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The woman who had made me drink the poppy juice led me away from PriyaLake. This time, I didnt fuss, but followed her obediently. She took me bythe handprobably because she thought that I was going to make a run forit.

We both at the edge of the lake, dripping, and someone came runningtowards us.

Stop! Wait!

It was my mother and father. It felt relieving to see them. It seemed like Ihad last seen them a lifetime ago. I felt different than the last time that I

saw the two of them when were having dinner together as a family.

We stopped, and let my parents catch up with us. My mother threw herarms around me, and my father patted me on the back.

Oh, Rabbit, were so sorry that its turned out like this, my mother said.

We didnt know that you would be chosen, my father said.

I know, and Im not blaming the two of you, I said, looking at the both ofthem in turn. I shivered, and despite having the sun in the sky, it was still avery cool morning.

Lets get you dried off, my father said, holding open a large wool blanket. Istepped closer, and he enveloped me in it.

Is this allowed? The woman who had helped me with the cleansing askedArates.

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It is fine. Now, let us go and make preparations for Rabbits journey. Thereisnt much time before she must depart.

The villagers walked away, returning to their homes, leaving me, my parents,

and the two elders.

Lets go, my mom said, and we headed to our hut.

The elders followed us. I didnt mind Arates coming, but it bothered me thatThies was going to be at my home.

No one said anything as we headed back home. We just walked silently inthe cool air, my parents holding onto me wrapped up in the blanket as if theywere going to lose me.

Back at our hut, my mother helped me dry my hair and got me changed outof my wet clothes. My father and the two elders waited outside and talkedamongst themselves. I couldnt imagine what they were talking about, but Icould hear each one of their muffled voices.

Here, put this on, Rabbit, my mother said, holding up a dress I had neverseen before. It was long and had different colors dyed into the cloth, blue,indigo, violet, and green. I was saving this for your birthday, but you shouldhave this now.

I held it against my body and stared at it as it reached my toes. Itsbeautiful, mom. I love it.

She helped me get changed into it and tied the little black belt that shemade to go with it.

Im glad that you like it, she said, dabbing at her eye with a little whitecloth. She tugged on the black belt and a little pouch hung from it. I put that

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on there so you can put things inside, whatever you want. I know howcurious of a girl you are, so if you see anything along the way that you wantto pick up, just take it.

I tried to smile. Okay, mom.

Lets go show your father.

We left our hut and went outside where everyone was waiting once again.

My little girl, my father said when he saw me in the new clothes. Youregrowing up so fast. I remember you being born like it was yesterday, andnow here you are about to carry out an important mission for the village. Hesmiled so the tears wouldnt come.

I threw my arms around him then brought my mouth to his ear and said, Illcome back, dad. Dont you and mom worry, Ill find my way back. Ipromise.

For you, my father said before he allowed a silence to come between usthat would eventually force his sorrow to be shown. He held out a necklacethat had a large turquoise stone in the middle. It was attached to three rowsof black beads. Let me put it on you.

He stood behind me and clasped the necklace. It was a perfect fit. I loved it.

Thank you, I said, turning to face him.

The entire village has brought gifts of food for you on your journey. It is amere token of our gratitude for your actions. We know that you are makinga tremendous sacrifice to do this on our behalf, and we thank you, Aratessaid with a deep bow.

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I looked at Thies and saw that he was also bowing. I didnt think that hewould ever bow to anyone but himself.

Sor and Omry stepped forward, pushing past the crowd of people standing infront of our hut, and ran towards me.

We really wanted to give you this, Sor said, holding something wrapped ina cowhide.

I know its not much, but please take it, Rabbit, Omry said. Please dont

forget us.

I looked at the two of them, and took it, opening it slowly. It was a brightblue feather attached to a small black band.

Thanks, I said looking at it. What is it?

You put it in your hair, Sor said.

Oh, I said and quickly put it in my hair. It dangled on the left side, just infront of my ear. The wind blew, and like a wind chime, it was tugged in thedirection of the breeze. I like it a lot.

Here, Omry said, handing me something. Theyre honeyberries. Sor saidyou liked them a lot.

I do. Theyre my favorites. Thank you both for thinking of me. Ill think ofyou both.

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Well miss you, Omry said, but Ill miss you more. Climb a lot of trees forme.

I will.

Sor said, It wont be the same without you, Rabbit. Goodbye. He looked atme for a while like he wanted to say something else, but changed his mind.

I waved slowly. Goodbye, Sor, Omry. Ill see you later.

Here is all the food from everyone in the village, Thies said, approachingme with a large bag. It had straps and loops. You put it on your back,Rabbit. Do not worry, it is very sturdy.

Okay, I said, and I let Thies help me put on the bag. It wasnt as heavy as Ithought it would be, and I could smell sweet tarts, smoked fish, and Pirabread, the special bread that was flattened and made only in our village,among other food.

It is time, Arates said, looking into the sky. It was almost midday when allof the shadows disappeared under themselves, and the sun stood farthestaway from us. Let us depart.

Have a safe journey, Rabbit!

Be careful.

We both love you so much, Rabbit. Be brave.

Everyone shouted words of encouragement to me as Arates walked with meto Priya Lake. A few people followed.

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Why are we here again? I asked.

I will take you on the way out of Matza Pira. It is hidden, but if you look verycarefully, you can find it.

Like a secret passage? There was more excitement in my voice than Iexpected there to be.

There was a small boat waiting for us, and we walked towards it. I got in andlooked up at Arates. Arent you coming?

No, I cannot leave here. From here, this is a journey that you must makealone.

Alone?

Yes, but I do have something for you.

What?

Arates handed me a small, but heavy pouch tied tightly closed with a blackcord. Remember when I told you that you were a seeder?

Yes.

These are the seeds that you must scatter upon the barren outside world.That is a great part of your journey. There is one other thing that you mustremember, young Rabbit. You must make your way to a woman namedCinhnic Oue. She will tell you what to do.

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Okay.

One last thing, Rabbit. Never give these poppy seeds to anyone. They canbe very dangerous in the wrong hands. People will try to trick you, and theywill say anything to get the poppy seeds. You must not be deceived. Youare clever, Rabbit, and I know that you will see through their deceptions.

Right. I wont let anyone have them.

Now, your journey begins. Farewell, Rabbit.

I took the single oar that was lying down inside the boat and started topaddle. The small boat departed from the rough edge of the water andstarted a slow drift along the lake. Sor and Omry waved at me from the sideand ran alongside until they couldnt see me anymore.

My boat began to glide against the waters surface, and I found myselftraveling on a part of Priya Lake that I had never been before. The size of

the lake began to shrink, and it became more narrow on both sides until thelake became a river.

The boat rocked side to side, and I felt a mixture of excitement and fear thatI had never felt before. I wanted adventure, and now I would get it. Theriver led me into a cave that echoed with water dripping from the ceiling,and the water cast its own reflection on the walls. It was beautiful.

I paddled to encourage the boat to keep going, and once the cave ended, theriver took me through some mist. I couldnt see much, but it was about asdark as it was inside the cave. The water started to get bumpy, and the boatstarted to get caught on things that I couldnt see.

I looked at the water under the boat, but it was as dark as the path ahead.The river felt like it was getting shallower and narrower. I knew that it

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wouldnt be long before I would have to get out and start walking. I wantedto stay in the boat; it was safe there.

My boat crashed into something, probably a large rock, and then I heard the

wood shatter on impact. Pieces flew everywhere, and water was starting toleak inside. I jumped out, and my feet landed in mud. It was more dirt thanwater, but it felt cool under my feet. I just hoped that I was the only one outhere.

I walked quickly, fearful that something would brush against my leg, and Ifinally got out of the mist. Just beyond it was a forest. I was large, and thetrees were taller than anything I have ever seen before in my life. Was thisall part of Matza Pira?

The trees bent on either side of the tattered road that I was following andmade a canopy that kept most of the sunlight out. It was tempting to climbthem and see what was on the other side. It was cool, and beyond the thickcanopy was the song of hundreds of birds Id never heard before. I bet thatthey all looked like little berries in the trees, going about their lives.

My stomach growled, and it seemed like as good of a time as ever to take a

break. The last thing that I had eaten, unfortunately, was the poppy juicethat I was forced to drink. I couldnt exactly taste it because Id burned mytongue long before that, but in my mind, I knew that it tasted awful.

An overturned tree a distance from the path that I was following was lying onits side, and I walked to it. It would make a great place for me to stop andeat my first lunch. I moved the pack that I was carrying and shifted throughit. I wonder what everyone had given me. Everything smelled so good that Icouldnt decide what I would eat first.