Chapter One The SelectionUnder the ground in the land of Sahas, in a neat, well-kept home, lived a family. Mai was born somewhere in the middle. Being in the middle was good and bad. For one reason, no one said: ‘You’re the oldest so set an example for your brothers and sisters.’ Another reason was no one noticed her. Mai didn’t mind being almost invisible. That was until she received the highest mark in her class for thoughtbanking. Of course, that’s when being born somewhere in the middle no longer meant she was invisible.
When Mai opened her eyes, she knew today was going to be an usual day. Sprawled out across her chest was a limpton lizard with its tail curled up around her neck. Mai had named him Barka because of the squeaky barks he made. She slid her fingers under his belly and li
