The weird feeling spreads throughout your entire body. First, you lose about 6 inches in
height, dropping you to 5'8". You lose some muscle mass, but the muscle left is taut and
powerful. Your hair grows back, but it's long and light brown like Devan's. Finally, your
cock and balls shrink to the size they were during puberty.
"What happened?" you ask and notice that your voice squeeked a little.
"It would appear," Güto said,"That the spell has made you a fifteen-year-old. But at least
you're still male!" As much as you didn't want these changes, you acknowledge that it
could have been worse.
"So what now?" you ask.
"Well," Güto resumed,"The spell prevents you from leaving the boundaries of the tribe. If
your age hadn't changed, we would have had to build you a new home. But since you are
now underage, we'll have to find a family for you to live with."
"You could stay with us!" suggested Devan,"We already made up the extra bedroom for
tonight. I'll have to ask my parents, though."
"There's also the matter of the Kataki," input Güto.
"What's that?" you inquire.
"It's a coming-of-age test given to all boys who turn 15," Devan answered, "You won't be
considered a true tribe member unless you pass. But I can help you! I already passed
mine!"
"Until you pass it," Güto said,"You must wear the colors of adolescence." Taking out a jar
of blue paint and walking over to the cauldron, he makes you hold your hands out over it.
"Now," he states,"I must read your palms to find your otter name. I haven't done this in a
while, so bear with me here." He traces the lines of your palm and says,"Ah, you are
smart and cunning, but you oftentimes don't use common sense. You are brave when
facing danger, but you like to know what exactly that danger is, first. You are strong of
body and will, but you can be easily persuaded to change your mind. You are loyal to
your friends and hateful to your enemies. You are most definitely not 'Steven', you shall
be called 'Daneal (DU-NEEL)'! A good name indeed. It is that of one of our peoples'
historic warriors. Oddly, he was the one who created the spells which now afflict you." He
takes the blue paint and makes marks on your right forearm. One dashed band around
your bicep and a flame shape on your deltoid. "Those markings are symbolic," Güto
explained," The dashed band means 'stranger', since you are not really an otter, but the
flame means 'wisdom, strength, bravery, and kindness'. Though these symbols would
normally conflict, they seem appropriate on you. Wouldn't you agree?" You find truth in
his words. "If you noticed, Devan has some symbolic apparal as well as markings. That
arm band signifies that he passed his Kataki. But every otter gets an original necklace.
Devan's means 'power and truth' depending on what you choose, yours will mean
something different. We otters try to follow our necklaces. Go to that barrel," he instructs
you. You find a barrel full of different necklaces. "Close your eyes and select a necklace."
You pull out a necklace with both rubies and saphires strung on it. "Ah, that necklace
means 'balace'. You should try to be fair in life, treat everyone equally, and examine both
sides of a situation before making a descision. I think that's all I can give you to prosper
as an otter. Good luck, Daneal!"
"Come on," Devan urges you, "It's getting dark out. We should head home."
Back at the farmhouse, you must relate your story to Tomás and Kendra. You must also
explain everything to Fisk, who got home from the temple just before you and Devan did.
"Well, Daneal," Tomás says,"Since our family is responsible for these changes, we will
accept you into it, if you'll have us."
"I would love to," you say,"I really appreciate your hospitality. I wish there was some way
I could repay you for your troubles."
"Don't mention it, dear," said Kendra.
"Although," Tomás said,"We could use your help with the farm. Devan and Fisk have
been a little overworked lately because I've been helping Kendra with Nicholas. I think
that being our much needed pair of hands will more than pay for your room and board.
But don't think of it as that. You are as good as a family member, now!"
After continuous thanks on your part, you all retire for the night. But you can't sleep. So
you sneak outside and sit by the stream to think. After several minutes of pondering your
situation, you hear someone approach you. Turning, you see that it's Devan.
"Are you okay, Daneal?" he asks. You nod affirmative and he sits down beside you. "I'm
sorry," he says,"It's my fault this happened. I didn't know about the spell." You assure him
that he's forgiven. After that, you talk like brothers, though you've only known each other
for a few hours.