But his good-humour had left him.

Instead of being triumphantly buoyant, he felt morose and humiliated.
Zashue Tihua was at work in the fields of the Water clan, on the southern border of the cultivated plots.

He was not alone; another young man kept him company.

It was his younger brother, Hayoue.

They were weeding side by side, and exchanging remarks while the work went on.
Zashue looked up, and his handsome face brightened when he discovered Shyuote coming toward them through the maize.