"Alright, let us be on our way."

"Isn't Eve coming?"

Mr. Penna headed down the alleyway. "She left at first light."

Max followed Mr. Penna.

"Left? Where to?"

"I sent her with Neysa on some errands."

Max frowned. "Oh. I wanted to tell her that the Protectors asked me to join them."

Mr. Penna stopped in his tracks. "So soon? Hmm, interesting." He resumed walking. "Do not worry, we are to meet them later in the day. I have a feeling she will have a few things to tell you as well."

The two spent the day winding their way through the city streets. Max felt as if he had stepped into another world. Swift.w.a.ter had few shops, everyone working with what they had or borrowed it from someone else. Only the rare traveling merchant brought anything unique. Here; however, a number of shops sold a variety of items from furniture to toys.

Once adjusted to the crowded streets and the menagerie of goods for sale, other things became apparent to Max. First, he could tell by the condition of the buildings and materials used that the city had been constructed over several different periods. Second, he noted the differences in the number of humans to lacarna. On the northern side of the city, humans abounded and kept a close watch on any stray lacarnians. Near the center market, the two races nearly evened out. As they continued past the market to the south, the population shifted in favor of the lacarna, so that by the time they reached the southernmost part of the city, few humans walked the street. The lacarnians watched him and Mr. Penna closely.

Having reached the southern tip of the city, they now stood in the archway of a stone wall that was centuries old. Plants had overtaken most of it so that little of the stone shown through. Beyond the archway grew a large garden filled with an unending variety of trees, flowers and plants. Strangely, several human men and women, dressed in plain white robes, tended the garden. Farther back stood a building that had become as overgrown as the archway.

Mr. Penna, whom Max now realized had intentionally paused here to give him the full effect of the place, strolled down the path into the building. Max took his time following, trying to take in as much of the garden as he could. More than once he tripped on a vine or root that had escaped its bounds and grown over the path.

Crossing the doorway of the building, Max stepped into a large open room containing several rows of tables and chairs. Vines sprouting flowers reached across the ceiling and down the corners. The walls themselves were mostly covered with moss with only bits and pieces of stonework showing.

Max chuckled. I think the gardeners need to work in here.

From his right, across the room, came a familiar, cheerful voice. "Maxy, over here."

To his right stood a small group of people conversing with one another. Max headed in their direction, looking for Eve as he went.

I know that was her voice, but I don't...

Someone waved at him. "Here, Maxy."

Wait, that's Eve but she's wearing different clothes.

Instead of her usual worn out pants and shirt, Eve now wore a pair of tight, leaf green shorts and a fitted shirt that stopped at her midriff. Focused on her, Max caught the leg of a chair with his foot, sending him tumbling to the floor.

"Ouch!"

Max rolled onto his back, rubbing his forehead. As the stars cleared, he found Eve bending over him. "Are you okay?"

Max groaned. "Yeah, but I'm not sure what happened."

Eve laughed. "Well, for starters, most people would have walked around the chair rather than straight into it."

Eve grabbed Max's hand and pulled, helping Max to his feet. "A chair? I didn't see it, I guess I was distracted."

Eve laughed. "I'll say, but by what?"

Max focused on Eve, taking note of her new clothing again. Blushing, he turned his head away to face one of the upper corners of the building. "The...uh...building. It looks really old."

Eve looked in the same direction. "It is, nearly 1,000 years." Eve faced Max again. "Now come on, Mr. Penna has already joined us."

Eve headed for the others, dragging Max along. "Oh, and Max, watch out for the other chairs."

"Yeah, yeah."

Max let her pull him along as he studied the small bag strapped to Eve's back.

What would she put in there?

In answer to his silent question, Spook popped her head out the top of the bag, startling him.

Well that answers that. I guess with her new clothes there isn't any other place for you to go.

A moment later they joined the others who consisted of Melody, Mr. Penna, Neysa and another older lady who wore the same outfit as those out in the garden. They stood in a small circle facing each other. At Max's left stood Neysa who leaned over and whispered to him.

"I see you noticed Eve's new clothes."

Max felt the heat rise in his face and whispered back. "Uh, yeah, I didn't recognize her at first."

Eve turned. "I was wondering why you didn't pay any attention to us when you first came in. So, do you like them?"

Max's face felt like he'd been out in the sun too long. He too often forgot how well Eve could hear with those furry, pointed ears of hers.

"Yeah, Eve, they, uh, look great, but why the change?"

"Neysa said these would be a lot better for traveling in, especially without knowing what we would run into. I can definitely move a lot better in them."

To demonstrate her new found mobility, Eve bent backwards until her hands touched the floor. She then shoved her legs off the ground going up into a handstand. Max shook his head at the sight of her feet, she still wasn't wearing shoes.

Eve continued her arc, lowering her waist to move into a split when she came into contact with the ground. As if having exerted no effort at all she hopped up and grabbed Max's arm.

"I see you've got a few new things yourself."

In the armory Tyco had fitted him with gauntlets and a leather breastplate. Max had well-toned muscles, but not the build to support full armor. He would need to rely more on speed and flexibility. Along with the armor, Tyco had also given him two new short swords which he now carried sheathed on either side of his waist.

Max nodded with pride. "Tyco said if I was going to be a Protector I had better look the part."

Eve bounced up and down. "They let you join?"

Max saluted to no one in particular. "Private Maxwell Laskaris."

Eve hugged Max. "Congratulations!"

"Thanks, Eve. I even have my first mission. I have to go to a place called Calix."

"Great! When do we go?"

Max grew quiet. He scratched his head as he contemplated his conversation with Tyco.

"Well, actually, Tyco said it would be best if you didn't go with me."

Eve's smile disappeared. Max shifted from one foot to the other.

"Apparently there are rules about Protectors a.s.sociating with lacarna."

Melody, who had been listening in, snickered. "Yeah, as in, they're not supposed to."

Max cleared his throat. "Yeah, that would be it."

Eve bowed her head. . "I thought this would happen, just not so soon." she said whimpering.

Max gently touched Eve's chin, lifting her head so he could see her eyes. "I didn't say you couldn't go. I mean, they surely make exceptions." Max turned to Melody. "Right?"

Melody shook her head. "The Protectors are not keen on making exceptions."

"But..."

Melody held up her hand. "Unless, of course, it benefits them."

Max beamed. "Oh, well, in that case, I'm sure I can find some benefit to having Eve along. Hey!" Max rubbed his arm where Eve had punched him. "I mean, I can't count the number of great ways she will benefit me. Besides, it's not like I could actually stop her from coming along."

Eve hugged Max "That's more like it."

Mr. Penna chuckled. "You have much to learn, Maxwell, but at least you have a good idea of what is really important. You also have a good grasp of who is more dangerous to cross."

Eve let go of Max and looked disapprovingly at Mr. Penna. "Hey!"

The others joined in Mr. Penna's laughter. Once everyone settled back down Melody introduced the older lady that stood beside her.

"Max, this is Lady Metis, the head of our order. She has something for you."

Lady Metis, surveyed the group then took a wooden box, dyed deep red, from the table behind her, holding it for them to see.

"Lt. Laskaris gave me this box eleven years ago. I promised him I would keep it safe until he could return. Since he cannot return, as his heir, I offer it to you Maxwell Laskaris."

Max stared at the box with a mixture of curiosity and longing. His dad had left him few things from his past. Mr. Penna provided the only real resource about his father, but he spoke little beyond a few adventures, never giving any real details.

"What's in it?"

Lady Metis shook her head. "I do not know. He did not tell me. After hearing the reports of his death, I tried to open it, but could not. The locks are fastened shut with no place for a key."

Max took the box from Lady Metis. He studied the two latches, finding no place for any type of key or pin. Max rotated the box trying to find any type of release. Finding nothing, he tried to pull at one of the latches to no avail. Giving up he held it out to Mr. Penna.

"Do you know how to open it, Mr. Penna?"

"I am afraid not, Maxwell. I did not even know of its existence. I had my hands full with you when we arrived here so many years ago."

Max sighed. "A box I can't open isn't very helpful."

Lady Metis smiled softly. "It can be opened or your father would not have given it to me for safe keeping. It is an unusual box, so I imagine it will take an unusual method of opening it, if you do not wish to destroy what is inside. Take it with you to Calix. There are those in the outlands that are more familiar with such objects."

Max tucked the box under one arm. "I hope so. I would like to know what my father found so important that he locked it in such a box and kept it hidden from you, Mr. Penna."

"Your father kept few secrets from me, but he did keep them. I will look forward to your return so you can inform me of its contents."

"You're not going with us?

"No, I am not. Neysa and I will be heading out on our own little adventure."

Max was surprised. Mr. Penna didn't like to travel much. "Where are you going?"

"I cannot say at this time, but I know it will be a long trip. In fact, I am sure you will return sooner than I, which makes it all the more important that I be off to prepare for it. As for you and Evangeline, Lady Metis, do you have room to put them up for the night?"

"Lacarnians are always welcome here. As for Maxwell, despite his new a.s.sociation with the Protectors, the young lad saved one of our own. We will honor that debt."

Max had not expected to leave Mr. Penna so soon. "We're not returning with you?"

"You have an early start tomorrow, Maxwell. You will need your rest. You will not get it with Neysa and me tonight. We have much to get ready. So, for now, this is where we part."

Mr. Penna reached out his hand to Max. Max felt a piece of him slip away. No one could replace his father, but Mr. Penna had tried and, at least from Max's perspective, had done a great job. This would be the first time the two had gone their separate ways. Max pushed Mr. Penna's hand aside, giving him a hug instead. Trying to keep his voice steady, he whispered in Mr. Penna's ear.

"I will make you and my father proud."

Mr. Penna returned the hug. "I have no doubt of that, my boy."

The two broke their embrace. Together the group walked out into the garden where they parted. At the archway, Mr. Penna turned to face them.

"We will meet again, Maxwell, be sure of that. I leave you now with one last piece of advice. Do not let the beliefs of others cloud what your own eyes and heart hold as the truth. If you are unsure of the truth, then do everything you can to find it. Until we meet again, Maxwell Laskaris."

Mr. Penna nodded then walked out of the archway. Lady Metis motioned Max and the others towards the church.

"The evening is moving along. I will have beds prepared for you. You will need your rest. I have a feeling that there is more to your mission than we may realize."

This got both Eve's and Max's attention. "What do you mean?"

"I am unsure of the meaning myself, but I have lived long enough to sense when things are about to change. We all may be in need of strength before long."

Back inside the building, Lady Metis went about her own business. Melody led Max and Eve to one of the tables where others had already begun the evening meal. As soon as they sat, a couple of young girls brought each of them a bowl of a wonderful smelling vegetable stew. While he waited for the stew to cool, he took a look around at the others that slowly filled the hall. Most all were female varying in age from children to the elderly. Eve's voice brought Max back to the meal.

"Mmm, this stew is really good, Melody."

"The vegetables are grown here so it is nice and fresh."

After the meal, Melody took Max and Eve to the sleeping quarters in the back of the building where the two were given cots next to each other.