Finding the otak

Walking south across Roke, Ged takes shelter from rain under a tree. In the morning, he finds a small, fierce creature, an otak, curled up asleep in his cloak. He calls it by its true name, Hoeg, and it chooses to stay with him, riding on his shoulder. The otak becomes his constant companion, a silent, loyal friend. It is a rare and wild beast, and its attachment to Ged is seen as a sign of his connection to the Old Powers of the earth. The otak will later play a crucial role in saving Ged's life.