The next morning Ryker was already gone, and I was very hungry.
"Nona, being on your own is very hard." I say disparagingly.
"You got used to leaning on your brothers and dad for everything. It will take some time to get used to doing things yourself."
"What do you think I should do Nona? Hideaway here and die or face the head priest and be alone."
"Child you will never be alone, but I think you should go to the temple. The head priest said you would be taken care of so at least that's covered."
"But how will I get the freedom I want?"
"Say you want to make a deal."
"What's a deal?"
"It's like a trade."
"What's a trade?"
"A trade is when two people swoop what the other person wants. Let's say I had a really pretty waterstone that you liked, and I saw that you had some extra rope that I needed. We would then trade these items to get what we each wanted. Of course, any trade or deal can be negotiated. So, let's say I have a rare snow gem flower that you wanted. We would negotiate how much for the flower. You only have five colorless gems and ten good-conditioned furs but I want to sell the flower for seven colorless gems, how would you negotiate the trade so you could get the flower and not lose everything you have?"
"Let me think." I only have five gems and ten furs. "I give you everything I have?" I don't really understand so I don't know how to answer.
"No. The point in negotiating is so both sides benefit. What you have was hard enough to come by you don't want to give up everything you have for one flower. Try again."
After thinking about it I answer Nona, "Okay. How about I give you four gems and six furs for your flower."
"That's really good. I would take that deal. I really wanted the gems, but furs can be used for many things and are always welcomed. Now we have both got the things we wanted and didn't completely lose out. Some people can talk so well that they can cheat you out of a good deal and give you a bad one. Which is why I've told you before to use your head to outsmart others. Do you think you can make a deal?"
"Yes, I understand." I'm very close to understanding.
"Once you make an offer stand firm on it or you could be cheated." Nona gave me one last reminder. I go back to my bed to think of a deal. The priest wants me to stay in the temple and I want freedom. Nona also wants me to spend more time here to learn to be a healer. So, I can live there in the temple but have the freedom to come and go as I please. Also, I'll stay in the temple for a couple of hours a day then go out to do what I want, this way I'll live in the temple and spend time there for the priest's sake then go out to see my family and go back to my hideout to learn what I can from Nona. I've got it.
I was about to get up and return home when Ryker returned with food in his hands.
"I don't remember seeing you eat yesterday so I've brought you extra. Please eat all of it, you must be very hungry." He places the food on one of the log pieces. I walk over and begin to stuff my face.
"Slow down or you'll choke." He was about to pull the food away from me.
I quickly cover it with my hands. "No, I'll slow down. Don't take it from me." I say in a whiney voice.
"Is dad home?"
"No, he should be training, why do you ask?"
"Okay. Can you take me to him when I'm done eating?"
"Why? Don't you know he'll take you back to the temple?"
"I do but I'm going to make a deal with the head priest and I want dad to be there." I say matter of factly.
He looks at me with a strange confused face. "Are you sure you know what you're talking about?"
"Yes, Nona helped me understand how to make a deal. "
Who is Nona?"
"She's the Ancestral tree." This time it's my brother whose eyes get big and stares at me like I've lost it.
"You named the Great Tree."
"I don't know why you are so shocked. Part of her roots are in the pool over there." I point over to the pool of water and one of the roots comes up to wave at brother. "She's been here since I first fell in here. I talk to her all the time and decided to give her a name. She likes it so why that's what I'm going to call her from now on."
Ryker waves back. "Okay that's fine but don't let others hear about this. They may take offense to it." He turns back to me, takes my hand, and leads the way to father.