As they neared the summit's plain, thunder rumbled, a deep sound from the mountain's center. They steeled themselves.
The summit dais waited. They stepped onto the dais. The watchers formed rings beyond. The wives placed tokens once more: bread, heart-lace, feather, ribbon, petals, fern. The watchers glowed with each offering.
Jude stood and spoke: "We reach the summit again. We stand with memory holders, watchers, land, island. We hold deep union today, not for ceremony, but for living memory." Grace placed her hand on his. Scarlet gave the staff; Serena pressed arrow; Zoey placed stone; Susan laid fern.
The watchers glowed; the dais pulsed; the mountain hummed; clouds parted to reveal a single star overhead. The breast-shaped island carried their presence. The watchers drifted closer and then upward, shaping a spiral in sky.