The gratings were becoming ever more intense, as though an earthquake were shaking the small room. Fumbling with his pant laces, Hut wished he could awaken his mother, father, and grandfather, but knew they didn’t have time and Gilin wouldn’t tell them anything anyway. He needed an ilon. But Hut sensed he needed something more—a companion, an ally.

    “How long would we be gone?” asked Hut, opening the door to his room, not convinced he was going anywhere.

    “A few days. Or in all honesty, we might not return.”

    Hut had verve and daring, but this, at last, was too much. “I’ll call both ilon, but I don’t think I’ll be going with you.”

    They hurried down the corridor...

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