"There are Four Sacred Festivals in the East, each representing one of the Four Laws of Life. First, the Law of Equals which is celebrated in Spring with the Festival of Birth. It symbolises that all are born equal, and that new life is something to be celebrated as an indication of a flourishing people. On the day of the Festival, everyone is required to wear white to symbolise a blank slate. Something untainted and uninfluenced and ready to take its first steps into the world.

"The Second Law is the Law of Survival, which is celebrated in the Summer with the Great Hunting Festival. The Festival is a week-long, and is often acknowledged as a coming-of-age rite. Those young men and women between the ages of 12 and 15 are sent into the wilderness with but the clothes on their back for one week. This trial is their chance to connect with the Great Mother all on their own, and to acknowledge her teachings as they were meant to be taught. That all things have their own methods of survival".

"Surely this would endanger the children," Isiah frowned.

"Of course it does," Eloise replied, "That is the point. Every being born has a purpose, and if that purpose is not to survive the Festival, then they will not. Death is just another part of Life. It is tragic when someone you love does not pass the trials, but it was their path, and they will begin their journey anew soon enough".

Many in Peter's party looked horrified. Sure, they worshiped the God of War, but one would never encourage a child to take part in such a barbaric custom. Still, Eloise was not finished with her explanation, and she continued.

"The Third Law is the Law of Change, this is what we are Celebrating now in the Festival of Dancing Leaves," Eloise continued, "It teaches us that our paths are never a straight line. That Life is ever-changing and that we must adapt in order to survive".

Peter turned to Eloise, "So you believe that the Caramorts have not failed?"

Eloise smiled, acknowledging Peter's ability to observe this, "Saorise was the one who led us into negotiations. Who acknowledged the change and adapted to it the fastest. We may be reluctant after the many thousands of years we have been on our own, but if this is what the Great Mother has in store for us, then we will see where it leads us".

Peter turned back to where Saorise and her brother were finishing their dance, hugging each other and celebrating with those around them joyously.

"That does not explain the lack of black," Lucas reminded them.

"The Fourth Law is the Law of Death," Eloise continued, "All things must die just as all things live. Some for longer than others, but it is their fate. Even for Gods".

The Wendolan party flinched back at such sacrilegious words.

"And Black is what you wear when somebody dies?" asked Peter in the silence.

"If we have a funeral, yes, we do where black, but only for one day and night," Eloise spoke, "It is not until the Festival of Past Lives that we truly mourn. For the three months between the Festival of Past Lives and the Festival of Birth, three colours are worn in order. For the first month, black to symbolise mourning for the lost and acknowledgement of the Fourth Law. For the Second, we wear a dark grey to symbolise that the souls of those lost may be judged and weighed and tested in order to move on. The third month it is a much lighter grey, and this colour symbolises a soul's right to experience the world anew in whatever form that is decided upon".

"That is why you wear white for the Festival of Birth," Peter ascertained.

"Yes," Eloise nodded, "So I hope now you see why showing up in mourning clothes for a Festival where we are celebrating change is such a disrespectful thing. Not only was it disrespectful, you could have tainted the hope my people have for you as our future. To bring death when we are trying so hard to accept our new way of life...I truly do hope you will be able to redeem yourself from this".

"It does seem necessary," Peter agreed, "I apologise for my arrogance and ignorance".

Eloise nodded in acknowledgement, "I should hope so, because you should be more than aware that if you marry Easterners, the children from those unions would be expected by their mothers and Eastern Families to participate in those same festivals I have spoken of".

Peter's gaze snapped to Eloise seriously, "You would put your own children through such..."

Eloise turned to look back at him with a sharp question, "Barbaric customs? That is what you were going to say, wasn't it?" When Peter closed his mouth and gave no reply, Eloise simply smiled, "We may send them in without anything but the clothes on their back, Peter, but we do not send them in unprepared. Any parent that sends a child into the Great Hunt that doesn't know how to make their own bow and light their own fire and hunt their own food has failed as a parent and their souls will be weighed heavily in death. You may still see it as barbaric even knowing that, but I think it is barbaric to ask a child to become an adult when they know little to nothing of the cruelties and challenges life can bestow. Those you marry from the East will all feel the same. In Wendolan, we may not have the authority to force a Prince or Princess to take on the East's trials, but that does not mean we will not feel obligated to prepare them for it. And when that child becomes of age and has not gone through the trials...well, it will be worth mourning indeed to see that piece of life so carefully nurtured be snuffed out so brutally".

Eloise turned to Peter and nodded, "Now that you're informed, I think I'll return to the Festival now. It's looking like it will be my last so I should enjoy it".

Peter frowned, "You are going to accept?"

Eloise raised an eyebrow, "The fact that you look so surprised means you have acknowledged your wrongdoing. Besides, I fear that if I don't the East will be in quite the bad situation. After all, none of the other women who originally volunteered look to be interested in the offer anymore".