Chapter 3

Arafa agreed almost before we had finished telling him.

"Oh, of course, of course," he said. "I would be honored." He grinned and ran a hand through his thick blond hair. "Makes me feel the passage of time, to be called in like this, but yes, of course."

"I'm glad," I told him. "You know you're like a step-parent or an uncle to him."

He nodded. "Yes, I know. I could say the same about you two and my sons. Someday, when the time comes, I may ask one of you to return the favor."

The discussion continued for a few minutes. Ilafa would need at least a month to complete his Feybraiha. We chose a date for the celebration that came a few days after his body would have ripened. Fafara and I would be having a talk with him that evening. Over the course of his transformation into true har, we would be instructing him on the nature of aruna.

Finally Adelna called out from the house. Dinner was ready. Since I had gone back to handling my business on more of a full-time basis, we had hired a housekeeper and cook. Our meals were always delicious. The three of us headed back to the house.

When we arrived in the dining room, Adelna's dancing har was the centerpiece, the rest of the table set up quite nicely. All of this was offset, however, by Ilafa, who was sitting alone on one side, still looking half-asleep.

"Hello, Ila," Arafa said. My son looked up and managed a weak smile.

"Hello, Arafa," he said. His eyes drifted to the table. We really needed to have our talk, give his mind and body something to look forward to. As it was, he was feeling lost and out of focus. Thoughts of aruna would change that, or so I hoped.

After dinner Arafa took the two younger harlings out for a walk while Fafara and I took Ilafa to a special place in the garden. On three sides it was surrounded by tall, thick hedges, giving it the feel of an outdoor room, comfortable in the open air but private as a place indoors.

"We wanted to talk with you, Ila," I began. "About the changes you've been feeling."

He said nothing, just stared into my eyes looking slightly intimidated.

"You know what is happening to you, of course," Fafara said. "You've been with me on enough of my appointments, helped me give aid to others going through a similar phase in their lives."

Still my Ila said nothing, but this time he nodded. Finally, after a few moments, he moved his mouth and spoke. "It is Feybraiha."

"Yes, Ila, it is," I confirmed, slowly reaching out and placing my hand on his. It was hot and slightly damp. "Do not have any worries. This is something that is natural to Wraeththu. I went through it myself. I remember how it was. It can be difficult."

I paused, giving my words time to soak in.

"I... can tell it will be," my son said, his voice small. "I... already feel so strange, almost as if I am losing myself and becoming something else. I feel as if some outside force has take possession of me."

Fafara put his hand on Ila's other hand. "Yes, Ila, and that force is the force of life, the force that runs through all Wraeththu. It is the force that will draw you forward and into the first step of becoming true har. You body is awakening."

Ilafa suddenly broke out of his quiet mode and snorted. "Oh, is that what's happening -- I'm awakening!? Funny, I keep feeling like I'm falling asleep."

"You're going to be very tired at times," Fafara admitted. "This is natural. Your body is working very hard. As you know, the soume-lam are flexing and growing, preparing for their role in your life. Your body is changing in many small ways. It makes you tired but in the end, you will feel more 'awake' than you have ever felt in your life."

"I hope so," Ilafa said. "What I'm about to go through should have its rewards."

I smiled. "Oh, it will have, Ila. I think you know that. It must."

Ilafa looked to both of us apprehensively. "Yes, I know." He wanted to ask us who we had chosen. He did not ask.

"So," I began, "would you like to know more?"

Slowly he nodded. "Yes."

"Fafara and I think we know just the har for you."

Ila was holding his breath.

"Arafa."

He let out his breath. "Oh! Arafa." He was looking less sleepy already. "Arafa." He was thinking about it. "That's... good." I could almost see the wheels turning. "Yes, definitely that's all right with me. A..." his voice drifted off.

"A what?" Fafara asked softly.

"A... a good choice," Ila finished, sounding a tad embarrassed.

"I'm glad you think so," I said. "We spoke with him earlier and he's agreed."

Ilafa looked down, but not before I saw his eyes were dancing. "Thank you." He looked up. "You two are so... good to me. I... am grateful for you both."

These are words that parents always want to hear but rarely do. Children, especially children nearing adulthood, rarely make such admissions. Hearing him speak those words out loud, I felt my heart swell.

Fafara and I embraced him. Our son. Soon to be a true har.