Author's Commentary:
As I developed this story from the one about Ardin, I enjoyed creating the very different tempos... The much more active tempo (sort of the "norm" for A'mara Books, actually) of all the action with the A'mara and the Balan/Neví, but then the much, much slower tempo that is Ardin's normal tempo - one that is dictated by his self-sufficient lifestyle and the cycles of nature, rather than the demands of society. Ardin is actually very busy a lot of the time, but it's things that are either demanded for survival or that he enjoys doing for his monthly trip into Ilim City.
But do you get the feeling that his tempo is about to change?

I've also got to enjoy Belmara as one of my favorite "baddies" - and will be further developing her character in the future... and the past...