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  She had had enough of her daughter’s insolence. The sudden application of dominating emotional projection was enough to subdue her daughter into silence.

  “Listen,” Sallice continued more calmly, “I have a responsibility to make sure you grow up properly.”

  Sallice’s voice took on a more tender tone and her projection was one of kindness, but mixed with unintentional sadness.

  “I love you Sara,” said Sallice calmly, the tiniest hint of trembling in her voice. Given their recent history, these words did not come as naturally as they might have. “Even if you are almost an adult now, you’ll just have to trust me that I only want the best for you.”

  Sara sat quietly on her horse, her mothers projected concern and honest affection was not easy to argue against. She could only frown as she turned over the new developments in her head.

  Sallice could see that her daughter had much to think about and actually felt a bit of empathy with the young female.

  “Listen,” said Sallice kindly, “take your time getting home, talk with your friends… you have a lot to think about.”

  Sara looked blankly at her mother, who simply nodded before indicating for her horse Zars to speed up.

  Sara let her horse Misha walk on as her mother raced ahead. A few moments later, she could see her mother had caught up with Jammet and Jameen. The two youngsters stopped their horses after Sallice passed them by, turning around to face Sara.

  Sara blinked a few times… well, she had wanted a change… and now she had gotten one, even if it was totally unexpected. Sara’s looked forward with a blank expression. Once again, she was glad that she had some close friends to talk to.

  - CHAPTER TWO -

  Back to reality

  (The tale of Trex)

  Trex ducked and weaved as his opponent’s staff flew only inches away from the young Anthro Lion’s head. He twisted his body as he continued to avoid the flurry of blows. Trex quickly manipulated the properties of his staff, causing it to bulge out at one end. Gaining space for himself, he swung the elongated elastic part of his staff like a giant ball and chain towards his opponent.

  Trex’s opponent rammed their staff into the ground to block the blow coming in from the side.

  Just as Trex had hoped, the heavy end of the staff bent around his opponent’s staff to swing towards his opponent’s back. But unlike Trex had planned, his opponent back-flipped to avoid the blow and grabbed his staff upon landing at the high point of its elastic arc. Before the orange furred lion youth knew what was going on, his opponent had manipulated the properties of Trex’s own staff, causing his flexible end to stiffen and the built up energy in the staff to fling Trex forward violently. Trex had just enough sense to let go to avoid being thrown forward into the dirt.

  Stumbling forward, Trex panted a bit to regain his breath. Looking up from his crouching position Trex could see the smiling face of his teacher, a middle-aged lioness with blond hair. She was of average height and had an athletic build. Her hair was tied back neatly in a bun and a hair-scarf arrangement, giving a bit of ordered authority to her kind face.

  The rest of the class, sitting attentively on their knees around the sparing ring, clapped enthusiastically at the skilful display.

  “Finally,” said the older lioness with a noticeable hint of relief. She was also catching her breath. “Back to the normal arrangement were the teacher beats the student,” she continued, still smiling.

  There was a bit of a chuckle from the surrounding students, it had been the first time in months that the teacher had been able to beat Trex in a sparing match.

  She had secretly told herself that she would never again fight against Trex after winning one more match from him. This idea had reinforced itself considerably, considering how long it had taken to achieve only one more victory.

  The orderly central courtyard of the small town school was open to the heavens, and was flanked on all four sides by covered tiled walkways. Looking into this central space were rooms with large windows and large sliding doors. It was a simple arrangement, but the ornamental bushes surrounding the central courtyard in front of the school buildings and a fountain added an idyllic charm.

  A slight breeze came in from the two larger entrances to the courtyard. The wind played with Trex’s short brown hair as he and the teacher exchanged bows with formal hand gestures respectfully.

  Trex glanced up at the large signal tower of Bridgehead which was visible over the roofline of the school buildings. The large ornamental sundial on one side indicated that school would soon be finished.

  Trex’s teacher was manipulating Trex’s staff back into its normal shape as she turned to the other kneeling students. Facing her was a mixture of female and male Anthro lions of various ages.

  “It is important to remember that skilled opponents can manipulate the properties of your staff on contact as well as their own,” the lioness said knowingly. “And you should always be prepared to counter your opponent with your mind, as well as your reflexes.”

  The teacher tossed Trex his transformed staff back casually, Trex nodding with a smile.

  “Mrs. Lavus?” said a lion cub with scruffy black hair.

  “Yes Proxt?”

  “But wolves can’t do that, can they?” the young male asked with interest. “I mean change our staffs on contact?”

  “No,” replied Mrs. Lavus with a smile, “only lions can manipulate certain materials.”

  Proxt seemed to let out a sigh of relief.

  As Bridgehead was a mixed race school there was a lot more tolerance for wolves in general. But training, and in particular combat, was still a requirement of all lion citizens, it was always in the back of every lion’s mind who their most likely enemy would be.

  Trex stood patiently to one side, having not been dismissed yet by his teacher.

  “So we don’t really have to worry about it then,” said a lioness of about Trex’s age with long brown hair, her tone carrying a know-it-all edge.

  “You won’t only be potentially fighting wolves as a reservist,” said Mrs. Lavus in a cautionary tone.

  “Though there is not a lot of criminal activity around RefugeCross because of our isolation, there are many former Lion Empire citizens who have taken to a life of crime.”

  “Anyway,” continued Mrs. Lavus, “the physical contact of a Wolf is not to be underestimated.”

  The teacher’s tone became noticeably more serious, causing all to pay more attention.

  “Just as lions have the ability to manipulate material, wolves have the ability to manipulate living creatures, specifically their emotions and life force, this is true for all animals and even some plants.”

  Mrs. Lavus was specifically addressing the younger students now, as they had not had the benefit of this specific lesson yet. The mature lioness teacher never missed the opportunity to drill home an important point.

  “Never let a wolf touch you or your mount. Though you can counter both with enough concentration, it is a large strain, and a nasty shock if you are unprepared.”

  The younger Anthro lion cub Proxt swallowed audibly.

  Mrs. Lavus took on a more relaxed posture.

  “For the younger students this will all be covered in later classes. For now, it’s time for some sparring. I want you all to pair up, and try to remember what we just discussed.”

  The students got up, informally pairing up as they spread out over the marked courtyard as the teacher moved around.

  A young male, slightly older then Trex, walked towards Trex, his staff casually held in his hand. He was the oldest student there, and already had a small tuft of darker brown hair on his orange furred chin, resembling a goatee. He had a large solid build, kind, honest eyes and a jovial gruff voice.

  “Hey Trex,” he said casually.

  “Kaldwin,” replied Trex in greeting. “Up for another round?” he asked casually.

  The two youths knew the routine well. As Trex had been the best in the class fo
r so long, he was normally pared up against the oldest and most experienced students.

  “Sure,” said Kaldwin with a smile, “though take it easy today, I pulled a muscle or something yesterday while working in the fields.”

  Trex nodded in agreement.

  “Pinto form then?” Trex suggested, referring to a group of techniques that looked impressive and made a lot of noise, but took little effort.

  “Sounds good,” replied Kaldwin with a small smile.

  The two youths gave each other a small hand signal of respect and then took fighting stances. The movements and noise of their impacting staff disguised their continued conversation, able to talk as their bodies were effectively on autopilot undertaking the long trained movements.

  “So, things going well with your final exam preparations?” asked Trex between blocks and attacks.

  “Should be ok,” replied Kaldwin between forms. “My father is finally better, so I can study enough to pass the last exam.”

  Though Trex didn’t really have any close friends in Bridgehead, he got on well enough with the students there. His talent in combat training being enough to earn him respect, even if living with his halfling cousin was enough reason for most wolves and lions in Bridgehead to maintain a bit of distance. Trex knew that Kaldwin was almost a year behind getting his citizenship. He had delayed his final exam after his father had had an unfortunate accident, which had forced him to help more at home.

  “Glad to here he’s finally getting better,” said Trex, referring to Kaldwin’s father.

  The two circled each other a bit before starting another noisy routine.

  “Do you know what you are going to do afterwards?” asked Trex, genuinely interested.

  Kaldwin hesitated a bit before answering.

  “Looks like it’s the farmer’s life for me,” he replied, his tone not giving away if this was a good or bad thing.

  “My father is better, but I doubt he will fully recover, which just leaves my mother… and my two sisters are still so young…”

  Like most of the farmer’s children around Bridgehead, Kaldwin was a very practical youth, honest and hardworking with a very narrow view of life’s possibilities.

  “I’ll probably end up taking over the farm… there are worse fates in life,” he continued in a matter of fact way.

  The two took a break from sparring for a second, leaning on their staves while the other’s fought on around them.

  “What about you,” asked Kaldwin, “with all that extra training at RefugeCross, you’ll also be finished soon.”

  Trex hesitated to answer, mostly because he honestly still didn’t know. Ever since his adventures with Sara in saving Sage Filfia, Trex had put on ice any thoughts regarding his future. He secretly hoped that something would develop on its own. That something would come from what he had witnessed with Katan, Tasch, Filfia and Captain Felx. But much to Trex’s disappointed, nothing had developed. Not only had his part in the adventure been hushed up, but Trex had had no real contact with any of them since then, not even Sara.

  As well as getting no information, Trex had to deal with his disapproving Uncle. Though Trex had not actually been punished for his little adventure (thanks mostly to Captain Felx’s and Shaman Katan’s enthusiastic positive storytelling) he had felt the disapproval for months afterwards, it was only now getting better.

  Kaldwin noticed that Trex’s thoughts were drifting.

  “Well, I definitely wouldn’t join the guilds in your case,” said Kaldwin, pulling Trex out of his inner world, “you fight too well for that, it would be a waste.”

  Trex smiled at the compliment, returning to his surroundings.

  “So, it’s either the military or an apprenticeship with the Shamans,” continued Kaldwin with good natured impartiality, noting that Trex seemed undecided.

  Kaldwin then continued to speak, but the slight tremble in his voice indicated that he was forcing himself to stay neutral.

  “Or will you stay with your uncle at his farm?”

  Trex examined Kaldwin’s expression closely. The older adolescent lion was one of the least biased Anthro lions Trex knew, and even he had trouble being neutral when talking of Trex’s halfling family. If it wasn’t for the fact that his uncle and aunt had specialised in rare and difficult crops, Trex suspected that they would have found it very hard just to make a living. Trex was also just beginning to realise how important Captain Felx’s influence was as the highest ranking military commander in making sure that his uncle’s life remained peaceful.

  “I really don’t know,” said Trex honestly.

  “Come on boys,” said Mrs. Lavus, walking by the two standing youths. “And no more Pinto form,” she said with a smirk. “I know what you’re up to.”

  The two youths smiled at being caught out, they then prepared to spar properly.

  Trex and Kaldwin began a sparring round in earnest, but the previous thoughts had got Trex’s mind racing again about his future. His doubts and fears regarding his uncle’s family, and in particular his halfling cousin Zea, once more filled his mind. In particular Trex felt slightly ashamed that Kaldwin was so prepared to just accept his responsibility to his family, just like that, while he himself felt torn inside regarding what he thought he wanted to do… and what he felt he aught to do.

  Distracted by his thoughts and emotions, Trex was far from giving one hundred percent to the fight. He was soon out positioned and tripped up by Kaldwin, losing his staff as he fell.

  All the other students stopped as soon as they realised Trex had just lost, he hadn’t lost to another student in years.

  Kaldwin looked down with slight surprise, he then smiled genuinely, offering Trex a hand.

  Trex was easily lifted up by the strong youth.

  “Looks like you still have a lot to think about,” said Kaldwin.

  Trex smirked with humility in agreement, his mind now back to a question he had too long ignored.

  Trex emerged from the shadows of his uncle’s family’s barn. The last raindrops of a brief shower fell around him. Looking up at the sky, he saw a dark cloud move away. Patches of blue sky appeared momentarily between the numerous clouds. Thunder rolled in the distance.

  Trex grimaced. The rain had turned the bare dirt near the house into mud. The youth tried to quickly get over to a series of flagstones that lead from the barn to his house. Trex wasn’t particularly fond of getting his bare feet muddy if he could avoid it.

  Zea suddenly came into view as she came running around the side of the house. The young cub had a completely different attitude in regards to puddles then Trex. The young halfling took great pains to run through the biggest puddles she could find.

  “Splotch, splosh, squelch!”

  “Trex!” yelled Zea enthusiastically as she recognised her cousin, making a beeline for him through the biggest puddles.

  Zea’s father Karthen came walking around the corner as well. He was carrying two buckets of feed.

  “Zea!” he scolded in exasperation.

  “Stay out of the…” the older Anthro lion begun to call out.

  “Splash!”

  The black-haired Anthro adult lion rolled his eyes in defeat as Zea found an extra deep puddle.

  “Hey you little mud monster,” said Trex jovially, taking a step back as Zea rushed him, jumping up into his arms.

  Trex tried to hold the muddiest parts of Zea at arms length, but he could only grimace as Zea cuddled into him. Trex returned the affection with a hug, but then looked up at his approaching uncle.

  “You only just got back?” Trex asked his uncle as the older lion moved towards him.

  Trex had noticed that his family’s animals had only recently been returned to the fields. He could tell this from reading the fresh tracks in the mud.

  “A few minutes ago, we were just going to feed the poultry, weren’t we Zea?” replied Karthen.

  “Yep,” the young girl said chirpily, squirming a bit in Trex’s arms.

&nb
sp; Trex let her back down. The halfling ran around the two lions as Trex straitened back up.

  “How did it go?” asked Trex.

  Karthen’s normally happy expression became darker, a mixture of sadness and frustration.

  “That bad?” asked Trex with concern.

  “We don’t know yet,” replied Karthen, “that’s half the problem.”

  “What happened?” asked Trex.

  Karthen looked down at Zea, indicating that he did not want to discuss the matter in front of her.

  “Sharlee is inside,” said Karthen, indicating back to the house.

  Trex nodded. He then knelt down as Zea ran past.

  “Did you like it in Bridgehead?” he asked her.

  Zea stopped running around for a second to answer.

  “It was nice,” she said enthusiastically, “so many Anthros… but they all kept looking at us,” she said off hand, her tone not really indicating how she felt about this.

  Trex’s lips pulled tight, the young lion noticed that his uncle stiffened up at the young girl’s comments… the attention had definitely not been unexpected, but it was still difficult.

  A few minutes later Trex was sitting underneath the back porch as rain once again fell audibly onto the wooden roof above. He washed his muddy bare feet with water from a bucket and tried to clean up the mud that Zea had smeared on him and his shorts. Taking a towel which always hung near the back door, he dried his fur a bit. Finishing up, he entered the house through the back door into the kitchen.

  Sharlee was sitting by the large wooden kitchen table that took up half of the room, in front of her were spread a few documents.

  “Hey,” said Trex in greeting.

  Sharlee smiled briefly at the youth, nodding in greeting. Her expression quickly returned back to one of concentration. Reading the documents in front of her, one of the brown-furred Anthro wolf’s ears kinked to the side, a small twitch Trex’s aunt had developed.

  “How did it go?” asked Trex, taking a seat at the large table.