Why did you make Mora’s brother tempt Dar to live in his tribe?

(from Katina, age

Marjorie answers:

Dear Katina,
Interesting question. I would not have thought of the word “tempt” but you’re right. When Seelan first  brings up the subject of Dar staying with Toreg’s clan, he’s responding to Dar’s deep interest in carving and wants to teach him how to start learning to carve. He suggests that he stay longer than a few days, Dar’s original plan to complete the trade of sunstone for the spear-thrower. Seelan accepts that Dar will return to his own clan and talks to him about how to begin making spear-throwers because it will be a long time before he learns what he must know. “I have a lot to learn from you…I’ll stay a little while longer,” Dar says.  He knows he is being taught to carve by an expert, and when Seelan tells him he and Toreg would welcome him into their clan, Dar is conflicted. At night he dreams of a snowy white owl and on awakening realizes it’s  the shaman at their initiation who has told both Bowan and him that they “come into their manhood to serve the clan.” Dar tells his great-uncle that he will return home. Seelan says it was selfish of him to ask him to stay; “your answer was better than my question.” Dar starts to return, reconciles with Kenok in the Pine Forest, and comes back to his clan a more mature person. Thanks for your probing question, Katina.
Sincerely, Marjorie Cowley