had a Hashon's strength and a Haven's agility.
The blow caught North perfectly and he hit the floor. A few minutes
later he woke up with several people standing over him. "He'll be all
right," assured the Doctor, "but no more for him today. I'll set up an
appointment with a dentist about those teeth."
19 North found himself being helped to his feet. Most of the Cadets
were gone, and only the Instructor remained. "You're excused for the
rest of the day, North," the Instructor explained.
20 "Yes, sir," North agreed. "What happened?"
21 "You don't know?" asked the Instructor.
22 "I was fencing with one of the other Instructors," explained North,
"the next thing, I'm on the floor!"
23 The Instructor looked at him doubtfully. "You tried to kill one of
the Instructors, North," Morn told him, "I had to hit you. It's already
been reported. You'll be called before the Commandant tomorrow."
24 That night Morn gave North a full account of what had happened and
asked if he could use the Hashon deep sleep on him again. North agreed,
and while he was under, Morn probed his mind. Much of it was shut to
him. Whoever was training North was very good.
25 Morn released some of the anger in his friend's mind, but was
disturbed by the raging fire he found there. It was a wonder to him,
that North could maintain his outward image of calm and control.
26 Morn woke him up and told him he had done all he could, even he
didn't know if North would be dismissed or not. It would be close- very
close, and would depend on the Commandant. Red Star was known to be
very strict about any student aggression toward Instructors.
27 Next morning North was ordered to the Academy Psychiatrist. The man
asked him every question imaginable, and between the talks he scanned
his brain four times and did some other tests. It was late afternoon
before he finally sent North on to the Commandant's office. A short