," he admitted. "To find myself back in my workshop, alone except for stone faces and these two." He smiled at his friends. "I would have gone insane without them."
"You are not dreaming, my dear Esag, but I hope you will soon dream prophetically, once you begin carving again."
He nodded. "As soon as I'm settled, I will start working on Khiann's figurine. I couldn't do it before. Every time I thought of him, I saw him…dead." He shivered. "You have given me hope, Princess Annani. I no longer feel like a huge weight is crushing my chest every waking hour."
"I know what you mean. That is how I felt until recently, when clues started to emerge that changed the narrative I believed in. Now I know Khiann is alive." She put a hand over her chest. "I feel it in here. I hope that carving his image will trigger visions of him in your dreams." She hesitated before continuing. "The Fates seem to be preparing us for something big ahead of Khiann's discovery. It seems like they are assembling the chess pieces, gathering forces."
Esag frowned. "For what?"
"This conflict began with what we believed was Khiann's murder. It seems fitting it should end with his return."
