Talon of the Silver Hawk

Among the Orosini tribe, the traditional manhood ritual begins three days before the Midsummer's celebration. Alone, the child must survive the wilderness; exploring remote climes, contemplating the lore of his family and clan, his tribe and nation, and seeking the wisdom of his ancestors in a search to understand his place in the universe and discover his manhood name.

Kielianapuna - red squirrel - is struggling. For two days and two nights he has waited for the gods to grant him a vision, the key to their plan for him, but so far he remains cold, lonely and despairing, and on the brink of giving up. Returning to his village, nameless and still a child, he stumbles upon devastation. His village is being burned, his people slaughtered, but as he hurries to help his family Kieli is struck from above. Sharp claws pierce his shoulders as a rare silver hawk lands and takes flight again just as swiftly. His vision or a warning?