After concealing his aircraft,Michio put on his backpack and set off through the woods at a briskclip, using his communicator GPS to find his way to the village.Before long he found what looked like an animal trail and followedit. As he walked, he thought about Toemeka and wondered how she wouldfare while he was gone. She no longer had morning sickness and seemedto enjoy helping with the project of building a new dome. But he knewit wasn’t easy for her—leaving her home, friends and job to bewith him and now he’d left her for an indefinite period of time.Although his commitment to Master Bakka took precedence, he hoped thetraining wouldn’t take too long.
The path led out of the woods andhe could see the village ahead. He passed thick-furred animalsgrazing in the tall grasses. Since they weren’t frightened by hispresence, he assumed they were domesticated.
As he neared the village, he sawKasper consisted of a couple dozen round mud-and-straw huts. He stoodand watched a moment while dark-skinned children played a runninggame. Each child used a stick to hit a crudely made ball back andforth across an open field. When they noticed Michio, they stoppedplaying and stared at him.
One boy came over and startedtalking rapidly in an unfamiliar language. The child’s golden eyeswere round like a cat and his dusty feet were webbed. He came up toMichio’s shoulder, although he looked quite young.
Michio smiled and greeted him inthe universal interplanetary language.
The boy smiled back and motionedMichio to follow him. The other children came closer, curious aboutMichio. The boy led him to one of the huts, then dashed off to rejoinhis friends. Michio peered inside and saw a woman squatting by afire.
“Hello,” he said. Her roundeyes widened and she gaped at him as the children had. Then shemotioned with her hand for him to enter. He stepped into the circularhut, glad to get out of the sun.
The woman rose and stepped towardhim, speaking in the same unfamiliar language as the boy. She wasmore than a head taller than Michio.
“Can you speak the universallanguage?” Michio asked.
She shook her head and pointed toherself. “Sheon.”
He pointed to himself and said,“Michio.”
Recognition came to her eyes.“Michio.”
She pointed to the pallets alongthe wall and said something in her own tongue. He wondered if he wassupposed to sleep there. She filled a mug with water from a clay jugand handed it to him.
Michio’s canteen was empty andhe gratefully drank the water despite its sulfur smell and taste. Hesat down on the hard-packed dirt floor, wondering how soon someonewould come for him.
Sheon began slicing upvegetables, then she put them into a cooking pot along with somebeans and a grain. Insects buzzed around the food and she brushedthem away as she worked. Her long hair, braided into a series ofplaits, had colorful strings of small stones woven into it. She worea sleeveless tunic tied with a sash around her waist.
Once the food was done, shehanded Michio a wooden bowl. Sheon ate with her fingers so he did thesame. Unfamiliar flavors exploded in his mouth.
When it grew dark, she pointed toa nine-foot pallet. The men of the village must be very tall, hethought as he removed his sandals. He lay on top of the coarseblanket since it was too hot for a cover. Although exhausted from hislong day of travel, sleep eluded Michio. It was the first time he andToemeka had been separated since marrying and he felt uneasy being sofar away, especially with the interplanetary war escalating.
Finally, he drifted into atroubled sleep.
The next morning, he awoke tofind the hut empty with warm sun shining in through an open window.He fastened on his sandals and headed outside. A black man in a greenrobe, sandals and a turban, sat in the shade talking to Sheon. Theman unfolded himself and rose when he saw Michio. He looked to beabout eight feet tall.
“Blessings,” he said in theuniversal language. “I’m Mazarka, from the School of Eagles.”Mazarka touched the center of his forehead, indicating his spiritualeye and bowed.
Michio returned Mazarka’sgreeting and said, “I’m Michio. I’m honored to have a chance tostudy at your school.”
Mazarka studied Michio withgolden, round eyes. His face was narrow with high cheekbones and hishair was worn in a long braid down his back.
At last Mazarka spoke, “Few aregiven the opportunity to study at the monastery. No one leaves untilthey have passed all twelve tests, mastering the way of the eagle andentering into the Order of the Eagle-eyed Adepts. I am a studenthere, as well as a teacher. I have passed all but the last two tests.Come join us.”
Sheon broke off a piece of breadfrom a round loaf and handed it to Michio. He used it to scoopvegetables and beans from a pottery bowl.
While he ate, Michio ponderedMazarka’s words. He hadn’t realized the school was for trainingto become an Eagle-eyed Adept. Mastership could take many years toreach, if he reached it at all. He couldn’t leave Toemekaindefinitely.
After eating, Michio fetched hisbackpack, refilled his canteen from the well, then thanked Sheon andoffered her some coins. She shook her head. He realized the coinsprobably had no value on her planet.
He followed Mazarka to where twohuge, four-legged reptiles stood. The creatures had a bone ridgearound their heads and long thick tails.
Mazarka sprang into the saddlefastened to the back of one of the beasts and looked expectantly athim. Michio envied Mazarka’s long legs as he walked cautiously upto the beast. He tied his backpack onto the saddle, then grabbed therope around the reptile’s neck. The creature hissed and spat athim, its long tongue darting out of its mouth.
“Are these creatures safe toride?” Michio asked.
“Not completely. They’recalled tryworts. The key is to show no fear. If you’re afraid, itwill know and be hard to handle. Mount. We have a long way totravel.”
Nofear,Michio thought. The animal made a loud clicking noise, revealing adouble row of sharp teeth.
“Watch out for his tail!”Mazarka shouted.
Michio jumped back as the tailswung toward him, almost knocking him off his feet. Annoyed that thecreature
