Esteben fit in the group fairly well from right off 
the bat; he was too quiet to offend anyone, and too 
helpful to be disliked.  They allowed another day 
in order to figure out riding arrangements and jerk 
some meat for food; then, they set off, Esteben gingerly 
riding Grout, and Sykes on one of the protesting mules.  
They'd shifted some supplies around, and the mules weren’t 
carrying much anyway, so it was no problem.  

 In fact, the trail wasn't a problem now, either.  
Esteben had been right when he said he knew these 
roads well; upon finding out their destination, he 
had described how they would get there, and offered 
to lead.  Despite his knowledge, Sykes had shot that down; 
he had recently been injured, and needed to rest before 
he started scouting.  Privately, it also eased their 
instincts; letting a stranger lead right away was simply 
too much.  Aerin and Lo could take point, and she and 
Sarai in the middle, and he and Yin at the back.  She 
also explained to him impishly that this was probably a 
different sort of traveling group than he was used to, and 
he'd better be ready for some oddities on the trail.

 However, what he noticed, he didn't care about.  
He was just relieved to have company unafraid of him, 
and a hearth to recount his tales around.  He wasn't the 
best bard the four of them had seen-old Tyr easily took 
that role-but he was passable, and he told his tales in
such a way that made you believe in them.  His tales, though, 
were more interesting than just the normal sagas of Heyan or 
Balthz; he told stories of Gifted folk and Humans together, 
even with Naturals, though often Aerin's eyes would grow 
dark at those.  Some of his tales seemed more fact and 
less story, though…but as his voice had been killed by HiChi's
fever, it didn't allow one to dwell on it.  

 The trip to Dana's town took a few weeks on this trail, 
where it had been that and more beforehand.    Aerin, knowing 
it was easy to lose track of days on the trail, kept a small 
scratch pad of days with her on her saddle; Yin as well kept 
track, but hers came in the form of notes, words, and small 
sketches of personality.  In fact, all about camp the others 
indulged in recording this little adventure, though for Sykes 
it was just another way to busy her hands, and Esteben his mind.  
Lo sketched from the saddle, using the movements of his mount 
to his advantage-it was easy to tell that he had practice in 
this sort of thing, and Yin knew about it, for she had taken 
extra paper.  Sarai was a mild combination of all methods: 
she sketched and made notes and observed, as Yin did; however, 
in her case, most of what she ended up putting down was about herbs.  

 Yin had wasted no time in apprenticing her, and though 
she had made a mental promise not to have her gather 
roots, it didn't stop her from gathering berries.  A 
lot of berries, along with leaves, and shrubs, new 
growth and flowers.  "Newness often equals potency," Yin 
explained one day as they stopped for a bit to ease Esteben 
and allow them all a respite from the saddle.  "Supplies 
can be dried, but there are only some herbs that are truly 
effective then.  Also, you can tint herbs for storage, but 
that's usually only advisable if you have a coupla months 
and a good place to sit down.  No, fresh is often the best, 
though there are exceptions."  

 Sarai was a quick learner, especially since Esteben-with 
his multitude of bruises and such to care for-was around 
for practice.  Lo was a help as well, often recalling lore 
he knew from being around Yin's family, though the two didn't 
talk much of their past.  It was easy for Sarai to understand 
their pain; after all, her Mam had not been the nicest to her, 
preferring her actual children to the girl they had given her.  
She'd been a big, strong woman with big, strong hands and a 
good swing; also, though Sarai would never say it aloud, 
the woman was terrified of her Gifted child.  She used it 
against her as much as she possibly could, and soon Sarai came 
to shun it as much as possible, to lock it away.  However, 
everyone in this group, aside from Esteben, was Gifted, and 
they EXPECTED her to use it.  Even after she told Yin, 
who tried with Aerin to explain this bit of delicacy to 
Sykes…which hadn't really worked.
 
 Sykes came to her shortly after dinner, as she was 
sorting herbs by the firelight and humming quietly to 
herself-'twas a tune her late brother had helped to craft 
with her-and basically minding her own business.  The rest 
were cleaning and setting camp, checking trails and such, 
and that left her alone with the older woman.  Who promptly 
looked at her and said, "You have nothing to fear from it, 
Sarai."

 "What, Mother?" she asked, looking up hesitantly, 
thoughts elsewhere.

 "You don't have to be afraid of your Gift," she said 
again, eyes soft by the firelight.  "The other two tried 
to tell me about it, but I already knew.  I knew what 
your Mam did, Sarai.  It used to anger me very much that 
she would take something that useful and bend it against you."

 Tears welled up Sarai's eyes, and she felt her whole 
frame soften; yet she caught herself, and hardened herself 
a little, not letting a breakdown happen right here.  
"You knew?" she replied softly.

 "I knew, Sarai."

 "Then why…why didn't you do anything to…to stop it?  
It was so painful, Mother Sykes; she would yell at me, 
and all I'd feel was her anger, and it was so…painful," she 
said, words pouring out as tears slipped quietly down her face.  

 She felt the woman draw closer to her, and she put a calm 
hand on her shoulder.  "There wasn't much I could do, Sarai.  
Your Mam wasn't the most liked or powerful woman in the village, 
but I was considered lower than her.  My husband had been a 
leader in the town, true, but I was nothing but his crazy wife.  
They could barely stand me."  She chuckled a bit.  
"The poor fools."

 "Mother!"

 "Listen, Sarai, at my age you know what a fool is, 
and they were fools.  They bark about change and then 
raise little copies of themselves; they've never, ever 
respected any difference in anyone, no matter what form.  
Why do you think I kept my Gift secret?  There are people 
out there worse than your Mam, that will do more than just 
'harm' a person over a difference.  People kill for the 
stupidest reasons, Sarai, never knowing of the treasure 
they take when they take a soul."  Her voice, though 
still in a soft tone, had hardened almost bitterly.  
Sarai looked to her, and saw her shake her head.  "Fools, 
Sarai, fools.  It is why I called you and Aerin away from 
there, why I asked for Yin and Lo to come along.  I don't 
want to surpress what you have, Sarai.  I want you to use it."

 "But Mother Sykes, I…I can't even…"

 "Hush, hush.  You can use it; that's inborn in you.  
You can probably even shield yourself, and more.  You are 
setting limits on yourself, child, so stop it!"  A friendly 
smile broke out over her face.  "Favor an old buzzard, all 
right?  It'll do you some good."

 "But what of the Twisting?" The words ran out of her 
mouth quickly, as if they'd been sucked out.  

 Sykes' smile waned a bit, but it wasn't in an 
angry way.  She looked at her for a full, measured 
moment, then looked down to the plants.  "This, child, 
is velorain," she said.  "Useful for relaxing in all 
ways, even though the scent is almost unpleasant.  Yet, 
if one takes too much of it, problems result.  A healer 
must learn to use it in measures for every person, as 
they must learn to use all herbs in proportions.  Good or 
bad, always in proportion."  She looked up at her.  "Understand?"

 "I think I do, Mother," she replied slowly, 
finger touching the plant.  "So I must learn to 
Twist as well as to shield, and when to use one, and 
when to use the other…"

 "You need not have echoed me, child," Sykes said 
with a smile.  "I already knew what I was talking about."  
She rose, and left her there, looking down at the herbs 
in their careful piles, mind ruminating the woman's words.

 There was no recourse; she had to learn to deal with her 
Empathy.  And deal she did.  Just as Aerin became more 
proficent with the stones, as Lo and Yin worked with the 
Shifting/Calling, she worked her mind.  It became almost 
natural to find her at one of the cardinal points of camp, 
letting her mind roam, and sounding out what impressions 
she felt.  Quickly, she found that animal minds were often 
warm and squarish to the touch, birds being a little more airy 
and rounded, predators carrying with them a sharp, warning touch. 
Humans and Gifted seemed to have very little differences in their 
feel, the Gifted around her just carrying a little more "umph" 
to their minds than humans.  She began to pick out male and 
female, old and young, sick and well, all by the feel and flow 
of their minds.  Sykes had been right; there was no need 
to be afraid of such a useful Gift.  She even stopped 
referring to it, mentally, as a curse.

 All of this in the time it took them to reach the town 
where Dana and her ward awaited.  By this time, the absorption 
of Esteban-whom they referred to in various ways, as Este or 
Teban or Eban or whatever bent their minds that day-was barely 
remembered, and it seemed as if they'd travelled with the 
storyteller for the whole trip.  He was also at ease with them 
now, the past of pain being blotted out by this present of peace.  
He was especially comfortable with Aerin and Sykes, somewhat 
attracted to the former, and an apt pupil of the latter.  There 
had only been one small surprise for him; he had discovered 
among his things shards of naturally dark metal, carefully 
wrapped and meticulously cared for, though he had no memory 
of why he had them.  Sykes had looked over them long, and had 
passed them around the group for impressions; none of them had 
been too shocking, yet there were no good feelings gained.  
Lo and Aerin decided it was probably some sort of broken weapon, 
yet why it had never been repaired was as much an oddity as the 
weapon itself.  Regardless, he selected a few of the longer 
pieces and hafted them to grooved handles of bone, thereby 
arming himself.  The sensation of bearing this type of weapon 
was all too familiar and cruel to him, yet he let none of 
it betray to the others, unsure of their reaction.  

 They camped outside the town late in the night, and 
slept in that morning until Sykes awoke them all with a 
splash of cold water.  They went off to wash and dress, 
and when they returned the elder was dressed to travel, 
polishing her hardwood staff across her knees.  "Sykes?" 
Sarai asked.  

 "It is time for us to go, Sarai," she replied, rubbing 
the last bit of the wood and tucking away her cloth.  "Dana 
and her ward are expecting us."

 "She's the only one going?" Aerin asked.

 "Yes.  Sarai and I will go into the town; it is best 
that way so we will not draw attention.  Esteben, you and 
Lo will stay and guard this camp."  She looked up, and her 
eyes twinkled despite her serious face.  "As to you 
and Yin, Aerin…well, you are free."
 
 "Free?" Yin questioned.  "But Mother Sykes, shouldn't 
we go buy supplies and be useful? It would…"
 
 "Take your free time when you have it, girl," Sykes 
chuckled.  "There is precious little of it in life; some 
journeys are not as easy as this one."

 Yin opened her mouth to protest again, but caught herself, 
and glanced at Aerin.  The girl shrugged and smiled; Yin 
smiled back.  "All right, then," she said resignedly, and 
to Aerin, "Let us depart then.  Can't waste a second."

 "Why must you always quote back to me what I have said?" 
Sykes sighed, but the grin on her face betrayed her.  

 "Because no one says it quite like you?" Aerin offered 
with a grin.

 The two outbound groups both stopped to rumage packs, 
picking through for money purses, bartering bits, and 
other odds and ends useful in town.  Aerin tied her 
bag of stones at her waist, but Yin went unarmed; Sarai, 
under Sykes direction, grabbed her bow and quiver, 
though the old woman herself only carried her staff.  
The men were quiet, Lo watching Aerin and Yin with 
darkened eyes, and Esteben calmly pulling out a whetstone 
and laying his new knives to it.  After a moment, Lo, 
too, joined him.  No farewells were said, for no one 
was truly leaving; it was just an afternoon's separation, 
and there was no need to say anything as final as a farewell.  

 "So, what do you want to do?" Yin asked Aerin as soon 
as they were yards out of camp.  "Go into town, or 
practice a bit?"

 "How about a little of both?"

 "At the same time?  People would stare," Yin joked, and 
Aerin shook her head.  Grinning back at her, she added, 
"Works for me."  Her eyes swiftly burned silver, and she 
whispered <Ven a mi, falco.  Ven a mi.>

 "No warmups?" 

 "Gotta use this time wisely," she replied.  "As Mother 
Sykes would say."  She smiled a little through the 
concentration, adding, "Besides, who needs to warmup?"

 "True, but…"

 A falcon flashed from the sky, swooping past them, and 
Yin pushed the sleeve of her tunic down and raised her arm.  
It came around for a second swing, and perched easily on her 
arm; she cooed gently at it as it settled, humming slightly 
under her breath.

 "Does she have a name?" Aerin asked, pulling the thong on 
her stones bag to open it.

 "He," she corrected gently.  "And it is…well, Grey Eye, 
I'd say, though truthfully it is something more than that."

 "Well, how do you do, Master Grey Eye," Aerin giggled, 
politely curtseying to it.  The bird ducked his head, and 
she giggled again, eyes almost dancing.  Yin stroked the bird's 
feathers, and the bird seemed to relax.

 "Ready?"

 She nodded, and the two began to walk along again.  "Do 
you have to concentrate to keep him here?  Or is he 
just bound to you by the Call?" Aerin asked, half-turning 
to question her.

 "Never thought about that before," she admitted.  "I 
guess the Call holds them, or they just like me…I'm not sure."

 "The stones require but a touch, and then a guiding hand 
to shape their power…well, let me show you," she explained, 
rumaging in her open bag.  In a minute, she produced two stones, 
one an ochre red, the other a pure cerulean blue, shot through 
with some white.  She set them on the ground, one on each side 
of her, and intoned, "Watch."

 "I am," Yin replied, shifting the falcon a bit, steadying 
the bird for what was to come.  
 
 Aerin's eyes closed.

 From each stone, a tiny flicker of power was produced, 
one red, one blue.  Suddenly, an explosion of power raged 
from both, spiraling about her, brisk flames and rippled 
water crossing, nearly meeting as they swept about her.  
For a moment, that formation held, until Aerin's eyes opened, 
glistening like onyx.  Now the streams of fire and water 
shifted, swirling, condensing, until they, too, assembled 
into the forms of a raptor.

 Grey Eyes cried out piercingly at the sight, and Yin's 
mouth dropped.  She quickly steadied the falcon, whispering, 
"Incredible."  

 Aerin let the birds settle on her shoulders, playfully "stroking" 
their feathers.  "My power expands, day by day," she said softly.

 "It is lovely," Yin added.  "And that doesn't hurt?"

 "Not at all," she replied.  Then, quietly, she let the birds 
dissolve away, and after a moment, pickedup the stones.  "Does 
it hurt to have him stand on your arm?"

 "Not usually," she grimaced.  Turning to the bird, she 
whispered to it, and it flew out, a loud screech piercing 
the sky with it.  The light in her eyes dimmed to a gentle 
glow, and she seemed to almost "power down."  For a moment, 
Aerin watched, fascinated; then she waved her one.

 "Come on, slowpoke!"  she said.  "We've got shopping to do."

 Yin grinned, and followed.

 And in the shadows, a boy's eyes flashed, and trailed 
them for awhile down the path.  Sure of their destination 
by their words and direction, he easily melted back into the forest.

                               *	*	*	*
 The two women shopped carefully and exuberantly, enjoying 
this free time among people-actual, other people!--together.  
First, they picked up what they felt could be useful: a 
dagger or two, a bottle of potent simples, salt, and alcohol 
for any tints that might need to be made.  It didn't cost 
them much, for Aerin's bargaining skills were finely tuned; 
to Yin, it was almost as incredible to watch her bluster 
with a merchant as to watch her work the stones.  Next, 
they looked for trinkets, and here Yin's knowledge of woods 
and metals came in handy while bartering.  They walked away 
with a coup: a silvered dagger for Eban, a handful of crystal 
for Sykes, a large wood eye for Sarai (subtly valuble and 
creepy at the same time), and lastly, a pendant of jade 
and jet for Logan, hung from a chain of blackened steel.  
It was gorgeous, and powerful; at least, Aerin though so, 
even if she was not as accurate with semi-precious stones.  
They were bantering over whether to eat and to continue 
shopping, or perhaps just eat, when they ran into trouble.
 
 He was a small boy, with a shock of that rare blond hair 
and red-brown eyes; his expression was unnaturally fierce, 
and it deepened as he saw them.  "There they are!" he crowed.  
"There! They be there!"

 Yin stopped, and Aerin called out, "Who, boy?" 

 "My name be Kris, witch!" the boy scowled back.  

 Just at that moment, a group of solemn townspeople rounded 
the bend to stand by him, carrying implements of destruction: 
pitchforks, and axes, picks, chisels, knives, rakes, and a 
few bows for good measure.  They handled them easily, 
death in their eyes, and those eyes were locked right on 
Aerin and Yin.

 "So, ye be da witches my son saw?" asked one man, eyes 
the same ruddy brown as the boy's, even if his head was 
covered by grizzled brown hair.

 "Witches?" Yin said, confusion on her face.  "Um, 
I'm sorry sir, but…"

 "We're not witches, sir, just travelers passing through," 
said Aerin quickly, voice wavering just a bit.

"Then how could ye call dat bird, or make  je flames?" 
Kris spat.  "I saw 'em, Da, I did!" 

 Uh-oh, Aerin thought.  They don't know of…  She squelched 
the thought and glanced at Yin, who seemed paler than usual.  
It caught her once again how abnormal she looked, even with 
her odd hair pulled back; though not a bother back in camp, 
here it could be quite the problem.  

 "I believe you, son, I do," the man said gruffly.  "Why this 
one," he pointed at Yin, "has the look of those damn Natural 
all over ‘ere."

 Now Yin paled even more, and her hands trembled.  
"Sir, I can assure you, I am no Natural, nor a witch.  If…"

 "Careful, she may be trying to charm ya!" came a voice 
from the crowd.

 "But…"

 "Shutup!" This another fierce, young voice, and a cry 
tumbled out from the crowd, voices in a melee neither knew 
how to face.

 "Search 'em!"

 "Give dem witches a flat!"

 "Kill 'em!" 

 "Ay, shutup, ruffians!" yelled the boy's father.  "I 
won't be having no uncivilized killings…not without any 
reason."  A gleam ran over his eyes, a cold gleam that iced Aerin's 
soul.  "Search 'em, and find proof!"

 Without a word the two were set upon, and with a sudden 
fear they realized that what they bought wouldn't work for them.  
And it didn't.  The villagers looked upon them with special 
dismay now as innocuous keepsakes turned into the worst of the 
worst.  They especially didn't care for the crystals, nor the 
heavy wooden eye; "Some dark magic here, yes," they whisperd, 
making wards in the air and in the dirt of the ground.  When 
Aerin and Yin attempted to explain that they were just gifts 
for others, the lead man, a thin snap with slate hair and pale 
brown eyes, spat and said, "A whole clan of ya, eh?  Well, 
we'll deal with them, too."

 Now that this evidence had been produced, there was a pause.  
The boy's father looked to Kris, then to the others.  
"Search them," he intoned darkly.

 "Oh dear," Yin whispered, silver eyes flashing, and Aerin 
stiffened.  Quietly, they looked to each other, silver 
meeting brown, and the former let out a quiet, low whistle.  
Aerin's instincts flared, and she nodded; then, they faced 
the people once again, the exchange but moments long.

 "I'm afraid I must refuse," Aerin said bluntly.  

 "As must I," Yin added.  "This has already gone far enough."

 "Shutup, ya dark whores!" a man growled.

 "I will," Aerin gritted, "but you people let us speak first!  
We've endured your feeble protests and superstitions, your 
ramblings about our guilt where there is none…for too long!" 

 "Aerin," Yin muttered, but she shook her head.  At that, 
she sighed and added, "She's right.  You rifled our goods, 
but for what purpose?  Anything we've could've bought would've 
been suspect, even though we have…"

 She never finished, for then the blow came, a backhand 
that caught her just right, sending her to the ground.  
As Aerin went down to aid, a sharp kick caught her, smacking 
her away from her friend, nearly missing the muttered "Lo."  
Her head hit dirt and gravel, yet a smile touched her lips, 
for she knew that these people were in deep, deep trouble.

 However, as life sometimes does makes its own contingency 
plans, there was a sudden shift in the crowd of people.  As 
Yin stuggled to sit up, holding her head and hoping she wouldn't 
be hit again-can't say what'll happen…-- steps sounded across 
the ground.  Looking up, she found a hand stuck in her face.  
Instinctively, she took it, and was tugged smoothly to her feet.

 "Are you all right?" asked a light voice, and she focused 
upon it, letting the picture come into view.  He-uh-huh, a he-was 
pale, with a thick thatch of equally pale brown hair that 
crept over his forehead, shading his features and his eyes.  
These she caught last, and her own widened, for they were a 
pair of vibrant jewels in a lackluster face, stones of blue-green 
tinted vaguely gray.  

 "Fine," she replied softly.

 "Step away from doz witches, ‘prentice!" warned Kris' father.  
"They be dangerous!"

 He turned and faced them, allowing her hand to drop.  
"What witches?" he asked.  "I see none…wait, them?" He 
shook his head, a whisper of a smile staining his face.  "
She and her friend are witches because they're from out of town?"

 "Dhey have evil things upon them," sneered Kris.  "And 
I saw 'em do magic, I did!"

 "Kris,  you saw Mistress Amble's cow turn into a horned 
demon, remember?"  We've all seen odd things.  And, if 
these be the trinkets you call evil, then you've named 
yourselves as well.  For I have seen these in a half-dozen 
stores around town.  Are you telling me we sell the items of 
witches?"  Again, that whisper of a smile.  "Do we?"

 That did it.  The crowd tensed for a moment, then disbanded 
easily, Kris receiving  a sharp cuff from his father.  
The man looked to Yin now, and she demurely lowered her 
head.  "Thanks," she whispered.

 "It is over?" Aerin asked, stirring.

 "Yes, it is…whoa, what's this?" the man said, for a large, 
gray wolf-dog shot into town and bounded up to Yin.  Her eyes 
widened, and she looked a moment at Aerin, then back up to him. 

 Oh great, Aerin grimaced.  Now he shows up.

 "A signal to return to camp,"  Yin finally said, 
voice quick, patting the dog once more on the head.  
Her hand tingled where it had touched his…what did that 
mean?  She quickly dismissed it, rubbing it out on the animal's 
head.  "Thanks again."

 "Thank you," Aerin said, Yin helping her up.  The two brushed 
themselves off, and quickly put their spilled goods back away, 
moving with such a speed that the man could not help them.  
Instead, he watched them, semi-bemused.  The wolf-dog in turn 
watched him, and a low growl filled his throat.  Lo, beneath 
the changed exterior, still held a shard of himself-a must, 
since those who had Shifted in the past had often been stuck 
in a form without this piece.  It was this one which filtered 
the information that had come into him, and he didn't like what 
this body sensed.  The way he looked, the scents that filtered 
in around him-they were unusual, yes, but nothing so to make him 
suspicious.  However, while the pieces were shaped right, the 
whole puzzle seemed skewed, as if there was something he was 
missing that didn't quite fit.  Something unknown.

 Something dangerous.

 Yin breathed a soft note, and he knew they were leaving.  
Still, he kept his eyes upon the man for as long as possible, 
watching him until he had to turn and run to catch up with the 
others.  A low growl filled his throat again as he tried one 
last time to sort out what his senses told him, yet nothing 
fit this deathly preminition.  

 The man watched until they had faded from sight.

 
 Back in camp that night, the story of the "witch hunt" was 
told again and again, first to Eban, then to Sarai, who returned 
first without Sykes.  They had just started the nightly fire 
when she crunched out of the shadows, looking about the camp.  
"hullo?"

 "Sarai?  What are you doing back?" Aerin asked.

 "Why did no one stop me before I got here?" she asked in 
return, pulling her cloak about her tighter and taking up a 
spot next to the fire.  

 "We were starting dinner, actually," Yin said.  "Besides, 
Lo's senses would've caught any unfamiliar trace before 
you got here."  She carefully brushed over the head of the 
wolf-dog,  the form retained in order to avoid questions, 
and to act more easily as a guard.  "Where's Sykes?"

 "She and Dana had to go off to find her ward," she said.  
"Apparently, she disappears all the time, out looking for 
new bits and pieces for her."  She looked up from the fire, 
huddled within a cloak.  "So, what happened to you?"

 Afterwards, there was a sort of rational shock on her face.  
"It's like what…what Mother Sykes said," she said quietly.  
"That some people will do worse than…than what Mam did.  
They'll want more of you, just because you scare them a little."  
She shook her head.  "Terrible."

 For a moment, it was silent; then, Aerin said, "Ay, Rai, 
you've managed to kill the mood and you haven't laid any 
BAD news on us yet."

 "What?" she asked, looking up, light glimmering for a 
moment in her eyes.

 "She's talking about Dana," Yin replied, sprinkling 
powder into her cup.  "After all, we're depressed now, and 
we don't even know if this woman coming is bad news."

 "Dana?" Sarai asked.  "Oh, no!  She seemed…well, actually, 
kinda young to know Mother Sykes and take care of a ward.  
She can't have more than twenty-two or so rels, I think.  
She's also a little too bouncy for me, but…well, she seems 
really nice.  She's the local Arch around here, and the ward 
is her apprentice, even if I think…"

 "She is young," Lo cut in.  "But Sykes has traveled a bit.  
They probably met much like we have."  He cast a glance at Yin, 
then asked, "Did you meet her ward?"

 "No, I didn't," she said, voice slightly jilted from his 
cut off.  "We simply went to the Kive and waited to meet her.  
She had to finish up some packing, and then we had lunch, 
and then she noticed her ward was gone again…so Sykes sent me 
back her to tell you they'd be along soon, and…"  Swiftly, she 
perked up, eyes widening a hair; she turned quietly towards 
the east side of camp, and said, "They're coming."

 "Close?" Eban asked quietly.  He rarely spoke above a 
raspy whisper.

 "Uh-hum," she nodded.  "Two of them-Dana and Sykes-but I don't 
get any real impression of the third, besides being there."  
She frowned, brow furrowing in concentration.  "No…nothing.  
It's really, really odd."

 "Lo?" Yin asked, turning to look at him.   

 He turned away from the fire light, and his eyes fluttered 
briefly.  His nostrils flared a bit, and then his eyes flicked 
wide open.  "Nothing clear," he growled out.  "I scent the two 
women, but the third doesn't…seem to carry, doesn't…"  He trailed 
off, a faint growl sounding beneath his breath.  "It's very odd, 
kind of like…"

 "Sarai! Esteben! Logan!" came Sykes voice, and immediately 
all of them came around the fire, waiting to see who she had 
brought back with her.  

 First, Mother Sykes came through, step bouncy for one who'd 
been walking all day.  She was quickly followed by a short, 
roundish woman dressed in dun leathers with short blond hair, 
carrying packs and holding her own walking stick of an almost 
blond wood.  Her ward was a bit behind, and Dana-for it was 
obviously her-smiled around the fire, a cheery welcome.  
They all nodded their assent or cast their eyes over her in 
response; not a typically friendly greeting, but then again, 
the air in the camp suddenly became atypical.  

 Sarai can't sense her…Lo can't smell her…what is she?  The thought 
ran through all of their heads, even Este's, who normally considered 
himself immune to surprises.  Yet even he found he could sense a 
difference in the air, as if someone had altered its texture.

 Dana's ward stepped into the clearing, and everyone gasped.  
First of all, she was a he; second of all, that he had been 
the one who helped Yin and Aerin in the village.

 The two women exchanged glances, as if to verify it was him.  
On his part, he looked around…and smiled.  Dana caught his 
smile and offered him one as well; maybe, she thought hopefully, 
he'll feel much more comfortable with these people.  
At least, he'd learn something…be friends with someone…  

 Sykes cleared her throat, saying, "My friends, this is Dana, 
the Arch of this town, and her ward, Sean."

 The fireside was quiet for a moment, and then both Aerin 
and Yin stood up.  “Welcome, Arch Dana and…Sean,” Aerin said 
quietly.

 “We hope…” Yin began, but Sean cut her off.

 “You have names, I see,” he replied.  “I didn’t 
catch them before.”

 “You’ve met?” Sykes asked, eyebrow raising.

 “Um…during our shopping trip, Mother,” Yin replied.  
“We had…”

 “They wanted to kill us, Mother Sykes,” Aerin interrupted 
bluntly.  “They accused us of witchery, and until this young 
man stepped in for us, we thought…well, I didn’t think we’d 
ever get out of there.”

 Sykes peered at them both,  and then looked back to Dana, 
who nodded sadly.  “It is that bad?” she asked.

 “Yes, Sykes, it is.  Which is why I requested coming along 
with you; my ward and I need not that kind of hassle.”

 “You’re Gifted, too?” Sarai asked quietly.  

 “We’re all gifted, child,” Dana replied with a grin.  
“But if you’re asking if I have some magical talent…yes.  
Memory.  It is why I am an Arch for the town.”  She tapped Sean 
on the shoulder and issued a little giggle.  “As to this one, 
though, he’s just plain odd.”

 Lo growled his assent, but the rest, including Este, smiled 
at her little joke.  As for Sean, he nodded his head, little 
grin on his mouth and eyes saying, She knows it.

 “Well, welcome Sean,” Sarai said now, standing with her 
friends.  “I am Sarai, Empath and healer in training.”

 “I’m Aerin, the one you didn’t help up,” Aerin said now, 
giving a little curtsey.  “Welcome.”

 Sean nodded a touch, and his eyes fell upon Este.  “You are?”

 “Esteban, though I am called Este or Eban,” he said softly, 
looking up a little.  Both of their eyes widened as they met, 
as if realizing something in a far off sense; music tickled 
their minds from far away, yet both shook it off.  “Hello.”

 “Hello,” Sean replied, face turning grave.  His eyes moved on, 
and met Yin’s.  “Ah, the one I helped up.  You are?”

 “Yin,” she said, silver eyes not quite meeting his.  
“Caller.  Pleasant to meet you again.”

 “You as well,” he murmured, trying to turn her eyes to his.  
Yet, she would not do it, and finally he dropped his eyes to 
the shadowed young man who sat beside her.  His eyes met him fully, 
their ice blue color snapping at him with an odd sense of déjà vu.  
Within him welled an emotion, storm gray and strong, no name 
surfacing with it.  “And you?” he asked, voice lower.

 “Logan,” he replied. 

 “Lo…” Yin said.

 “Logan,” he repeated again, eyes flicking to her.  “Shifter,” 
he added, canine teeth flicking out.  Sean nodded once, then 
turned his eyes back to Sykes.

 “Sykes…Sarai…Aerin…Eban…Yin…”  he paused.  “Lo…gan.”  He 
looked around to Dana.  “Did I miss anyone?”

 “Besides me, who you know?”  She smiled.  “Well done,
 Sean, though that’s only the start of the exercise.”

 “Mistress Dana, you aren’t going to make me practice 
out here?” he asked.

 “Of course, Sean.  It must be kept well used, otherwise 
it will degrade.”

 “What ‘it’, Mistress Dana?” Eban asked quietly.

 “Just Dana to you,” she replied, her and Sykes finally 
settling down.  Sean took the cue and joined them, eyes 
easing over the people within the camp again as he sat.  
He had better get the details now… “Only this ruffian has to 
address me by title, since it helps him remember it.”

 “Oh, don’t try, Dana,” Sykes broke in.  “They won’t drop the 
‘Mother’ for me, and now that they have a title for you, 
they’ll use it whenever possible.”

 “We shall see, Mother Sykes,” she replied lightly, 
then turned back to Eban.  “As to your question, the ‘it’ 
in question is memory.  As my ward, Sean must be trained in 
my trade, yet his memory is awful-but it only takes a few 
exercises to clear that up.”

 He pondered for a moment, then asked, “Could you…teach me?  
I…don’t remember much.”

 “I don’t see why not,” she replied.  “We could make a 
class out of it! How fun!”

 “I’m…for it, Miss..Dana,” Sarai said, brown eyes nervous.  
Teachers always did that to her, for she’d had very few good 
ones in her lifetime.  Most taught by fear, or with an iron rod, 
yet her senses told her this was NOT Dana.  She would enforce 
in some different, kinder way.

 Dana grinned, then turned to Sykes.  “Told you,” she whispered.

 The woman grinned back.  “Just wait, Dana.  Just wait.”  
Looking up now, she set her eyes on Aerin.  “Is dinner ready?”

 The girl nodded quickly, and within minutes she and Sarai were 
bustling about the camp, grabbing platters and heaping food 
upon them; before long, Eban had joined them, bandaged hands 
working deftly alongside them.  Lo and Yin conferred for a moment, 
then he rose reluctantly and began to round up cups for the evening 
drink.  Yin separated from him and grabbed the tripod for the water 
bag, fiddling with the legs before quickly setting it up.  
Looking around, her eyes fell upon the older women, already 
in conversation…and Sean.

 She took a breath, and shook her head.  This is ludicrous, 
she replied.  Stupid fairy tales before bed…  “Sean?” she asked.

 “Yes…Yin?” he replied, turning about, voice unsure on 
her name but eyes bright.  Once more, she avoided them, 
instincts cautioning her away from any sort of direct contact 
with them.  From an angle they seemed harmless enough, but you 
could never tell…

 “Can you help me get some stones?  I need to boil water 
for tea,” she asked quietly.

 He looked at her steadily for a moment, then smiled.  
It was a small, almost triumphant smile, and she didn’t 
like the look of it…nor the shiver which went through her.  
“Of course,” he replied, rising.

 “Thanks.”

 So dinner was prepared while the two teachers spoke, neither 
aware nor unaware of the players acting their parts around them.  
Their words were said softly, cautiously, always knowing 
when to change the tone if a shadow passed too close.  In the 
twenty minutes it took for the food to be finished, ladled out, 
chopped up, passed around, water and tea mixed into cups, they 
came to several important realizations about themselves and their 
little groups.  

 Whatever they were, they did not say it; however, their mood 
seemed to have altered subtly.  It had been relaxed before, 
and it still was; however, there was an anticipatory note to it.  
As the food was passed around and cups offered up, Dana asked, 
“So, how was the trip here?”

 The story came out then, of meetings and leavings and 
nights on the trail and finding Este-who seemed as surprised 
as the others to learn he’d been found-and then the trip here.  
Aerin and Sarai did most of the telling, Yin interjecting 
occasioanlly, and Este dredging up some of the finer details.  
Lo remained silent, eating slowly but with a voracious attitude, 
his eyes not on the new adult in their group but on Sean.  The boy 
seemed to realize he was being watched, for he occasionally 
glanced from his place across the fire, a small mocking smile on 
his face.  Lo’s calm façade remained, but on the inside his 
animalistic senses were on full; he could sense every shift 
the boy made, every breath the boy took, scented all of his 
moods and took down all his expressions.  Behind him, his animal 
kin shifted, reading his attitude and adopting a similar one.  
Yin wasn’t the only one who had such a bond with them; as a 
Shifter, he was part of them, and understood them in a way only 
he could.  Should he signal them, they would leap to his aid, 
and the boy would be rent to pieces…

 He glanced down to his smile, and his eyes narrowed.  
It seemed to him as if the wood grain of his bowl had shifted, 
until what used to be just a collection of lines seemed to be a wolf’s 
head.  He peered at it again, and decided that the marks had probably 
been there; he just hadn’t seen them before.  Thus shrugged off, 
he reached down for his cup and swilled the dregs of his tea, 
never noticing the carefully shaped eye on the lip.

 The story and dinner ended around the same time, and first 
timers in camp, Dana and Sean were excluded from the nightly 
cleanup.  Dana began to protest, but Sykes stopped her quickly.  
“You’ll have plenty of turns at it, my dear,” she replied.  
“Don’t rush for them now.”

 “Sykes…”

 “Hush.  Sit.  Do something with your apprentice.  He hasn’t 
said a word since he dragged stones for Lyn.”

 “I thought her name was Yin,” she replied.

 “It’s a nickname, Dana, and you know how I never went for 
those,” she replied.  “Same with this ‘Este’ or ‘Eban’ business.  
Call them what you want; they respond to most anything.”

 “As you say, Sykes,” she replied, flashing her a grin.  

 “Someone listens,” the woman muttered, turning away to assist 
in packing up the rest of the meal.  Dana waited until she was 
a bit away, then called Sean to her.  

 “Yes, Master?” he replied.

 “No titles, Sean,” she replied.  “We’re not in town.”

 “So you’re promoting me?” he said, eyes gleaming.

 “You should’ve been in business,” she murmured, then 
added, “No, no promotions, though I wish you would not 
call me ‘Master’ here.”

 “It is what you are to me,” he replied simply, and 
she nodded slowly, not bothering to fight his logic.  
It was best if he kept that mindset, for it was a barrier 
between rumor and truth for them.  

 “So be it,” she said.  “Now, to your exercises.”

 “Master!  So soon after dinner?”

 “Yes, so soon.  You must be able to repeat what you know 
at anytime, for anyone, even if you appear to be reading 
as you do it,” she replied.  “This is the way of the Archs, 
and it is what I am training your for, is it not?”

 “Yes, Master.”  He paused for a moment, wide eyes sulking, 
then said, “Say on, Master.”

 “Tell me about the people in camp.”

 “Mother Sykes, or her travellers?”

 “All of them, Sean.  I would seek no less,” she replied,
 settling in a little more and letting her eyes drift shut.

 “Yes, Master,” he replied, then let his eyelids come down 
half mast.  Mentally he looked within, to see what his mind 
had seen, for the eyes could not be trusted to find everything-thus 
had he been taught.  When he spoke, his voice was quiet and deeper 
pitched, the nasal inflection lost.

 “Mother Sykes, though she much prefers Sykes, leads this camp,” 
he said.  “An elderly lady, she still posesses much of the spirit 
and vivacity you have accorded her in the past.  Her stature 
is short, and her hair and eyes are blended gray.  Her hands 
have the marks of work, but not farmwork-craftsmenship, or 
arts close to that.  She is blunt, plainspoken, and sees more 
than we know-and you two appear to be good friends, though you 
have seen each other but once before.”

 “But for a long time,” Dana murmured, voice potent with the past.  
“The marks on her hands are from pots and other artistic craft; 
it is her trade, and she works with both great speed and skill.  
I think we shall have to review Signs of Work again, as well as 
clothing; you did not describe the significance of her dress.”

 “I thought it best to be simple here, Master,” he replied, 
eyes opening, pitch approaching normal.  

 “Only if I ask for it,” she replied, looking at him with eyes 
still half-cocked.  “Which I do.  Say on, Sean.”

 “Sarai, Sykes’ travel companion to meet us, is tall, brown of 
hair and eye, slender and nervous of disposition.  She also 
bears marks, both inside and outside, as judged from the 
play of skin about her face and hands, her nervous movements, 
and the responses made to questions-she does not relax, 
not even when all appears safe.  These are not only a hunter’s 
signs, but that of one who has been through some trauma.  Her 
fingers and hands have an odd pattern of callouses matching 
frequent use of a bow; this and her soft and sure footwork in 
the forest confirm Hunter’s status.  She appears well-liked, 
and lets down her guard completely to Aerin, a little less to Yin.”

 “Her Gift, Sean?”

 “Empathy of some strength; she sensed our coming before 
we arrived, and seems able to react to our emotions as the 
story was told-softening here, building up there, and the 
like.  Empaths generally sense emotions, locations of people 
versus other living beings, and have a sense of the sick and 
dying.  Her contact with Yin indicate that she is probably 
learning healing, along with the charcoal marks on her clothing; 
Healers and Smelters are usually the only ones to work so close, 
and she is no Smelter.  Whether she has some telepathy remains to be seen.”

 “Excellent, Sean, particulary in the deduction of learning 
healing.  But how did you know Lyn was the one she learned from?”

 “Simple, Master; she made the tea,” he replied.
 
 “Ah…very wise, Sean.  Very good,” she replied, and he allowed 
a fleeting slip of a smile to grace his face.  “Now…the rest, 
if you would?”

 So he did, telling of Lo and Yin and Aerin and Eban, 
though his impressions of Eban were fleeting; on the rest, 
though, he was quite sharp.  Especially on Lo’s; their words 
exchanged early on seemed to give him a special ability with him.   
In fact, he added much to Dana’s impressions, and most of it 
made her laugh, especially his assertion that, “He does 
not like me.”

 “He didn’t like you when he met you in the village, Sean; 
you are not natural to this place.  You know the impressions 
received of you,” she replied.  “They conflict with his 
Shifter’s senses to a great deal; besides that, you 
helped Yin up.”

 “That matters?  I would’ve helped both girls if we had not been interrupted.”

 “Yes, it matters.  But I shall explain it to you another 
time,” she replied.  “Now, about Aerin’s…”

 They were interrupted by Sarai calling out, “Someone’s 
coming!”; Lo’s senses pricked up, and he added, “Dog and 
human, older male.”  The rest of the cleaning was quickly 
finished, and more tea made; whoever they were, they would 
be treated well, especially considering the nip in the night air.

 It turned out to be a local man and his sniffer, the tawny 
dog barking happily at the sight of other people, especially 
when Lo greeted it.  A cup of hot tea was brought, but the man 
brushed it off, fingers subtly making a warding sign.  It was 
then that they knew he had been in the mob that day, and had 
not wanted to make this trip.

 “What is it, Sir?” Dana asked, stepping forward.

 “Lady Arch, message for jou, sent by fast rider and needs 
be delivered in person,” the man spat out quickly, unable to 
hide the slight chattering of his mouth.

 “Where is the rider?” she asked.

 “Inned, Lady; no way his horse could get t’o this mess.  
Ori and I’ere sent out to find ja, and did so.”  His tone was 
gruff, his accent light; a farmer, she gaudged, probably roused 
from drinking because of his dog.  Explains why I don’t recognize 
him, she thought, though if taking him from that drink is what 
I can do…gladly.

 “Deliver, then,” she replied.  “We were about to bed down.”

 He peered around camp, eyes catching on all the little 
oddities, especially the dark haired man who seemed to be 
talking to his dog.  He pulled up on the leash, and swallowed, 
then said, “From Master Hulcum, city of Kido.”  From his jacket 
he pulled a folded sheet of heavy, brown paper, the thinner 
sheet of vellum well protected on the insde.  Handing it to her 
as quickly as he could, he then darted back to the shadows.

 Sykes and Dana read it together; the rest regarded the 
farmer-messanger with such an air that he felt himself starting 
to freeze on the outside, too.  Now the ‘prentice turned his 
eyes on him, and he felt even colder, for that boy had the 
strangest of eyes, always swirling in the light.  But looking 
away was dangerous, too, finding those witches-no one could 
tell ji insides different-looking at him with deep intent.  
That silver one’s he avoided, but the brown one’s…AY!  Suck you 
inside if ja stayed more than a second, and they did it to him, 
too, before Ori brushed up against his side.  Have to rememeber 
extra treat in da morning, he thought.  

 Finally, the two Ladies looked up from the paper, and 
exchanged a few words.  Now, bright smiles spread across both 
of their faces, and Dana said, “Apprentice, charcoal.”
 
 Sean squatted down and found a bit on the rim of the fire, 
then withdrew his small knife and shaved one end of it.  
Giving it to her, she examined it quickly, then dashed out a 
message in return.  Folding it back up and binding it in 
cord, she handed it back, saying, “Tell the messanger to 
inform him we will be coming soon.”

 “Aye…Aye…can I go?” he asked.

 “Unless you’d like some tea,” Sarai said, voice not 
quite chipper.

 “Nay…nay…Ori!” he replied, then turned on his heel and 
set off back into the night.

 “How pleasant,” Sarai remarked, corners of her mouth turned down.  

 “We keep scaring them,” Aerin replied with a small sigh.  
“Stupid folk.”

 “We prefer silly, actually,” Dana remarked, and Aerin’s eyes 
dimmed in realization.  “No, no, Aerin-it’s all right.  
I wasn’t born there; just moved.”

 “Ah,” she replied.

 “So, Master, what did you tell Hulcum?” Sean asked.

 “And who is Hulcum?” Lo asked.  “Sounded fairly 
important.”

 “Kido is one of the nicer cities,” Eban remarked.  
“He would be well off, then.”

 “Yes, he would,” Sykes replied.  “Shall I, Dana, 
or shall you?”

 “I am but the beginning traveller,” she replied.  
“You tell them.”

 “We resume travel tomorrow,” she immediately said.  
“Heading for the city of Kido.”

 “Then we’re going…” Sarai started.

 “Yes.  We’re going to see Hulcum,” Dana replied, 
smile widening, eyes flashing.  
 
 “Another delay?” Yin said.  When odd looks came her way, 
she waved her hands and said, “No…no offense.  Just 
wondering if we’re going to get to Rainbow Falls before 
this year ends.”

 “Sooner or later, everyone comes to Rainbow Falls, Lyn,” 
Sykes said.  “We shall be patient.”  Eyes brightening, she 
added, “Now, to bed.  We will have to increase our pace to get 
to Kido soon; I trust you have horses?”

 “We’ll need to stop in town to get them, but yes,” 
Dana replied.

 “Settled then.  Tomorrow, we stop for horses and supplies, 
and then off to Kido.  Now…to bed, to sleep.  Dana and I 
will hold watch.”

 “Mother Sykes…” Lo started.

 “Enough,” she replied simply.  “To bed.  We have much to 
catch up on.”

 The gleam in their eyes was bright, and identically odd; 
however, no one questioned more.  Instead, they unrolled 
their packs and made ready to sleep as the young woman 
and the eld quietly talked once more.