Star Trek: Deep Space Nine: Young Adult Books 07: Gypsy World by Ted Pedersen

Author:Ted Pedersen
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Tags: Juvenile Fiction, Horror & Ghost Stories
ISBN: 9780671511159
Publisher: Aladdin
Published: 1996-01-01T05:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 7

No!” The yell came from Kala, who was standing near the exit and heard Vija’s words. He ran forward. “They are not Fjori. They cannot take the Rite of Passage.”

“It is not forbidden,” argued Vija.

The leader of the council thought about this for almost a minute before he answered. “No. It is seldom done, but it is not against our law.”

Kala seemed to want to shout in angry protest, yet he remained dutifully silent in the presence of the council.

The council elder walked over to where Jake and Nog stood next to Vardk. His first words were to the captain. “Your daughter pleads that these two take the Fjori Rite of Passage. Are they worthy?”

Without hesitation, Vardk replied, “They are worthy.”

“And how are they worthy?” the elder inquired.

“In their own space both are princes. Jake is the son of the commander of the guardian of the wormhole they call Deep Space Nine.” That’s pretty close to the truth, Jake thought.

“Nog is the heir to the great Ferengi trading empire of Quark.” That was a bit more of a stretch, but it had enough truth to be acceptable.

“I trust your words, Vardk. Your grandmother is our eldest, and you are an honorable man.” The elder turned to Jake and Nog. “Do you accept trial by Rite of Passage?”

Jake looked at Nog. Whatever this Rite of Passage was, it might be their only way to ever getting home again. “We accept,” they replied in unison.

“Then let it be done.” The elder looked up at the sky and pointed. “When the sun reaches its zenith, your Rite of Passage will begin.” He turned away.

When the elder was gone, Jake asked Vardk, “Just what is this Rite of Passage?”

“It is the ritual that every young Fjori must pass in order to leave the protection of childhood and take on the responsibilities of an adult. From the moment of our birth each of us prepares for the ordeal.”

“Ordeal?” asked Nog. He didn’t like the sound of that word. Ferengis much prefer pleasure to the possibility of pain.

“It won’t be so bad,” Vija said as she joined them.

“I wish that were true, daughter. But these two are outsiders who have had no preparation for the struggle that awaits them.”

“If we pass this Rite of Passage, what then?” Jake asked.

“Then, young Sisko, you will be received into the Fjori family. You would no longer be offworlders.”

“And we can go home again?”

Vardk nodded. “I believe the council might then consider it.”

“Great.”

“Perhaps,” Vardk said in a solemn voice. “My daughter has given you an opportunity to gain your freedom, but the Rite of Passage for someone inexperienced in our ways is dangerous at best. It may be an opportunity you will have wished you had not accepted.”

They had less than three hours to prepare for their opportunity. To begin with, Vija explained to them the rules of the Fjori Rite of Passage.

It’s really very simple, Jake thought when she had finished. He and Nog would leave the village

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