Chapter 5
Kahu and Eyolf had been travelling for about one day, when Kahu, who was human, muttered that someone was coming and that Eyolf had to change back. Within seconds, a black-haired, tall boy and a golden-haired girl were walking on the road, while a young, mountain-born boy was walking towards them. "Why would he be walking alone? He seems pretty young," Kahu whispered.
"I don't know, why not ask him?"
"Hi! Who are you?"
"Tama." The boy spoke quietly, because he was tired, and because Kahu was quite frightening.
"Why are you walking here, on your own?"
"I- my mom told me to go to the Shapeshifter Academy."
"You shouldn't tell others that you're a shapeshifter, there are people around here that don't like us shapeshifters."
"U – us? Are you – are you…" Tama let the question die, not daring to phrase it in case he was wrong.
"We both are," Eyolf said, joining the conversation.
"Really? Can – can you prove it?"
"Sure," Kahu answered the question, shifting into her hawk form and back.
"I have an idea. What would you say if Eyolf and me brought you to the Academy?"
"How, Kahu? On horseback?"
"Depends on it. What animal do you change in, Tama?"
"I – an eagle."
Eyolf and Kahu looked at each other over the boy's head.
"Are – are you sure?" Kahu didn't know what to say – which was very rare.
"Yes. What does it mean?"
"It means that you're special," Eyolf said, wide-eyed. "It means that we'll have to bring you home –"
"You mean the mountains?" It was hard to say if Tama was frightened or thrilled.
"Sorry. No, I mean the Academy. That is home for us. But it means –"
This time it was Kahu who interrupted him.
"It means that we can fly."
"Kahu, you know we can't! The rules say-"
"I don't care what the rules say – Tama has to be at the Academy ASAP. Are isn't immortal, and the boy will have to be taught."
"Those three days –"
"Could make the difference. We have to fly."
"Okay," sighed Eyolf. "You're right. We will fly."
"How?" This time, it was obvious that Tama was afraid.
"We all shift into a bird, hawks for us, and an eagle for you. Then we fly to the Academy. That way, we'll be there this evening."
"How can you shift?"
Kahu laughed. "I had forgotten that. Don't worry, little one. You can fly. The eagle is inside you, waiting to come out. You have to find it, and unite with it. You have to – how to explain?"
"To make your body become the one of the eagle. Ask the eagle to come, and he will," Eyolf helped her.
"That, yes."
"O – okay."
"You can do it," Kahu said gently. "Everyone is afraid they can't, the second time. But everyone can do it. The only difference is that you have to imagine you become the eagle, instead of just thinking about it."
"Come on, try it, we haven't got all day," Eyolf said.
Tama tried, and within seconds, a beautiful golden eagle stood in his place. The two older shapeshifters changed too.
"See, it's not that hard," Kahu said, and then they took off, soaring through the sky. The farmers that did look up knew there were three shapeshifters flying, for natural hawks and eagles don't fly together.
At the Academy, Kahu prepared herself for trying to explain how to change back, but that was not necessary; Tama could change into a boy without help.
"Are explained it to me," he answered Kahu's unspoken question.
"I see. Let's go inside."
When they reached Are's rooms, Kahu went inside first.
"Are. We met this boy, while travelling to the Lord and Lady Skye's castle, and it turned out that he is our new eagle."
"What! You say you met the new eagle?"
"Yes."
"Who is it? Show me!"
"This boy," Kahu said, shoving Tama forward.
"Who are you, dear boy?"
"I – I – they –"
Kahu broke him off. "His name is Tama. He comes from the mountains, and I think he's my nephew, too, which I didn't know I had."
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