6. LEARNING FROM RUNE

CHAPTER 6 LEARNING FROM RUNE Drake and Darma spent the next few hours learning from Rune. Rune made a fist with his right hand and bent his wrist down and back up to sign "yes." He tapped his right thumb against the two first fingers of his right hand to sign "no."

Rune held his left hand in front of his chest, with his palm flat and elbow out. Then he moved his right fist in a circle around his left hand to sign "danger." Then Rune made fists with both hands and raised both thumbs. Holding his left hand slightly higher than the right, he moved both fists up and toward the left. Then he pointed at his chest with the index finger on his right hand to complete the sign: "follow me." "Rune, how did you learn this language?" Drake asked. Rune says: My parents are both Deaf; and I was born Deaf. They have been communicating with me in sign language since I was born. So it came to me naturally.

The boys practiced together. Drake and Darma made the signs over and over, and Rune smiled whenever they got them right. When the sun began to set, Rune led the way along a grassy path to the labyrinth. The outside wall of the maze was shaped like a big circle. As they got closer, Drake saw that the stone wall was much taller than any of the dragons. The entrance to the labyrinth was a round door carved with a pattern of spirals. The last rays of orange sunlight disappeared behind the green hills. Drake got goosebumps on his arms. The door is about to open! he thought. I hope we can find the Star Flute before sunrise!