“It seems you have a new friend.” Xe gestured to the egg. “You will have to care for it. Can you do that?” Akona nodded with the weight of his new responsibility. “Very good. I will be your new friend, too. Is that all right with you?” Another solemn nod. “Then I will keep you both safe while your mother is away.” Iktan smiled. “Or better yet, I will teach you how to keep yourself safe. Did you know that I am very hard to kill? Would you like to be very hard to kill, too, Akona? Yes? Good. We will start your lessons tomorrow.”
