The battle line before us opened and the horned host swept along past us at a full gallop. Tired Sabers dodged left and right to miss being trampled or gored, but the tight-pressed line of Tricans didn't falter in its intent to destroy all. Each of the Tricans held its place in the line as they swept back and forth with their projecting horns in search of a target, even as they trod other Sabers underneath, into the sand.
The big female came to a lumbering halt, her sides heaving for breath. Somehow I found myself suddenly sitting on her back instead of standing and absentmindedly I patted her back. It was doubtful that she felt my touch, but I had to show my appreciation in some way.
She was all cut up from where sharp claws had managed to penetrate, but she was young and with rest she would recover. The herd was coming back to us.
I continued to sit, feeling quite done in by everything. I saw Kuri then. He was riding a big bull, which diverted from the herd to come towards us.
Kuri stood there at the frill above the horns and regarded me somberly for a moment before a smile broke free, "I believe we have accomplished the goal that we set out to do a year ago. I think you're ready for the next and final step of your training."
Trepidation for what that next step would be rose sharply within me, "And what would that be?"
"Civilization and in particular, the art of diplomacy."
I could've laughed out loud then, "You had me scared there for a moment, Kuri! I was expecting a new level of death-defying import."
My good humor faded quickly away though at the somberness reflected in my teacher's face. What had I said wrong?
What could be so hard about diplomacy?
Kuri's ride drew close and Kuri broke the somberness of the moment by saying, "Do not be deceived by appearances Benaiah. The fight today, indeed this whole past year, has been a battle ever before you. You've always been able to see, feel, or even sense it and then respond to the threat, but it is different in the realms of man. There, nothing is certain and almost everything you see is a lie. Where in nature the weak die off against superior foes, in the realms of man the weak kill the strong by stealth and subterfuge. The evil inside can be hid in the form of a friend, who will stab you in the back when you least expect it. Men and women are ever deceptive in revealing their true intentions. To them you would appear as naïve, an open scroll to exploit. You have much to learn Benaiah. There is a way to talk that does not give away too much and yet speaks only that which is true. There is a way to evaluate the truthfulness and motives of others and yet still remain friendly. There is a way to avoid the pitfalls of those weaknesses common to mankind by which many are snared and pulled down to a place of everlasting torment. No Benaiah, this coming year you have as much, if not more, to learn than you did these past two years put together."