19One year to the day after she had arrived on Kee Island, Cryssa touched a burning stick to the tip of the torch in the middle of the feasting grounds.
The torch, which was taller than she, was stuck deep in the sand. When the flames from her stick danced over the oil-soaked bunch of kindling atop the torch, the kindling caught fire with a crackle.
As orange flames burst from the tip of the torch, the crowd of Sylva who were gathered in a circle around Cryssa applauded. In the lagoon, a crowd of Kee splashed their tails in the water and whistled.
Cryssa fluttered the burning stick in the air to put out its fire. She smiled back at the smiling people around her, come to celebrate the anniversary of her return. A year ago, they had been strangers, gathered in much the same way to wel
