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alongside his sister.
    Mireya sighed, leaning her head on his shoulder.
    “It is kind of sad, isn’t it?” he whispered.
    “Yes. But it’s not just them leaving.”
    Jae put his arm around his sister.
    “I know. But maybe once we find out what’s happened here, some things will get back to normal.”
    “Like play time!” she giggled.
    “Yes! Definitely that,” he agreed heartily.
    “I just hate sitting around, waiting and waiting. I wish there were some way I could help.
    To do something!”
    “I know what you mean,” he replied. “But we have to let the Initiated take care of this. The best thing we can do is keep our eyes and ears at the ready, and study hard. So when the time comes, we can do our part.”
    Mireya picked up her book and bonked Jae on the head with it.
    “I have read this book so many times I practically have it memorized,” she said.
    “Ah, key word – practically!”
    She shot him an ugly face, stuck out her tongue and started reading again.
    Jae let her read in silence, staring at the tent wall while deep in thought.
    His sister had it right. He wanted to do his part, too. He wanted to help. He wanted enough power to make a difference. Perhaps I should take the Banon up on her offer… She did say I was perfect for the job. Jae shook his head in confused indecision. She also said it would be dangerous…
    Jae’s heart raced. We face danger every day! Besides, once Dad knows I accepted a job from the Banon, he’ll have to be satisfied.
    “I’ll be back in a little while,” Jae said suddenly, arising from his chair. He did not give Mireya a chance to question him. He darted through the meadow searching for the tent he needed. He froze just outside the entrance, unsure whether to knock or just enter. A withered hand pulled back the canvas door and a whiff of mothballs struck Jae’s nostrils.
    “Please enter, young Jae Mochrie,” said a voice, from inside. “But only if you are certain.
    For as you have been warned, this choice is final and cannot be undone.” Jae’s heart pounded. All he had to do was step inside. His thoughts took him back to his conversation with the Banon.
    “I have seen your true heart, Jae, and I understand, more than most, what it is you desire.”
    “But, it feels wrong,” he admitted sheepishly. “Like something I should be able to control.” 24
    “Maybe you are not meant to control it,” the Banon posed. “Perhaps your experience of being left behind and fending for yourself was meant to happen, to change the course of your life for the better.”
    Jae had never thought about it that way before.
    The Banon continued.
    “I see it as passion, Jae. And if people did not have passion for power, how would the world ever find its leaders? Power rises to the top, yes. And there’s no argument that many in power are consumed by it. But power is not purely good or purely bad.” Jae was glad he had finally dared have this conversation.
    “I guess that’s true,” he said. “I mean, look at you,” he said with reverence. “You are what we are all supposed to be striving to be like. I guess that can’t be bad.” Juliska just smiled her reply, pleased.
    “I just know I could do so much, if only given the chance,” he told her.
    “I can make that happen,” she replied.
    Now, the choice was up to Jae.
    He could study, graduate, and wait for his Initiation, or he could step through this door and bypass years of waiting for his life to begin. Jae knew no more, other than once he stepped through, the decision was final and that he would face unimaginable dangers. But it also meant skipping ahead and never looking back.
    “Well… I don’t have all day,” the voice echoed out of the tent impatiently. “What’s it going to be?”
    Jae grinned and then stepped inside, letting the canvas door close behind him.
    5
    Colin arrived at Billie’s tent. She greeted him at the door.
    “Hi, Billie. Back with my stuff.” It was not much, just a backpack