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  Emeal ended on a relieved tone, as if happy that she could at least give this small bit of hope.

  All hope of keeping the crowd quiet quickly vanished as everyone descended into discussions and arguments regarding the results and its implications.

  With the attention of the crowd now turned away from the podium, gaps emerged in the front row.

  “Come on lets go,” said Trex, his expression concentrated.

  The three forced their way through to the front row where Karthen, Sharlee and the others were just getting up.

  Sara could see a satisfied looking Councillor Gerak walking over to the older Tasch as she cleared away some documents. Sara noticed that Tasch, her husband Katan, Captain Felx and Sage Filfia all didn’t look too put out by the decision, which was surprising, given how miserable Trex and his family looked.

  “You ok?” asked Trex to his family.

  Zea’s eyes were watering and she was clinging to her father, she was clearly overwhelmed by the whole thing.

  Karthen frowned.

  “Let’s get out of here,” said Captain Felx suddenly, “we have things we need to discuss.”

  Karthen turned his head back from looking at Captain Felx.

  Trex noticed that he and his aunt were suddenly looking just over his head. Trex turned to see Gerak standing at the edge of the podium nearby, his black tipped tail swishing back and forth with satisfaction behind his expensive robes. Millan had moved over a little closer from the one side of the podium, watching the group from a short distance.

  “You got what you wanted Karthen,” said Gerak sarcastically, “you’ll never have to be apart from your little… creation.”

  “Ignore him,” said Sage Filfia wisely from behind.

  The group began to move out.

  “I wouldn’t put too much hope in finding another halfling,” Gerak continued as they walked past below him, “now that simply producing another abomination won’t help you… though I wouldn’t put even that distasteful act past you.”

  The last comment was too much, Karthen suddenly made a lunge for the Councillor high above him on the podium.

  What happened next was so quick that it was over in the blink of an eye. Sharlee and Shaman Katan tried to restrain Karthen but couldn’t stop him from grapping one of Gerak’s legs before the shocked councillor could jump away.

  Just as Karthen was about to wrench the leg away and drag the councillor down, Sage Filfia projected a powerful wave of calm, momentarily stunning everyone in the large council chamber except for Captain Felx and Lieutenant Millan.

  In the blink of an eye, Lieutenant Millan retrieved the two sections of staff which where strapped to her back next to her quiver and instantly transformed it into a bow with an arrow ready to fire. In exactly the same moment Captain Felx took a quick step towards Sage Filfia, grabbing her arm and blocking the Lieutenant’s line of fire. The Sage instantly stopped her projection, slightly shocked to be grabbed so quickly.

  “Emotional projection is strictly forbidden within the inner city,” said Captain Felx clearly. He was even more audible due to the suddenly silent chamber, despite it still being quite full of Anthros.

  Sage Filfia turned her head and saw that Millan was still in a firing position. She raised her arms in innocence.

  “I was only trying to diffuse the situation,” said Filfia honestly.

  Around the three coherent individuals, all the other Anthros were coming out of a standing daze.

  With Karthen’s grip now loosened, Councillor Gerak was able to take an unsteady step back.

  “I understand,” said Captain Felx towards the Sage, “given the circumstances…”

  The captain turned to face his prone Lieutenant.

  “I will handle this Lieutenant,” he said in his commander’s voice.

  Millan frowned, but slowly withdrew her prepared shot. She looked like she was about to argue with him.

  “You reacted well Lieutenant,” Captain Felx said suddenly, “I will have to give you a commendation,” he added, seemingly out of the blue.

  The comment worked, the Lieutenant was not expecting the compliment and was wrong footed.

  “We should leave immediately,” said Captain Felx, turning to the Sage. The two quickly herded the rest of the dazed group to a side door, ushering them through.

  Back on the podium, councillor Gerak shook his head slightly.

  “What just happened?” he asked, turning to the Lieutenant.

  Millan watched as Captain Felx closed the door behind him, making eye contact with her for a brief second before disappearing.

  “They left,” she said flatly to the councillor before turning to walk away.

  She left the councillor to wonder the meaning of the whole thing.

  Sara and Brekiz sat with Zea between them on the comfortable sofa in the middle of the elegant living room of Tasch and Karthen.

  All three youngsters were still a bit dazed, sitting quietly. And this despite the unusual circumstances and company they found themselves in.

  “Sage Filfia did this… didn’t she,” said Brekiz, staring out the large balcony double doors, referring to their current hindered mental state.

  “Yeah,” replied Sara.

  “She did it to everyone in the chamber?”

  “Looks like it.”

  Brekiz paused for a second.

  “And you’re going to be her apprentice?” he asked.

  “Probably,” replied Sara, not really sure herself.

  “Wow,” he said, reminding himself to treat her with a bit more respect, just to be on the safe side.

  Between the two, Zea blinked a few times. The shock of the projection had been enough to bring her out of her unhappy state. The young girl looked left and right of her, getting a better view of the Anthros she had never met before.

  “You’re Brekiz, aren’t you?” the young girl asked to the Anthro lion next to her.

  Brekiz turned to face the young Anthro girl next to him, observing her more closely for the first time.

  “Yes…”

  “And you’re Sara?” Zea announced happily, her mood quickly lifting to its normal chirpy state.

  “Yeah…”

  “Trex has told me all bout you!” she said happily, referring to both.

  The two young adults looked a little bemused.

  “Can you show me a magic trick?” Zea asked Brekiz, giving him a big smile and leaning towards him expectantly.

  Brekiz leaned back on instincts. If he was honest with himself, he was unsure of what he thought of halflings, Trex’s cousin or not. But it was hard to say no to those cute, expectant eyes. Brekiz’s resolve melted.

  One room away, in the spacious double study of Katan and Tasch Huzzel, the others were gathered.

  Trex’s aunt Sharlee leaned against a large desk, her arms crossed in front of her. Trex sat on the tables edge close by. Professor Katan was standing next to his sitting wife by the other desk. Sage Filfia sat in a plush armchair, Captain Felx stood next to her, arms also crossed. Between them all, Trex’s uncle Karthen was walking back and forth, obviously long recovered from the shock of the Sage’s projection, and fuming again.

  “You should have let me pummel him,” said Karthen bitterly.

  “And what would that have achieved?” asked his wife Sharlee, her normal calm façade straining under the disappointment and recent stress.

  “It would have made me feel better,” replied Karthen, but then his posture slackened noticeably, “and it would have shown Zea that I’m not completely powerless.”

  This more thoughtful insight into his thoughts gained the middle aged Anthro lion some sympathy from those around him

  “You’re thinking like a wolf,” said Captain Felx, referring to his emotional state. “No offence meant,” he added casually.

  “None taken,” said Sage Filfia in an easy going manner.

  “That’s probably why I married him,” said Sharlee suddenly. She got up to move ove
r to her husband, putting a supporting arm around his waste.

  “Still though, I feel so useless,” continued Karthen, calming down.

  Karthen’s eyes raised from the floor to focused on Tasch and Katan nearby.

  “Thanks Tasch, Katan for all of your support,” said Karthen suddenly, knowing that his anger did not really acknowledge the Head Councillor’s efforts that well, “I know that you tried your best.”

  “Our position may not be as bad as it first appears,” said Tasch suddenly.

  Trex, Sharlee and Karthen looked at her with renewed expectation.

  “As you most likely know from Trex…” said Katan Huzzel, taking over from his wife, “…the Sage and us…”

  He indicated with his hands to Sage Filfia and then to himself and his wife.

  “…are part of a group of Anthros that work for a cause above that of just our two individual races.”

  “We serve the good of all Anthros,” added the Sage from the side.

  “And there are a lot more of us then you would think,” said Captain Felx suddenly, showing his hand in an indirect manner.

  “Members of our group,” continued Shaman Katan, “are spread all over the world, and all of them are dedicated to ensuring that justice is served to all Anthros… and that including halflings.”

  Trex and his adoptive parents looked on with interest. Trex was quickest to join the dots.

  “There are other halflings,” Trex stated hopefully.

  “Not as many as you might suddenly think,” warned Shaman Katan, putting it back into perspective.

  “Until recently we only knew of one other then Zea,” continued Tasch, “though we did not know their whereabouts.”

  Trex looked a bit deflated.

  “The dangers of revealing a halfling in either wolf or lion society are well known.”

  Sharlee and Karthen seemed to get a little closer, mutually supporting each other in the face of the unfortunate truth.

  “One of our group decided long ago to leave our shores in search of a place where she and her adopted halfling would be safe. Since then, we had received no news from our old friend… until a few weeks ago.”

  Trex looked on with interest, though he slightly guarded himself against getting his hopes up. Somehow, the way the older Anthros told the story indicated to him that there was still another catch to be reviled.

  “It appears there is a small colony of wolves, lions… and halflings, living on a section of the Bear Clan Territories to the north east on the far side of the great crest.”

  “In the Bear Clan territories?” said Sharlee with a hint of surprise, “surely that is suicide?”

  “The Bear Clans are as misunderstood by us…” interjected Sage Filfia, “as we used to misunderstand each other.”

  Sharlee looked unconvinced, and for good reason.

  “Our old friend came to an arrangement with the local tribes in the area. They have been living in peace next to one another for many years… until now.”

  “Until now?” asked Trex, just knowing there was a catch.

  “There appears to have been as shift in power within the Bear Clans leadership,” continued the white haired Karthen, “a powerful leader has emerged who is uniting the clans, and subduing all opposition. He is apparently not very friendly towards outsiders.”

  “The good news is,” interjected Captain Felx, knowing that the whole thing was sounding rather ominous, “that the colony has heard of Zea living relatively peacefully in RefugeCross… and our old friend has requested an expedition to help evacuate the colony… to be relocated here. Including, amongst others, a number of halflings.”

  The fire seemed to return into Karthen’s eyes, overjoyed at the sudden turn of events

  “Well then, what are we waiting for?” said Karthen enthusiastically.

  “The debate today for one,” Tasch said calmly.

  “Of course,” said Sharlee, “I was wondering why you were so skilfully leading Councillor Gerak, in such a strange way, over the discussion on race.”

  “And why you were all so calm when you heard the verdict,” added Karthen, “a masterful stroke… though you could have done to tell us before, and save us a lot of stress!”

  “Unfortunately, we needed you to look convincingly upset.”

  “Which you sure did,” added Captain Felx.

  “You do express your emotions very clearly,” agreed Sharlee, consoling her husband.

  Trex had to agree. The youth could well imagine his uncle smugly looking at Gerak during an alternative version of the council debate, which he surely would have done, had he known beforehand.

  “I suppose you’re right…” agreed Karthen.

  “And the halflings are not here yet,” reminded Shaman Katan wisely.

  “So what is the plan?” asked Karthen.

  “We’ve been working something out for the last week or so…” started Captain Felx.

  Trex zoned out of the conversation somewhat, his own thoughts on all the new information overwhelming him. The young Anthro lion was excited to say the least that something had developed out of the organisation he had caught glimpses of at the end of his adventure with the Exiles. And not only that, but he was actually in the middle of it! With a bonus that its development benefited his family, in particular his dear cousin Zea.

  A lingering doubt, however, was at the back of Trex’s mind. It sprung forward into his consciousness as soon as his eyes drifted to Captain Felx… Trex’s citizenship. Looking down at his armband, Trex suddenly remembered that he was a citizen now, with one year’s compulsory service before he was completely free to do what he wanted. The idea of sitting out on a lonely outpost while the adventure unravelled without him felt like a sudden hole in his stomach… but still, Captain Felx was the highest ranking Military officer in RefugeCross, surely he could do something. Trex tried to convince himself that not all the stories he had heard about reserve duty had been mundane and boring… hadn’t they?

  - CHAPTER SEVEN -

  Preparations for departure

  (The tale of Trex and Sara)

  Trex gazed out into the gloom of the recently arrived night which hung over RefugeCross. Small lights illuminated the buildings and flickered peacefully as a contrast to the fresh, star filled sky above. It was a beautiful scene, unfortunately, it was completely unappreciated by Trex, as he was currently bored stiff.

  Leaning against his newly issued replacement staff, Trex kept watch over the same inner city walls which he himself had escaped over only a few months before.

  Behind the youth, the gardens of the inner city were illuminated. There was still activity in the council chambers, as a late session was going on.

  Brekiz slowly walked towards Trex from along the wall, he didn’t look any more enthusiastic then the brown haired youth he approached.

  “All clear guardsman?” asked Trex sarcastically.

  “Nothing to report,” replied Brekiz, his deflated voice indicating his disappointment.

  Brekiz leaned back against the parapet, looking back into the inner compound while Trex’s eyes scanned the main city below.

  “How much longer until our watch is over?” asked Trex.

  “Another two hours,” replied Brekiz casually.

  Trex let out a long breath.

  “Why exactly was I so eager to start this again?” asked Trex rhetorically.

  “It’s only for one year,” said Brekiz, not turning to face his friend.

  “Four days a week,” Brekiz continued distantly, as if recapping for himself, “two hundred and ten day’s service… assuming there is no war.”

  “Assuming there is no war,” repeated Trex.

  “But we do get some army training,” added Brekiz more optimistically.

  “Eventually,” replied Trex, “one month of marching in formation and getting yelled at, to break up the monotony of guard duty.”

  “hmmmm,” mused Brekiz.

  “Damn it,” said Trex, su
ddenly becoming darker in frustration, “I haven’t heard anything from Captain Felx or anyone since that meeting after the public debate.”

  “At least you were invited to that little talk,” said Brekiz, a slight edge in his voice.

  Trex grimaced. He had not been able to talk about the discussion with the elders to Brekiz, having been sworn to silence by Brekiz’s grandfather himself. All Brekiz knew was that it concerned Trex’s cousin, and that there would be developments.

  “At least you got yourself a fervent admirer,” suggested Trex, trying to deflect the conversation, “Zea is now fully convinced that you’re a real Shaman.”

  Brekiz smiled, allowing the conversation to be sidetracked.

  “Oh well,” said the curly blond youth, raising his arms behind his head, “at least there is a chance that we can influence the roster.”

  Trex leaned against the outer parapet, listening to his friend.

  “I should be able to get me some early morning shifts.”

  “You’re the only one crazy enough to actually ‘want’ the graveyard shift,” interrupted Trex.

  “Oh, but there are many advantages you see,” said Brekiz with a shrewd smile, “with so few guards on duty I can continue to gather information, something that’s much easier now that I am a guard myself.”

  Trex smiled curtly, shaking his head slightly at his friend’s addiction to gathering information.

  “But if you’re caught…”

  “I won’t be,” said Brekiz confidently, “anyway, there are other benefits as well… my favourite aviary attendant has the morning shift… all alone, with no one to talk to.”

  Brekiz’s eyes unfocused dreamily as he looked up at the stars.

  “How many years older then you is she again?” asked Trex kindly, trying to bring some reality back to his fifteen year old friend.

  “Not that many,” dismissed Brekiz, “anyway, I act, and look, much older then I am.”

  “Ahh hu,” said Trex, not even trying to sound convinced.

  A steady desert breeze played with Trex’s specially Issued sash that was slung over his shoulder. One of Trex’s round furry ears twisted to better pick up some muffled, raised voices coming from the direction of the council chamber.