The next morning, Ahsoka woke up with a yawn. After dressing, she went into the next room.
"Sarah, it's time to get up," she told her as she gently nudged her shoulder.
Sarah slowly rolled over and opened her eyes. "Hey, mom," she replied.
"So, are you ready for today?"
"You bet!"
"The sooner you get the dressed, the sooner you can start your day."
As soon as her mother left, Sarah quickly got out of bed and changed her clothes. She didn't need to be a Jedi hopeful to know there was excitement in the air. As everyone ate breakfast, chatter in both Basic and Togruti centered around the morning's hunt.
After breakfast, those Togruta who made up the hunting party gathered separately in the central area. The number of warriors assembled impressed Sarah; she didn't realize the tribe had as many as it did. A moment later, Shalene stood near Sarah. The two of them didn't have time to speak, however. The hunt master gestured for silence so he could give the group last-second instructions.
"Those of you without weapons yet, grab spears on the way out. Those of you with bows, be sure you have enough arrows. For our newer warriors, remember what you've learned, and listen to the instructions you hear before and during the hunt. May the spirits of warriors past be with us," he told everyone.
As Sarah and Shalene each grabbed a spear, Sarah thought, So that's why they keep so many of them here at different places. I guess you never know when you'll need them in an emergency. The pair followed the group out into the scrub lands. With instructions to proceed slowly, everyone did their best to stay as hidden as possible in the turu-grass. Everyone else appeared skilled at hiding themselves; Sarah made out little more than the tips of montrals protruding from the turu-grass.
With mine so small, nobody will ever know I'm here, she thought.
Slowly, the hunting party stalked its potential prey. As they neared the three akuls, Sarah swore she could feel their movements in her montrals. It was an odd sensation, but she did her best to do what everyone else around her did. Everyone slowly formed a large circle around the akuls, using the turu-grass to remain camouflaged. Sarah was thankful she learned simple Togruti words and phrases here and there as she heard others say, «We need to tighten the circle,» and, «Keep alert!» As the group readied itself, one of the warriors called out, «Attack!» The hunt was on.
The group quickly formed three circles so to surround each akul. One group had trouble containing their akul, though. Two hunters threw their spears at the beast, but they missed their target. The akul unexpected reared up and struck a couple of the other hunters.
«Distract the akul and get them to safety!» someone else yelled. The rest of the group's hunters started pelting the akul with rocks to distract the beast long enough for another of their colleagues to throw his spear and hit the akul right where it was most lethal. It wasn't long before the beast fell from exhaustion and blood loss. The resulting thud pounded through Sarah's montrals as if someone struck her on the head.
Meanwhile, the other group had little trouble with their akul. Consisting of a number of skilled warriors, they easily kept the akul contained and the first blow proved to be the fatal one. Now there was only one akul left.
Sarah watched as others in her group threw their spears from alternating positions and quickly ducked down in the turu-grass. Not only did they try to stay hidden, but it also minimized the chances of being caught in a crossfire of spears or arrows. Sarah noticed Shalene in her peripheral vision and saw her cousin throw her spear. Sarah felt convinced the spear was on target until the beast turned at the last minute. Shalene's spear sailed harmlessly past the akul's right ear; the akul responded with a rather ferocious growl.
Sarah took advantage of the situation to throw her spear. As she hurled it, she felt her canine teeth involuntarily baring. Initially, the spear appeared to be off-target, but the akul jerked its head at the last second, exposing itself to the spear. As it hit the akul in the neck, the beast bellowed and jerked violently before its own rapid blood loss left it too weak. Sarah looked on in awe as the akul fell to the ground.
With all three akuls slain, the hunt master blew on a horn kept around his neck and said, «The hunt is over, it's a success!»
Everyone cheered loudly at the news and waited to be sure the akuls were confirmed to be dead. After marking each one to identify who slayed it, the group worked together to drag the carcasses back to the edge of the settlement. Sarah realized the large number of warriors was on purpose: it made dragging multiple dead akuls that much easier.
On the way back, Shalene congratulated Sarah. Remembering what her cousin told her about her name, she said, "You did it, Sarah. You're a mighty princess."
The rest of the group overheard Shalene's comment and begin to repeat «mighty princess». Sarah's head-tail stripes slowly darkened. Although she felt proud of her accomplishment, the fact that people other than her father now called her "princess" left her feeling awkward.
"Sarah, what's wrong?" Shalene asked.
"It's just that until now, only my father ever called me 'princess' as a nickname. It's weird having other people say that about me."
"It's not meant to embarrass you. Anyone who slays an akul is regarded with great honor. When one of us makes their first kill, the person receives a warrior's name intended to convey that honor. Apparently, that's the name they've chosen for you."
"Oh, I guess that makes sense," Sarah replied. Satisfied with the explanation, she cracked a small smile.
"It's still a shame you missed it. I thought you got it for sure," Sarah stated.
"I know. But I'm happy to know that my «blood cousin» killed it instead," Shalene replied.
As other people inside the settlement spotted the hunting party, they rejoiced at the sight of the three slain akul. While it didn't mean a pause in the daily thimiar hunts, it meant the tribe would enjoy the special treat of akul meat in the short-term future.
Ahsoka, Cayanna, and Da'Meon walked up to Sarah and Shalene.
"How'd you do?" Ahsoka asked.
"I thought I was going to kill one of them, but I missed. Sarah got it instead," Shalene replied. The pride in Shalene's voice impressed Ahsoka. She expected more disappointment, but she figured the Togruta emphasis on working together seemed more important at the moment.
"Your mother was right, young Sarah," Da'Meon replied. "You really are impressive for your age. You've accomplished a feat few ever dare attempt until they're older."
"You may be one of our youngest warriors—as far I can remember," Cayanna added.
Ahsoka hugged Sarah close. "I guess prowess in hunting akuls runs in the family. Congratulations," she told Sarah with a playful smile.
"Come, Sarah, it's time to learn more," Shalene said.
"What happens now?"
"Well, it's time to learn how to prepare an akul. Every warrior has to learn at some point. I've seen it before, but I'll still come with you."
"Thanks, but you don't have to. I'm sure they'll teach me what I want to know," Sarah replied.
"I still want to be supportive of my cousin, the mighty princess."
There's that name again. It's going to take getting used to, Sarah thought.
As Shalene and Sarah reached the others, a woman already waited to greet Sarah.
"You may remember me from yesterday. I am Raenna," she said.
Sarah nodded. She had taught Sarah how to sew and helped her learn additional words and phrases in Togruti.
"I know I usually work with younger younglings, but I'll be helping you make your headdress today, and—if you wish—clothing."
"OK," Sarah replied with a smile. She then noticed her mom following behind her.
"Here are your teeth," Raenna told Sarah, handing her a pouch of teeth from her akul. Sarah peeked inside the pouch curiously.
"Sarah, I know this is your headdress and you should decide how to make it, but might I suggest you use one of the thicker teeth in the middle of it and put a small eyelet in it, like my own," Ahsoka said.
"Sure," Sarah replied. She took what appeared to be the largest tooth for the center of the headdress and used five smaller teeth on each side. After moving some smaller teeth around to get them to look and fit better, she looked at what she had so far. Noticing that one of the other women close by had a jewel in the middle of her own headdress, Sarah looked over at the box of gemstones next to her.
"Excuse me, but do you have any sapphires?" Sarah asked. The idea of using her birth stone in her headdress interested her.
Raenna looked on in confusion. "What's that?" she asked in reply.
They probably call them something different here, Sarah thought. She grabbed her datapad out of her pouch, activated it, and showed Raenna a picture of a sapphire. "It looks like this," Sarah explained.
"Oh yes, we call those «dark sky stones»," Raenna replied. After she found one inside the box, she handed it to Sarah. "Those are very precious. You'll definitely be highly regarded if you include it in your headdress."
"Wow, Sarah, that looks amazing," Shalene stated.
"It's very elegant. I think you'll look very lovely wearing it," Ahsoka added.
Raenna showed Sarah how to punch holes in the teeth and link the teeth together.
"Ilanis, come here," she called out to one of her male colleagues. "Take this to the fire and heat it so that we can set the stone in the center," she told him. Turning back to Sarah, Raenna asked her, "While we wait, would you like to make any clothing from your kill?"
Sarah thought for a moment. Given the fact she was dressing more boldly on Shili, she thought it might be nice to have a dress that was more modest—something she could wear at home regularly, and something that would fit comfortably now but be long and roomy enough for it to fit through most of her teen years.
"Can we make an ankle-length dress out it?" Sarah asked. I want father to see me wear something he'd approve of here, she thought.
"Of course. You're both mighty and mature to request something so noble," Raenna replied.
"Raenna, how long would it take to prepare something out of leather?" Shalene asked.
"Probably tomorrow after our midday meal."
"Thanks." Turning to Sarah, Shalene said, "I'm going to have a surprise for you for completing your rite of passage."
As curious as Sarah felt, she figured her cousin wasn't going to reveal the surprise.
Later that night, Ahsoka and Sarah talked alone in the guest hut.
"Sarah, you look very beautiful with your headdress," Ahsoka stated.
"Thanks. But what do I do? Do I take it off at night. I don't think I've ever seen you with yours off."
Ahsoka chuckled. "Yeah, I sleep without it on. Just put it on your nightstand. I imagine you're going to wear it regularly, though."
"I'd love to wear it at home just like you do."
"You can. I imagine you'll have to tell everyone what it means though."
"Yeah, I was going to do that in my presentation. What I don't understand is why you asked me to put that ring in the middle."
"Well, Sarah, when you become a padawan next year, you'll be able to wear my beads the exact same way I did. Until now, I didn't know what we'd do for your padawan jewelry. Now, that problem is solved."
"You'll let me wear your beads?"
"That's right, Sarah. Think of it as a family tradition." She then hugged Sarah and repeated, "You do look lovely now."
Ahsoka then took out her digital camera and took a picture of Sarah. "To remember your first day with your headdress and as a proud Tano warrior," she told her daughter. "Your father will be pleased to see how you look."
Sarah smiled, but when Ahsoka showed her the picture, a picture of her wearing her cousin's top, she instinctively folded her arms across her chest.
"Mom! He can't see me dressed like this. Won't he freak out seeing me dressed this way?"
"Of course not," Ahsoka replied calmly. "Remember he told you as long as you wore something dark, he had no problem with you dressing like your peers?"
"I sure hope so," Sarah replied.
"You'll be fine."
"Mom, do you have a warrior name?"
Ahsoka shook her head no. "The tribe I hunted with didn't believe in that tradition," she explained.
"You deserve one, too." Sarah stated.
"Maybe if I ever kill another akul, especially with our tribe, I'll get one."
"It'd be nice. I'd love to know what they'd call you."
"Yeah, I'm curious now, too. But it's getting late. We better go to sleep." Ahsoka then hugged Sarah one last time for the night and surprised her by kissing her on her forehead below her headdress.
Sarah smiled. Normally, such a kiss was her father's sign of affection towards her, but Sarah felt pleased to have her mother do it tonight—her first night as a Togruta warrior.
"Sarah Alicia, I'm very proud of you for passing our rite of passage. I love you," Ahsoka said before adding, «Good night, mighty princess.»
Sarah giggled slightly. "Good night, mom," she replied.
As she retired to her room, Sarah sat on the bed and pulled out her datapad. As she checked the date, she saw it was November 18 back home.
I'll have to remember that. It will definitely be a special day for me, she thought.
Recording the day's events and her accomplishments excited her. Knowing she had to wrap up for the night, she closed her entry with: I still can't believe I killed an akul today. I still think I have an adrenaline rush. But I need to get some sleep for tomorrow.
Sarah changed her clothes for bedtime. She enjoyed the fact Shili was much warmer than it was back home. I just hope I can adjust back, she thought.
Unable to sleep, Sarah continued to sit on top of her bed and slowly let her mind wander. She didn't meditate per se, but she thought about various topics: her experiences on Shili so far; her headdress; the surprise Shalene had promised her; and what her father might say when he first saw her at home with a headdress. Despite her drifting mind, she made sure to remember to keep her presence masked.
Eventually, Sarah found herself stifling a long yawn. She removed her headdress and looked at it one more time before she placed it on her nightstand.
What's going to happen tomorrow? It's going to be hard to beat today's experience, she thought.
Sarah yawned one more time as she got under the sheets. Her body slowly curled up into a ball as her eyes closed little by little. Eventually, Sarah fell into a deep and well-deserved asleep.