"Over here, Max."

She stood to his left at the entrance to an alley. Max turned Starlight, following Eve past several houses to where everyone else waited. Mr. Penna got off of his horse and approached the door of a home giving it a hard rap with his knuckles. A few moments pa.s.sed without answer. Mr. Penna knocked again.

"Neysa, it is your master, Mr. Penna."

This time the door opened immediately. A lacarna wearing ragged clothing stepped part way out.

"Mr. Penna!"

Mr. Penna ignored the surprised expression on the lacarna's face.

"Neysa, it seems that I was in such a hurry to leave a few months ago that I forgot Evangeline's papers. Sergeant Kallis is here to verify that I am indeed her owner. Please take her and find them at once."

Max thought he saw a brief moment of confusion on Neysa's face before her eyes locked on Evangeline. Neysa swung open the door.

"Certainly, Mr. Penna." She stepped out and grabbed Eve's arm. "Evangeline, come and help me find your papers. We mustn't keep the Sergeant or Mr. Penna waiting."

Neysa dragged Eve into the house. Sergeant Kallis looked suspiciously down at Mr. Penna.

"It is a bit unusual for someone in the inner court to have a lacarnian, let alone two. What is it that you do, Mr. Penna?"

Mr. Penna cleared his throat. "I am an Inspector."

Melody let out a tiny gasp. Mr. Penna shifted nervously, but refused to acknowledge her.

"It is helpful to have one or two of them under my control. They can sometimes get information that I cannot."

Sergeant Kallis began to ask another question, but Melody interrupted him. "Were you really an Inspector?"

Mr. Penna stared hard at Melody. "Am, Ms. Eliades. I am an inspector, which reminds me. A few things you said during our trip have me concerned about your order's activities. I will be paying you a visit tomorrow."

Melody's face flushed red with anger. "What!"

Before any further discussion could take place, Neysa and Eve returned. Eve handed some papers over to Sergeant Kallis who hurriedly leafed through them.

"These seem to be in order. Next time do not forget them so as not to waste my or any other Protector's time." He handed the papers to Mr. Penna. "Come Maxwell, we are far enough behind schedule as it is. Lieutenant Biros is expecting you, and I need to return to my post."

Sergeant Kallis started back down the alley. "You're coming too, Ms. Eliades. You know as well as I that no member of the Children of the Immortals is allowed inside the court without an escort. I will drop you off at the gate where you can be on your way."

Melody hesitated. "I have questions for you, Mr. Penna. I..."

Mr. Penna handed the papers to Neysa. "We will discuss the issues tomorrow, Ms. Eliades. As for you, Maxwell, be here early in the morning. I want to show you the rest of the city. You need to get familiar with it if you are to one day join the Protectors."

Melody left to follow Sergeant Kallis. Max paused, a little confused by what had just happened, questions swirling around in his head. Mr. Penna nodded down the alley.

"Go on, Maxwell."

Eve started to wave goodbye but had her hand pulled down by Neysa.

"Bye, Maxy."

Max turned around, hoping Mr. Penna would straighten things out tomorrow. He reached Sergeant Kallis as he ushered Melody out of the gate. He then followed the Sergeant to the north end of the street, pa.s.sing several well-dressed humans. No other lacarnians could be seen.

At the next gate, two heavily armored guards blocked their path. A third guard stepped out of a small structure next to the gate.

"State your names and business."

"I am Sgt. Alec Kallis. The boy is Maxwell Laskaris. We are to meet with Lieutenant Biros."

The guard nodded. "He is expecting you. Enter."

He signaled to a fourth guard that stood on top of the wall, above the gate. That guard, in turn, signaled to someone else on the other side. The wooden gate creaked open revealing an open courtyard. Pa.s.sing through, Max saw a second iron gate above them that could be lowered for extra protection if needed.

Except for a stable, the courtyard was empty. On the far side, stretching at least three hundred feet wide and towering close to six stories in height in areas, stood the Protector headquarters. Max's heart raced as they left their horses at the stables and entered the building.

Inside, the entryway opened into a large, empty room. Max spotted Tyco speaking with another person under an archway leading off to another room. Hearing someone enter, Tyco glanced at the entryway where, upon seeing them, he finished his conversation and crossed the room.

"Sergeant Kallis, it is about time you brought Maxwell. I thought I had left you with an easy task."

The vein on Kallis's head started to throb again. "He is a stubborn boy and his friends did not make things any easier."

Tyco scoffed at the Sergeant. "A boy, a young lacarna girl, an old Professor, and a wannabe Immortal. Yes, a tough group for a well-trained Protector." Tyco sighed. "I suppose I should be glad you survived. Perhaps you should take some time off to recuperate."

"That's not necess..."

Tyco waved off-handedly. "Dismissed!"

Sergeant Kallis seethed. "Yes sir!" Turning, he stormed out of the building.

With the sergeant gone, Tyco relaxed, giving Max a warm smile.

"So, Max, what do you think of Moenia?"

"It's huge! I can't wait until tomorrow for Mr. Penna to show me the rest of it."

Tyco straightened, throwing his shoulders back. "I don't know what he has in mind to show you, but I can easily say that you are in the best part of it. This is the headquarters of the Protectors, the most fortified structure in Moenia, containing valuables that you won't find anywhere else in Velrune."

Max's eyes widened. "Wow! Like what?"

Tyco chuckled. "Not now, Max, we have other business to attend to. Come, follow me."

Tyco led Max through several rooms and hallways before reaching a pair of large, lavishly decorated doors. A Protector standing guard opened one of the doors at Tyco's approach. They entered the doorway, stepping into a large room with a long, narrow table in its center. Four men rose from their seats at the table as the door closed behind Max.

Max swallowed hard. These men are no ordinary Protectors. They can only be in their late twenties, but their armor is expensive and master crafted.

He dared not guess the age of the fourth man who stood on the opposite side of the table. He seemed ancient with his white beard and hair and many wrinkles. He wore a magnificent robe instead of armor. It was this man who greeted them.

"Tyco, I see that you have brought Mr. Laskaris at last."

Tyco bowed. "Yes, my Lord."

The old man turned to Max. "Maxwell Laskaris, it is good to see you in person. Your father was a great man. His loss, and the reported loss of his son, deeply saddened us. When Tyco told us of your survival we dared not believe it, but here you are."

Max stood silent, unsure of how to respond. The old man detected his discomfort.

"How rude of me, I am Lord Avram, leader of the Protectors. Welcome, Maxwell Laskaris."

"Um, thanks, I'm excited to be here."

"I am sure you are, Maxwell. Lieutenant Biros has informed me that you wish to join the Protectors in order to follow in your father's footsteps. Is this true?"

Is it true? It's all I have ever wanted since father died. I just wonder if I'm really good enough. Dad was so brave. I guess I still have a couple of years to train. I know I'll be ready then.

Max gave a single nod. "Yes sir, I do."

Lord Avram smiled. "Very good. If you are half as talented as your father you will be a great a.s.set to us. I a.s.sume Lieutenant Biros has told you that applicants must undergo intense training and pa.s.s a series of exams and rigorous physical tests before joining."

Max sighed as he thought of the long road ahead. It may take more than a couple years. I'll ask Tyco to train with me more often once we get back home.

Max puffed out his chest and looked Lord Avram directly in the eyes.

"I'll do whatever it takes, sir."

"I believe you will, my boy. That is why, after reading Lieutenant Biros' report of your training and natural abilities, along with our need for strong young men, I have decided to forgo the usual requirements. Maxwell Laskaris, you are granted entry into our ranks as a private."

Max nearly leapt out of his shoes. Lord Avram held up his hand.

"Provided, I might add, you successfully complete a mission for us."

"Anything, sir!"

"Very well. My captains Adrastos, Thanos and Leander have brought an issue before me that needs dealing with. Captain Adrastos, give Private Laskaris the parchment."

One of the other men, distinguished by his shaven head, rolled up a piece of parchment from the table and brought it over to Max. Max took the parchment as Lord Avram explained the mission.

"We've had reports of a gang of outlaws in Calix, a town several days west of Moenia, near the Obelia forest. There is always some type of disturbance in the outer villages, but in Calix it is growing to concerning proportions. I want you and another Protector to find who is running this gang and how many have joined. You will report your findings back to us. Is that clear?"

Max tried to contain his excitement, it didn't work. "Yes, sir!"

"Now that you are in our ranks, Private, you are to refer to me as Lord Avram."

"Yes, sir. I mean, yes, Lord Avram."

"You are dismissed. The parchment in your hands will give you further details. Oh, one more thing, Maxwell, should you hear any tales of a mysterious stone, report them to us as well."

"Yes, Lord Avram."

Max bowed to everyone in the room before Tyco guided him out. With the doors closed behind them, Tyco paused to talk to Max.

"So, what did you think?"

Max, overwhelmed by what had just happened, tried to come up with the words to express his excitement. Finally, he threw his hands in the air in excitement.

"I can't wait to get started."

"Good. I'll take you down to the armory to get you equipped for your mission. Eventually, you will want to have armor and weapons made specifically for you, but, for now, we'll see what we can find lying around. After that, I will take you to the sleeping quarters where you'll stay the night. It will do you good to spend time with the other Protectors."

"Are you staying here?"

"No, I have my own a.s.signment. I'm leaving Moenia tonight, which means I will have to show you around the rest of headquarters another time. At least you will get to see the city tomorrow with Mr. Penna. Just make sure you meet the other Protector at the designated spot and time. It would not be good to be late for your first mission."

"I'll make sure I'm there early."

Tyco laughed. "I suppose there is a first time for everything."

Tyco walked down the hallway with Max in tow.

"Oh, one more thing, Maxwell. Lord Avram frowns on Protectors having close a.s.sociations with the lacarna or the Children of the Immortals. I would say my farewells to Evangeline tomorrow."

Max stopped in his tracks. "Eve's my friend. She always goes with me."

Tyco stopped and turned. "Not anymore." He gave a rea.s.suring smile. "Don't worry; you'll be gone for several weeks with this a.s.signment. By the time you return you will have a better understanding of our rules."

Max nodded, but his heart wasn't in it. "I suppose."

As they started towards the armory once again, Max couldn't think of anything that would make him want to stay away from Eve. The Protectors would have to make an exception.

CHAPTER FIFTEEN.

Max had spent most of the night listening to the other Protectors tell of their adventures. When morning came, he was ready to start his own adventure, despite leaving the barracks still half asleep. On the way out of the courtyard, he stopped at the stables to check on Starlight. The trip had worn her out, but she would recover after enough rest.

Max left the compound and headed for Mr. Penna's. I can't wait to tell Eve that I've joined the Protectors, and that we have a mission.

When he arrived, Max knocked on Mr. Penna's door. To his surprise, Mr. Penna opened the door instead of Neysa.

"Ah, good morning, Maxwell. Ready to go?"

"I have been all night."

"Good, give me one moment, and I will be right out."

Mr. Penna disappeared back into the house, returning a minute or two later. He stepped outside, closing the door behind him.