Chapter XLII

Summary

• The protagonist is running through the forest, exhausted and injured. He takes a short break, drinks from a stream, cooks a fish, and tries to use a locator needle but it doesn't work.
• He hears a whimpering sound and discovers an injured alupi pup (a wild creature) trapped under a branch. Initially, he thinks of killing it for food but in the end cannot bring himself to do so.
• He tries to help the creature, getting bitten in the process. He feeds it his cooked fish and tries to bandage its wounds, leaving it in his cloak when he departs.
• The protagonist resumes his journey, and soon reaches a cliff leading to the sea. The locator now indicates a direction. He plunges into the sea swimming towards an anchoring point - a distant white monolith amid the waves.
• He reaches a point under the Transvect, which is a large airborne vessel. He uses a stone cuff to attach himself to it as it flies overhead. The rapid ascent causes him to lose his breath and slam into the side of the vessel.
• After reaching safety inside the Transvect, he dries off and dresses in fresh clothing just before it lands at the Academy. He encounters a teacher, who doesn't seem to notice his unusual state.
• Back at the dorms, one of his roommates comments that he looks awful. Despite being bruised and aching, he falls into a deep sleep.