What happened at the end? Did Orleanna die? I wasn't sure. The last few pages talk about the girls coming to say goodbye to Ruth May, "but in truth they are saying goodbye to their mother." Then in the last few lines the book says "walk forward into the light."
I didn't understand the part with the vendor either. Why did she know nothing about Kilanga? Why did she close her eyes? Did anyone understand this? If so, please explain.