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Show 107 "But look where the water is," Toho said, walking to the edge of a steep shale embankment. Far below, a little stream trickled down a sandy groove. A sea of purple and red blended together, covering the surrounding rocks. The hated visionary plant, thought Chua. He felt sickness grow in his belly just to look at the blossoms. "The only thing I'll ever use that chewing root for is to pound it into paste to spread on swollen muscles," Chua said. "It deadens pain." J "But it's such a beautiful plant," Toho said. The moon rose into the sky before darkness blanketed the red earth. An owl hooted across the desert. A cold wind blew over the boys telling them winter was coming. They wrapped themselves tightly in their blankets. "This may be the last night we get to sleep in our blankets,' Toho said. "Why?" asked Chua. "We must throw them over the eagle to catch him, and he may claw the blanket to pieces," Toho said. "Maybe the net will work," Chua said. "Pray for the pahos to let the eagle know we need him," Toho said. The hoot of the owl floated across the air again. Toho and Chua slept. "Wake up, Chua," Toho said. "We must go to the eagle's nest." Chua rubbed the sleep from his eyes. The gray dawn chilled the air. "Let's hurry because the great bird will still be sleeping." |
