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Time passed so fast. Before Calsa knew it, her 17th birthday came and went. Her birthday was the only day she was allowed to rest. But since today wasn't her birthday, she was working like usual. Today, she was suppose to be getting water from the well for something special Alt had in mind. Whatever that "something special" was going to be, Calsa was sure she wouldn't like it.

"Oh hey, Cal!" Calsa looked behind her to see Jerako, one of only a few loose friends she had made in her years with the Ha'trin. She dropped the bucket down into the well as he came over to her. He was about her age, though everyone thought she was younger. She still had a boyish enough face to pull it off. "Master Alt still making you do nothing but chores, eh?"

Calsa shrugged. "Mostly chores. He talks a lot. But I'm beginning to get used to it. It gives me chances to nap with my eyes open."

Jerako laughed. "Oh boy, hope he doesn't hear about that! Hey, think you can get a little time off? All the rest of us were going to go to the lake and have a grand old time. I thought it would do you some good to get away from him for a little while."

Calsa looked at him and smiled. "That's awefully nice. I'll see if Master Alt will give me a few hours."

"You mean you two can come apart at the hips?" Calsa and Jerako looked over their shoulders at Bezin. He was a big boy, only one year older than Calsa, and about to go through his ritual. He strode over, taking a bite from the colorful fruit he had in his hand. "I didn't think it was possible."

"What do you want, Bezin? Let Cal do his chores so that he has a better chance of coming to the lake with us." Jerako stepped in front the larger boy.

"Don't go getting his hopes up, Jerako. You know Alt won't let him go anywhere. He's got Cal so wrapped up, rumors have been goin around."

Calsa turned to look at him as she set the full bucket on the edge of the well. "What rumors?"

"You don't want to know, Cal," Jerako said quietly.

"No, I'm quite sure I do. What rumors, Bezin?" Calsa took a few steps over to the two boys. Bezin was easily a head taller than she. But she didn't fear him. She had faced down far larger balloons of hot air.

Bezin grinned. "With how protective Master Alt is of you, and the fact he has you doing all these chores all the time, it's pretty obvious. He's keeping you as his lover. Kinda sick, if you ask me. But better your ass than mine." Bezin laughed, watching Calsa, expecting her to get mad and try to attack him to defend her pride.

Raising a brow, Calsa looked between the boys with a careless expression. "Is that all?" She shrugged and turned back to her bucket. As she unhooked it, Bezin came closer to her.

"So you don't even deny it? I knew it!"

"And what does it matter? If we were lovers, just means we're gettin some." Calsa lifted the bucket and started to head back to the house.

Bezin growled behind her. "Or maybe the other rumor is true!"

"And that would be?" Calsa didn't bother turning.

"That you're a girl!" Bezin grinned when Calsa stopped.

"If that was so, then I'm sure you'd be pretty ashamed of yourself if you got beaten by a girl."

"Wha...?" Any words were knocked out of his head as Calsa swung around, smashing the side of Bezin's head with the bucket. Water slashed everywhere as the big, muscled boy was thrown to the ground, his brain swimming in his skull. Jerako cringed and backed away quickly.

"That was a bit much."

"Well, that just put an end to one rumor. He won't say I'm a girl anymore. He wouldn't be able to live down the humilation of being beaten by a girl." Calsa looked at the broken bucket. "But I guess this means I can't go with you guys tonight. I have to go find a new bucket."

"I know where you can get one. C'mon, if we hurry, you may yet get a chance!" Jerako stepped over Bezin with a sneer. "At least he won't be joining us. Should make the night more pleasant."

***************************************************************

"You did what?" Alt glared at Calsa. At fully grown, she nearly equalled him in height so he could no longer look down at her, yet he still found a way to make her feel small.

"I made sure he will be a gentleman the rest of his life." Calsa crossed her arms, her chin up.

Alt continued to glare at her. They stood that way for several moments, making Jerako somewhat uncomfortable. Finally, Alt turned away, picking up the bucket of water and heading for the fenced yard out behind the house. "Fine. Go." He shut the door behind him.

Wide eyed, Jerako turned to Calsa. "Wow. I thought he'd be pissed."

Shrugging, Calsa headed out the door. "Naw. He doesn't get mad. He just makes me pay for it later. But that's alright. At least having a little fun will make the hard work later more enjoyable. It'd be nice to have some new good memories, not just the same old ones I keep running through my head."

"And what good memories are those? If I may ask?" Jerako followed Calsa as they headed out to the field where the tabi grazed. Calsa still had to care for Marm, Alt's personal tabis, before she could go anywhere.

"When my parents were alive. When everyone was still alive." She said it so quietly, Jerako almost didn't hear her. But he heard the sadness in her voice. He didn't press the matter any further.

Once Marm had been brushed down and cared for, Calsa followed Jerako out of the town. They laughed as they made their way down a narrow path. The sky was still orange by the time they made it down to the lake. All the other boys were already there. They had brought a ball with which to play their favorite game. Laterns lit the small field near the lake as they kicked the ball around, breaking up into teams without thought.

Calsa kicked the ball over to Jerako, who kicked the ball into a goal. Yelling friendly insults back and forth, they all played for awhile, laughing together, no matter who scored. The warm air, the bright moon, the shimmering lake, all meshed into a gentle euphoria that left everyone feeling blithe. Soon, most of them would become fully fledged Ha'trin, no longer students. Soon, the war outside the calm of their village would become theirs. But right now, they could be young and careless.

Once the game concluded, the score not really mattering, they gathered around the fire, bantering back and forth, telling jokes and stories. A pipe was passed around, everyone taking a few puffs of the flavorful herb blend. It wasn't long before some of boys started passing around a gourd of the sweet Ha'trin wine that the order often traded to help with their expenses.

"And then Cal just turned around and smashed that bucket right across his face! It had to be the most entertaining thing I ever saw!" Jerako told the others, everyone laughing and patting her on the back.

"Naw, I was just making sure he didn't think to spread anymore rumors around. Teach him some manners, you know?" Calsa chuckled at the memory.

"As you did. Because we're a family, and if anyone has a problem with anyone else, it should be handled quickly because soon we'll have to be watching out for each other, and it doesn't matter whether we like the person or not, we're a family, and we watch out for each other at all costs!" Narco raised his cup to make a toast. He was a thin boy, but good at what he was trained to do, striking from the shadows. All the Ha'trin were trained based on what they were best at.

Everyone raised their cups to acknowledge his words. Calsa smiled and raised her cup as well. Enough years had passed since she had lost her last family. And now she had this one.

*********************************************************

"You need to learn your limit." Jerako helped Calsa back toward the village.

"Nonesense! I know exactly how much I kin handle." Her words slurred together as she stumbled along beside Jerako, her arm wrapped around his shoulders. "I'm just buzzed!"

Jerako laughed. "I can see that. We're almost there."

"You know, yer an awefully good friend." She giggled, patting him on the chest, nearly causing them both to trip.

"Ok, steady now. You can tell me all about how good a friends we are in the morning when you're sober. Master Alt is probably gonna be pretty upset."

"He- he can go to hell! He thinks I'm so weak. He talks all the time, tellin me about how revenge is bad and-and all that! The Templiks killed my parents and all my friends! Then the Ha'tinre, they go and kill my brother! Dogs, all of them." Calsa tripped, pulling Jerako down with her.

"Alrighty. C'mon, back on your feet. Cal?" Jerako stood, trying to pull Calsa back up with him. He was surprised to see her shoulders tremble. He knelt down to her. "What's the matter?"

"Who is he to tell me I can't avenge my family? I came here thinking I would fight some glorious war to defend my home, and all he does is treat me like some street rat." She grinded her teeth angrily. "They didn't do anything wrong. They were just defending their home. And yet they were slaughtered like animals. Why did the Templiks have to come here? Of all the worlds, why here? Of all the families, why mine?"

She felt Jerako place his hand on her shoulder. "None of us know why they do what they do. They're driven by their false gods, gods that none of us have ever heard or seen. I know what it's like to lose family members. I lost my father. My uncle, my master, convinced my mother it was in my best interest to come and be a Ha'trin. I was filled with rage, just like you. But here, I've learned that revenge just clouds my thoughts. When I finally learned that, I opened my eyes and saw I had a family here. And in a way, what we are doing, driving those Templik dogs off our world, we're avenging those who died, those they killed without provacation. That is what our families would want. That is how you can avenge them. Train hard, become a Ha'trin, and help us push them off this world and keep them away. Make them all regret the day they stepped foot on our soil."

Calsa hung her head. With a shuddering sigh, she nodded. Jerako stood and held out his hand. Pulling Calsa up, he helped her toward the house. They stumbled up the stairs, and Jerako knocked on the door. Alt swung the door open. "What...?"

"Uh, he drank a little more than he should have. I probably should have watched him a little closer." Jerako hoped to keep Cal from too much trouble.

"I have to leave tomorrow for another assignment and you decide to get drunk? Brilliant. Get in here. And as for you," Alt turned to Jerako as he gave Calsa a shove into the house, "thank you for bringing him home. Have a good evening." He closed the door.

"You know, yer a real ass.... AH!" Calsa was suddenly drenched in freezing water.

"I've been waiting to use that bucket of water. Good, now that you can think a little clearer, you need to sober up and get your stuff packed." Alt past her, heading into the bedroom.

Shivering, looking terribly undignified, Calsa stared at the doorway Alt had vanished into. "Wha?"

"Sanlis thought it would be a good test to take you with me on this little assignment. There's reports that the Torak Lakus Resistance group has landed on the planet. They have been successful at fighting the Reds from within. Their planet was liberated some years ago, and ever since they've been on the move, trying to help other worlds under Red Tide oppression." Alt came back and handed Calsa a towel. "Only problem is, we don't know where they've landed, who they are, or anything solid about them. They are like ghosts, moving like shadows through crowds. Even the Ha'tinre know to fear them and their effecientcy. We have to find them and offer them assistance."

Calsa suddenly stopped rubbing her hair dry and peered at Alt. "Like shadows, you say?"

"Indeed. It's been said even the Crimson Rover dogs can't find them with their minds. Even their Graj pets can't find them, track them, nothing. They strike, and then they're gone."

"Shadowshifter," Calsa breathed. Alt turned to her.

"What was that?"

She looked up at him. "Shadowshifters. I saw one, once. He came to our hide out. He was injured, and Savik brought him into the hideout and we patched him up. I remember, he tried to make a joke about how harsh the penalty was for asking a Templik guard the time. We told him about our stories. He asked a lot about the resistance. He asked if we knew anything about any other types of freedom fighters, and we told him we knew that there were Ha'trin on the world, but none of us knew where they were or how to contact them. There were small pockets of resistance in every town, but nothing organized. I remember he looked at me... and his eyes...." She paused a moment, a shiver running through her. "They were completely black. Like sockets. They creeped me out. He told us not to worry about it. Soon, all the freedom fighters would be united and the Red Tide would be forced off the world. Then there was a lot of commotion outside, we could hear Banda yelling something about Templiks wanting to starve the orphans. We knew the guards were coming, but when we offered to hide the man, he just smiled and said 'Soon, our shadow will fall on the Tide, and our darkness will sweep them off all the worlds.' Then, he just... vanished. Melted into the shadows. The guards searched our home but found no trace of him. We never saw him again."

Alt rubbed his chin. "That explains a lot of things, then. But that raises another question even more disturbing. Shadowshifters are completely out of the reach of any group. No empire, no singular force can earn their combined allegience. They can become anything, anyone, and then vanish into shadows like the living darkness they are. They are a neutral force, without any government of their own. So why then would they suddenly, in large numbers, take an interest in the Torak Lakus Resistance group?"

"What makes you think large numbers?" Calsa pulled her wet shirt off. Alt quickly turned away his gaze. Though her breasts were tightly bound, he could see the small bumps of her nipples poking against the bandages. It was difficult enough for him to sleep in the same room with her, listening to her heavy breathing when she thought he was asleep, reminding himself over and over that if he gave into his temptation, they would no longer be student and teacher. Calsa needed guidance. Calsa needed a permenant home. If he gave in and went to her in the night, they could both easily lose sight of the end goal, which was to make her a Ha'trin, the first female Ha'trin in over a thousand years and secure her place here in the village. Then... maybe then....

"I really wish you'd quit doing that," he growled, almost regretting he'd said anything. She was still drunk enough to not be thinking all that clearly, and he'd just proven a weakness to her.

"Oh? But, we're all guys here, right?" She grinned at him, heading into the room to change shirts.

Shifting uncomfortable, Alt glared after her. "To answer your earlier question, we figure it's more than just a few because they are showing up on worlds all throughout Red Space. Seems your experience with one was their scout, checking out the world to make sure we were worth liberating. Not all worlds under the Reds want to be freed." Alt turned away, tossing the towel onto the ground and using his foot to push it around, getting up the water that had dripped on the wooden planks.

"I can't imagine anyone who didn't want to be free." Her voice sounded hushed.

"Not everyone can think for them... selves...." Alt turned, his eyes narrowing. Calsa stood at the door, a loose tunic just barely long enough to reach midthigh. She was leaning with her elbow against the doorframe, her head resting against her hand. Those pale orbs of hers reflected the candle light. She could see his eyes slowly follow her long, shapely legs. "Cal..." Alt rumbled deep in his chest. "Don't play around."

Smiling, Calsa started toward him slowly. "Does it look like I'm playing?" She watched Alt's throat move as he gulped drily, trying desperately to keep control of himself.

"Cal, you're still rather intoxicated...." Alt's voice was deeper than usual, low and rumbling. He took a step back as Calsa slipped her arms around his neck, pressing those very mature breasts against his chest.

"Or do you mean 'intoxicating?'" Her eyes flicked up to his yellow ones. He clenched his jaw as he peered into their sensual depths.

"Cal, this is not a good idea." He grabbed a hold of her arms with every intention of pushing her away from him. He had every intention of reprimanding her for this, reminding her it had been her idea to come here and become a Ha'trin. But he couldn't tear his eyes away. Her skin was so soft, her body so warm and yielding. She was pressing her hip against his, grinding against his aching bulge that begged to be set free from the tight leggings.

"I think you've forgotten my real name," she whispered, her lips hovering so close to his.

"Calsa...." It came out of him in a lustful breath. And then he felt her soft lips against his. For a moment, he lost all control. Any thought of chiding her was gone from his mind. He kissed her back with passionate intensity, holding her tightly against his hard body. He could taste the sweet wine in her mouth as their tongues met.

Then suddenly Alt grabbed Calsa's arms, wrenching her away from him and stepping back. "Not a good idea."

Before she could say anything, he turned and slipped out the door, heading out into the dark. Calsa peeked around the heavy curtain, watching him vanish into the night. She sighed. It had been so long. She wanted to know if her memory, a memory she had held close through all these years, was as right as she thought. She could just barely remember how full she had felt with him inside her tight, young hole, how dominating and rough he had been, and yet so exquesite.

With another deep breath, she sat down on the couch. Fine, she would wait til he got back. He couldn't resist her a second time. She leaned back against the sofa, determined to get what she needed.

*********************************************************

Alt slowly opened the door. He came in, still contemplating the awkward conversation they would have. As he entered, he saw Calsa's lithe form tightly curled on the couch. He closed the door quietly behind him. Standing over her, he couldn't help but take the blanket draped over the back of the couch and cover her in it. He knelt down, running his hand over her hair. He had been so hard on her for the past 3 years, all because he believed she could be tough enough to pass the final ritual. But he had failed to see that she had grown up. She had learned so much, had become so much calmer, more open to the things he taught her. Yet he still thought of her as that angry, scared little girl he had first brought here. He had forced himself to not see that she had grown up into a beautiful young woman.

He sighed. It probably had not been the smartest thing to resist her but it had been the best thing. He ruffled her hair as he stood, heading into the bedroom. He stopped when he heard her whimper.

"I dun wanna wake up," she whined.

He smiled. "Then go back to sleep. It's not morning yet."

"Ok." Covering her head with the blanket, he didn't even have the time to turn around again before he heard her breathing change to that of slumber. Pulling his shirt and leggings off, he climbed into his own bed, facing the wall. Maybe one day he wouldn't resist.

*****************************************************

The morning dawned foggy and gloomy. Calsa woke to the strong smell of tarndold tea and sizzling lukirik strips. She sat up groggily. For a moment she wondered how she had ended up on the couch before her muddled mind recalled the previous night. She felt a little ashamed of herself. She tried to stand to go into the room to get some clothes on but her head pounded, making her give out a small groan as she eased back down to let the pounding pass.

Alt glanced out of the kitchen at her. "Well, you're finally awake. Not feeling too good, eh? That should teach you not to go getting drunk again." He strode over, setting down a steaming cup of the tarndold tea on the smal table in front of the couch. Calsa peeked up at him before forcing herself to sit up and taking the cup to sip on it.

"Among other things," she mumbled into her mug. Alt just shook his head and headed back into the kitchen.

"I packed your things for you. We'll need to go see Sanlis for our destination as soon as we've eaten, then we'll be on our way."

"Are you sure I should come? I've never gone on any of your missions before." She was having second thoughts.

"I'm quite certain you should come. It will be a good experience for you. You'll be further ahead than the rest of the boys. Even after they graduate the ritual, they'll still be students for a little longer, learning who our allies are and how to talk to people out in the world. This way, you'll know all that already." Alt brought a plate of the thin strip of lukirik. The small creature's flesh was high in energy and was often turned into jerky and eaten in the mornings to get started.

"I guess." She took the toast with jam lavishly smeared on it and nibbled on that. The tea was quickly clearing her mind.

After they had finished breakfast, Calsa went into the bedroom and got dressed. She started wrapping her breasts flat, wincing as the bandage pinched her skin. She could hardly wait to pass her ritual and not be made to wear this. She pulled a shirt over her head and tucked it into her pants. As she pulled on her boots, she watched Alt through the corner of her eye as he went through their things one last time. They would travel light, with only a single change of clothes, several weapons, and food.

Standing, Calsa followed Alt to the longhouse. It was the place they came for meetings. The office she had first came into 3 years ago was on the side of the building. Once inside, Sanlis greeted Alt warmly. He nodded to Calsa. "You're a lucky boy. It's not often trainees are allowed into the field before they have been relieved of any inherient magic. Sleep with one eye open."

Then he turned to a map on the table. "The reports we've recieved say that the Torak Lakus struck in Rudex City. 20 Templik guards were slaughtered, and all they found was a blue Lakus Rose, the calling card of the Resistance. I want you both to go there. Obviously, they must have landed near there and have their operations somewhere near that city."

"Not neccessarily."

Sanlis turned and glared at Calsa. "What was that, son?" he asked in some irritation.

Calsa looked up and glanced between the two. "Uh, I mean... from what I know of the Shadowshifters... I mean, from what I've heard- which, granted, is bits and pieces- they are desert dwellers. I mean, I always thought that was strange. Living darkness perferring to live in bright, bone dry deserts. But they seem to be where others find it difficult to survive." Calsa reached forward and pointed to a tiny outpost along the border of the Eastern desert plains. "That's the hottest, driest place on our world. The Templiks don't go there, except as punishment."

"That's 58 kilometers from Rudex City. Do you think they would strike that far from their main post?" Sanlis was obviously annoyed by Calsa.

"Well... it makes sense to me, sir. Strike far from home, and throw the enemy off your trail. Especially if you're just getting here. You don't want the Templiks getting suspicious of a tiny little outpost, so you make a huge deal in a big city far from homebase. Then, while the Templiks look elsewhere, you're digging in further, pulling together supplies, contacting smaller resistance groups, and organizing counterstrikes. All the while, striking the Templiks little blows here and there, keeping them running around like ants when they feel vibrations."

Sanlis glanced at Alt in some surprise. Alt could only shrug. "Might as well give it a shot. Seems as good a place as any. And if they aren't there, the town is only a day's ride."

Finally, Sanlis nodded. "Very well. Start at Tol Outpost. Don't linger long. And stay low. The Templiks are unnerved and on high alert. Might want to leave heavy weapons here. However, do take these pistols." Sanlis handed them both a long barreled pistol.

"Ah, been awhile since I've used one of these beauties." Alt ran his fingers along the long barrel. "They are completely silent, firing a metal pellet out by way of eletromagnetism. I think you'll like this, Cal." Alt wrapped the shoulder holster around his chest, which would hold it snuggly against his side, still allowing for smooth movements. He pulled a thin, long sleeved shirt over his tunic to hide it. After helping Calsa put her's on, they both saluted Sanlis.

"If you do find the Torak Lakus Resistance group, offer them whatever assistance we can spare. We need these Reds off our world. Good luck to you both."

After Calsa helped saddle Marm, Alt swung up into place, helping her up behind him. He set Marm on a steady trot out of the village. As they left, she heard her name being called and looked back. Jerkao was waving goodbye to her. Smiling, she waved back to him as they moved into the trees.

They traveled in silence most of the day. They avoided any major roads or cities. The nearest town to the Ha'trin was full of spies. Only by a massive cloaking device that the Ha'trin had recieved from the Ryo, a species that was part of the Alliance, could their village stay undetected. The Templiks knew they were near, but could never track them directly. So they gave the town a wide berth and continued on.

As the sun began setting, Alt turned Marm off the small trail they were following and headed into the trees. Once they had found a spot he liked, Alt stopped the tabis and they set up camp. Sitting around the small fire, Calsa looked up to the clear sky. "Do you think we'll manage to get the Templiks off our world? For real?"

Alt raised a brow. "Alone, no. Our clan is too small. Sanlis' predisessor brought the clan to this world 100 years before the Templiks showed up. We are a break off of the Clan of Blades. We attracted some from the Shadow Clan. The name of our clan describes our start."

Calsa nodded, understanding now. "Clan of Shadow Blades. Do you think the Torak Lakus can do it?"

Alt peered at her. "Maybe, with their help. The Reds are dug into this world like an gorging tick. It will be a long, bloody war. But every ally makes it easier. Every world liberated is one more resource the Red Tide loses. Slowly, the Reds will be driven back to where they came from. With the Alliance pressing in from the Norse Quadrant, the Torak Lakus destroying it from the inside, and the Ssalian Empire pushing from Mesodus Quadrant, I can't see how the Red Tide can hold onto their claims for much longer. They are starting to be stretched thin. At this point, only if they can conquer the Trade Federation, can they keep their heads above water."

"Hmmm. I will be glad when they are gone." Calsa looked up to the sky again.

"So will I. I will be happier when the Ha'tinre are gone. We never had a problem with them until several clans allowed the Red Tide to buy their loyalty. There was a small, fresh clan of Ha'tinre on this world just before the Templiks came. From what I was told, we lived peacefully with them. They left us alone, and we left them alone. Then the Ha'tinre clan Blade Dancers came, claiming to be inleague with the Templiks. They told Clan of the Plains that if they did not also pledge loyalty, they would be destroyed. The small clan did refuse, saying they had no intentions of helping the Red Tide. And so they were wiped out."

"The Ha'tinre kill their own?" Calsa was appauled, but not that surprised.

"Their loyalty to their own clans. The Ha'tinre clans feud constantly. Smaller clans are often forced to go into hiding to build their forces or ally with larger clans for protection. The largest of the Ha'tinre clans, Clan Stalker, holds the power to wipe any clan from existance, or to absorb them. Their world is much different from ours. A pupil becomes a fully fledged Ha'tinre only when he has killed a Ha'tinre graduate, or his or her own teacher. Theirs is a life of treachery, betrayal and a constant struggle to stay on top and alive." Alt let out a long sigh. "That is why we give up our inherient magic. Otherwise, our battles would be far more brutal than they already are." He laid down on his side, cushioning his head with his pouches. "Now go to sleep. We still have several more days to ride to get to Tol Outpost."

Laying down, Calsa rolled to her back, putting a hand under her head, staring up at the stars. She thought back to the day she had met Alt. She should have known from the start he was not Ha'tinre. A true Ha'tinre would have killed her where she stood and taken all the money, not just the coins that had been his own. But on the off chance he had been a Ha'tinre who had seen a potential apprentice, her life would be so much different. All the anger she had carried in her in youth. As Alt had said when he had first brought her to the Ha'trin village, the Ha'tinre would have loved it, would have made her use it to do terrible things to other people, her own people. She turned her head, looking to Alt's calm face just past the flickering flames. If only Savik could see her now. She had to smile at the thought.

But when she closed her eyes, all she could see was fire. Burning homes, flinting shadows, Ha'tinre laughing as they slaughtered everyone she cared for before her. And she was frozen, could do nothing to stop them, could only watch as they laughed at her. "You'll be one of us, soon enough. You'll find the darkness in your heart, and you'll be one of us. Cal. Cal. Cal...."

"Cal! Wake up!"

Calsa snapped awake, sitting up suddenly, knocking Alt off balance, almost throwing him into the smoldering coals of the fire. He regained his balance and peered quizzically at her. "Bad dream," she mumbled. The sun was just starting to come up.

After a quick breakfast, they hopped back on Marm and continued their way. By midday, they heard the roar of airships overhead. Looking up, they watched as a dozen ships headed for the huge city whose tall buildings they could just make out in the shimmering distance. The trees were already starting to thin out and the air was getting warmer. Alt stopped Marm's smooth, steady trot- which a well trained tabis could keep up for days on end without rest- as they reached a hill looking out toward the city. "Badenige City. Capitol of Eastern Rowik. I wonder why so many ships are flying in?" Alt pulled out his hand held telescope. Holding it to his eye, it whirred lightly as he adjusted the sights, zooming in on the ships before they were lost between the towering buildings. "Those aren't even Red ships. Those are Templik shock troop ships." He took the scope from his eye. "There must have been some kind of great threat, or possible attack, to have brought shock troops into an already heavily fortifide city like Badenige. The Torak Lakus move fast and hit hard. Let's keep going. The sooner we can make contact, the sooner the world can be liberated."

The next few days, they saw few people. But of those they saw, Alt would stop them, asking of any news. Some would tell him that the crop was strained for the season. Others would just complain about the Templiks taking their homes. But a few mentioned strange attacks on Templik targets. Fortresses and command centers were being blown to pieces and the Templiks were left chasing shadows.

Finally, shawls wrapped tightly around their heads and across their faces to keep out the swirling dust and demanding sun, Alt and Calsa rode into Tol Outpost. At a quick glance, they saw only two Templik guards. They stood at lazy attention near a small hut, probably their own small command center. They hardly took any notice of the two strangers riding in, other than a small nod. Alt dismounted, leaving Calsa on Marm. He led the tabis into town, drawing near the guards. "Excuse me, my son and I have been traveling an awefully long time. My beast is thirsty and we could use a meal and some shade. Anywhere here we might find such?"

The guards looked at each other. The bigger one pointed down the dusty road. "The tavern is the last building there. It's not much to look at, but they are the only other ones to have air conditioning. How long you staying?"

"Just a couple days. Long enough to rest. Then we thought to head to Rudex City, see if there was some work there."

"Not much work there. The city's been pretty much shut down," the smaller one stated.

"Oh? Why's that?" Alt feigned surprise.

"Some kind of resistance attack. We don't know the details, don't think we want to. Anyways, better move along." The taller guard nodded to Calsa. She forced a wave. She knew she was to be acting as a boy of at most 13 years. She tried remembering how naive she had been at that age and copying it.

Thanking them, Alt led Marm to a trough of water. The beast slurpped the water as Calsa dismounted and they entered the mostly empty tavern. They took a seat near the door, looking at the few other patrons. A woman, dressed with unkempt clothing came over to them. "New folk. Lots of new folk around here of late. Pick your poison. We serve tarndold tea, jebber root stew, baked jebber root, fried jebber root, and jebber root beer."

"Tarndold tea will be good for us both, thank you," Alt glanced at her. He pulled his shawl from his face. "And what would possibly be bringing lots of new folks to this dust bowl?"

"Nothing that'll interest you," the woman snapped as she left to bring them their order.

Calsa looked around. She was already feeling uneasy. Something was watching them, though none of the patrons were looking in their direction. She shifted awkwardly. "Master Alt," she whispered. He glanced at her.

"Don't use that. Just Alt. Don't draw attention," he hissed back at her.

She looked around again. The hairs on the back of her neck were starting to stand on end. "Something is watching us," she said in a very hushed voice.

"I know," Alt replied quietly, glancing around as well. He thanked the woman when she brought their teas. She rather badly faked a smile and left them. Alt took a sip from the black liquid, nearly choking on it. "Tastes like they put jebber root in the tarndold, too." He set the mug down, leaving it untouched. Having had jebber root before, Calsa didn't bother trying her drink and left it, as well.

"So where do we go from here?"

"I'm not too sure. The barmaid doesn't seem the talking type, though it's obvious she knows something about what's going on." Alt peered around again, still feeling uneasy, though whatever had been watching them had shifted its gaze.

"You think she knows something?" Calsa glanced over to the woman.

"One thing you learn, people don't get defensive about secrets they don't know."

Calsa pulled her shawl off her face. She had kept her pale blue hair cropped short and rather unkempt these past 3 years. Smoothing it down a little, she held out her hand. "Give me the money to pay her and wait outside."

She had to force a straight face with the look he gave her. "What?"

"Trust me."

After a moment, Alt handed her a few coins. "You better know what you're doing." He stood, covering his face again.

He waited outside, brushing dust off Marm for several minutes. Finally, right when he was about to go back in to see what Calsa was up to, she walked out, wrapping her shawl back around her face.

"Well?"

"Apparently, there's been a lot of new folks who have been showing up, coming through here that seem to be species she figured have to be Alliance. They come in, picking up supplies that other new people leave at the tavern. She says she doesn't stick her nose in it, but that one of the crates looked to hold weapons, others clothing and medical equipment. They also seem to pass messages between them and then other new people show up, heading out into the plains in the middle of the night when the Templiks here go to sleep. There are no night guards." She started heading out toward the sweeping, grey grass of the desert plains.

"How...?" Alt stared at her incredulously.

"I'm a woman. I know how women want to be spoken to." She left it at that.

Shaking his head, Alt followed after her after asuring Marm was tied well so she wouldn't follow them. They headed out into the softly rolling hills of sand and dust, the grey grass swaying lazily in the hot breeze. The thin blades caught their leggings, giving them small, burning cuts. Calsa cursed angerily as they continued on into the desert.

"Don't be mad at the grass, Cal. Out here, there's not much water. They grew barbed and wicked to cut into legs and drink blood. It's the only way they survive out here. And they obviously survive well enough." Though Alt tried to preach, Calsa could hear his voice was strained in pain as well.

Shaking her head, Calsa looked ahead as they came over a small dune. She suddenly dropped to the ground. Alt followed suit as soon as he saw what she saw. They carefully peered over the top of the dune through the grass blades. About 30 meters ahead of them, they saw about 5 men standing with guns around an opening in the ground. The men wore sand colored uniforms, stripped in grey. As they watched, the grey strips seemed to move as the grass around them moved, making them hard to see.

"Is that the Torak Lakus?" Calsa glanced at Alt as he pulled his telescope out.

"I'm actually not sure. I've never seen that kind of technology, though I must admit, I've never seen those species. One of them looks to be a Ra'asz. I know their world was liberated. The others are foreign to me."

"As they should be." They both turned at the strange voice behind them. The last thing Alt saw was a rifle butt coming at his face.

Calsa gasped, backing away from the tall beast that loomed over her. Its skin was scaly, as pale grey as the biting grass. Its long muzzle was full of fiercesome teeth, though its features were smooth and unmarred, lacking in horns or spikes. Its very flesh seemed to shift with the colors around it. Its purple eyes, with their slitted pupils, glared down at her. The creature sniffed to air above her before reaching down and grabbing her arm with a strong, clawed hand. It wrenched her to her feet, calling down to the guards by the opening. They hurried up the dune to the lizard beast.

"Spies. Take them to Goldie. He'll know what to do with them." The lizard man shoved Calsa to one of the humanoids.

"We're not spies! We're Ha'trin!" Calsa cried out as two of the other men picked up Alt and started dragging him toward the opening. The man holding her pulled her with him.

"We shall see," he sneered.

They decended into the darkness of an underground compound. It was dimly lit, wires running haphazardly about to light the long hall. She was led through the hall to a small room. The man threw her down on the ground. She gasped when a pair of two toed feet turned into her veiw. She looked up at an awefully gruesome creature. The thing was terribly tall, towering over everyone. Its long, serpentine neck was forced to be bent down so its strange head was nearly level to its chest. It stood on two, very long and very thin legs. A small, bony tail flicked behind it. It wore no clothes like the lizard man outside, but there was no sign of gender on it. Nostrils on its forehead flared as it bent down, sniffing the air around Calsa. Then its mouth opened, letting out a hiss. Its mouth was in parts, and they broke apart. She stared down a spiral of razorlike teeth.

Lifting its arms, its hands, which she found the most odd as the thumbs were on the outside of the hand, started to move spasmatically. As soon as they began to move, she heard a buzzing static sound coming from a thick metal necklace around its throat. A cold, smooth mechnical voice began to speak. "You claim to be Ha'trin. In our research, there are no females among the Ha'trin. Then the only conclusion is that you are spies working for the Red Tide."

Her heart pounding in her chest, Calsa could hardly think of what to say. "I... I am not yet Ha'trin. I'm still in training. My master brought me along to help in my training. We... we were coming to make sure the reports were true, that the Torak Lakus was indeed on our world, and to offer whatever assistance we could."

Again the creature's odd hands moved, the mechanical voice buzzing to life. "What is your proof?"

Slack jawed, Calsa looked around at the myriad of other species around her. One other man was of her species, but he watched her with the cold eyes she had seen many times in those willing and ready to kill. Then her eyes fell on a map on the table behind the creature. She suddenly lurched forward past the beast. It merely side stepped even as the other humanoids pounced at her. She pointed at the forest where the Ha'trin village was secretly nestled. "That is our home. The Ryo gave us a cloaking device many years ago." She was suddenly shoved back, tripping over Alt's unconscious body, scraping her hands as she tried to catch herself. She looked up at the creature again. It was unnerving her more than the men standing around with guns.

The creature's head turned, that long neck snaking down to peer at the spot she had pointed at, its body staying still. Without any warning, a man formed out of the darkness, materializing out of thin air. As he drew himself into physical form, she could watch his shadow form swirl and darken before hardening and becoming flesh and bone and blood until he was as solid as any of them, with blood that he could spill, and organs that required nourishment. Though his eyes were not black, she thought he seemed familiar. "Goldie. Our spies are in place. My brethern have taken the places of some of the high ranks in the army. We should be ready to start contacting the smaller resistance groups on the world while our people give orders to look in other places."

"You speak of such things before suspected spies of the Red Tide?" The creature, Goldie, hissed out at the shadowshifter, its hands twitching in a sign language only its kind could understand.

The shadowshifter blinked in surprise. He glanced over at Calsa. "They're not spies. That's Calsa. Her brother, Savik, and their friends were the ones who helped me when I first got here. Grown up quite a bit, as all fleshlings seem to do." The shadowshifter turned back to Goldie. "I think your efforts would better rewarded looking for real threats, not shadows in the dark." With a small smirk, the shifter glanced back at Calsa, winking at her before suddenly melting into the darkness of the dim room.

************************************************************

"You must forgive us. We have not gotten as far as we have by being all rainbows and butterflies." Barkley, Goldie's second in command, offered his apologies as a woman ran a warm lasor over Calsa's palms.

"Yes, well, I can see why the Red Tide fears you so." Alt rubbed at his nose, which had been set and healed. He wiped at the dried blood with a moist cloth. Then he peered a little closer at Barkley. "You are... human?"

"Yessir. The only one here."

"And that... 'Goldie?'"

"An Invader. They joined the Alliance not long ago after the Red Tide destroyed one of their medical convoys. A small Alliance fleet had attempted to protect them, four of the five ships being destroyed in the process. I guess they sent a short message to their homeworld right before they were blown to bits. Though we'd been at war with the Invaders for years, the fact that we were willing to die to protect them from a common enemy earned their alliegance."

"So the Alliance is the Torak Lakus?" Alt asked in shock.

"Oh no. We just offer what assistance we can. The Red Tide has powerful allies, and their borders are very well protected. Only a few of us Alliance troops managed to get across their border. When the Torak Lakus first contacted us, we knew it was the only chance to keep the Red Tide off balance." He took a deep breath. "It's been a very hard war. Templiks are easy. It's the Armies of Red, and the Crimson Rovers that are the tough ones. The Armies of Red are not only well equipped with all kinds of weapons from hundreds of species they've conquered, but they are loyal without question. They're smart and quick and pack a brutal punch." Barkley nodded to Alt. "It's a good thing Mordock intervened. We have had spies attempt to infiltrate us before."

"Who's Mordock?"

"Our personal shadowshifter. He was the first one to scout this world; he's the one who convinced a great number of his kind to join us. Apparently, shadowshifters aren't too fond of the fact that one of the Reds' allies has discovered a way of not only finding them in physical form, but forcing them to stay in physical form, which ultimately makes them mortal. However, the device isn't perfect, and many shadowshifters have been tricked, captured and tortured to test the thing. If he hadn't've recognized your apprentice here, things may have ended badly." Barkley nodded to Calsa as she felt her smooth palms, the wounds completely healed.

"I wasn't really scared." She looked up at the human. He raised a brow. "Well, not of you. That... that big thing. Invader, you say."

Barkley grunted in humor. "Oh yes, Invaders are fearful looking creatures. But once we started working with them, we found they are not so different from us. They have many of the same values. Pride, family, home, freedom. Goldie left his family to come out here and fight. Well, 'he' isn't really a male. Invaders have no gender. It's just easier for the rest of us to refer to him as a male. Anyways, Alt, what kind of assistance can your clan offer us?"

"Well, we have a lot of information about the situation on this world. We can offer a few dozen bodies to help with the war. Put you in contact with our allies in the various cities, though sadly they have become fewer and fewer. Ha'tinre agents have been finding and eradicating them so our resources have become limited, but there are still enough."

"Very good. Come with me, we can talk more in a little better lit room. Goldie and the shifters like it dark. Your apprentice can stay here and rest." Barkley stood to lead the way.

Alt turned to Calsa. "Stay here, and stay out of trouble."

She nodded to him. After they were gone, she laid back on the small cot. It wasn't all that comfortable, but it was better than the ground.

"You've really grown."

Calsa suddenly sat bolt upright. She peered up into the face of Mordock. His disembodied head floated near her. His body was still arranging itself, pulling together and forming into flesh. His arms formed next, then his torso and at last his legs. She felt a shiver run through her, watching him solidify.

"Well, we don't live forever like you do."

"That's true. It's the reason my species stays detached from the others. No sense in getting attached to those who will be gone to us in the blink of an eye. Though I found myself thinking of you and your friends often. You all took a great risk helping me. I admire that. How is Savik?"

Calsa looked down. "Dead. They're all dead," she said in a hushed tone.

Mordock nodded. "Sad. He was nice boy. Let me guess, the Templiks did it."

"The others, yes. But he was killed protecting me from a Ha'tinre."

"Ah, them. Yes, the Reds were smart bringing them into this war. They are rather powerful allies for them. So this fight is quite personal for you."

"A little. Since Master Alt brought me into the Ha'trin, I've learned to move on, for the most part. There's no hate among the Ha'trin."

Mordock chuckled. "So it is said. Clan of Blades told me of their philosophy. Noble, though sometimes misguided. But no matter. That's not why I came here." He suddenly knelt down next to Calsa. "Blue eyes and blue hair. It's a rare combination among your kind, is it not?"

Calsa looked at him in confusion. "Yes, why?"

"It's only passed through the females of the family, right?"

"Yes."

"I received a report not long ago of a woman with your same eyes and hair who had been captured as a resistance fighter some years ago being held in a prison in Rudex City. At first, I thought it might be you. So I went and looked myself."

Calsa stared at him, eyes wide.

"A woman by the name of Musala," Mordock continued in a hushed tone. His green eyes peered deeply into her pale blue ones. Calsa felt tears drip down her cheeks. "She's your mother, isn't she?"

"Gods!" It came out as a choked whisper, her throat constricting. Calsa suddenly grabbed Mordock by his shoulders, her grip tight. "She's alive?"

"Very much so. You look so much like her." He gently touched her pale hair.

"You-you have to take me! I have to rescue her! I have to...."

Mordock put his fingers to her lips. "No. It's much too dangerous. Just know she's safe. One of my brethren has taken the place of a commander in the city. I gave him orders to keep an eye on her. But if he were to order her release, it would be too suspicious. Have peace in your mind that I will make sure she is not harmed. As soon as I think it's possible, I will get her out of there. I will bring her to you. Payback for the kindness you and your brother showed me. Remember when I had been injured?"

Calsa nodded, sniffling.

"I had come into contact with that terrible device that forces us to remain solid. I wasn't sure if I would ever be able to shift again. The effect of the device had worn off just in time when the Templiks came to find me. But I had no doubt that if I had not been able to shift, you and your friends would have hidden me. And for that, I am grateful. If I can do nothing else, I will give you back your world, and your mother. Your lives are short and fragile. My short time as a true solid showed me that. And despite the great acts of cruelty you fleshling are able to bring down on one another, equally are you capable of great acts of generousity. I will do what I can to repay that. You have my word."

With a sob, Calsa threw her arms around the shifter. He accepted it with no protest. "You'll bring her?"

"As soon as I can do so safely. After the others talk all their business, you will go home. You will be a Ha'trin. And you will help in this war. Now rest. Tomorrow, you head home." He stood and suddenly his form wavered, dissolving into the darkness.

"Wait! What-what about my father?" Calsa dared not hope.

His form shimmered for a moment. "I'm afraid he was killed when your mother was captured. They made her watch, trying to force her to tell them where the other freedom fighters were hiding. She has never told them. You have your mother's strength and courage. She will be proud."

And then he was gone. Calsa was left in the dimly lit room alone. She put her face in her hands and sobbed, though they were of joy. Her mother was alive. Everyone else had been taken from her, but at least her mother was alive. She layed back onto the cot, her mind buzzing with all the things she would tell her mother.