Azura nodded at Bronagh, watching her with troubled eyes. The young had their own troubles to fight with until they became old and wise, at which time, they were nearly obsolete. The shaman laughed to herself. The circle of life was always so.<br/><br/>The gourd with the bouza was passed to her and Azura drank deeply. She never drank so that her head hurt the next day , nor did she drink to forget herself, but she did enjoy the sweet, burning liquid that was brought out for ceremony. Some of the young men were telling jokes and dancing with each other. Two of them were vying for the attention of a young woman but their actions were all in fun. Azura laughed until tears ran from her eyes at them. The young woman was just rolling her eyes at both of them.<br/><br/>When Bronagh slipped from the cave, Azura rose and followed at a discreet distance.