On the way down the mountain, TJ again led the way.

Skye was distressed. You already have an excellent job! You stand to change the very fates of the worlds. The importance of your current position as Proxy is the best one you have.

This time Ciara couldn't ignore Skye, so she used reason instead.  But TJ thought I'd be good with tracking. He'll teach me himself in his special class, Skye. Could I be a good tracker, do you think?

No. It would be bad. It would take you away from your home.

It would? How would it? I thought this was my home? And I don't feel that important. 

I assure you, you are.

How? I'm too shy!

But Skye evaded. Every individual can do important things when they choose.

But I don't even remember my home—

Ssssurely you want to best ssserve your people, rrregardless? Your worry's your strength.

It is?

Of course. That's why you see things.

But, Skye, perhaps I'm a tracker. You could be wrong, you know. Couldn't you? Trackers see things. My brain suddenly works so much better when I look at the parts of a thing taken together. I see meanings that might be implied. I think things make so much more sense when I do that. Isn't that what a tracker would do?

But Skye was determined. You have given your word. You'd never betray me. 

I have? No, I wouldn't—

You came here to show the Council that there has indeed been a 'sign'. That's most important. Then, after that's done, there will be time for you to do whatever you want. 

Yes, I guess I can be your 'sign', then. If I gave my word—

You did.  You said you would help me.

I agree. I did say that. Then I must. And I—will—

Yes. Now let's begin with your practice.

He means right away, Ciara thought to herself.

All right— But— She thought it to him, emphasizing 'but'.

You'll need to relax. Close your eyes, Skye-voice said.

Can't we wait till we rest? That might be important— Ciara tried to stress 'might', to be polite. Skye sounded desperate—and grouchy.  She didn't want to upset him.

Oh. Yes. I forgot about the climb down— Yesss, rest—important. Rest. It will do.

Is this going to be another rainbow lesson? she stalled.

No. First you must centre. Always proceed from your strength—in your case its wings, white wings.

I thought it was worry!

Oh, you have so many--

Ciara knew he was teasing. All right. How do we know my strength is about wings?

Because I taught it to you—

Oh—

≈≈≈

It was another few minutes and some distance lower, before Skye got his chance to explain further. TJ was tired and found rocks that would serve as a seat. They were barely large enough for him to perch upon, but he called a halt there to give her some room and have a look at the view.

"—Will just close my eyes for a minute to get back my strength," he said, sitting on his makeshift chair edge.

Ciara found her own low-to-the-ground stone. She sat cross-legged, peering out toward camp. It's different now I know where the Tracking Camp is. I even know 'what' it is. It does feel more familiar—

Ciara waited another few minutes after the big man closed his eyes, then closed her own and got comfortable. She sat where she could turn her face to the sun. Once she settled, she shifted her position to better pay attention to Skye and she felt inward for her white space, just as she'd practiced.

Skye was already waiting. See the light of your inner nature, as we did it before?

White wings?

See the way the light is strongest in the middle—from the core of your soul, from the middle of 'you'? Now watch yourself—inside—as you try to breathe.

I don't think I see it.

Try to feel it instead, then.

Okay.

Now, first, see the wings of your inside light-self lifting and falling with each breath you take. Don't try to fly. Just feel the wings. Slowly, see the wings rising—and falling. Up and down—just like—a bellows from the centre of you.

What's a bellows?

Shhh! It's a pump made of air. Your breath takes the air of your dual nature, inside and out, and pumps the essence of life in and out—constantly changing.

Essence of life? That's what I felt, right--breathing all things? Okay. Let me try for a while—

Ciara stayed silent, and TJ puffed a slight snore, then—I think I've got it.

Good. Now say the first thing that comes to your mind.

Ciara felt a change, but she sat still for a moment and re-centred her attention on the pumping sensation of her wings of light the best way she knew how. I do feel more strong and confident, Skye. Then she opened her mouth to say, 'thank you'—

Suddenly she was aware that a harsh, unnatural sound was going to come out. "Arrgakkkkk!" she heard her throat squawk.

TJ nearly fell off his perch on the rock. "What is, is--? That's awful! What is that?"

"—That's me—" Ciara quickly apologized. "I just saw a— I thought I saw something—"

"Yikes!"

That's perfect! said Skye. Congratulations! That's your new voice.

That's not perfect!

"Is it okay, now—?" TJ was still looking around, disoriented, alarmed.

"Yes, I'm sorry. I'm fine."

"All right if I have another minute, before we get on then—if I might—?"

"Yes, it will be okay," Ciara felt obliged to promise.

TJ continued his upright nap.

Skye! How is that anything perfect? That's just a huge noise. Don't do it again!

It will be perfect, don't worry. You will be perfect!

And I promised to do this? This is strange, Skye. What is it I have to do?

You only need to persuade the Council that you are the sign they require and that now you need them to move ahead with their plans.

I'm scared to address them, Skye.

Hmmphf! You are the Proxy. You are my Sign! What could be better? How can that go wrong?

Does my voice have to sound quite—so awful?

Hmmphf. So little taste. Afraid it—yesss—does.

I don't know, Skye—

If you do this, you'd be done with your promise. Then if TJ still wants you, you can go to your Tracker school after it's over.

Okay, I guess. What do I do tell them?

≈≈≈ /