Messenger

Chapter 6 begins with a new group of travelers seeking refuge in Village. Many of them are injured or sick. Matty and Seer join the group of Villagers welcoming the newcomers and are surprised when Mentor and his supporters arrive, chanting, “Close. Close. No more. No more” (48).

Leader arrives, welcomes the newcomers, and urges Mentor and his supporters to wait for the scheduled meeting to voice their concerns. The meeting is in four days. Mentor agrees, and he and his supporters leave. Watching the exchange, Matty notices that the birthmark on Mentor’s face seems lighter and that Mentor seems taller.

When the crowd disperses, someone mentions Trade Mart will occur the following night, and Matty decides to attend. Seer tells Matty that Trade Mart is an old custom. When it began, it was a market where people traded their belongings for things they needed as at any other market. However, now there is secrecy at Trade Mart. People, like Ramon’s mother, are ashamed to admit what they have traded away. Seer makes Matty promise not to make a trade no matter how tempting, but he allows him to attend.