“And when will that be, English?” Voltaire said.

I looked between Voltaire, Booster and Hosea. He was unmoved by their defiance.

“Not before you get on the post,” he said. “Now let’s go, each of you.”

Finch shrugged and he and Pidge climbed up. I followed, along with Booster and Voltaire. My feet barely fit on the flat surface. I looked around, to see how the others fared. Booster struggled, with both heels hanging from the back of his post. Next to him, Voltaire stood squarely, his booted feet jutting just over the edge. Pidge looked uncomfortable up on his toes, but Finch relaxed on one foot. His long toes curled around the post like fingers. His hands rested casually against his hips.

Hosea paced in front of us as we settled on the posts. He squinted up at the sky. “It’s just after seven. Your training begins now.”

“Without swords?” Booster shouted. His tenuous hold on the post faltered and he fell.

Hosea turned on his heel. “Booster, you’ll do one hundred push-ups and circle the field ten times. When you’re done, get back on your post. Your training will begin at fifteen after. If you fall, you’re done for the day. You’ll start training tomorrow. The same goes for everyone. Stay on your post.”

“What for?” Pidge asked.

Finch gestured wildly.

“For how long? Can we sit down? Can we switch feet?” Pidge translated.

“We’ll break for noon meal,” Hosea said. “You can do anything, except talk or set foot on the ground. As for why we’re doing this, be patient. The answer will become clear.” He paused. “I’ll tell you this, which is more than I was told. The wise among you will heed it. When the pain attacks, look inside yourself and meditate on what you observe. Do this and you’ll master your Double Helix. Booster, get going.”

Booster began his punishment with a grunt of annoyance.

“Any more questions?” Hosea asked.

We looked at each other, full of apprehension. No one spoke.

“Good—silence begins now.” Moving, once again, more quickly than my eye could register, Hosea jumped onto a post a few feet in front of our post arrangements. Surprise. He, the teacher, was going to stand with us. More, his post was further from the ground and smaller in diameter than ours. He stood on one foot, switching back and forth, with great athleticism. Then, his eyes on a point just before him, he settled in.

* * *