Chapter One
The night was uncomfortably warm and the light rain made the air thick. The people who walked the dimly lit streets wore the weather like a heavy overcoat and, as they passed the street lamps, their faces glowed with moisture. The moon peered calmly through the thin clouds and onto the silent city. It seemed to wink in and out of existence as the clouds and rain passed its face. Thieves and beggars lurked in the alleys, only to disappear as the familiar tapping of soldier's boots reached their ears.
Foot patrols were quite common on the cobblestone streets, although patrol vehicles also made rounds, searching for Outcasts. This city was Tailu, the center of science in the old, fallen Kingdom. The rulers clung to the past, the science of old worlds now dead. The war to change that balance was over and magic, the opposite of science, vanished with the Phoenix from the land. Wizards, fairies, elves, trolls and gnomes everywhere fell as the magical bird made its final pass over the land, taking with it the power it had once possessed. Few were spared. Hardest struck by these battles had been the island of Denar, the center of magic. When the Kingdom's science had triumphed, the mystical paradise sank into the sea as the Phoenix left. Millions of people died and magic was forever blamed.
*****
Selina was the first of her group to hear the all-too familiar tapping. Brushing her blonde hair over her pointed ears and putting on dark glasses to hide her brown, almond shaped eyes, she signaled her partners. She pretended to be deeply absorbed in a newspaper as the patrol marched past. She watched the soldiers over the top of her glasses and took them off when the group was lost from view. With a hurried wave of her hand, the two hidden thieves dumped the body of their victim into a large garbage bin and ran after Selina into the dark street. The victim had been carrying a large amount of gold coins, which the three thieves split evenly amongst themselves at their hideout.
"We did all the work," Eurg complained when two coins were left. Bort had taken one and now, Selina and Eurg argued over the final coin.
"And I could have let that troop haul your sorry carcass into King Durik's dungeon!" Selina argued.
Eurg gave up and the leader snatched the final coin.
"We wouldn't have to be so damn cautious if it wasn't for your damn pointed ears," Eurg muttered.
Before he could scoop his coins into his purse, Selina had him pinned up against a wall with a long, sharp dagger at his throat.
"You wouldn't be thinking about telling the soldiers about me, would you?" she said in a deathly quiet voice.
"N . . . no Selina! Never!" Eurg stammered.
Selina's eyes narrowed until they were nothing more than slits in her skin. She called to Bort over her shoulder.
"Do you think the world could live with one less thief?" she asked.
The dwarf came next to her to peer into the human's face. It was pale and full of fear. Slowly, he nodded. The elf girl smiled cruelly at her victim and calmly slit his throat with one easy sweep.
*****
High up in the mountains, on an island far from the Kingdom, the place of the Phoenix lay empty. The Outcasts still tended its eternal flame, the sacred Nest of the life giving bird. On this tall mountain, the few remaining Children of Magic hid from the further cleansing done by the Kingdom's guards. The mountain was tall and well protected against the outside world; no one dared oppose the collective might of the Outcasts, even if they were despised. Every day their numbers increased as more powers were found. They were a small minority in a world dominated by science, but they were strong and determined. Powerful sorcerers traded secrets as they prepared for the Great Return. They sent out a few members to act as scouts to find the missing Children, but only those whose mark was hidden left. Gavin had involuntarily become one of the scouts, his mark easily concealable on his neck. He was given the limited ability to sense magic from one of the sorcerers and was assigned to the city of Kaane, on Trenar's east coast.
*****
An elderly gentleman walked into the bakery of Kaane and bent close to the shelves to see the bread. The baker, a man of about thirty, came out from an unseen back room, wiping his hands on his flour covered apron. The gentleman selected a loaf and placed it on the counter.
"Is this fresh?" the gentleman asked in a wheezy voice. "My eyes ain't as good as they used to be."
The baker smiled and gently squeezed the bread.
"It's fresh sir. Would you like to buy it?" he said.
The old man nodded and pulled up his collar until it touched the base of his chin. The baker put the bread in a paper bag and smiled as his customer pulled two coins and a button from his purse. Ignoring the button, the baker took the coins and watched the man shuffle out of the store. With a grin and a shake of his head, the baker returned to his work.
*****
Outside, the elderly man walked into a deserted alley and out of view. A few moments later, a young man came out wearing a loose robe that covered his entire body, leaving only his hands and face bare. Looking both ways down the empty street, he pulled up his collar.
"Nothing," Gavin muttered, taking a bite out of his bread.
*****
Far from the troubles of Trenar, the Empire of the Saki kept itself isolated from the impurity of the Kingdom. After the tragedy of Denar, the Empire neatly severed all ties to the Kingdom. When King Durik of the Kingdom had proclaimed no magic would exist in the entire world, the Empire had wanted nothing more than to offer a safe haven to those few remaining Outcasts to spite the cruel King. However, the Empress Sakir had died when the Phoenix had passed over the land. The next in line was her young son, now the Emperor Sarak II. He blamed the Outcasts for his mothers death and so, three months after the Departure, a treaty condemning all forms of magic was signed. Emperor Sarak II had avenged his mother, King Durik had gotten his wish, but Queen Pauta of Trenar was doubtful. Eventually, after three of her staff had fatal 'accidents', she signed. Her hesitation was well known and that is why Mt. Malai in the Trenar Cluster became a refuge for the Outcasts.
*****
Darkness was falling on the Imperial Palace of Saki. In the gardens, the night blossoms were opening, their petals illuminating in the night air. Insects buzzed and small animals dared to venture from their burrows in search of food. It was in this peace and tranquillity that a young woman walked.
She had the grace and elegance of a woman raised in nobility. Her shoes clicked softly on the stone path as she moved, the train of her gown following behind her. Her short, curly black hair was held in place by two visible gold barrettes and countless smaller pins, which also kept her tiara on her brow. Brown, intelligent eyes watched the four guards that surrounded her. She smiled as she thought of the time she had hid from them. A polite cough made her turn smoothly to confront the intruder behind her.
"Princess Ezara, it is time for you to bathe and sleep," he told her.
Ezara sighed regretfully and turned back to look at her gardens.
"Must I? I so rarely get to walk at night. Tell Father to leave me alone," she said.
"I'm sorry, Your Highness. His Imperial Majesty insists that you rest. Tomorrow is a big day for you both."
Ezara made a face. She was eighteen years old and her father had accepted a Trenarian Prince as her suitor. Tomorrow, they would meet, get to know each other, and be wed the next week. Preparations for the Imperial Joining of the Two Houses had been underway for months.
"Very well," Ezara sighed.
Before departing for the palace, she bid a silent farewell to her beloved gardens.
Chapter Two
Life in Kaane was not easy. The heat that came every summer made it difficult for Gavin to keep his neck covered. Often, he exerted his true talent and assumed the form of a raven, the feathers keeping his mark unseen. However, he found the taste of worms and seeds unsatisfying, so he would return to the small house he had constructed away from the town. His infrequent visits to Kaane had put fear into the townspeople and he often heard whispered stories. But, no matter how hard he looked, he found no signs of magic in the town. Angered by the waste of time, he contacted the Outcasts on the mountain.
"You are to remain among science until the Great Return, when the Phoenix will once again govern us. You are free to leave your post but you must not return or contact us again," the Elders of the mountain told him. "You must suffer the punishment for your crime."
Gavin bowed stiffly and accepted his exile. He saw no other place for him to go, and so he remained near Kaane.
*****
Then came an afternoon when a small family of townspeople came to the river where he lived. They were unaware of his gentle mind probes as they set up their picnic. Gavin left them alone and stayed in his house, until he heard voices outside his door.
"This must be the house where that weird stranger lives," one young voice said.
"Do you think he still lives here? Maybe he's out stealing sheep or something," another asked.
Gavin smiled to himself at the mention of his reputation. A stranger in town roused suspicions that he was a thief, and his isolation had earned him the reputation of a hermit. All the villagers were wary of him, and rumors often spread like wildfire.
"Let's check. If he's here, we can fight him. He doesn't look that tough," the first replied.
The youth's sudden proclamation worried Gavin and, as the door opened, he changed into an owl and flew to the rafters. The young boys peeked through the door and cautiously stepped inside. What they saw was a one room shack with a table and chair, a wood stove in one corner and a bed against a wall. The tallest boy wiped a finger across the table and inspected it closely.
"No dust," he reported.
"The stove is warm too," the other boy said nervously from the corner. "Should we leave?"
"No," the tall boy said. "I'm sure he's far from here."
It was at that moment, with both boys looking around fearfully, that Gavin gave a piercing cry. The youths looked at each other for a split second before running out the door. The owl flew down to the chair, changed into a man, and Gavin sat; chuckling silently to himself.
*****
Selina prowled the alleys with the silence and agility of a cat. Selecting her victim, an elegant young woman slowly became separated from the crowd, she followed. After the death of their former partner, Selina and Bort decided to go their separate ways. The capital city of the Kingdom, Tailu, was no longer safe for them. Bort headed east to Syrax and Selina decided to try her luck in the Saki Empire. Now, in the Imperial City of Saki, the infamous thief was about to strike.
Selina almost laughed out loud at the black haired girl's stupidity as she went down a deserted alley. Sensing her chance, the elf darted out in front of her prey. The girl seemed surprised, but then relaxed slightly and laughed nervously.
"Oh dear! You startled me!" she said.
Selina's hand dropped to where her dagger was concealed, but she didn't draw. The naiveté of this girl made robbing her feel strange. Dismissing the thought with a shake of her head, Selina straightened.
"Can you tell me how to reach Satu?" the girl asked.
The elf stared at her victim in confusion. Every part of her told her to help this woman. It was obvious that without help she'd end up in a gutter somewhere.
"Who are you?" Selina asked.
The girl seemed to hesitate. She ran her fingers through her curly hair.
"My name's . . . Zara," she said finally.
"Well Zara, Satu's very far from here, but it just happens that I have . . . business there. I can take you," Selina found herself saying.
Zara clapped her hands in delight and Selina pushed up her dark glasses.
"Let's go," said the elf.
"What shall I call you?" Zara asked.
Selina smiled at the girl’s question.
"Lina," was her abrupt reply.
*****
Gavin didn't go to Kaane at all for the rest of that year. The coldness of winter had come and he found that hunting was good as a wolf. In summer, he had an easy time finding food as a deer or ant and he wasn't bothered by any townspeople.
It was late summer when he decided to try fishing. Although he knew bears were the best fishers in the world, he decided to try the lazy approach. He sat under a lone tree by the stream, tied a string to his toe with a hook on the other end and fell asleep. He caught two fish and was about to leave when he heard a cry for help. Spinning around, he saw a small girl caught in the strong current further downstream. There were the same two boys he had seen before trying to help her by reaching out with long sticks. Gavin could see immediately that they could not reach her. Knowing they were fair swimmers, he took the form of a wolf, jumped into the water and began paddling towards the troubled girl. The two boys saw him and began yelling and throwing rocks. Gavin ignored them and seized the girl's collar with his mouth. Struggling against the current, he was overcome by the undertow several times before he managed to swim with the child to where the boys waited. When he reached the shore, he was exhausted, and so he collapsed by the water's edge. The girl ran to where the boys were hiding from the wolf. Cautiously, they approached the girl's saviour.
"Is it alive?" the tall boy asked.
The other poked Gavin with a stick. He raised his head weakly and snapped at it. All three youths backed away.
"Maybe we should leave it alone," the second boy suggested.
Gavin was fighting to stay awake. He knew that if he fell asleep, he would change back into his human form and his secret would be lost.
"I wanna keep him," the girl declared. "He saved me!"
Gavin struggled to his feet and growled at the children. Then, he staggered away towards his house. The children watched him go.
"I bet he belongs to the stranger," Gavin heard one of them say.
When he reached the house, he allowed himself to sleep.
*****
He awoke some time later outside his house, by the front door. Surprised at not being inside, he remembered the girl in the stream and his exhausting but successful rescue. Sitting up, he noticed he was once again in his human form and the three children were hiding behind some bushes by his house. He stood and walked towards them.
"Come out of there, I won't harm you," Gavin called, trying to sound friendly.
The timid children came out. The girl was shivering from her unintentional swim, her hair hanging down in damp tangles. The two boys stood in front of her protectively, the taller one with a fierce look on his face.
"Well? Why are you here?" Gavin demanded.
The girl was the one who spoke up.
"You're a wolf," she said. "You saved me."
Gavin covered his surprise and fear by turning and opening his door. Shyly, they followed him in. Inside, the girl sat on the floor by the stove, warming herself and the boys perched on the bed. Gavin himself sat on his one chair by the table.
"Now, what's this talk about a wolf?"
The girl stood up and looked at him, her blue eyes wide with awe.
"A wolf saved me from the river," she said. "It was tired when it left so we followed it to make sure it was all right. It collapsed by your door and turned into you!"
Gavin forced himself to laugh. It still sounded nervous in his ears, and he hoped the children did not notice.
"How could I turn into a wolf?" Gavin laughed, placing a kettle on the stove.
"Magic," the tall boy answered.
Gavin returned to his seat and smiled at the boy.
"Aren't you too old to believe in magic?"
The boy shook his head.
"My father's the baker and he told me that an old man came into his store one day, bought some bread and never returned," the other boy said.
"He must have been a traveler."
"He wasn't! My father would never lie to me!" the boy protested. "We don't get that many travelers in Kaane. My dad thinks he was an Outcast."
The kettle whistled and Gavin poured the hot water into four cups. He put some tea leaves in the cups, stirred, and gave them to his guests.
"There was also a night when me and Greg came to this house looking for you," the tall boy continued. "All we found was an owl."
The boy called Greg nodded and sipped his tea.
"The owl is a friend of mine. She comes and goes as she pleases, but often sleeps here in the day. I wish I could show her to you, but I haven't seen her in a while," Gavin lied.
Greg's eyes filled with wonder.
"But sir, we saw the wolf collapse on your door step, then we went to hide in the woods and when we looked back, the wolf was gone and you were there!" the girl said. "It must be magic."
"You believe in magic too?" Gavin asked.
The girl nodded. "And I'm not afraid of it, either."
He turned to the other two children.
"Are you two believers as well?"
They both nodded.
"Well, you'd better not go to the Kingdom, then. The King would hang you three if he knew you supported the Outcasts."
The four of them sat in silence for a while, drinking their tea. Gavin stood and took some cookies out of his cupboard and gave them each one. Finally, Greg cleared his throat.
"Can I ask you a question?" he said.
"You just did," Gavin smiled.
"No, another one."
Gavin nodded and Greg looked at the other children for moral support.
"Are . . . are you an . . . Outcast?"
Gavin looked into his empty tea cup. He had grown to like these three children, despite his vow to hate all people of science. Gently, he probed their minds while staring at his cup. The girl had a hint of telepathy in her and the tall boy could possibly be telekinetic, if properly trained. He wondered if this trio of children were trustworthy.
"Can you three keep a secret?" he asked quietly.
They nodded and leaned forwards to hear.
"I'm taking a great risk at telling you this. If you ever tell anyone, especially your parents, I could be killed," he continued.
The girl gasped and Gavin thought he felt her small power seeping into his thoughts. He pushed it away.
"Do I have your promises? As a friend?"
"You have mine," Greg said.
"Ours as well," the girl agreed.
Gavin placed his cup on the table and stood. Ignoring the shocked gasps of his friends, he transformed into the wolf who had saved the girl.
"The wolf! I knew it was you!" she cried.
"Careful Ariel, he could be tricking us!" the tall boy warned.
"Oh, be quiet Drake! He's showed us his secret. He's an Outcast and if anyone knew, he'd be arrested and thrown in King Durik's dungeon! Remember our promise," Ariel knelt down by the wolf and put her arms around his neck.
When she released him, he changed back into his human form and hugged her back.
"You also have a hidden secret," he said quietly, addressing Ariel and Drake.
"Can I change into a wolf like you?" Ariel asked. "Can you teach me?"
Gavin laughed and embraced the warm feeling he had. Never in his life had he known children and suddenly, he was becoming a teacher for two of them. They would be a great help when the Great Return came.
"No, child. You have a much greater gift than mine. But you must make a decision. If I help you master your gift, you will be an Outcast, like me. You too, Drake. You both have something wonderful that can help bring magic back into this world. Will you accept it, or keep it hidden inside you?" he said.
"I accept it! I want nothing more than to be different, special," Ariel said immediately.
"No, think about your choice and remember, your gifts are not like mine. I will tell you them if you choose to accept them. Return here tomorrow when the sun is high and your lessons will begin," Gavin said.
The children smiled and thanked him again. Even Drake seemed to relax and he promised to keep the secret. When they had gone, Gavin drew in a deep breath and released it slowly. His secret was safe and he had fulfilled part of his mission. When the Phoenix returns, it will reward him for finding these missing Children of Magic.
*****
Selina was sick and tired of her companion even before the Imperial City of Saki was out of sight. The girl who called herself Zara was hopelessly incompetent at living in the outside world. She complained when they had to sleep on the ground beside the road and actually returned someone’s purse to him, when it was full of gold pieces! Selina had to do everything in her power to keep from strangling the girl. Zara was also oblivious to everything that happened on the street. Despite everything, Selina was glad that she had found Zara before she had been killed. Zara even missed the fact that Selina was an elf! The progress to Satu was incredibly slow. Zara was constantly tired or sore or hungry. Finally, Selina had enough.
"Keep walking in this direction and you'll reach Satu," she said, throwing some supplies to the girl.
"Where are you going?" Zara demanded.
"Away. Back to Tailu or Saki. I don't know," Selina replied vaguely.
"What am I to do?" Zara wailed.
Selina rolled her eyes and pointed down the road.
"Keep walking in this direction and you'll reach Satu," she repeated.
"What if I'm attacked?"
"You won't be. This road is well traveled. Find a merchant and ask to join him to Satu," Selina answered.
"But Lina, I thought you were going to protect me!"
"Listen Zara, I'm tired of you. I'm sick of your complaining and especially your honesty! You'll be fine if you follow the road and if we ever meet again, it will be too soon," she snapped.
"Honesty? I thought. . . " Zara began.
"You thought I was honest? Well, here's some news for you. I'm a thief. A murderer. I've probably killed more people than you'll ever meet. I'm also an Outcast. I'm an elf, spared by the Phoenix when he passed. I was going to rob you and kill you that night in the alley, but I hesitated. I'm starting to regret that hesitation, so you'd better go before I change my mind!"
Zara looked at the elf with horror. Her eyes looked back and forth from the almond shaped eyes to the pointed, lobeless ears. She looked at the daggers at her belt and the hilt that showed from the top of her boot.
"I . . I had no idea," she stammered.
"I didn't think you did," Selina muttered, turning around and walking away.
Zara watched her go for a few moments, standing motionless where the thief had left her. Her protector did not even look back until Zara spoke again.
"You don't know anything about me, either," she blurted.
The elf stopped and slowly turned around.
"You think me as blind as you? I know who you are, Ezara of the Saki Empire. I know you're the Imperial Princess, betrothed to a Prince you've never met. I knew you ran away and I've decided to leave before I am accused of your kidnapping," Selina said.
Ezara's mouth dropped open in shock. How could she have been so transparent? As the elf began to walk again, she straightened and regained some of her noble demeanor.
"I command you to continue your escort," she called.
Again, Selina stopped and began to laugh. There was a chilling smile on her face when she turned again.
"Command? You? Princess, I could kill you easily right now, rob your corpse and leave you in a ditch. I am giving you your life and freedom and you command me?"
"As long as you are in the Saki Empire, you are subject to our laws and commands," Ezara said.
"Princess, you are not made for the road. Keep going to Satu and then call your father to come and get you. You have no business with an Outcast," the elf began to walk again.
"Please . . . please come back. I'm frightened," Ezara pleaded.
"You should be, your Highness. But of me, not them," Selina did not turn back again.
Chapter Three
Progress was slow in their training. Gavin was a patient teacher and his pupils were very adept, yet the secrecy of their lessons made progress tedious. They were forced to stop at every sound and often had to make excuses when a parent came to find two children and a small puppy. The tall boy, Drake was a powerful telekinetic and the young girl he had saved, Ariel, was a fine example of a telepathic. Gavin knew the Phoenix would be pleased with the children. The younger boy, Greg, often remained with them and helped where he could with the training.
"Now, Drake, I want you to lift the chair Greg is sitting on and Ariel, you tell us his thoughts," Gavin instructed.
As the boy rose in the air, Ariel voiced his thoughts.
"Wow! I'm flying!" Ariel translated. "This is really exciting! I wonder what Mother would say if she knew. Oh no, I'd better not think of that because Ariel will tell everyone that my Mother is really an Outcast. Oh drat! She just said it. Can I come down now?"
Drake set him down gently and Gavin turned to him.
"You say your Mother is an Outcast?" he demanded.
"Yes sir. She can speak to animals," Greg said.
Gavin thought about this for a moment and nodded.
"All right children. That's enough for today. Soon, we'll go to the Mountain and you can present yourselves to the Outcasts of the Nest. They'll determine whether or not you will be accepted into the Mountain," Gavin said.
"Can I come too?" Greg asked.
"Of course not," Gavin snapped. "You are not an Outcast."
"But my friends . . ." Greg protested.
"They are different from you, and you could never be like them," Gavin said.
Greg turned to leave with a bowed head. The other two followed him. When they were a safe distance away, Gavin turned into a butterfly and flew to Greg's shoulder.
I will see if this woman is truly one of us, he thought.
*****
Although Trenar was at relative peace with the Kingdom, it still harboured a hidden love of magic and a prejudice of science. Many unknown Outcasts, and a few scouts, were in Trenar and it was in the capital of Trenar where a true science believer lived. Otto was tall and muscular, the Captain of the Guards. He had lived in Syrax in the Kingdom before coming to Trenar, and he had a deep hatred of magic. His main purpose was to find all the Outcasts in the city and keep them under lock and key until their trial. However, the Kingdom didn't object when one mysteriously died. He was well known in Trenar and well liked, despite his prejudice. Trenarians tended to be more lenient than Kingdomers, a thought that struck Otto as profoundly odd.
On this night, he patrolled the streets as usual, but this time found something interesting. A short, stout figure was dashing through the streets and Otto immediately ran after it. In the darkness, he saw the outline of wings on its back.
"Halt!" he cried.
The figured looked over its shoulder and ran faster. Otto pulled out his gun and aimed carefully. There was a shot and the figure ahead of him fell. Otto slowed his pace and approached the figure carefully. It was dead. He turned it over to reveal a young woman with delicate wings on her back. She was beautiful and Otto almost regretted the kill. However, this young thing was an Outcast and justice had been served that night. He kicked the corpse against the wall of a building and continued on his patrol, knowing someone would find the body and dispose of it.
*****
As Greg approached his home, Gavin flew to the nearby bush and transformed into a cat. Slowly and silently, he walked to the door of the house and meowed. A woman came to the door and looked down.
"Well, hello there! Are you hungry?" she said.
Gavin formed the words "yes, I would like some fish" in his mind and meowed once again.
"Oh, you are? Well, I think I have what you want in here," the woman left and returned with a dish of cream.
Gavin decided to try again, in case the request was messed up in translation. He licked the milk into his mouth and posed another question, asking her name.
"More? My, you must be a hungry kitty!" the woman took away the dish and left.
Gavin decided that she indeed spoke to animals, but didn't understand them. She was no Outcast. Regretfully, he turned and left. Becoming a raven, he flew to his home and slept. The next day, he would escort the two children to Mt. Malai where the Outcasts would see that he was loyal.
*****
The children arrived early the next morning. Greg was not with them. They each carried a small pack with, Gavin assumed, their clothing and personal possessions. He also assumed that they had told their parents.
Drake floated in, with his legs crossed in a sitting position, a few feet off the ground. Ariel walked in after him. Gavin smiled at their promptness and the journey to Mt. Malai began almost immediately.
"I will assume the form of a wolf. Ariel will be able to communicate with me through her telepathy and I will be able to understand when spoken to. Do not be frightened and follow close," Gavin instructed.
The two children nodded bravely and Gavin changed form. They left Kaane walking south, through the forests. Their destination was the town on the southern end of Trenar called Yakor. It had a successful fishing export with the nearby island of P'tan. From P'tan, they would be able to gain access onto a boat heading for Malai. With luck, no one would question them.
The trip was uneventful for the first two days. They walked swiftly and had little reason to rest. Drake was willing to float Ariel if she tired and Gavin, as a wolf, was almost tireless. There did come a time each day when they were forced to stop and sleep. Even then, Gavin remained awake, watching for predators in the dark woods.
On the third day, Gavin traveled as a hawk, perched on Ariel's arm. There was no signal before the attack, or even a clue as to who it was who attacked. Three men jumped out from behind trees, men Gavin took to be common bandits. Gavin screeched and flew high in the air. Ariel used her mind influence to convince the men that she was not there. Drake levitated himself into a tree. Gavin dove down and pierced one man's eye with his sharp talons. The man fell to the ground in pain. The shape shifter decided a hawk was an inefficient way to do battle and he flew a safe distance away before changing into a bear. Ariel was still unnoticed but Drake was tiring and he dropped a few centimeters as his concentration faltered. Gavin reared up on his hind legs and growled. The men forgot the boy in the tree and circled the bear cautiously. Gavin slapped one with his massive claws and he fell to the ground, motionless. The man with one eye was on his right and another was on his left. Gavin roared and picked up the one eyed man, preparing to split his skull. A sharp and sudden pain in his left shoulder made him drop the man. Gavin turned and saw a spear protruding from his back. As he turned to face his attacker, he stepped on the one eyed man and crushed his head under his paw. Drake lowered himself beside Ariel as the two of them watched their teacher fight. The remaining man drew a dagger and stabbed Gavin in his leg. The bear fell down, blood flowing from the wound. Ariel gasped and her concentration broke. The man turned and started to come after her, satisfied that the bear was dead. Drake pushed Ariel behind him protectively. Gavin, with his remaining strength, raised his massive paw and sliced the man neatly with his long claws. Then, he lay still. His pupils watched as the form of the bear shimmered and vanished to be replaced by their teacher and saviour.
*****
It was a long walk to Satu, as Ezara found out. She had been abandoned by the one she thought was her protector and friend. Now, lost and alone, she followed the last bit of advice given to her by that Outcast.
Yes, Ezara thought, she was just that. An Outcast. Maybe Father
was right to hate the Outcasts. They seem cold and cruel.
Yet, she knew that she shouldn't judge by the one individual she had met. Ahead, she saw a cart being pulled by a donkey with a man walking beside it. She wondered why the man used a cart instead of a hover barge. She ran to him and he halted his animal.
"Well, young miss, what can I do for you?" he asked kindly.
"Please sir, are you on your way to Satu?" she said.
The man was old with a wrinkled, weathered face and a tuft of gray hair. He had a red nose and cheery eyes that made Ezara smiled.
"Well missy, as a matter of fact, I am. Would you like to join me?" he replied.
Ezara thanked him for the offer and he began to walk again. Ezara fell into step beside him. After a few moments, she turned to the man again.
"What is your name, sir?" she asked.
"I don't think I have a name," the man answered. "Most people just call me the Wanderer. I go by that."
"Then that's what I shall call you. My name is Zara," she introduced herself.
"Well Zara, why don't you tell me why you're out on the road by yourself?"
Zara proceeded to tell him a tale about a peasant's young daughter who ran away from home because her father was going to sell her into slavery in the Kingdom. She also said that she had had an escort, only the escort had left in frustration after only a few nights on the road. The Wanderer listened carefully to her story and smiled, obviously accepting this as truth.
"Well, dear, you should be happy I found you. When we get to Satu, stick by me and I'll show you how to make a living in the city marketplace," he said.
Ezara smiled and could not remember any time she had felt more at home. This stranger brought to her an intense peace that she had not felt since leaving her home in Saki.